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  • Report:  #355045

Complaint Review: Rent A Center - Thomasville North Carolina

Reported By:
- thomasville, North Carolina,
Submitted:
Updated:

Rent A Center
1404-A National Highway Thomasville, 27360 North Carolina, U.S.A.
Phone:
336-841-1383
Web:
N/A
Tell us has your experience with this business or person been good? What's this?
In August of 2007, I rented to own a brand new 2007 laptop from the Rent A Center in Thomasville, NC. The payments were $200 a month, and I paid on it faithfully, never ever late. I paid on it for 12 months, and by July 2008, I had paid $2000.00 on it. Now, we all know I could have went into any store any bought it straight out for $500. I do not believe that the computer manufacturers sell their computers to all other stores for $500, $600 and $700 and choose to pick on Rent A Center and charge them thousands. I had more than paid the worth of that computer by July 2008. And, before Rent A Center even starts rebuttling with their "features" argument, I did not see anything that computer had that computers at regular stores did not have.

Keeping this in mind, I had nothing but trouble out of the laptop. It crashed 3 times and both flash drives went out on it, this happened through no fault of my own. By July of 08, I had entered into financial hardship where I could not afford the normal $200 a month anymore, so I called, explained the situation and said I could continue paying at $50 a month. After all, I had already paid $2000, had nothing but trouble out of the computer, and only had 8 months to go before it was paid for.

They absolutely refused to work with me. The only thing they wanted to do was give me an even older, less dependable laptop with high payments I could not afford. Of course, I refused. They basically wanted to take my computer, keep my $2000, and leave me with absolutley nothing. They would not even give me a few hundred dollars back so I could buy one, even after I had had nothing but trouble out of the computer.

DO NOT get anything from Rent A Center. Firstly, it may take a while to save up to buy a product you want, but you will come out a lot cheaper in the end and not have to pay two or three times what the product is actually worth. Secondly, they are just there to get as much money from you as they can and leave you out in the cold when you need help. And, third, they do not care about the people who rent from them, or they would have helped me. I did not say I would not pay for the product anymore, although I had paid the worth of it. I just said that I could not pay as much as I had been for 12 months, and since I had had nothing but trouble out of the computer, I see no reason why that request could not have been granted, other than the fact that Rent A Center is just one big rip off.

But, if you wanna get something from them, go right ahead. You'll pay two or three times what the product is in regular stores and be left with absolutely nothing if you encounter a problem.

Chris

thomasville, North Carolina

U.S.A.


63 Updates & Rebuttals

Mwwatson

High Point,
North Carolina,
U.S.A.
Well Well Well...

#2UPDATE Employee

Sun, September 14, 2008

First off Chris, this is the first time that I've logged into the "Rip Off Report" and I can see that you're displeased with your experiences at RAC and being one of their employees, I do apologize for whatever issues you may have with the company, especially knowing the entire staff at the Thomasville RAC and all of your accusations just doesn't seem to fit the manager's and the staff's roles and personalities. First of all, RAC works with all customers and with all customer's situations, from the first time they walk into our door and they are greeted with the upmost respect because at RAC, we value our customers and the business they are prepared to do with us or not to do with us, it's their choice. Secondly, all types of people step foot into these stores everyday with the intensions of purchasing something, from doctors and lawyers down to everyday blue-collared people like you and I, I've seen it with my own eyes. Third, you walked into your Rental Agreement knowing what you paying and what would happen if the terms and conditions were not met, but I'm almost willing to believe that Thomasville's Management worked over every situation treating you with respect up to the time that you returned your merchandise... 1. All defects are treated 95% the same day or 100% within 24 hours provided by a loaner as well... so you don't have to go without... 2. Forgetting that the 3 options of ownership in North Carolina anyways, you had opportunties to save your money by as far as owning the merchandise in 90 days 3. Delivery and Set-up... all included 4. If we're that much of a rip off... couldn't have we matched the competition, perhaps saved you some more money... of course! 5. Could we have offered you an extension if needed or a rate reduction after 2/3 of the time has elapsed... of course! 6. Anything else that we could have went out of our way for to keep you happy and keep you renting, all you had to do was ask Before you rip RAC... remember the finer points of what we offer to the consumer and to the public, no matter what, everyone is going to be disatisfied with something... but like I said, I've seen customers for life who are more than happy with doing business with RAC again... no matter what they are, what they do, or even as far as if they're credit sucks or not.


Friendly Help

Anderson,
South Carolina,
U.S.A.
Gee, Chris, you figured it all out. You might want to read Smart Money, Sept '08, pg 28

#3Consumer Comment

Thu, August 14, 2008

The article is ''No Credit? No problem!'' Rent-A-Center is discussed, including the huge prices people are willing to pay to obtain their instant gratification. Also RAC was having problems in 2007 with people who did not pay, so RAC adopted a much more agressive stance towards people who did not pay and the result is that for 2008 RAC profits have INCREASED 141% I think this is where your experience comes in. Hey, RAC stock is expected to increase in price 20% this year!


Div 9

Meadville,
Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
3 days to a few weeks

#4UPDATE Employee

Thu, August 14, 2008

If you canlive 4 days to a few weeks to get your computer fixed,. great i appauled you, all i can say is my customers who buy from RAC get a working computer the same day, if theirs gets fubared. anyone should be able to go a few days with out a computer, but you would be surprised how many can't or so they think. More importantly most people can;t save a dime let alone enough to buy a computer even a cheap wally world one and our flexability gives them the option to return it and get it back when they can afford it, if you buy it outright and money gets tight your out of luck. As i said before RTO is not for everyone but it does fill a need,


Jackie

Woonsocket,
Rhode Island,
U.S.A.
Cmon guys give me some proof don't just talk about it!

#5Consumer Comment

Wed, August 13, 2008

Yeah You are right Resty I definitely can use spell check. But sometimes when you miss spell words it catches people eye's and it makes them come in and respond! I am tired of dealing with the same guy who keeps on giving me the same line of crap over and over with out any proof! I want to hear different opinions and further more I want some d**n proof not just numbers that I can not see thats all hear say, Again as I stated earlier I went in rent a center in my area personally and he gave me the facts face to face and I also left the phone numbers A few comments up above if anyone want's to call and see for them selfs! As far as JD Craig he is trying to give me a different price without proof, So now I ask who do I believe? the guy I talked to face to face? or some guy behind a computer that I cannot see and can only give me some numbers and not facts! But I promise if any of these guys JD craig or any RAC employee can prove me and the employee at rent a center in my area wrong I will be the first to apologize and ask for forgiveness, I will even bow to them! But until then let the wars continue! Div9 Your back :) let me tell you I have a laptop and desktop and I bought them both at best buy both Items have warranties on them, I have not had any trouble with my laptop yet knock on wood however I did have a problem with the my desktop and the problem was fixed in less then 3 days by best buy techs, however if you do not buy the warranties best buy will send them out for repair which usually takes a few weeks. So it is important that you just buy the warranties for your own protection and also keep you from waiting endless days for repair on your item! Honestly I never had any bad experience with best buy and if you have cash on hand or good credit I highly recommend best buy all the way! Div9 I am really not trying to be A a*s but I do know the facts and too prove it I will be happy to email you a copy of both my laptop and desktop and there warranties, I even have the copy of the repair of my desktop so trust me I can back my s**t up anytime any place! Can You or JD? If so let's see some proof and not just talk!


Div 9

Meadville,
Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
WOW A THREAD THAT NEVER DIES

#6UPDATE Employee

Wed, August 13, 2008

WE BUY OUR TOSHIBAS AND HP AND COMPAQ COMPUTERS THROUGH ARCBROOKLAUGUNA FORMALLY BDI, OUR DELLS COME DIRECTLY FROM DELL, OUR WEEKLY RATE IS PRESET FROM CORPORATE, OUR TERMS ARE SET ON NEW FROM CORPORATE, PRELEASED THERE IS A LIL MORE FLEXABILITYDEPENDING ON HOW LONG IT HAS BEEN OUT ON RENT. THE POINT IS WHEN YOU SO CALLED COMPUTER GEEKS FUBAR THE COMPUTER WHO YA GONNA CALL? AND ARE THEY GOING TO GIVE YOU A LOANER WHILE WE TRY TO FIX YOUR PROBLEM? AND ARE THEY GOING TO DO THIS IN LESS THAN 24 HRS AS WE GUARANTEE? PLUS WHEN YOU DROP YOUR BEER ON THE KEYBOARD OR DROP THE LAPTOP AND SHATTER THE SCREEN IS BESTBUY GONNA REPLACE IT FOR FREE? HELL NO THEY WON'T SO QUIT BEING AN a*s ABOUT RTO UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT, WHICH IN THIS CASE YOU HAVN'T A CLUE, WE FILL A NEED OTHER WISE WE WOULD'NT BE IN BUSINESS AND NOPE I AM NOT A CROOK, OR ANY OF THE OTHER COLORFUL NAMES YOU DESCRIBE, EXPAND YOUR VOCABULARY BIG PEOPLE DEAL IN REALITY AND FACTS, NOT HALF TRUTHS


Resty

Waunakee,
Wisconsin,
U.S.A.
Jackie

#7Consumer Comment

Wed, August 13, 2008

Your rebuttals lose a lot of weight when you continue to spell things wrong......especially when you're going up against somebody that can dim your light without even trying (aka JD) Lieing = L Y I N G Dieing = D Y I N G PLEASE use spell check...or just plain learn how to spell. I dont understand how some of you get anywhere in life the way you spell. One mistake is or can be a typo......repeating the same mistakes over and over tells readers you cant spell.


