I recently visited a Rent-A-Center store in Stockbridge, GA.in the past I have bought a few electronics from the rental stores without any problem. I was aware that they would slighty raise thier prices to make a profit off of renting customers. The two times that I bought televisions I had always took the "90 Days same as Cash" option so I would not pay an astronomical price for the merchandise.
Last month my husband and I finished paying off a 40 inch LCD t.V. Within the 90 day time frame. It was a little more than one from the Department store but it was a way that I could get the television I wanted and not have to pay $1200 plus dollars all at one time... Almost like a layaway with the benefit of using the merchandise while paying. The day that my husband paid the t.V. Off I think they (the Rent-a-center employees, managers etc) were a little taken back because people usually do not pay off the merchandise within the 90 day time frame. When my husband paid the balance due on the television the manager was very quick to ask him if there was anything else that he could get for him such as furniture, electronics etc. My husband told him. "No"... He just wanted his receipt and proof of ownership so that he could leave.
The manager told him that he could let him have another television for "30 days" free of charge and if he decided to do so he could rent to own that one as well. We saw no harm in it so we agreed. The same day they brought an LG 42 inch LCD television to my house in the box, packaging etc and set it up. Several days later I was reviewing the paper work that they had given my husband for the television. I could not believe the price that they had for this t.V.! They had the t.V. Listed (they say) on the contract priced at $2,846. If you kept the television for the full rental period which was about 24-36 months I believe the price you wuld ultimately pay for the t.V. Would be $4,367. I took it upon myself to make a trip to Best Nuy to price the same LG 42 inch LCD t.V. The price on it was $1599.00. This past Sunday in the Best Buy sales paper the same t.V. Is on clearance at Best Buy for $1069.00. Rent-A-Center says theit prices are at "Fair Market Value". I was a little taken back by that! I could not believe it. Rent-A-Center pride themselves on offering "Price matching" but that is only for other rental companies... Not other retail stores.
These places are really getting over on people. There aren't many people that will take the time to do the leg work and find out if there are any cheaper places where they can make a purchase. Another thing that really got on my nerves while renting to own the television that I got. My husband and I was "never" late on any payment. Our payments were always due on Saturdays. Every Saturday morning or early afternoon someone from Rent-A-Center would call my house or my mobile phone to give me a "reminder" that my payment was due. Often times when I would talk to the manangers there at the store their attitudes stunk. (Everett and Juan) If someone made a mistake they were always quick to say something was the others fault etc. I was glad when I finished paying for my t.V. I think it ought to be against the law for these place to charge "triple" the cost of their merchandise... I don't see how it can be justified... It's ridiculous!
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