@Trikkitt@mastodon.social @volpeon@icy.wyvern.rip cont: As to mobile phones it is true that it is cheaper in the first month or two that renting a handset with inclusive calls is cheaper, BUT if you keep the phone for a couple of years it'll be cheaper over the whole period so yes if you have no capital, and NEED a phone it is a means of entry However as with all such business models, ultimately the cost of the equipment + the cost of the calls + the cost of any repairs must be less than the rental or the company would be losing money So as with insurance there is a risk to the company if the equipment becomes faulty (a risk an outright purchaser takes on) but it is a low risk - and often is supplemented by insurance sold at the time for accidental damage Finally of course there is some benefit to the supplier in bulk purchase of both handsets and calls but generally in the long term even that benefit wains Also is you own the handset you can sell the phone (or TV / VCR historically) on upgrade 2nd hand