Jackie

Woonsocket,
Rhode Island,
U.S.A.
JD Hurry and write back, I am dieing to hear your next lie!

#8Consumer Comment

Wed, August 13, 2008

Look JD anyone can make up a whole bunch of numbers and put it on paper, I am positive the employee that I spoke to personally would not lie to me face to face, however you keep giving everyone all these numbers but you have no proof too back it up! I proofed myself twice by giving you phone numbers too call for yourself and giving you the site address's with comparisons, you have not giving me nothing but talk! Blah Blah why try giving us some proof, I bet you can't! your not only lieing to us but your lieing to yourself!


J.d. Craig

Houlton,
Maine,
U.S.A.
Twisting?

#9UPDATE Employee

Wed, August 13, 2008

"Also about this laptop someone is lieing you have one price and the employee in my area has another, who should I believe? I think someone is being deceitful and is not being honest here!" Well if I was forced to pick the dishonest person from you, me, and the coworkers in Woonsocket, I would say you. You have been substituting your own reality for the truth for a while now. You lied on how much the laptop cost at RAC in your original post, and I can prove it. As I said before, RAC's cash price is 1/2 the RTO price. The numbers you give don't even add up. The Toshiba A215 you spout numbers off for doesn't cost $1819.35, even using the numbers you made up, the cash price would be $1403.46, falling in the $1100 to $1500 range I stated earlierYou know what does cost $2800? The Toshiba P305D. It cost 39.99 a week for 70 weeks =$2799.30 It also has an extra gig of ram and 40 gigs more in the hard drive. Amazing how when you point your finger there are 3 more pointing right back at you.


Jackie

Woonsocket,
Rhode Island,
U.S.A.
JD Don't Twist things, it looks like I am not the only one who does not believe you on this thread!

#10Consumer Comment

Tue, August 12, 2008

JD what do you mean being honest? I went in the for a price quote, This had nothing to do with honesty or lieing, this is a free country I have a Right to get a quote even if I was not going to buy anything! Also about this laptop someone is lieing you have one price and the employee in my area has another, who should I believe? I think someone is being deceitful and is not being honest here! Now You tell me you have a price tag for the laptop, How do I know this is not some made up fantasy in the back of your mind! Some of the RAC employees have some big fantasies and dreams! Here is an Example: There is one employee who posted above at: (7/30/2008 4:00:36 AM) Who thinks he has customers who are lawyers and doctors & business owners! why would a professional go into a RAC? (Thats Funny)


Jackie

Woonsocket,
Rhode Island,
U.S.A.
JD Don't Twist things, it looks like I am not the only one who does not believe you on this thread!

#11Consumer Comment

Tue, August 12, 2008

JD what do you mean being honest? I went in the for a price quote, This had nothing to do with honesty or lieing, this is a free country I have a Right to get a quote even if I was not going to buy anything! Also about this laptop someone is lieing you have one price and the employee in my area has another, who should I believe? I think someone is being deceitful and is not being honest here! Now You tell me you have a price tag for the laptop, How do I know this is not some made up fantasy in the back of your mind! Some of the RAC employees have some big fantasies and dreams! Here is an Example: There is one employee who posted above at: (7/30/2008 4:00:36 AM) Who thinks he has customers who are lawyers and doctors & business owners! why would a professional go into a RAC? (Thats Funny)


Jackie

Woonsocket,
Rhode Island,
U.S.A.
JD Don't Twist things, it looks like I am not the only one who does not believe you on this thread!

#12Consumer Comment

Tue, August 12, 2008

JD what do you mean being honest? I went in the for a price quote, This had nothing to do with honesty or lieing, this is a free country I have a Right to get a quote even if I was not going to buy anything! Also about this laptop someone is lieing you have one price and the employee in my area has another, who should I believe? I think someone is being deceitful and is not being honest here! Now You tell me you have a price tag for the laptop, How do I know this is not some made up fantasy in the back of your mind! Some of the RAC employees have some big fantasies and dreams! Here is an Example: There is one employee who posted above at: (7/30/2008 4:00:36 AM) Who thinks he has customers who are lawyers and doctors & business owners! why would a professional go into a RAC? (Thats Funny)


Jackie

Woonsocket,
Rhode Island,
U.S.A.
JD Don't Twist things, it looks like I am not the only one who does not believe you on this thread!

#13Consumer Comment

Tue, August 12, 2008

JD what do you mean being honest? I went in the for a price quote, This had nothing to do with honesty or lieing, this is a free country I have a Right to get a quote even if I was not going to buy anything! Also about this laptop someone is lieing you have one price and the employee in my area has another, who should I believe? I think someone is being deceitful and is not being honest here! Now You tell me you have a price tag for the laptop, How do I know this is not some made up fantasy in the back of your mind! Some of the RAC employees have some big fantasies and dreams! Here is an Example: There is one employee who posted above at: (7/30/2008 4:00:36 AM) Who thinks he has customers who are lawyers and doctors & business owners! why would a professional go into a RAC? (Thats Funny)


J.d. Craig

Houlton,
Maine,
U.S.A.
Full of the truth.

#14UPDATE Employee

Sun, August 10, 2008

Here is an idea for you Jackie, try being honest for once. If you had told the coworker you were just comparing prices, they would have given you the information freely. Instead you tried deception, and were disappointed with the results. If you had told them on the first call, you would have never received a second. I have the price tag for that same model laptop the numbers on the tag are exactly what I posted above. In fact just re-read everything I posted. Ray, I don't buy my inventory through RAC, I purchase everything from third party wholesalers. The laptop in question comes from a company, contracted to RAC, in California. If you buy it directly from the manufacturer, you will save money. That's just common sense. If you don't have $800, or you don't qualify for their financing, but you do have 40 bucks a week, you can have the same laptop. I never said that RAC was the cheapest way to buy things. It is however, the cheapest way to rent them, and if that's all you can afford to do, why is it a ripoff? You get what you want, as soon as you want it. You have to pay more in the long run for instant gratification, again, that's just common sense. Be smart about it, and be aware of what you agree to when you sign all that paperwork. It is a serious commitment. It has downfalls, but I believe it has it's benefits as well, and those benefits out-wheigh the downfalls. If you don't agree, don't rent. I wish we lived in a world without money, but that's just not going to happen. Someone, somewhere, is making money every time something gets sold. This is basic economics. It's unfortunate, but like everything else I've said here, it's true. Weither you choose to see that truth, staring you in the face, is up to you.


J.d. Craig

Houlton,
Maine,
U.S.A.
Full of the truth.

#15UPDATE Employee

Sun, August 10, 2008

Here is an idea for you Jackie, try being honest for once. If you had told the coworker you were just comparing prices, they would have given you the information freely. Instead you tried deception, and were disappointed with the results. If you had told them on the first call, you would have never received a second. I have the price tag for that same model laptop the numbers on the tag are exactly what I posted above. In fact just re-read everything I posted. Ray, I don't buy my inventory through RAC, I purchase everything from third party wholesalers. The laptop in question comes from a company, contracted to RAC, in California. If you buy it directly from the manufacturer, you will save money. That's just common sense. If you don't have $800, or you don't qualify for their financing, but you do have 40 bucks a week, you can have the same laptop. I never said that RAC was the cheapest way to buy things. It is however, the cheapest way to rent them, and if that's all you can afford to do, why is it a ripoff? You get what you want, as soon as you want it. You have to pay more in the long run for instant gratification, again, that's just common sense. Be smart about it, and be aware of what you agree to when you sign all that paperwork. It is a serious commitment. It has downfalls, but I believe it has it's benefits as well, and those benefits out-wheigh the downfalls. If you don't agree, don't rent. I wish we lived in a world without money, but that's just not going to happen. Someone, somewhere, is making money every time something gets sold. This is basic economics. It's unfortunate, but like everything else I've said here, it's true. Weither you choose to see that truth, staring you in the face, is up to you.


J.d. Craig

Houlton,
Maine,
U.S.A.
Full of the truth.

#16UPDATE Employee

Sun, August 10, 2008

Here is an idea for you Jackie, try being honest for once. If you had told the coworker you were just comparing prices, they would have given you the information freely. Instead you tried deception, and were disappointed with the results. If you had told them on the first call, you would have never received a second. I have the price tag for that same model laptop the numbers on the tag are exactly what I posted above. In fact just re-read everything I posted. Ray, I don't buy my inventory through RAC, I purchase everything from third party wholesalers. The laptop in question comes from a company, contracted to RAC, in California. If you buy it directly from the manufacturer, you will save money. That's just common sense. If you don't have $800, or you don't qualify for their financing, but you do have 40 bucks a week, you can have the same laptop. I never said that RAC was the cheapest way to buy things. It is however, the cheapest way to rent them, and if that's all you can afford to do, why is it a ripoff? You get what you want, as soon as you want it. You have to pay more in the long run for instant gratification, again, that's just common sense. Be smart about it, and be aware of what you agree to when you sign all that paperwork. It is a serious commitment. It has downfalls, but I believe it has it's benefits as well, and those benefits out-wheigh the downfalls. If you don't agree, don't rent. I wish we lived in a world without money, but that's just not going to happen. Someone, somewhere, is making money every time something gets sold. This is basic economics. It's unfortunate, but like everything else I've said here, it's true. Weither you choose to see that truth, staring you in the face, is up to you.


