Rental Policies
Return Policy
All GEARS rentals operate on a same-day basis. Please read this document carefully before booking — it outlines pickup windows, return deadlines, and what happens if things go wrong.
Last updated: April 2026
Rental expires at midnight
Every rental ends at 11:59 PM on the day it starts, regardless of what time you picked up the equipment.
Return by 7:00 AM next day
Equipment must be back with the vendor no later than 7:00 AM the following morning. Returns after 7:00 AM are treated as late.
1. How the Rental Window Works
GEARS operates on a same-day rental model. Each booking covers a single calendar day — the day you select at checkout. There are no multi-day pricing tiers; if you need gear for two days you create two separate bookings.
Rental Day Timeline
Early pickup window opens
Available to renters who have productions starting before 8 AM. Must be pre-scheduled with the vendor.
Standard pickup & use
Equipment is available from your agreed pickup time. You may use it throughout the booking day.
Rental period ends
Your rental officially expires at midnight on the booking day.
Return window
You have until 7:00 AM the following morning to return the equipment to the vendor.
Late return
Returns after 7:00 AM are subject to late fees at the vendor's discretion.
2. Pickup Scheduling
All pickups — whether standard or early — must be scheduled in advance with the vendor. Do not show up without a confirmed pickup time. Vendors have the right to refuse unscheduled collections.
Standard Pickup
Arrange a pickup time directly with your vendor via the booking message thread. Most vendors offer flexible windows between 8 AM and 8 PM on the rental day.
Early / Evening Pickup
If your shoot or production starts before 8 AM, you may request an evening pickup the day before. This must be explicitly agreed upon with the vendor in advance. Evening pickups do not extend the return deadline — equipment must still be back by 7:00 AM the following morning.
Important
An evening pickup does not grant an extra day. The rental window still ends at 11:59 PM on your booking date, and the 7:00 AM return deadline still applies.
3. Returning Equipment
Equipment must be returned to the same vendor location from which it was collected, unless a different drop-off point was agreed in writing within the booking chat before the rental began.
Return all items in the same condition they were collected.
Return all accessories, cases, cables, and batteries that came with the gear.
Notify the vendor if you are running close to the 7:00 AM deadline.
Do not leave equipment unattended at a drop-off point without vendor confirmation.
Do not send a proxy to return gear without informing the vendor in advance.
4. Late Returns
A return is considered late if the equipment has not reached the vendor by 7:00 AM the morning after your booking date.
Late fee: Vendors may charge an additional day's rental rate for any return received after 7:00 AM. This fee is set by the individual vendor and is visible on their listing.
No-show returns: If equipment is not returned within 24 hours of the deadline and the vendor cannot reach you, the matter will be escalated to the GEARS support team and may result in account suspension and a police report.
Extenuating circumstances: If you encounter an emergency that prevents a timely return, contact both the vendor and GEARS support immediately. We handle genuine emergencies on a case-by-case basis.
5. Damage & Loss
You are financially responsible for any damage, loss, or theft of equipment from the moment of pickup until it is confirmed received by the vendor.
Minor damage (scratches, scuffs within normal use): Report to the vendor at return. Vendors document equipment condition at both pickup and return — disputes are resolved using these records.
Major damage (broken components, sensor damage, water damage): You will be charged the repair or replacement cost as agreed with the vendor. GEARS may mediate if parties cannot agree.
Loss or theft: Replacement cost is your responsibility. Report theft to law enforcement and share the report number with both the vendor and GEARS support within 24 hours.
Document before and after
Always photograph or video the equipment condition at pickup in the presence of the vendor. This protects both parties in the event of a dispute.
6. Cancellations
More than 24 hours before pickup: Full refund, no questions asked.
Less than 24 hours before pickup: 50% of the rental fee is retained by the vendor to cover lost booking opportunity.
No-show (scheduled pickup missed without notice): No refund. The full rental fee is retained by the vendor.
Vendor cancels: You receive a full refund and a platform credit issued within 24 hours.
Have a question about a return?
Our support team is available every day between 6 AM and 10 PM.