Décathlon, a large sporting goods retailer, has introduced a long-term rental service for electric bikes and other technology products. Customers can rent these items for a monthly fee, typically in the range of several dozen euros. The rental package includes insurance and maintenance, which makes the option appealing for people who want to avoid a large initial expense. However, a closer look at the financial details shows that after a certain number of months, renting can become more expensive than buying the product outright. One important factor that many people may not consider is the residual value of the product. When someone buys an item, even though it loses value over time, they still own it and may be able to sell it later for some money. In contrast, when renting, the customer returns the product with no ownership and effectively pays for the entire loss in value themselves. According to a report, the point at which renting becomes more expensive than buying usually happens around the 12th month of the rental period. For example, a Décathlon Longtail Electric Cargo Bike costs 2,499.99 euros if bought new or can be rented for 89 euros per month over a minimum of 24 months. After two years, the total cost of renting is 2,136 euros. If someone buys the bike and sells it after two years, the total cost would be approximately 1,049.99 euros. This includes about 300 euros for maintenance and insurance and an estimated resale value of 1,750 euros after a 30% depreciation. The report shows that after the 12th month, the total amount paid in rental fees exceeds the cost of buying and reselling the bike. This suggests that for those who plan to use the product for a long time, buying might be more cost-effective than renting. Décathlon's rental service is considered a good option for short-term use or for people who cannot afford the upfront cost of purchasing the item.