J.d. Craig

Houlton,
Maine,
U.S.A.
Full of the truth.

#17UPDATE Employee

Sun, August 10, 2008

Here is an idea for you Jackie, try being honest for once. If you had told the coworker you were just comparing prices, they would have given you the information freely. Instead you tried deception, and were disappointed with the results. If you had told them on the first call, you would have never received a second. I have the price tag for that same model laptop the numbers on the tag are exactly what I posted above. In fact just re-read everything I posted. Ray, I don't buy my inventory through RAC, I purchase everything from third party wholesalers. The laptop in question comes from a company, contracted to RAC, in California. If you buy it directly from the manufacturer, you will save money. That's just common sense. If you don't have $800, or you don't qualify for their financing, but you do have 40 bucks a week, you can have the same laptop. I never said that RAC was the cheapest way to buy things. It is however, the cheapest way to rent them, and if that's all you can afford to do, why is it a ripoff? You get what you want, as soon as you want it. You have to pay more in the long run for instant gratification, again, that's just common sense. Be smart about it, and be aware of what you agree to when you sign all that paperwork. It is a serious commitment. It has downfalls, but I believe it has it's benefits as well, and those benefits out-wheigh the downfalls. If you don't agree, don't rent. I wish we lived in a world without money, but that's just not going to happen. Someone, somewhere, is making money every time something gets sold. This is basic economics. It's unfortunate, but like everything else I've said here, it's true. Weither you choose to see that truth, staring you in the face, is up to you.


Jackie

Woonsocket,
Rhode Island,
U.S.A.
JD PLEASE DO ME A FAVOR!

#18Consumer Comment

Sun, August 10, 2008

JD These numbers came from RAC in My Area. I printed a picture of the laptop and brought it in the RAC store and asked for a price I did this because i wanted A comparison. and also to see how far RAC would go by trying to screw me. I never told them I already owned this laptop I just told them I had to talk this over with my spouse and I would get back with them! well the sales guy wanted my phone number and I gave it to him just to see what will happen next, well this sales guy called me every other day to see if I talked this over with my husband he did not give up until I finely told him we went out and bought it and paid cash for it, so he was basically trying to harass me into a sale. there is 2 RAC IN My area, please be my quest and give them a call! here is the phone numbers (401) 767-5680 AND (401) 766-9506 act like a customer and you will see for yourself.


J.d. Craig

Houlton,
Maine,
U.S.A.
Expose us?

#19UPDATE Employee

Sun, August 10, 2008

Jackie, There is nothing to expose! Everything we do is 100% above board. Every transaction has a black and white contract outlining both parties rights and responsabilities. We can't just change it whenever we want to. You give all those numbers out like you understand them, so I would like to set the record straight for you. I copied and pasted both links. Where did you get the price inormation on rentacenter.com? A Toshiba A215, with a bag, at RAC is $35.99 a week for 66 weeks, (35.99 x 66 = 2375.34). This is the Rent to Own price, NOT THE SALE PRICE. The cash price, tat you have 90 days to payoff, is $1187.67 (2375.34 / 2 = 1187.67). The numbers you continue to use are misleading and false. These are the numbers from my computer on my desk at RAC. Call any RAC and they will verify them for you. In fact I'll even go one step further and tell you EXACTLY what I pay for it. I order my inventory from the same places as every other RAC in the country. A Toshiba A215 costs me $599. Now lets do some more math with this new number. We are going to figure mark-up. 1187.67 / 599 = 1.98 (Cash price / cost = mark up). Standard retail mark-up is 2.25. Now I'll let you in on a little secret. Best Buy pays $599 for the same laptop, puts it on sale for $650, and only makes $51 off each unit sold, but they sell thousands of them. They also sell thousands of extended warrenties, which are almost 100% pure profit. So many people out there have such a skewed opinion of RAC. Nobody ever gets on a message board and says " I bought a brand new laptop for less than $1200, had it finaced with 0% interest for 90days, and have a service plan that covers the laptop for a full 12 months." Like I said in my previous post, we have hundreds of thousands of satisfied customers, a few hundred of them from my store. But in every crowd there is always someone who tries to play the system and fails, and when that happens they end up on here with some half true story about the abuse they suffered while they were being forced to pay on a luxury item they didn't really want in the first place, but the RAC employee told them they had to take it OR ELSE! Do you know how often I hear BS from people just looking to weasle out of a payment? I had one person tell me there mother died. I felt horrible for calling him about such a trifling matter when his mother had just died. I told him I was sorry and told him not to worry about his payment this week. I took care of it for him. At that point i seriously thought about quitting my job. I couldn't sleep right. Imagine my surprise when I saw her three days later. After a while you learn to tell the BS from the truth, and I've been doing this for a while. One other thing I think every person reading this should be aware of is, every single person who rents from RAC is required to fill out an application. It consists of your standard infromation like name, address, and phone number, plus a few non standard things like vehicle payment information. We also ask if their place of residence is owned, mortaged, or rented. If the home is mortaged or rented, we ask how much the payment is, and who pays the utilities. All of this information, plus personal references, is used to deterimine if the customer can afford the payment. No one is allowed to rent unless they meet certain minimum requirements. People need to own up to their actions and live up to the decisions they make. I didn't ask Chris not to respond because I'm "running out of things to say", I have plenty of things to say, but because I am running out of new things to hear. Chris also made a fool of himself a few times in the posts above by resorting to cussing and name calling, and I don't need to deal with that. You should understand by now neither I nor RAC have anything to hide. When the facts are out in the open, your claims just don't hold up. When some one who knows better fills your story full of holes, you just repeat yourself and start spreading lies. I am not worried about "being exposed". Expose us please. Advertising is expensive. Everyone should also know that if Chris wanted to, he could go back to the RAC where he rented his laptop and restart his agreement at the same palce he left off. He still has the option to finish the agreement he started. He loses NOTHING. Despite what you may think our ultimate goal is to have our customers own the items they rent. It's not as easy as you believe to refurbish, repair, and re-rent used items. I invite any reader to go into their local RAC and check it out for yourself. If you can't afford what you see, leave. If by chance you see something you like, ask questions, and be aware of the agreement and all it contains. If you don't understand what something means, ask a coworker. If you don't agree, walk away. Understand what you are getting into. A rent to own transaction does not work like your standard retail transaction. There are pros and cons to the agreement. Above all DECIDE FOR YOURSELF. Cat, You're 100% right. If you pay cash you save money. If you rent you are going to pay double the cash price. RAC has no interest percentage, so it would be hard for a coworker to give you a straight forward interest rate. If you can, save up and pay for everything you buy up front. But, if something happens and you NEED something in an emergency, like a refridgerator, you can call RAC, get it delivered and setup the same day, and use the 90 days same as cash option. My only point is that people should be aware of what they are getting themselves into. You shouldn't expect to be able to change your end of the agreement just because you feel you need to. If you can't pay, return the item and pick it up again at a later date. By the way, if you do restart an agreement, your 90 days same as cash price starts again, and in most cases is less than what you would have had to pay to pay your item off before you returned it.


Ray

Hobbs,
New Mexico,
U.S.A.
jd craig you are full of it

#20Consumer Comment

Sat, August 09, 2008

"I KNOW what RAC pays for EVERY item we sell, because I purchase every item in my store, and the cash price on any brand name, brand new laptop is only $1100 to $1500" you buy your stuff through rac anyways so you only know what they tell you it is worth i have been dealing with electronics for years and have never heard anyone more misinformed than you i can get a top of the line laptop for less than 1000 dollars any day of the week and they will outrun and outlast any rac laptop out there i have dealt with rac myself i made the mistake or buying before looking and paid 1500 dollars on a dining room set that was about 350 anywhere else but my mistakes are over with and i will not use them again but i do know something about computers and your prices are over the top ridiculous i see Chris's and everyone else on heres point and rac needs to stop trying to make the ceo and top dogs rich and jd you are just helping them rip people off the same dell computer from dell itself https://ecomm2.dell.com/dellstore/basket.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&itemtype=CFG&oid=a9541a7b-2900-4766-993e-efa9a637ce0f $708.00 + Shipping and tax so according to jd craigs own words he hasn't bought a computer for less than 1000 dollars so my question is where is he buying his equipment from ???


