Rent a Friend

[MJ12]

Scott Rosenbaum has thousands of people available to keep you company --

for a price.

​

But he's no pimp, and his website, RentAFriend.com, is no escort service. Pay $24.95 a month (or $69.95 a year) to become a member, and you get to choose from a vast menu of "friends" with whom you can play Parcheesi, go to the movies, or perhaps use as a fake relative. Almost anything,

as long as it doesn't involve sex.

​

While some may think it sad that people are willing to pay for the most basic human companionship, Rosenbaum (pictured) views it as an underserved niche and a promising business opportunity. He thinks of his venture as the antidote to dating and sex sites like AshleyMadison.com, which facilitates extramarital hookups. "I want to take it a step backward," he told WalletPop. "It's about platonic friendship. There's a complete void in that market."


Granted, most of his customers who claim to be merely looking for a pal tend to choose a member of the opposite sex. But Rosenbaum writes that off as human nature. The intent just better not be nooky. While some of his RentAFriends dress provocatively in their profile photo, it's all about context. Someone wearing a cleavage-baring cocktail number at a party is one thing; flaunting that same dress in a come-hither pose on the bed is another.

And Rosenbaum has made it a mission to view and approve every profile.

​

Jennifer Morrison,a married 31-year-old RentAFriend from Las Vegas, accompanied a shy computer programmer to the Pinball Hall of Fame and helped a stay-at-home mom fill her scrapbook, an Associated Press story reported. She charges $20 to $30 an hour.

Lori Thomas, who is in her early 40s and is from Southern California, recently signed up as a friend for hire. She charges $40 an hour. "I did already have one request to go walking on the beach, but the person had to reschedule for next week since he had to go out of town,"

"I want to grow it to where someone comes along and wants to buy it for a lot of money," he said. Yet, Rosenbaum says he sees the site as more than just a way to make cash.

http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2010/...02/rentafriend-com-find-a-friend-for-a-price/

 

[YROC]

"as long as it doesn't involve sex"

These guys are just playing hard to get.

 

[Warped]

Hell for $10 an hour on my days off I'll be your friend. He keeps talking about sex which makes me believe this network does just that

 

[Darkside55]

CL > personals > strictly platonic

 

[Krynn72]

I saw on the Colbert Report that China has been doing this for years. They hire white guys to wear suits and be sophisticated looking in order to make their companies look prestigious. The requirements included 1. Being white 2. Not knowing how to speak Chinese.

This guy is a just busta.

 

[Kaptain H]

I saw on the Colbert Report that China has been doing this for years. They hire white guys to wear suits and be sophisticated looking in order to make their companies look prestigious. The requirements included 1. Being white 2. Not knowing how to speak Chinese.

This guy is a just busta.

Lol, I've heard about that before. I guess it gives the company face when it looks like they do business with international white people.

 

[No Limit]

$24.95 a month for a posse? Where do I sign up? These aren't a bunch of illegals they are hiring for that cheap, are they?

 

[dfc05]

I have to admit I'm always tempted to find some random person to go to concerts with me because everyone I know is either out of town or doesn't like going to shows. I'm not desperate enough to pay someone to go with me though. (ok maybe I'd pay for their ticket if it were under $20).

 

[<RJMC>]

I think is more creepy someone who pays people to be theyr friends tham someone whit no friends at all

 

[Polaris]

If he doesn't fight police with you he's not a real friend.