On 08/04/05 I entered into an account with Rent A Center in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. I had an account with them for 87 weeks on a living room including: Leather Sectional Sofa w / Sleeper Pullout and 2 Reclining chairs; a coffe table and 2 end tables, and 2 lamps. All items were new at time of purchase.
I knew that the intrest rates were ridiculous, but being a person of small financial means, I had no other way of obtaining nice furniture for my family.
In December of my family and I had decided to move to Houston, Texas in January. We went to Rent A Center and spoke with Carlos Carrol (the assistant manager) he informed us that they could not transfer our account accross state lines but, that we could return the merchandise and recieve full credit for our account at one of their offices in Houston.
We were skeptical, so we were sure to speak with a few more employees before making a decision. I spoke with Blendi Berberi (the inside/outside manager) on several occasions and was assurred that I would have no problem obtaining the same merchandise when I arrived in Houston. I also maintained contact and spoke with other employees to confirm what I had been told. Jakie and Angel (I am sorry to say that their last names were not revealed to me).
Repeatedly, by everyone listed above, I was told that I would be taken care of, that the reinstatement clause of our contract would protect me, and that all of their companies are interlinked. I reviewed our contract, read the Reinstatement Clause, and was satisfied that this was the case.
When I returned my merchandise, my account had 22 weeks left and I had always paid my bill. I am not stating that I was always on time but, if I was ever late, I would notify them and pay. These people seemed very helpful and caring, so I had no reason to disbelieve anything that they told me.
I returned my furniture, and picked up my account information from Blendi Berberi (inside/outside manager). He printed a receipt for me showing my account information and I was pleased. I once again asked if he was absolutely positive that I would be able to reinstate my merchandise and I was once again, told "Absolutely".
When I arrived in Houston on January 8, I went to Rent A Center store #211 and was told that the only thing that they could do for me was to find another set of merchandise that had 22 weeks left on the account. As anyone can guess, and was admitted to me by Eloy Martinez (district manager), 99% of all accounts repossesed with 22weeks left on the account are just about destroyed. I was blown away!
This was the first of many altercations that occurred between myself and an array of employees, managers, district managers, and corporate office answering machines. I even attempted e-mailing the corporate office to no avail.
Now, on February 1, I have been in Houston waiting for almost a month for a phone call to give me any information at all. I have a 4 year old son, and a husband with a bad back who have been sitting on the floor in our apartment. I have been run around, lied to, ignored, hung up on, laughed about and told there's nothing we can do so many times I think I may be sick. I cannot believe that this company is preying on the people who can afford it the least. If they get away with this, how many other people will they hurt and steal from.
I don't know about other Rent A Center customers, but if I could have gotten furniture from another company to begin with, I would have. I couldn't afford it and now I am forced to just "deal" with the idea that they took my money and my furniture.
If anyone can help me, Please reply.
At the very least, I hope this hasn't happened to anyone else.
0 comments