Rent A Center ripoff Harrassment banging on door Passaic New Jersey

It looks like you are or were a customer  from rac thats dosnt know what the hell your are talking about.First stealing is wrong and if you steal from rac they will prosecute.Second if dont have money to buy cash or have bad credit you have to go rac.Third if you dont pay rac will go to your house because you dont pick up the phone.You said that they will banging on the door ...just answer the phone ..its easy if you dont like them to be banging in your door pay on time or just buy in best buy walmart etc in cash.Rac workers also have families and also can loose their job if you dont pay.They have a quota they have to make every week .How would you like if i go to your job and try to steal from you and try to get you fired  from your job..(if you work)it easy to be talking sh&%## when you are not in their shoes.You should work in RAC sometime that way you would know what the F#%*& your are talking about

Reading the article about how customers have no right whining if Rent A Center comes knocking on their door or calling them for payment makes me sick.  Granted there are people out there willing to fraud the system but making it out like EVERYONE is doing this is repulsive.  Just like the Rent A Center employees, their customers also have family and hardships.  Some of those people who fail to pay could of just lost their jobs, lost a family member or ended up in the hospital.  What right does Rent A Center have to place judgment on someone for lack of payment.  I hear complaints about Rent A Center all the time, one person made arrangements to pay a day late, Rent A Center still showed up at her house the evening before she was able to pay demanding money or she will go to jail...OVER 1 DAY LATE!  She returned the merchandize the next day and Rent A Center is still calling her and her friends and family in search of the money...weeks after she returned it.  First off it is Rent A Center policy NOT to discuss her account with anyone but her and her spouse.  In Arizona it is their policy not to call the customer more than once when asked to stop calling but they continue to call and harass.  And the little comment that a customer can be arrested for non payment, any lawyer and judge will tell you it is a civil matter.  It will get treated like an unpaid credit card and go into collections and possibly court..but not jail.  I think you need to do your research before opening your mouth and bad mouthing innocent people.  If you work for Rent A Center I feel sorry for you, I have also heard a lot of employees getting screwed over by them.  Maybe you should be looking into getting another job.  By the way this post isn't towards the original person who posted it, it is towards the person brown nosing a company that is throwing people under the bus and telling their children how mommy and daddy will go to jail while the state takes away their kids.  Discusting company!

If someone attempts to enter your home or remove something from it, it is called breaking and entering. Call the police. If you have a witness that they tried to do that, make a police report. For anyone that sees this post. Please refer to the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act. This is federal law. If you tell them not to call your job, they cannot. If you want them to stop knocking and calling send a certified letter to them telling you to not want them calling you or contacting you. Make sure you cite 15 USC sub192c of the act. Keep a copy of it. If they persist after that, then contact an attorney. Anyone dealing with rent to own need to know their rights under this Federal Act. 

I am seeing some employees that are telling you that you can and cannot get away with  and how RAC will prosecute. Let us rewind here. When dealing with RAC, know your law...a quick google search. First, people (employees) saying that they will prosecute.  They can only prosecute in limited cases. The norm...set by their corporate office says this. If you have made NINE payments, weekly payments. they cannot file criminal charges against you. They can attempt to take you to small claims court and if you can get a fair market price or what they charge in the store and you have paid more than the amount, normally RAC cannot win in court. Even if they do take you to court and you do not pay if they win, it will not really hurt you. You can't rent from RAC anymore but you can go to another Rent to Own company. Rent A Center's issues is more than price mark up. Believe me.  Look at the post that I posted.  If they come to your home, by law if you are sitting in the house, with the door open, and you tell them they cannot come in, then they cannot. If they step in anyway, call the police. They cannot leave more than one door knocker. If they leave more at one time or put a door knocker anywhere but on the door. Then that is harassment. If they threaten you with any sort of legal action, then that is deemed harassment. You do not have to answer the door and you do not have to answer the phone. If they knock and you open the door If you tell them that you do not want to talk to them and they cannot come in your home, there is nothing that they can do about it. If you hang up on them, there is nothing that they can do about it. If you tell them not to call you at work. They cannot call anymore. If they talk to anyone else about your account, they are breaking the law. If they do any of these things. Document it and you can actually file suit against them. Don't let them intimidate you. To be honest, you have the advantage.

#1 Employee Seems like you took an Offense to this Question which is all that it is, A Question. He didn't admit to doing any Wrong Doings but you attacked him right off the back. RAC employees are the Worst i have ever seen Its a Multimillion dollar Company that Uses its employee to Bully Any one at the home including Children. By threatening to call the police (who will not even get involved) and Banging on your door Window and Sticking RAC stickers all over your mail box and Windows (which is vandalism no matter how you look at it) they pounded so hard on my friends window when he was out of town they broke it and then left with out a note or an apology for it. he found out from his neighbor.

he told them to come pick up there item and never call him again but they did anyways and asked if he wanted to set up another Contract. he is suing them for harassment now.  they write those items off and are cover under the insurance when tax time comes around they get every bit of their money back as a write off. You best bet is going to Best buy, walmart, or others store and buy direct. its just a pain to deal with them for those 3 months.