Cat

Hendersonville,
Tennessee,
U.S.A.
no , not everyone uses RAC

#21Consumer Suggestion

Sat, August 09, 2008

A interesting post I must say, but I think someone a few posts up said everyone uses RAC at one time or another. Well,that is a false statement. The majority of those centers are in the lower income areas for a reason and it isn't to beautify the community! On a 2nd note..........not everyone haas a car payment for that matter. Many have learned to live within their means and pay with CASH. You can find better bargains with cash by the way! If you save up your money, you can buy these items out right at a much cheaper price and not worry if you skip a paymentwondeing when will the harrassing phone calls begin. We went in one, many years ago when our daughter was ten years old. We tried to get the employee to answer the finance questions, what the interest rate was , but they refused to answer. It was a awesome lesson in math for our daughter! So if a ten yr old can figure out what a rip RAC is, why can't adults figure it out? By the way , the same year she saved up money she had earned working and bought her a nice color tv with remote from our local store and since she had cash she got it for a nice discount, teaching her at a young age to stay out of DEBT! so, before you get tempted again, think before you jump, cant that precious tv or dining room table wait two months while you acutally SAVE UP for it? only one answer here:YES There isnt a thing in that store that you could live without. We actually only need a few things to make it in life and "renting" at RAC is not one of them.Those are luxeries.


Jackie

Woonsocket,
Rhode Island,
U.S.A.
J.d. Craig WE ARE ONTO YOU GUYS AT RAC! "Time to expose RAC and the truth"

#22Consumer Comment

Sat, August 09, 2008

JD as I pointed out in a previous post up above, I have the same laptop rent a center is trying to Rent out, I only paid 650.00 for it cash at bestbuy! there is no way your laptops are $1100 to $1500, I almost believe RAC buys there electronics from bestbuy or some retail store around the area when it is on sale and then inflates there prices to about 3,000 to the poor customers that do not know better or cannot simply afford to buy it out right! I will repeat: I Bought a Toshiba laptop Model: A215-S5837 from bestbuy in Jan 2008 for the sum of : 649.99 Included with it I recieved a bag and a 2gb cruzer as a promotion! At rent a center they are selling the same exact model I have for $2806.92 your looking at either ($35.99 weekly or $155.94 Monthly) if you buy it out after 3 months it will cost: $1819.35 if you make the payments for the whole 18 months it is:$2806.92 Please copy and paste the links to both sites to verify what I say is true! Best Buy: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8771322&st=toshiba+A215&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1203815723605 Rent A Center: http://www6.rentacenter.com/site/page/pg4313-as276875-ba-pn_Toshiba_A215_S5839.html I know RAC has a business to run but they really nail these poor folks! I know no one puts a gun to there heads and I know it is an agreement that they signed into, I heard this from every employee who defends RAC repeatedly! But my concern is that RAC takes full advantage of poor and when there in trouble a few years down the road they could care less, all they care about is there pockets getting fatter, there is no heart and no communication to the poor soul that gave you all there d**n money! "lets use the above laptop for example" with this particular brand laptop stated above is only $650.00 now the customer has this paid in about 6 Months tops now they are paying on the interest that you guys are charging them after a year later the customer has a problem even thow you made your money and then some you are ready to go get your stuff with out even working with this poor customer so you can rent it out to the next poor sucker, and RAC repeats this process over and over until it is not rentable no more! And more over the reason why you employees keep defending RAC is because we are onto you guys now and we are now spreading the word and truth about RAC! and if we continue you will loose business and when you loose business you will loose your jobs, so please quit telling chris not to respond back because you and I know he is telling the truth, you are just running out of things to say thats why you do not want to hear it from chris!


Libbylou66

Shenandoah,
Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
check your rental agreement

#23UPDATE EX-employee responds

Sat, August 09, 2008

Check your rental agreement. I know the laws are different in every state, and I'm sure the rental agreements are too, but i know in Pa if you pay 2/3 of your contract into any product you're rental pymnt can be cut by 50% due to finicial hardship. So I would check it. And if it's there take it to the store and complain and if that doesn't work call the complaint line. And oddly they will take care of it. They always do. They're not good with employees but with customers they usually are. Good luck. And if you have any other questions just let me know.


J.d. Craig

Houlton,
Maine,
U.S.A.
Really?

#24UPDATE Employee

Fri, August 08, 2008

Wow. With everything that is wrong whith that statement, I don't even know where to start. I hate repeating my self but here goes. First off, you don't know better You may think you do, with your vast amounts of experence in retail sales, but as I sad before RTO(Rent To Own) is not a typical retail purchase. You were given a laptop for nothing more than your first payment and a promise, which you broke. It is YOUR FAULT that you paid over $2000 for a laptop. You had 90 days to pay the cash price. It was YOUR CHOICE not to save up and pay it off. I KNOW what RAC pays for EVERY item we sell, because I purchase every item in my store, and the cash price on any brand name, brand new laptop is only $1100 to $1500. That means the total Rent to Own cost is anywhere from $2200 to $3000. IT WAS IN YOUR AGREEMENT. As far as what laptops "costed" at Staples, go back to school, get your GED and put an application in at RAC. Maybe if you actually knew what you claim to, you would be able to spot a deadbeat as well as I can. I never said that they were last years model, I said that it was last years technology. There is a reason you bought a brand new ACER that does the same things as the laptop you bought from RAC LAST YEAR. Finally, here is a little math for you, over 3000 RAC stores, average of over 300 customers per store, minus 311 ROR's = over 899,689 happy customers. I guess not everyone thinks RAC is a ripoff. Oh yhea, since I'm repeating my self here goes again...Don't bother writing back and telling me about how wrong, or how brainwashed I am. I can tell from all of your previous posts you're only willing to see things your way. You're wrong, and somewhere deep down inside, you know it. Admit it, even just to yourself, and you will sleep better tonight


Chris

Thomasville,
North Carolina,
U.S.A.
J.d. Craig, THAT'S NOT TRUE

#25Author of original report

Wed, August 06, 2008

Bud, you're trying to fool someone who knows better. I use to work for Staples and I worked with electronics. The Computers we got were not last year models and they did all the things that my RAC computer did, and they costed $1000 AT THE MOST. The computer I have now does all that the RAC one did, and only $500. And everyone who is NOT a RAC employee, seems to agree that RAC is a rip off. Are all these people just out to get RAC? Please.


Chris

Thomasville,
North Carolina,
U.S.A.
J.d. Craig, THAT'S NOT TRUE

#26Author of original report

Wed, August 06, 2008

Bud, you're trying to fool someone who knows better. I use to work for Staples and I worked with electronics. The Computers we got were not last year models and they did all the things that my RAC computer did, and they costed $1000 AT THE MOST. The computer I have now does all that the RAC one did, and only $500. And everyone who is NOT a RAC employee, seems to agree that RAC is a rip off. Are all these people just out to get RAC? Please.


Chris

Thomasville,
North Carolina,
U.S.A.
J.d. Craig, THAT'S NOT TRUE

#27Author of original report

Wed, August 06, 2008

Bud, you're trying to fool someone who knows better. I use to work for Staples and I worked with electronics. The Computers we got were not last year models and they did all the things that my RAC computer did, and they costed $1000 AT THE MOST. The computer I have now does all that the RAC one did, and only $500. And everyone who is NOT a RAC employee, seems to agree that RAC is a rip off. Are all these people just out to get RAC? Please.


Chris

Thomasville,
North Carolina,
U.S.A.
J.d. Craig, THAT'S NOT TRUE

#28Author of original report

Wed, August 06, 2008

Bud, you're trying to fool someone who knows better. I use to work for Staples and I worked with electronics. The Computers we got were not last year models and they did all the things that my RAC computer did, and they costed $1000 AT THE MOST. The computer I have now does all that the RAC one did, and only $500. And everyone who is NOT a RAC employee, seems to agree that RAC is a rip off. Are all these people just out to get RAC? Please.


J.d. Craig

Houlton,
Maine,
U.S.A.
Really?

