Question 1

What is Nably?

Accepted Answer

Nably is a peer-to-peer rental marketplace connecting locals who have items and services with people who need them for vacations, events, and everyday adventures. Whether you need a beach setup, party supplies, photography services, or outdoor gear, Nably connects you directly with hosts in your area — securely, with built-in payments, deposits, and protections for both sides.

Question 2

How do I browse listings?

Accepted Answer

Head to the Browse page and search by keyword, location, and dates. You can filter by category (beach, outdoor, party, etc.), occasion (bachelorette party, family vacation, wedding, etc.), and delivery availability. Listings automatically show availability overlays when you enter dates, so you'll only see what's available for your trip.

Question 3

What's the difference between individual listings and packages?

Accepted Answer

Individual listings are specific rentable items (chairs, coolers, tents, etc.) priced per day or flat rate. Packages are curated, full-service event experiences — like a beach setup service, DJ, photographer, or bounce house delivery — priced per event. You can find packages on the Packages page or through the Event Planner.

Question 4

What is Instant Book vs. Request to Book?

Accepted Answer

With Instant Book, your booking is confirmed immediately and payment is captured right away. With Request to Book, your card is authorized (but not charged) and the host has 24 hours to approve or decline. If approved, payment is captured. If declined or if the host doesn't respond, the authorization hold is released and you're charged nothing. You can withdraw a pending request before it's approved.

Question 5

How does pricing work? What fees are charged?

Accepted Answer

Your total includes: the rental subtotal (base price × days × quantity), any delivery or retrieval fees, premium setup fees, add-on hours, extra guest fees (for packages), minus any multi-day discounts, plus a 10% service fee, applicable sales tax, and a refundable security deposit. Any referral coupon or Nably content voucher is applied as a discount at checkout. The full breakdown is shown before you confirm.

Question 6

What is the security deposit, and when is it returned?

Accepted Answer

The deposit is a temporary hold charged at booking to protect the host in case of damage. The amount is set by the host (up to $500 max depending on listing price). It is automatically refunded 7 days after your return date, as long as no damage claim is filed. If a host files a claim, the deposit may be held pending resolution.

Question 7

Is my payment secure?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All payments are processed by Stripe, a PCI-compliant payment platform. Nably never stores your full card details. Your payment method is retained for up to 14 days after your return date in case a damage claim is filed — this is disclosed in our Terms of Service.

Question 8

How do I pick up or receive my rental?

Accepted Answer

Your host's exact address is unlocked in the app 24 hours before your scheduled pickup time. You'll see it in the address card on your rental detail page. The address is never emailed — it's only shown in-app. If you chose delivery, your item will be brought to you. After booking, your host receives only your general delivery area and how far away you are. Your full delivery address reaches them 24 hours before your rental — or as soon as you book, if you chose that at checkout.

Question 9

Can I get my rental delivered to my location?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if the host offers delivery. You'll see delivery options on the listing. Some hosts offer free delivery within a certain radius, with a per-mile fee beyond that. You'll enter your delivery address during checkout, and the exact delivery fee is calculated and shown before you confirm. For privacy, your full delivery address is shared with the host 24 hours before your rental — or as soon as your booking is confirmed, if you choose that option at checkout. Until then they see only your general area.

Question 10

What happens after I book? Walk me through the process.

Accepted Answer

After booking, you'll coordinate a pickup (or delivery) time with your host — you pick a time window and the host confirms it. The host marks your item as handed off (with photos) at the agreed time. During your rental, you can message your host in-app. When you're done, the host marks the return, and you confirm it in the app. After confirmation, your deposit is released within 7 days and you'll be prompted to leave a review.

Question 11

How do I confirm my return at the end of my rental?

Accepted Answer

After your host marks the item as retrieved (with photos), you'll see a prompt in your My Rentals page to "Confirm Return" or "Report a Problem." If you confirm, the booking is marked complete. If you don't respond within 24 hours, the system auto-confirms the return on your behalf.

Question 12

What if the item is damaged, missing, or not as described?

Accepted Answer

If an item isn't as described, reach out to the host through messaging first. If you can't resolve it, use the Dispute / Support form. If damage occurs, the host can file a claim within 48 hours of your return date. You'll have 48 hours to submit a counter-response with your own description and photos. Nably admins review both sides and make a final determination.

Question 13

Can I cancel my booking? What is the refund policy?

Accepted Answer

Yes. For individual rentals: more than 14 days before check-in = full refund including service fee; 72 hours–14 days = full rental refund, no service fee refund; 24–72 hours = 50% rental refund, no service fee; less than 24 hours = no refund. For packages and premium setups: more than 14 days before the event = full refund including service fee; 7–14 days = full rental refund, no service fee; 3–7 days = 50% rental refund, no service fee; less than 3 days = no refund. The security deposit is always refunded on cancellation. Any applied coupon or voucher is returned to your account.

Question 14

What happens if a host cancels on me?

Accepted Answer

If a host cancels your booking, you receive a 100% refund including the service fee and deposit. You'll also receive a one-time Nably content voucher worth 20% of your rental value, valid for 6 months. The host is charged a cancellation penalty by Nably.

Question 15

How does the review system work?

Accepted Answer

After your booking is complete, you'll receive a prompt to leave a review for 7 days. You can rate your experience 1–5 stars, leave a comment (up to 500 characters), and attach up to 3 photos. All reviews are reviewed by Nably before being published. Once published, your review appears on the listing and the host's public profile.

Question 16

How do referral coupons and Nably vouchers work?

Accepted Answer

A referral coupon gives you 10% off your first eligible booking (minimum $50 rental) when you sign up via a referral link. A Nably content voucher is issued if a host cancels your booking — it can cover up to 100% of the rental subtotal (not deposit or fees) on your next booking. Only one coupon or voucher can be used per booking; vouchers take priority.

Question 17

How does messaging with my host work? Can I share my contact info?

Accepted Answer

You can message your host through in-app conversations in My Rentals or via the Messages page. During an active booking, you and your host are allowed to share contact information (phone, email, etc.) freely. Outside of active bookings, contact information shared in messages is automatically filtered out for safety.

Question 18

Can I save listings for later?

Accepted Answer

Yes — tap the heart icon on any listing card to save it to your favorites. You can organize saved listings into named trip lists (e.g., "Bachelorette Essentials") and even share your list with friends via a unique link.

Question 19

What is the Event Planner?

Accepted Answer

The Event Planner helps you browse listings organized by occasion — Beach Trip, Bachelorette Weekend, Family Vacation, Kids Party, Parties & Events, Wedding, and Romance. Each occasion shows relevant individual items and full-service packages to help you plan everything in one place.

Question 20

What happens if bad weather affects my rental?

Accepted Answer

If your listing is marked weather-dependent by the host and bad weather is forecasted for your pickup date, you'll see a weather notice with the option to propose a new date. The host can accept your proposal, suggest an alternative, or decline (in which case the booking proceeds as planned). If rescheduled, you'll be prompted to pick a new pickup time.

Frequently Asked Questions