In Texas with theft of rental property it goes as follows, up to 500 is a class c misdemenor up to 1500 is a class a misdemenor, over 1500 is a felony, but it is only for the true price of the merchindise not the price that rent a center charges. the item also depreciates over time and lose value along with any payments made are all deducted form the price. so 9 times outta 10 these charges are dismissed. the courts are tired of playing det collector.

if you don't believe me call a lawyer. i have gotten alot of the cases from rent a center dimissed. the only one i didn't was because the merch was over $3000. rent a center as a company whole is in court for their debt collection tactics and abusive interest and mark up on items. i understand to pay your bill on time and all but rent a centers tactics are very similar to a bookie or loan shark. enough is enough. there def needs to be gov regs on rent to own places

Crappy Management is Crappy Management. If they lied too you thats on te person who sold it to you. Now, just FYI. NO ONE in RAC can change the products status from "New" to "Used". Its impossible unless you are a tech from the IT department in Texas. Read your contract, it says Used on it. Dont sign something that sipposed to be New if the contract says Used.

Also, it is criminal if you dont pay a certain percentage. If you make only 1 or 2 payments then duck RAC out it is a crime. Like i said above... It is the Manager's responsibility to file. So if it was files civil, then you eithet paid past the percentage, or the manager decided to take it to civil court.

Last. That store was wrong for lying and it sucks... But a 600 bedroom set cost 1200 ONLY if you go through the whole 91 week contract like I stated above. Plus late fees it can be another $455 or more. They put that in plain english on the contract. You read the contract, signed when it says "USED" at the top, went past the 90day cash price of $622... They didnt rip you off, you just signed a little to fast and couldnt come up with the 90day price fast enough. Happends to the best of us tho. Dont feel bad, just be careful in the future.

If I make my minimume payments on my credit card, and I am only late once every other month... I will be paying on that thing for YEEEEEARS. The point is, pay more, pay off, pay down to 0, and avoid late fees.

Im sorry but I disagree with you. For one its a civil case....provide proof when you state they can file  felony charges against you. I purchased a bedroom set from them. I was told it was new except the mattress and frame. I found out after the touch up paint started to wear off and i investigated that it had been with 4 other people, yet they tried to charge me full price plus 121percent interest .. so for a set that cost 699 new, it ends up to be 1200 dollars. I challenged them and won. Rent a center is a rip off.

I used to be a employee, I have useful information to help anyone confused by the business... Good and "Bad"(not really bad)

First off... RAC has store managers.  Every store has 1 store manager and 1 head collection assistant.

The GOOD-- NO OTHER COMPANY OFFERS THESE BENIFITS

-RAC doesn't rip anyone off.  You pay for the service provided by RAC, NOT the furniture/tv/etc.

Service includes delivery, set up, service, small weekly payments, loaners, the ability to switch out.

lets break down each one by one.

-Small payments-

The price of your stuff goes by TIME paying.  NOT by intrest, principle, etc.  You have 91 week contract at 24.99 a week. The 91 times 24.99 = 2274.09.  $2274.09 = the "rip off price." Im sorry, if you go 91 weeks (one year 9 months) and never pay the stuff off, then you tried to rip yourself off.  Even paying this price isnt bad if you consider the benifits renting provides, we will get into that later.

When you make your FIRST week's payment, the 90 days starts.  90 days to pay HALF of $2274. That is $1137.05.

 Ok, you dont want to pay the higher price in 91 weeks, and you know for a fact you wont have $1137 in 90 days. Thats ok, at ANYTIME in the contract (as long as your not late) you can pay 60% of whats left to pay it off.  Example.  You have 55 weeks left of your 91 weeks.  55 times $24.99 = $1374.45.  Instead of paying that in 55 weeks, use your tax refund, bonus, lotto winnings, etc to pay the 60%.  That = $824.70 and it is all yours.

Sears, Best Buy, Lowes, Value City give you credit cards... you can pay on those the rest of your life because there is no time limit.  91 weeks is long? Imagine falling into hard times and not paying a credit card on time.... LOADS of $ added to your principle.

-Loaners, Service-

Who else services your stuff like RAC?  Its Superbowl in two days, you have a party coming up... lightning strikes, TV goes out, Fridge dies.  You call Sears, Best Buy, Lowes, Value City... they say, no problem, we will be out there after the party, and you wont have no fridge and tv because we dont give you a replacement, oh and by the way, it may cost you for us and come get it unless you want to bring it yourself.  OH and your 60 day warrenty better not be over with, hope u have an extended warrenty. 