#29UPDATE Employee

Tue, August 05, 2008

You paid 600 dollars for An Acer? Good luck on that. There is a reason it was cheap. You're not bothered? I find that almost as hard to believe as "I don't lie." There is no way that Acer has everything that a new compuer from RAC has. Maybe it has everything that last years model had, but you couldn't buy that last year for that price. RAC is not a rip off. If you knew anything about retail and the way pricing works, you would know that all retail stores mark up the items they sell. If they sold everything at cost the wouldn't be in business very long would they? We don't charge 2 or 3 times what the product is in retail stores. We sell our inventory for 2.25 times what we pay for it. That is a STANDARD RETAIL MARKUP. If you don't pay cash or use your 90 days same as cash, you will pay DOUBLE the cash price. It is on every price tag on every item in the store, and it is in the legaly binding agreement THAT YOU SIGNED. Just because you can buy a cheap alternitave a year later does not make us a rip off. If you think that your Acer is just as good of quality as Sony, Toshiba, Compaq, or HP, I reccomend you do a little research. There is a reason the Acer was cheaper and has the same 'features' as the laptop you rented a year ago, becase they are using last years tech, which they bought cheeper this year. And good luck on getting your Acer fixed if someting goes wrong. If you think that there truly is no diffrence in your new Acer and RACs computer your more foolish than I thought. Nothing in life comes cheap. If you pay less money up front,most of the time you'll only end up paying more in the end. I am glad you were able to find what you needed at a "real retail store", RAC is not a standard retail store. I hope you realize that by saying everyone else is wrong and you are not, you are making yourself look very silly. No one here is brainwashed. We all understand the facts of what we do. I was a customer or RAC before I started working here, if I ever had a problem with my items, they fixed it. If I couldn't pay, I returned it and the held it for me until I could. Yes I paid $2000 for a tv I could have bought for $1500, but I didn't have $1500 and I wanted that TV. That is what RAC is for. To fill an instant gratification need that some people can't control, or to help someone who couldn't otherwise afford high quality brand name brand new items. That is whay you agreed to the price you agreed to. If you don't need the services we provide, DON'T SHOP HERE, but please stop spreading lies. You don't know what you are talking about, and you are making yourself look bad. Good luck, and don't bother responding with how wrong and brainwashed I am. I can see clearly enough that you believe you are without fault. Where as I know the facts about RAC, you have only an outsiders poor speculation. Do some research and maybe we'll talk. Next time, I suggest you read any contract you have BEFORE you sign it. I stand behind the company I work for. I'm proud to help the people I help each and every day, and if once in a while some dead-beat decides they don't have to pay any more, I'll take whatever actions I can to recover MY ITEM. Don't fool yourself into thinking that item is yours. It clearly states in your agreement the item blongs to RAC, and you have no equity in the item until you " MAKE ALL THE RENTAL PAYMENTS REQUIRED TO ACQUIRE OWNERSHIP" Therfore if you stop paying , and don't return the item, before you pay the price you agreed to, you are in default, and the item reverts to its RIGHTFUL owners. In this case RAC. RAC has no reason to lie to you. Your rights and resposabilities are clearly outlined in your agreement. Besides, this is not a matter of right and wrong,it's a matter of you wanting to change your agreement after you found something cheaper a year later. You didn't get away with it and now you want to trash our name. I've seen the same thing in person. I'll say it one more time just to make my point clear. When you sign a legaly binding agreement to purchase an item over time, you are bound by the terms in that agreement. You can't just change your end of the deal because you feel you should be able to. Neither can we. If we could, you may have wound up paying even more per month if RAC fell on hard times. Would that still be fair? Even if we were good to you and ony needed to raise your price a little bit? Would you budge even one penny? No? Then why should we? As far as them wanting to keep "your" money, in what world do you get to ask for your rent back when your done renting? Go ask a landlord to refund enough rent so you can go buy a house. Let me know how that one goes for you. If you had any problems with your laptop, you should have informed the store where you rented it ASAP, because, as I stated before, service is included in your agreement. Don't bother writing back and telling me about how wrong, or how brainwashed I am. I can tell from all of your previous posts you're only willing to see things your way. Your wrong, and somewhere deep down inside, you know it. Admit it, even just to yourself, and you will sleep better tonight. P.S. You should also look up RACs envolvement with chairity. We give away plenty of items to people who really need and deserve them, like Big Brothers and Big Sisters.


Chris

Thomasville,
North Carolina,
U.S.A.
J.d. Craig, LISTEN UP

#30Author of original report

Sun, August 03, 2008

I am not bothered by this RAC rip off, I took back that piece of junk, and now my brand new Acer has a place to sit, which costed a hell of a lot LESS and has all the things on it that yours did. RAC is a rip off, and everyone who has not been brainwashed by them, knows it. You know d**n well that you charge people 2 or 3 times what the product is in regular stores. I had paid RAC $2000 on that computer and had nothing but trouble out of it, and then I went to a REAL retail store and got one with all the "features" on it that yours had for $600. THERE WAS NO DIFFERENCE IN THE 2, NONE. RAC IS A RIP OFF, WHICH WAS ONE OF THE MAIN POINTS OF THIS REPORT. You help lead one of the biggest trash companies in America, that takes advantage of people, and I feel sorry for you. And, one another note, I did give all the facts. Unlike RAC, I don't lie.


J.d. Craig

Houlton,
Maine,
U.S.A.
I don't...

#31UPDATE Employee

Sun, August 03, 2008

I don't know the exact history of your account, but I don't think you are telling us 100% of the facts. I am a store manager for RAC and I am PROUD of the company I work for. I BELIEVE in what we do. If you knew as much as you cliam to you would have an understanding of our prices and how they work. I am sorry that you did not have this information when you decided to sign a legaly binding contract, which are, by the way printed in a 12 point font, and quite easy to read. RTO DOES NOT work like your standard retail purchase. If I was forced to describe our transaction I would say it is a cross between leasing an car and renting a movie, with the main difference being the option to own. You are under no obligation beyond your first payment, that's in the agreement. We also have a 100% money back satisfaction guarantee in the first 7 days of your agreement. When you decide to rent an item from RAC, assuming you rent brand new, the cash price of the item will be a competitive cash price, which we guarantee will be lower than any of our competition on the same or comparable item. That's right, guaranteed. We also give you 90 day to pay the cash price of the item with no interest at all. If you choose not to pay off the item in 90 days the total cost of all of your rental payments will be DOUBLE your cash price. You agreed to that price when you signed the agreement. Just because you can go elsewhere a year later and get the same item cheeper doesn't mean you have the right to change the agreement. Have you ever called you mortage company and told them you needed a lower monthly payment? How long did it take them to stop laughing at you and ask if you were serious? While you are renting the item we guarantee that if you have any trouble with the item,as long as it was not damaged on purpose or thriough neglect, we will sevice it at no additional cost to you. That's in the agreement too. You will also recieve a loaner to use while your item is being serviced. I don't think the bank would fix your house and you give another one to live in rent free if you had a problem. When you buy that big ticket item how much do you usually have to pay to have it delivered to your home? I'm not asking about some special that your local BigBox retailer is having, I'm asking about everyday. At RAC delivery and setup is included in the agreement too. Do you know what we ask in return for all of this? We only ask that you make the payment you agree to, for the amount you agree to, on the schedule you agree to. That's it. If you don't like the payment or the price or the schedule of payments. DON'T RENT IT! You have to AGREE to the terms in the agreement. No one forced you to sign it, and it's not right for you to insist those terms be change because you suddenly find them inconveneant. I'm sorry that your experience with RAC did not go well, but for every complaint on this site there are thousands of happy people enjoying brand name items in their home on a payment schedule they can afford. Please don't act like your experience is typical. If you think that there are a lot of RoR's on RAC look up "Bet Buy". There are almost a thousand of them.


Chris

Thomasville,
North Carolina,
U.S.A.
ATTENTION, JASON

#32Author of original report

Sun, August 03, 2008

After someone has been ripped off and wrong by RAC, they're not going to be stupid enough to go back a couple of months later and give them even more money, get real. An honest, caring company who stood for good morals would work with me. Especially since I have paid more than the worth of that computer and had nothing but trouble out of it. You and I both know that RAC did not pay $2000 for that computer. Stores around them sell the same exact thing for $500. And, yes, I was stupid for not buying from other stores, which I will be next month, but at the time I rented from RAC, I could afford it. It takes a sh*ty company to charge a person 3 or 4 times the amount of what they actually paid for it, give them a product that has given them nothing but trouble, and then refuse to work with them in hard times. If I had said I was not going to finish paying their rip off bill, perhaps it would have been different. But I tried to work with them, and they did not budge. They're a bunch of rip offs, and pretty soon, people will stop going there. I will make sure that my town knows not to go to RAC.


Jackie

Woonsocket,
Rhode Island,
U.S.A.
Dani that was really un-called for!

#33Consumer Comment

Sat, August 02, 2008

You really need to go back and re-read the complaint because I have no problem with my credit and I payed cash for my laptop, I was merely making a statement on chris's complaint and you trashed me without looking into the facts! And secondly just because you are mad at the world you do not have the right too trash someone who may not have good credit or has to use rent to own services, that was really un-called for, you just cheapened yourself and made your self look like a total idiot with those dumb comments! If you cannot post reasonable statements about the issue on hand then do not post! Jackie


Jason W.

Winter Haven,
Florida,
U.S.A.
Reduction in weekly rate.

#34UPDATE EX-employee responds

Sat, August 02, 2008

I worked for RAC for a year and a half as a credit manager. No matter what your personal feelings about the company are the Rental Agreement you signed clearly laid out all amounts to be paid to acquire ownership of the rental item. We can not change the weekly/monthly rate on an item during the run of the contract just because you hit hardship. What you could of done, is simply return the rental item until you caught up your personal finances and gotten the item back with no loss of rental money paid. You would of been retyped for the amount owed, just like you just got it and would of had a new 90 day same as cash price. (in other words if you owed 500 total on the item your 90 SAC would of been 250) Wouldn't that have been a lot easier than complaining on here? RAC prices may be insane sometimes but they do work with customers holding merch, only charging a 5 dollar late fee no matter how late you are, and much more.


Chris

Thomasville,
North Carolina,
U.S.A.
DIV 9, LISTEN UP!!

#35Author of original report

Sat, August 02, 2008

Div 9, you're an employee of one of the biggest rip off companies in America. If there was only 1 report filed against RAC, that could be overlooked, or even 20 reports. But there are hundreds, maybe even thousands. Everyone knows what they are, and because you work for them, most people probably don't like you, so why don't you just shut up?! Trust me, the more you try to defend them, the more you look like a piece of sh*t. As simple as that.


