Tolk’s Rental Outfitter Targets College Move-ins
New York native Jerry Tolk’s local new startup lets renters buy furnishings “from soup to nuts” for less than the more traditional rental route.
After 37 years with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and now with the AJT, , Jaffe’s focus is lifestyle, art, dining, fashion, and community events with emphasis on Jewish movers and shakers.
Jerry Tolk, owner and operator of Atlanta-based Rental Outfitter helps renters and property owners transform houses or apartments into smart, functional living spaces.
Tolk, an army medic/veteran with a professional background in health and science communications, also targets campus move-ins and those who move out of school-furnished housing and into first apartments.
He explained, “You want your student to have the comforts of home, but understand the effort involved in thinking of everything for an entire apartment, planning and moving it all in and setting up … is a lot. Parents could be soaking in that time with family, exploring the campus and town. And we make this service affordable, so it’s accessible to every family.”
In understanding the business model (despite its name), Rental Outfitter does not rent anything. They purchase and install items on behalf of customers. They are pros in setting up fashionable living spaces, and can turn around most college apartments, including furniture, desks, area rugs, living room sets, pots, pans, dishes, and bathmats in less than four weeks.
Tolk stated, “The two best things our clients love: mom and dad don’t lift a finger, and they find our prices to be less than well-advertised retailers.”
Rental Outfitter also serves real estate investors with local properties and had “a warm reception with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services,” where agents help people find investment properties. Rental Outfitter also sells furnishing packages to residential real estate investors, long-term rental tenants and Airbnb’s, in addition to college students, clients of divorce attorneys, visiting nurses, and executives on temporary assignments here.
Tolk mentioned, “Airbnb, VRBO, or other types of rental property owners want their rentals to create experiences that lead to five-star reviews, which increases occupancy rates and allows them to command higher prices. Our goal is to provide a turn-key service to help these rental property investments perform better.”
In addition to furniture, cooking setups, entertainment spaces, coordinating art, appliances, and TV’s, they look to add small touches like a one-button latte machine, or bicycles with baskets.
Tolk explained one of his sweet spots: college students entering their junior and senior years at Atlanta-area colleges like Georgia Tech, Emory, University of Georgia, Kennesaw, and Oglethorpe who need cost-effective solutions for their new apartments.
Rental Outfitter’s college bedroom packages include installation of all essentials (bed, headboard, mattress, nightstand, rug, desk/chair, lamp, trash bin, and more) for $950 plus tax. Full dining rooms are available for under $1,000. They handle all aspects of purchasing, logistics, delivery, assembly, and setup. When they’re done, apartments are move-in ready.
The Rental Outfitter purchasing process professes to be super easy. They begin with a 30-minute interview to get the details and specifications. Then, one of their three part-time designers creates an all-inclusive quote within one to two days, including pictures of the furniture, a complete list of items, and the target installation day. They refine the design until the customer is satisfied. Upon signature and a 50 percent deposit, they order and ship the furniture to their insured and temperature-controlled warehouse in Doraville and confirm the delivery and installation date. On installation day, the remaining balance is due.
Their insured teams deliver, assemble, and arrange everything in the new home. The process can take eight to 10 hours. They conduct a live walk-through if the owner or tenant is on-site or a video walk-through.
Tolk concluded, “We are not finished until the customer is happy.”
Also, clients retain their own creativity in having input into their space.
If customers no longer want the furniture when their housing lease is up, Rental Outfitter will donate it to a charity.
“Basically, Rental Outfitter customers can own better quality furniture for less than renting, even for just 10-12 months,” said Tolk.
The Tolks attend Temple Emanu-El and Chabad of North Fulton.
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