I don't think that would accurately explain it. If that were the case, then none of the rental guys would have one in stock for rental.
4D offered one for rent, I paid for the rental then 3 days later they sent me an email saying it was out being sharpened, they don't know when it will be back or when they will get another one.
Then they said to me, "please advise." If they already KNOW they don't have it, then WHY is it available for rental? And WHY didn't they automatically decline my paypal payment or immediately refund it?
Usually, if a rental business gets several requests for a product, they know they are missing out on rental fees by not having this product for rent so they make the investment, begin renting the product, and everyone is happy. If this is 4D's way of gauging whether they should or should not stock an item for rent, it's a piss poor way of doing business.
One of our members here posted several weeks back about trying to rent the same 460 S&W reamer from them, and they told him the same story about it being out getting sharpened. I can't find the post now but I want to ask him if he got his money back.
I am still waiting to hear something from them, and my paypal case will be open 10 days come tomorrow, at this point I think I will get an email from them asking if I want them to step in and help.