Chris

Thomasville,
North Carolina,
U.S.A.
Uhh, YEAH, Honest Sam

#36Author of original report

Fri, August 01, 2008

I don't care how you look at it, the bank can come take that "property" you own anytime you fail to make the next payment, you know that as well as I. You make payments until it is paid for, and you never own it until then because they can come and take it back at anytime when you stop paying or fall short. I mean, it's wrong to repossess someone's home or car after they've worked for so long and paid so much on it instead of working with them, but that's how it goes. And even after your home is paid for, you'll still never really own it because you'll pay taxes on it for the rest of your life, and the government will come and take it if you ever fail to. So I don't see how Americans can honestly say they own anything.


Chris

Thomasville,
North Carolina,
U.S.A.
Uhh, YEAH, Honest Sam

#37Author of original report

Fri, August 01, 2008

I don't care how you look at it, the bank can come take that "property" you own anytime you fail to make the next payment, you know that as well as I. You make payments until it is paid for, and you never own it until then because they can come and take it back at anytime when you stop paying or fall short. I mean, it's wrong to repossess someone's home or car after they've worked for so long and paid so much on it instead of working with them, but that's how it goes. And even after your home is paid for, you'll still never really own it because you'll pay taxes on it for the rest of your life, and the government will come and take it if you ever fail to. So I don't see how Americans can honestly say they own anything.


Chris

Thomasville,
North Carolina,
U.S.A.
Uhh, YEAH, Honest Sam

#38Author of original report

Fri, August 01, 2008

I don't care how you look at it, the bank can come take that "property" you own anytime you fail to make the next payment, you know that as well as I. You make payments until it is paid for, and you never own it until then because they can come and take it back at anytime when you stop paying or fall short. I mean, it's wrong to repossess someone's home or car after they've worked for so long and paid so much on it instead of working with them, but that's how it goes. And even after your home is paid for, you'll still never really own it because you'll pay taxes on it for the rest of your life, and the government will come and take it if you ever fail to. So I don't see how Americans can honestly say they own anything.


Div 9

Meadville,
Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
HUH?

#39UPDATE Employee

Fri, August 01, 2008

COMPUTER FROM RENT A CENTER 31.99/WK FOR 91 WEEKS YOU OWN IT HOME MORTAGE 450/MONTH FOR 30 YEARS YOU OWN IT CAR LOAN 350/MONTH 6 YEARS YOU OWN IT SURE OUR SO CALLED LEASE SERVICES(INTEREST) IS PERCENTAGE HIGHER, WE DONT QUALIFY YOU ON CREDIT HOME MORTAGE- GOOD CREDIT MAYBE 7 % BAD CREDIT IF YOU CAN EVEN GET A LOAN 12% CAR LOAN 5.8 IF GOOD CREDIT 18.5 IF YOU WITH BAD CREDIT ALL 3 YOU DONT OWN TILL YOU PAY IT OFF IF YOU WANT TO COMMENT PLEASE GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT, MISINFORMATION DOES NOTHING BUT CLOUD THE ISSUE


Honest Sam

Bay Area,
California,
U.S.A.
Uhhh, no.

#40Consumer Comment

Thu, July 31, 2008

"Don't you make car payments until your car is paid for? Don't you make house payments until your house is paid for? Okay, that's renting to own, you might as well say." Uhhhh, no. To put it simply: Rent to Own: Basically a lease with the condition that the item will be owned by the renter if the term of rent is finished, or that the lease can be converted to a sale for a nominal fee at that time. The units being "RTO'd" can typically be returned at any time during the lease period. Home or car loan: The person taking out the loan owns the property, although the loaner typically holds a lien against it.


Chris

Thomasville,
North Carolina,
U.S.A.
TO DIV 9 AND EVERYONE WHO HAS RESPONDED!!

#41Author of original report

Wed, July 30, 2008

I'm gonna end with this. First of all, I want to thank the people who responded to this report, SOME of you had good points. While we all have a difference of views, I think that the majority of us agree that RAC is a rip off, which was the entire point of this report. The RAC employees who responded, humorously misunderstood the point of this report, which was to expose RAC as the rip off it is. Div9, had the nerve to defend RAC. Div9, for you to defend them, it makes you look like more of a piece of s**t than they are. On the other hand, I know I will never fall into such crap again. Don't worry, DIV9, people will stop buying your rip off items soon enough. I do not believe your BS about lawyers and doctors renting-to-own from you. These people are wealthy and can buy whatever they want or need straight out at half the price you charge. I think you're delusional. I am really kind of relieved that I am out of the deal, and within a month, I will go to Staples, for example, and buy the same thing for $500 that I paid them $2000 for and no longer have. RAC and its people clearly do not understand the principals of ethics. If RAC was my company, I would work with my customers in hard times, especially since I know that I charge them 2,3 and 4 times what the product is actually worth. They're right, I agreed at the time to pay what I did, and since I encountered a time when I could no longer pay that amount, they can take it back. But what is the right thing to do? Leave me with absolutely nothing after I paid faithfully more than what the product was worth? Or work with me? No one can honestly tell me that it's right to rip someone off like that. Anyway, I am glad most of us agree that RAC is a rip off. Sooner or later, I think people will stop going there. Because even if your credit is bad, you will still save a hell of a lot of money by just saving up for whatever you want to buy. I really hope that RAC and its workers sleep good at night, knowing they've ripped off good, hard working people. May God forgive you all. Because when you answer to him, that contract won't save you. Peace out, everyone.


J G Shrugged

Austin,
Texas,
U.S.A.
Chris, that comparison fails....

#42Consumer Comment

Wed, July 30, 2008

First of all, usually rent to own type places are a ripoff, but they are there to fill a need for those who can't get credit otherwise, which will always be more expensive, like a subprime car loan. But no one "forces" someone to get something from a rent to own place, unlike your argument about being assaulted. RAC agrees to rent something at a price, well, the customer has to AGREE with it. I don't know that many people outside of boxing/ultimate fighting that "agree" to being assaulted by someone else.


Div 9

Meadville,
Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
hope to set the record straight

#43UPDATE Employee

Wed, July 30, 2008

all of these posts say something that perception is in fact reallity. most of our customers work really hard, of coarse you have several living off the system, which if you didnt know you and i are paying for them , they buy from us also, but not as many as you think. Most make a livable income, go to work everyday and pay their bills.what they spend with us is disposable income, which with gas prices, food prices etc,,,, is slowly being depleted. all of us want to better our station in lifem maybe a new livingroom does that or a washer dryer set to keep you clean, our prices are cheaper than a laundermat, so YES we are needed and i've never felt guilty about what i do for a living. As far as working with customers here's the facts over 95% of our customers pay their bill on time our customers include doctors , lawyers, business owners and just palin folks who want something better we use approx 1%, each month in extension monies to help our customers which equates to approx 300 per store x 3500 stores, we have rewritten agreements to help our customers out and it states in our agreement that if you have paid in over 2/3 of you price you can ask for a rate reduction. also we can and do pick up merchandise , hold it and redeliver it back with out the customer losing 1 red cent almost all of the compalints stem from a lack of communication, its very simple call us, call us, call us, let us know your in a bind its when we are lied to, swore at , that we get upset, we get paid to do a job, which im sure you also do at your job. these are the facts and these happen everyday, I hate to see people waste their money paying us if they really dont plan on owning their stuff, buts thats not my job to decide who xan and who cant afford it


Chris

Thomasville,
North Carolina,
U.S.A.
Attention Honest Sam

#44Author of original report

Wed, July 30, 2008

Honest Sam, you make a good point. I know I won't fall for it again. But you have to realize that rent-to-own is used by everyone. Don't you make car payments until your car is paid for? Don't you make house payments until your house is paid for? Okay, that's renting to own, you might as well say. I understand that I agreed to $200 a month, and I never demanded a lower payment, it's just that a good company would work with you, period. But the thing is, it's hard to find a good company.


Chris

Thomasville,
North Carolina,
U.S.A.
Dani is clearly an employee of RAC, Aaron's or some other rip off company.

#45Author of original report

Wed, July 30, 2008

Dani, listen to what you're saying. You are basically saying that it's okay to rip someone off as long as you tell them you're going to do it. Okay, so can I assault someone and be prefectly legal as long as I tell them I am going to assault them before I do it? I think not. The same principal applies here.


Chris

Thomasville,
North Carolina,
U.S.A.
Clifford, this is what I would do.

#46Author of original report

Wed, July 30, 2008

Your comment that I would rip people off if the shoe was on the other foot is absurd. If I owned a company, an honest company, I would make it so that I could work woth my customers during hard times. As simple as that. And it can be done. Most companies just don't want to because they want your money and, hopefully, what they sold you back so they can profit 100%.


