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Rentals and sales are two terms that are often expressed in the same breath. Though many people are able to clearly distinguish between the two in explicit terms, come to think of it, there is actually a very fine line of difference between them. Like they say about so many things in life; a thin line between life and death, as between sanity and insanity, being cases in point. Without much ado, let us try and define these two often used terms. No, I am not talking about sanity and insanity! Hey, come on, you really think any two people will ever agree on their definition! Highly improbable, is what I feel! What I want to bring out is the obvious, albeit subtle difference between selling and buying something, or renting out and hiring something.

Two factors that immediately come to mind when dealing with these two terms, is time and money. Which is more important can well start up a heated debate between two perfectly “sane” people! Taking the first factor of time into consideration, one can safely assume, nay say, that selling is an act that has repercussions or benefits, however you may want to look at it,r for a longer period of time. As an aside, I would like to bring it to the notice of my readers that I started out with, but refrained from using the word “assume”. The reason for this I have always thought to be highly amusing! While in conversation with a friend some time back, she forbade me from using that word again as she felt that to assume something is to make a complete “ass” of you (“u”) and “me”! Needless to say, I was pretty impressed with this expansion of a word that is not even an acronym and have been trying hard not to use it inadvertently!!! Getting back to our definitions, renting, on the other hand, is an act that is usually, and comparatively, for a shorter duration of time.

Now that we have done away with and washed our hands off the aspect of time (not that anyone can ever claim to have achieved that!), we will turn our attention to the more pulsating factor for many, money! Selling and buying for the most part entail a larger amount of money coming into play than when renting something out or hiring it. Of course, one must remember that this comparison has been strictly made between selling or renting the same object; we are not comparing, for instance, the sale of a chair with the hiring of a luxury car!

There are also other differences between these two basically similar acts. Usually, trifles and petty things are not rent out! For example, I’m sure none of you have ever heard of a handkerchief being hired for a day’s use! The thought itself gives me the creeps! Who would ever want to use the same handkerchief again on being returned after a hard day’s work!! Another striking difference between the two is that while rented objects can be returned after a certain period of time, having been fully used to compensate for the value that was paid for them, sold objects are rarely, if ever, taken back. Of course, many retail stores have an option that enables customers to ‘exchange’ sold goods, if found unsatisfactory on any count, but returning it and getting back the amount paid for it, if not never, rarely happens!

There are myriad things that can be sold or rent out. The lists belonging to both are almost the same, barring a few items as has been mentioned earlier. I’m sure you don’t want me to refresh your memories with the tale of the handkerchief again!!! Houses, apartments, villas, cars, furniture, event halls, accessories, properties and the like are a few of the very many things that can be included in both these lists.

Borrowing – This is another term that is closely related to selling and renting. Where in selling, you pay a fixed amount and keep the object that you buy till whatever time pleases you, and while hiring, you pay a certain amount for an item and then return it after a stipulated and pre-defined period of time, borrowing entails no constraint of time and neither does it cost a single penny! Borrowing is act by which you take something that is not rightfully yours, of course with the consent of the owner, and then return it once its use for you is done with. The time period may range from a few measly hours to days, months, or even years! What this signifies is the absolute lack of a fixed period of time, unless of course, specifically decided by either of the two parties, and thrust, willingly or unwillingly, upon the other! Borrowing, as an act, is often the handiwork of close family members, friends, relatives, or other acquaintances. Friends figure by a whopping majority on this front! How many of you have at some time or the other complained about a cherished book, an item of clothing, or even a trivial bowl having been borrowed by Jill, Tacy or Mary, and never having seen it after that! I can see many heads nod in assent!

Stealing – Many of you will be wondering why I have included such an utterly blasphemous topic in this context! Well, let me bring to light the actual and the only real difference between borrowing and stealing. When something is borrowed, there is no money involved, and most certainly no time involved! When someone steals something, of course there is no money involved! As for time, how many thieves you’ve heard of have returned something, keeping time in mind, or for that matter, returned it at all! Before you crinkle your brows in alarm, let me remind you that the basic difference between these two acts is the use of force or pressure or the absence of knowledge. For, the act of stealing is committed either without the knowledge of the owner, or with the owner’s knowledge, but with the application of force and the arousal of terror. Borrowing, on the other hand, is always with the knowledge of the owner, well, almost always, and most certainly, with absolutely no fear or terror involved! Like I said, there is just this one difference between the two acts. You steal and you’ll have the cops behind your back; you borrow and never return, the poor owner cannot do anything much about it than sit and sulk now, can he!

Rentals And Sales