I went to Rent A Center in December and brought in a "one month free rental" coupon for a washing machine, which I needed desperately.
A representative named Shawn assisted me and showed me a washer in the rear of the store, which had been previously rented (was used up pretty bad... Dented, scratched, but otherwise inside worked fine, he said), that they had for a carry-out price of $300. I didn't have cash, so I rented it on a contract to pay around $57 a month until paid in full, at which time I'd own the washing machine.
During the paperwork stages, several odd things happened. Shawn and I discussed owning the machine and he and I expressly discussed how long I could afford to make payments. I was told the machine would be sold to me for a period of one year. One year. (I just noticed it says 55 weeks. Someone added 3 weeks... To the contract... And I didn't realize it until too late - so I got a month free on a coupon and then 3 weeks of added rent from a quick slight of hand). I did read the contract (for those who will say "read the contract", but in all defense, I did not realize 55 weeks wasn't a year. I thought it was a year, and just today found out from the manager that 52 weeks is a year.)
Secondly, I handed the employee 2 proofs of income. One proof for myself, $790 and one for my child, $635 (not sure if those are exact amounts) and he said, "We will just use one for the contract" and put only one down. How has this effected me? Well, I have paid 6 months of the contract and am due to have a reduction if my income has dropped. My income has dropped to $805 and I requested such decrease in payments, BUT was denied by manager Jeff because I had only $790 on the contract. Not the entire income. This was again, his employee's doing, NOT mine.
Third, but not last, I signed up for monthly payments. I told the guy, verbally, what I wanted... Monthly payments. He said, "When you come in to make the first payment, it will be changed to monthly, but the contracts are weekly" and that I shouldn't worry. Well, because it's 55 weeks, not 52, like it should be, I am unable to get the reduction at this time... Until the other 3 weeks are done, according to that manager, which I am unable to get anyway... Because the employee only put down half my income.
Yes, I blame the employee, who was just doing his job, but moreso, I blame Rent A Center for NOT TRAINING EMPLOYEES PROPERLY before they interact on a contractual basis with the public and before they deliver home furnishings.
Shawn was one of many revolving employees there.
I have also had damages to my home... Subsequently costing the employee who damaged the things his job. The guy they sent to my house appeared to be on some kind of drug. He stood and kept watching his own hands moving. Like he was watching slow motion movies. His eyes were red-rimmed and glassy. He backed the truck into my tree and he was unable to get my washer onto the dolly, and into my home. I had to help him. I helped assist him in how to put a dolly onto the washer (something I am well aware of, because my parents owned a furniture store in which I worked) and I had to assist him into the home, up the stairs with the item. Once up the stairs, it was all his... Bad move. I should have helped him... in the process of his wheeling it across the house, he took a chip out of my fireplace, then directly caddy-corner from that, a chip out of my microwave cart and then 2 chips out of the door in the bedroom, while he unloaded it. These are not small. Two are over 2" each and one is about 3" across where the corner to the fireplace came off. I have photos. He also stepped on my DVD player, which was by my dresser, near where the washing machine goes (we had just moved in). I did report this immediately to the manager, and the employee was relieved of his duties. The boss at that time, Clay, told me he would send me forms to file and then I asked again about filing a claim 3 months later... He said I could talk to a regional manager about it, and nobody called me.
Today, Jeff thought I was just being a pill when I mentioned my damaged property and how it had never been dealt with. He said it was funny I'd bring it up now. Well I am not bringing it up now. I've been bringing it up all along.
It is six months later. I just today spoke to the FIRST PERSON who has EVER called me back. The very first! This manager told me that I am not eligable for a reduction due to 3 facts. #1., not enough income reduction (due to employee slight of hand only puting down one income instead of two I am screwed out of getting a rental reduction) and #2., due to 55 weeks, it isn't half time, and #3. He said that no forms need to be filed to complain about my broken property, and I doubt he believed it was broken. I offered photos and he said to send them to him. I do not know if my property will ever be replaced or repaired.
I am, at this point, out of money (he told me I can wait till July 4 to make a decision to either keep or get rid of this washer), and I won't be getting a reduction. I am really leary of waiting till July 4, because I feel he will say I am overdue 2 months at that time, demanding a double payment, or something, even though he told me on the phone, verbally, "this month is on us". I just don't trust him. I have no reason to. They have never, ever kept their word with me in this city.
My payment was due the 6th. I've waited for the manager to call me back from the store, itself, since that date. She never did. I had to call her. I got several calls, though, in the meantime from employees named Troy and Lamar who were threatening to come pick up the washer, and who were strong-arming money out of me via the telephone... Even though I kept telling them I could not make a payment until Sandra called me back about this situation. I did not want to pay $56 when I could be paying $23. Not when they could make a simple call and find out.
My experience with this store is very negative. I've seen at LEAST ten employees and managers come and go in six months. I have seen a total and complete lack of communication and skill when working with the public. I am outraged at myself, of course, for not knowing the exact amount of weeks in a year and for signing a contract on a weekly basis, when the verbal contract was on a monthly basis... I know I made a mistake, but the employee who is representative of this company should NOT represent things aside from contractual obligation, for what they are not. He should put all proofs of income down, when handed them. Not half the income. That screwed me royally from getting my reduction.
My reason for complaining is this: If they would call me and just set this straight... Give me a new contract, based upon the real income, at half the rate I rented this at and if they would take responsibility for my broken items, and replace them, I would not be upset.
I am bitter, but with reason. This manager treated me poorly and said I had no idea about the law. I am a Paralegal, by the way (not certified in this state yet), but that doesn't mean I know the contractual law of rental items. I should have known enough to read the contract... But their letters are SO SMALL and... By the way, if my contractual knowledge DOES serve me right... Isn't there a type-set font size that is supposed to be used on contracts so there is no problem reading them? Their size is VERY SMALL FONT and I just got glasses prescribed last month... 2 pair. One close up and one distance. No matter... Couldn't read it anyway with small print like that.
I want a manager from that center to get hold of me with a change in the contract so I can keep my washer at a rate I can afford to pay. That rate is half what I'm paying right now. It simply is too high for me to afford at this time. I want the contract re-written, properly, and I want an apology for the treatment I've recieved. (Did I mention I missed jobs consecutively for 15 days while I waited for return calls I never recieved from various managers and employees regarding this reduction?) I kept hearing, "I WILL call you back. Don't worry. I will call." and so I faithfully waited.
I will remove this entire thread, if possible, if they can make arrangements to meet me in my requests.
1. I want my contract reduced to $23, which is half my rate, since my income has dropped to half what it was upon signing up.
2. I want my contract re-written for the original agreement of one year, based on monthly payments, not weekly, and based on the true income, not one of the incomes.
3. I want my items, which are broken replaced, repaired by professionals, or restored or I want monetary compensation for such items.
4. I want the month free I never got!
Sincerely,
Renee Riley
Red Bluff, California
VERY DIS-SATISFIED AT THIS TIME
Renee
Red Bluff, California
U.S.A.
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