Dani

Clive,
Iowa,
U.S.A.
Learn to read

#47Consumer Comment

Tue, July 29, 2008

You went to RAC in the first place because your credit sucks and couldn't get a loan anywhere else. On top of that, you refused to SAVE up for the laptop and instead need to be gratified instantly so you made an impulse purchase. Go to the library if you need to use a computer that bad. You also state 'And as far as the legal agreement you employees keep talking about every time you respond to one of our post is a joke because you guys never explain it to the customer and of course I bet it is in very small print and very hard to read!' As you said so yourself, it's there in writing, you have every right to take as long as you need to read it over before you sign it. You even admitted you didn't read it because you said 'I bet it is in very small print and very hard to read!' And your dumb @$$ should've asked questions if you didn't understand any part of that contract. But, no, you were in a hurry and that costs you. You signed a legal contract and now your trying to blame them for your incompetence. I hope if you ever have children, or become some sort of role model, you teach them not to completely f*** up their credit right out of high school like you did.


Chris

Thomasville,
North Carolina,
U.S.A.
DIV 9, here's your answer

#48Author of original report

Tue, July 29, 2008

Div 9, you wanted to know, why did I even go to RAC in the first place? To be honest, now that I think about it, I really don't know. At the time, I could more than pay for it, so I guess I thought it would be no problem. I was also under the impression that cheap computers in stores were really factory-rejects, but I now know that's not true. At the salary I was making at the time, I could have saved up and bought one straight out in like 2 months, so I really have no d**n idea why I ever did that. I was misled, just like all their other victims, basically. This report seems to be getting a lot of attention, most in support of me, so it appears as though the good people see that it is just plain wrong that RAC did this to me, among many other things that people have pointed out about RAC. I do not know you personally, so I cannot judge you as an individual. But I can tell you this, if you are an honest person who does not believe in ripping people off, find another job. RAC is not the company for you. I guess people like you can justify ripping people off because you put it in writing and get them to sign it. That does not make it right, friend. For example, if I tell someone I am going to assault them before I do it, does that make it right for me to do so? No.


Chris

Thomasville,
North Carolina,
U.S.A.
DIV 9, here's your answer

#49Author of original report

Tue, July 29, 2008

Div 9, you wanted to know, why did I even go to RAC in the first place? To be honest, now that I think about it, I really don't know. At the time, I could more than pay for it, so I guess I thought it would be no problem. I was also under the impression that cheap computers in stores were really factory-rejects, but I now know that's not true. At the salary I was making at the time, I could have saved up and bought one straight out in like 2 months, so I really have no d**n idea why I ever did that. I was misled, just like all their other victims, basically. This report seems to be getting a lot of attention, most in support of me, so it appears as though the good people see that it is just plain wrong that RAC did this to me, among many other things that people have pointed out about RAC. I do not know you personally, so I cannot judge you as an individual. But I can tell you this, if you are an honest person who does not believe in ripping people off, find another job. RAC is not the company for you. I guess people like you can justify ripping people off because you put it in writing and get them to sign it. That does not make it right, friend. For example, if I tell someone I am going to assault them before I do it, does that make it right for me to do so? No.


Chris

Thomasville,
North Carolina,
U.S.A.
DIV 9, here's your answer

#50Author of original report

Tue, July 29, 2008

Div 9, you wanted to know, why did I even go to RAC in the first place? To be honest, now that I think about it, I really don't know. At the time, I could more than pay for it, so I guess I thought it would be no problem. I was also under the impression that cheap computers in stores were really factory-rejects, but I now know that's not true. At the salary I was making at the time, I could have saved up and bought one straight out in like 2 months, so I really have no d**n idea why I ever did that. I was misled, just like all their other victims, basically. This report seems to be getting a lot of attention, most in support of me, so it appears as though the good people see that it is just plain wrong that RAC did this to me, among many other things that people have pointed out about RAC. I do not know you personally, so I cannot judge you as an individual. But I can tell you this, if you are an honest person who does not believe in ripping people off, find another job. RAC is not the company for you. I guess people like you can justify ripping people off because you put it in writing and get them to sign it. That does not make it right, friend. For example, if I tell someone I am going to assault them before I do it, does that make it right for me to do so? No.


Honest Sam

Bay Area,
California,
U.S.A.
Live within your means

#51Consumer Comment

Tue, July 29, 2008

I've never used a rent-to-own place and have little sympathy for those who do and then complain of a ripoff. You knew the terms of the contract when you got the computer. You can't arbitrarily decide that you are going to pay less than the agreed upon amount and expect the company to agree to it. How about if they just decided to charge you $400 a month instead of $200 a month - would you agree to that? You say you could have got a similar computer for $500, why not wait a couple of months and do that instead of paying $200 a month for who knows how long?


Clifford

South Haven,
Michigan,
U.S.A.
Not true

#52Consumer Comment

Tue, July 29, 2008

"It's not a matter of what is legal or contract, it's a matter of what is right and wrong." This is a ridiculous statement. In business it is ALWAYS 'a matter of what is legal or contract'. If you can also do what 'the customer' thinks is right it's good, but the primary concern is the contract and what is legal. You can be very sure that if the shoe were on the other foot, you would be singing a different tune.


Jackie

Woonsocket,
Rhode Island,
U.S.A.
Div9 THIS POST IS FOR YOU AND ALL OTHER EMPLOYEE'S FROM RAC!

#53Consumer Comment

Tue, July 29, 2008

Hi Div9 I understand risk and I do believe if you are gonna rent something you must pay a certain percentage but RAC is charging about 90% more of the actual cost of the item! And I proved that from my last statement up above about the laptop! RAC percentage or risk as you say, should be the same price of the Actual cost of the item! for example if RAC sells a computer for $600.00 then they should charge the customer A Extra 600.00 for the PC for interest, not $2800.00 thats stealing from poor innocent people and thats not right! And as far as the legal agreement you employees keep talking about every time you respond to one of our post is a joke because you guys never explain it to the customer and of course I bet it is in very small print and very hard to read! And one more thing, how can you employees keep defending RAC? don't you realize that you are an Accessory after the fact? EXAMPLE: if you go into a store with your friend and he/she steals something, your gonna go to jail with them! I feel confident enough that RAC is gonna mess with the wrong person and there will be a big lawsuit and they will have more then enough proof that RAC are thieves by all these post that people keep writing, I hope you employees don't go down with them because you guys are just as bad for working for them!


Div 9

Meadville,
Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
chris answer this

#54UPDATE Employee

Tue, July 29, 2008

why did you start going to Rent A Center in the first place?


Chris

Thomasville,
North Carolina,
U.S.A.
DIV 9, YOU ARE SO SAD

#55Author of original report

Tue, July 29, 2008

Actually, that's about $549 that I will have to pay to buy one straight out, and it will have all the things the rip off RAC computer had, I PROMISE YOU THAT. You know and I know that RAC is a s**t-head company who rips people off. You say that I could not get a computer at a store for $500 and it have all the things that the RAC computers have on it. Now you and I both know that that is bullshit. I promise you that I can go to Staples for example and buy the same exact thing for $500 that RAC sold me for $2000, and still thinks I owe more on it. I have more than paid the worth of that computer. You really need to find another company to work for. And I will expose my RAC to the town. We'll see if the good people of Thomasville think RAC done the right things by refusing to work with me, taking my computer back, and keeping all of my $2000 dollars. It's not a matter of what is legal or contract, it's a matter of what is right and wrong. You got a guy who has paid you faithfully $2000 on a computer, and you know full-well the company did not pay that much for it, and he encounters financial trouble. Instead of refusing to pay anymore, he tries to work out a lower payment so he can keep paying the rip off bill. You know it's not right, and if I had a dime for every rip off report that has been filed on RAC, I could buy 10,000 computers. For you to defend these crooks, it makes you look like more of a crook than they are.


Div 9

Meadville,
Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
good for you

#56UPDATE Employee

Mon, July 28, 2008

Happy to hear you have the 649.00 to pay cash for it, truely thats the best way to get it, never denied that. What i was trying to say was that we assume the risk by giving a laptop out for rent to own with no guarantee on payment, and or damage, or it being stolen, Lemmie ask you this , would you give someone a 1000 dollars and not do everything within your power to recover it? All we ask is for the customer to honor the leagal agreement they signed, we do WORK with every customer to the extent of our possibilities, but that means a 2 way streetm they need to work to get their account current or we must return our merchandise. ever heard of a car or house being repo'd? Rent to Own is not for everyone, but is best buy going to give you a loaner when you have a problem with what you just bought from them? NOPE!


Resty

Waunakee,
Wisconsin,
U.S.A.
Chris......

