From businesses point of view renting is a very nice source of revenue for the products, overall will get more profit out of it than would just by selling usually.
But from the customers point of view, renting stuff gives your obligation to be more careful with the product and also there will be a point where you will have paid more for renting that if you just bought it to yourself.
I think for smaller things that you could afford, renting is not a good idea.