#57Consumer Comment

Mon, July 28, 2008

Thanks for explaining better and not ripping on me :-)) I totally agree that this place is nasty as nasty comes to deal with. I cant imagine ever using them and believe it or not.....I am sorry you got screwed by em. PLEASE understand I do not now nor have I ever worked for this place. I have seen the scads of reports they have on here. My post was kind of a knee jerk reaction to a statement you made in yours...sorry if I sounded rude......I didnt mean to. I gotta admit though,.I do have trouble with you stating that you didnt say you'd stop paying them......just that you couldnt continue to pay as much. You gotta know that no place that deals with renting things is gonna just change your payment because you've fallen on hard times. (and who hasnt). It isnt much different than buying a car and having nothing but trouble with it. The seller is not going to adjust the payments or give your money back as a rule. They simply dont care......its a fact of business I guess. That doesnt necessarily make it right morally. Hard lesson to learn no doubt. Im glad you learned and wont deal with these types of places anymore. Have an awesome week


Chris

Thomasville,
North Carolina,
U.S.A.
Resty, you are not listening to me

#58Author of original report

Sun, July 27, 2008

Resty, I never ever told RAC that I could not pay on it anymore, I simply said that I could not pay as much on it every month as I had been. And mostly everyone who has responded to this report seems to agree that RAC is a liar and a rip off. You are right, they are out there to get your money and have no care about the person who works everyday and gives them their hard-earned money. It was a mistake on my part to even rent a computer when everyone who has replied to this report now tells me that I could have gotten one just as good for $500, which puts RAC "quality," claim down. But the reason I did not want to just take it back after all the trouble I had fixed, was because of all the money I had put into it. I would have been the same as me walking in and saying, "Here, RAC, take $2000, and I'll take nothing." This is not a matter of contract or law, it's a matter of morals and what is right and what is wrong. By law, they don't have to do anything, but what's the right thing to do? What would a good, honest company do? Exactly. They would work with me in this time. And I never asked for them to give me back all the money I had paid on it, but a few hundred dollars after all the trouble I had out of the computer would not have been too much to ask. I just know I will never fall into such bull**** again, and everyone in my town will be informed about their RAC.


Resty

Waunakee,
Wisconsin,
U.S.A.
Did I read this right?

#59Consumer Comment

Sun, July 27, 2008

Ive never dealt with RAC and hope to heaven I never do.....Ive heard/read allllll the stories. However......Chris.... Anytime you deal with a place like this....you're essentially dealing with a loan shark type operation. Anyone/Everyone knows the interest on what they offer is thru the roof. They have found a way to supply the immediate gratification generation with what they want when they want it at a price they THINK they can afford. WRONG...as you've proven. You claim they wont work with you? They ARE working with you.....they've let you have the use of / rent something you apparently cant afford and for several months at that. Of course they're going to charge you an unreal interest....they dangled the carrot and you grabbed it...now you need to pay the price. They didnt make you rent this.....they didnt make you sign the agreement.....nor did they make you default on said agreement. They are in the business to make money..........they dont give one hoot about why you arent making payments........all they care about is you making them........as per the agreement you signed. Just because the laptop you rented doesnt perform the way you THINK it should doesnt mean you can just stop paying for it. WHY did you wait ANYTIME at all if it wasnt performing the way it should? This statement that YOU made is troubling... "They basically wanted to take my computer, keep my $2000, and leave me with absolutley nothing. They would not even give me a few hundred dollars back so I could buy one, even after I had had nothing but trouble out of the computer." >>>Do you honestly think they should give you back the RENT you paid for that year of use? Please tell me you dont really believe that? If you default on a car loan....they repossess the car....default on a mortgage and they take the house...they dont offer to give you money back!!!!! They dont care if you've paid in a million dollars.....once you default.......the product reverts back to the rightful owners. WHY did you sign the agreement, pay an entire year and now want to file a RoR on them? I personally have no allegiance to them.....but I dont understand your skewed thinking.


Atlanta Guy

Atlanta,
Georgia,
U.S.A.
Wrong !!

#60Consumer Comment

Sun, July 27, 2008

I just purchased a brand new NAME BRAND laptop online for $395. It is a 2.8 Ghz machine with 2 GB of RAM,160 GB HDD, DVD/CD Recorder, Webcam, Microphone, Built in wireless internet, etc, etc. Don't tell me I can't purchase a decent laptop for under $500. Rent A Center is only slightly above Aaron's in integrity.....and that's not saying much.


Chris

Thomasville,
North Carolina,
U.S.A.
This rent a center employee is clearly trying to make the company look innocent

#61Author of original report

Sun, July 27, 2008

Firstly, the first person above asks, "If I had so many problems, why didn't I return it?" I had paid a lot into it by that time. Maybe when you give $2000 of your hard-earned money on something, you'll see why you don't want to just "walk away." Secondly, you mention very little or nothing about how immoral it is for rent a center to not work with me here after I have paid all that money and am in a hard time right now. It is wrong, just plain wrong. Even my vehicle company will work with me in hard times and I owe them around $7000 on my car. So why won't Rent A Center work with me when I only owe 8 more months, around $1600? Because they are a rip off, plain and simple. Also, the 2nd person who left a rebuttal seemed to hit the nail on the head, and destroyed your rebuttal. Rent A Center rips people off with their products. I will take the d**n thing back and go buy one just as good for $500. Then, I will let everyone in my town know what a rip off Rent A Center is. I will see the Thomasville RAC fully exposed, so you can go tell them for me.


Chris

Thomasville,
North Carolina,
U.S.A.
This rent a center employee is clearly trying to make the company look innocent

#62Author of original report

Sun, July 27, 2008

Firstly, the first person above asks, "If I had so many problems, why didn't I return it?" I had paid a lot into it by that time. Maybe when you give $2000 of your hard-earned money on something, you'll see why you don't want to just "walk away." Secondly, you mention very little or nothing about how immoral it is for rent a center to not work with me here after I have paid all that money and am in a hard time right now. It is wrong, just plain wrong. Even my vehicle company will work with me in hard times and I owe them around $7000 on my car. So why won't Rent A Center work with me when I only owe 8 more months, around $1600? Because they are a rip off, plain and simple. Also, the 2nd person who left a rebuttal seemed to hit the nail on the head, and destroyed your rebuttal. Rent A Center rips people off with their products. I will take the d**n thing back and go buy one just as good for $500. Then, I will let everyone in my town know what a rip off Rent A Center is. I will see the Thomasville RAC fully exposed, so you can go tell them for me.


Jackie

Woonsocket,
Rhode Island,
U.S.A.
DIV9 YOU ARE DEAD WRONG AND I CAN PROVE IT!

#63Consumer Comment

Fri, July 25, 2008

Hello employee from div 9 you are dead wrong and I can prove it! I Bought a Toshiba laptop Model: A215-S5837 from bestbuy in Jan 2008 for the sum of : 649.99 Included with it I recieved a bag and a 2gb cruzer as a promotion! and it works beautifully and I love it and I believe it to be very good quality for the small price I paid for it. BUT (And I Mean A Big But) ------------------------------------------- At rent a center they are selling the same exact model I have for $2806.92 your looking at either ($35.99 weekly or $155.94 Monthly) if you buy it out after 3 months it will cost: $1819.35 if you make the payments for the whole 18 months it is:$2806.92 Please copy and paste the links to both sites to verify what I say is true! Best Buy: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8771322&st=toshiba+A215&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1203815723605 Rent A Center: http://www6.rentacenter.com/site/page/pg4313-as276875-ba-pn_Toshiba_A215_S5839.html I understand that companies have to charge a percentage but my goodness rent a center really rips into people's pockets and not only that when a customer after a few years falls into hard luck they dont work with you they just take it back and sell it to the next poor sucker, and they keep doing this over and over until the mercahndise is out dated and they cannot rent it no longer, then they sell it for about 300-500 cash I know this because I just recently purchased a livingroom set from RAC and I payed $300.00 cash and they have another one out there right now as we speak for $450.00.


Div 9

Meadville,
Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
LETS GIVE ALL THE FACTS PLEASE

#64UPDATE Employee

Fri, July 25, 2008

1) YOU CAN;T BUY A LAPTOP FOR 300-500 DOLLARS THAT WILL DO MUCH OF ANYTHING, LOSS LEADER AT WALMART CEPT WHAT THEY DON;T SAY IS LIMITED QUANTITYS MAYBE 10 PER STORE AND ONLY AT 2:30 AM ON A SPECIFIC DAY, PLUS TRY TO RETURN A BROKE ITEM TO WALMART 2) ALL LAPTOPS AT RAC ARE OF HIGH QUALITY , WHETHER YOU CARE TO BELIEVE IT OR NOT 3)MAJOR PART OF OUR PRICING IS ARE ASSUMPTION OF RISK, WHICH MEANS WE ARE GIVING YOU A COMPUTER WITH NO DOWNPAYMENT AND NO GUARANTEE THAT YOU ARE GOING TO PAY FOR IT, OR TAKE OFF WITH IT, OR DROP IT, SPILL WATER ON IT ETC........ 4) WE DO SERVICE WHAT WE SELL, IM SORRY YOUR PARTICULAR STORE DID NOT, BUT LET ME ASSURE YOU THAT MOST OF OUR STORES DO WELL AT SERVICE OR OTHER WISE WE WOULD NOT BE IN BUSINESS 5) YOU SAY YOU;VE PAID IN OVER 2000 YTD ON THIS UNIT SO IT MUST HAVE WORKED PRETTY WELL FOR OVER A YEAR OR WHY WOULD YOU CONTINUE TO PAY FOR IT, WHY NOT SIMPLY RETURN IT WALK AWAY AND TRY TO BUY 1 ELSEWHERE> 6)NOONE IN THE INDUSTRY WORKS HARDER IN SOLVING CUSTOMERS PROBLEMS THAN RENT A ACENTER, BUT THERE ARE LIMITS AS TO WHAT WE CAN DO AS FAR AS PRICING AS WE ARE INSTRUCTED AS TO WHAT CHARGES WE MUST COLLECT FOR EACH ITEM

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