RAC says, sorry sir, we will be out there Saturday with a fridge and TV.  This way your food wont spoil and you can watch the game in the BIG screen.  We will send your stuff out to be fixed, it's usually back by next week.


-Set up and Delivery-

Long story short... RAC will bring the stuff to your home, drag it up all 145 steps, take it out the box, spend 2 hours putting it together, then even remove all the boxes and trash from your home.  As my co-worker says "we get treated worse that the china-man."  That means we usually get no tip.  But RAC does it. No one else does that

Ability to Switchout-

You had that chair about 3 weeks now. You decide you dont like the color, it looks funny in your home. RAC says, no problem, we will credit your next livingroom set up to 16 weeks depending on how much you paid on the one you have now.  Sears, Best Buy, Lowes, Value City Says "so what?"

You lost your job, had a TV for 15 weeks.  You say, I dont want my TV... I dont need it now that Im jobless.  RAC says, no problem... just give it back we will stop payments... and hey, if you get re employeed come back and pick up where u left off.  Sears, Best Buy, Lowes, Value City says "so what? Make sure you dont miss your next payment"

The BAD (not really bad, just business)--RAC HATES Doing this

Yea RAC files charges.  It's 100% the store manager's choice and the credit assistant's choice.  If you got away, You had a lazy managment.  The one's that do their job can actually give you jail time, bench warrents, wage garnishments, etc.  Some people get away.  I used to work at Home Depot.  I seen people pull up, puick up, and drive off with a riding mower.  They got away too... but I still dont advise on trying your luck.  STEALING IS STEALING. STEALING IS WRONG.  RAC doesnt want to do this, it wastes time and money.  Stay in contact. That is what RAC attepts. They knock on door because they havent had contact with customer.  Make RAC work. Return stuff if you have no $$$.  It's in the contract, you return it no penalty... come back and get them to redeliver later when $$$ is better... another benifit if used properly.

RAC is a SERVICE

Yea, buy cash. It works, it's cheaper, it saves you loads of money.  But RAC is a GREAT service. You get you're moneys worth with all the benifits and options they offer if used properly, even though off the record... it is a "little" more money than cash buys.

PS- 91 weeks times $5 reinstatement fee = $455.  Don't be late every week and then be confused why you've paid more money on your stuff.    :)

Rent A Center will not prosecute if you skip. They have skip tracers that follow-up on high dollar accounts. They put you in some sort of database where you cannot get a payday loan or obviously rent from them or Aaron's again. It will be reported to credit agencies ensuring that you will pay it off someday, or have bad credit for awhile. Why do you think that they harrass people so much for only being a couple of days late? They have to be right on it or they will lose the account at a loss. It is a civil matter in the eyes of the law. Whoever said they will prosecute may have been talking about a franchise owned store situation, where the owner will try to press charges. Ive never seen it happen, however. In the event of a civil suit, you may have to go to court to make arrangements to pay them. If you do not appear in court the plaintiff can request that a body attachment be issued for contempt. In that case you would be in jail for less than a day. Theft by conversion is a misdemeanor by the way whoever said that. Even if that was the case, no agency is going to extradite you from wherever you go anyway. As long as you're not in the state or surrounding counties. I wouldn't advise doing this because you are going to have to pay it eventually, but you will not be arrested for it. Also, for the employee complaining about how it is so terrible trying to keep accounts current. When you applied for a job there, who exactly did you think your customer base was going to be? The reason people go to places like this is because they already have bad credit or they are just not very bright. Nobody would opt to pay $800 for a Playstation 3 or $4000 for a flat screen or whatever, when they can just open a charge account at Best Buy and pay $199 and $999. Rent a Center makes a business out of taking advantage of people with no credit or maybe not the highest paying job. People who could not have some of those things without a place that didnt check credit. They have no choice sometimes to ridiculously pay 4 times the retail cost of an item. Maybe you should take a look in the mirror, stop judging people, find a new job, or just shut your mouth and ring me up cashier.

For one thing RAC can and WILL file charges on you for not returning merchandise.  I know someone who is the General Manager of the store.  I have seen them do it many times and a warrant for your arrest will be issued.  Ya know you really shouldn't be giving false info to someone. 

omg shut the f**k up and just answer the question..... and if you dont know the answer just f***in keep it moving my goodness.....what are you a RAC spokesperson or advocate s**t ,,,,

Some of the iinformation given seems to be a little misguided so here is some inside information. First, RentACenter can take legal action against you if you attempt to steal the merchandise. The options vary from state to state & depend on various factors including how much money you have paid, the actual value of the merchandise, and whether your actions indicate that you came to the store with intent to steal.

Some of the action that can be taken is crimal theft charges, wage garnishment, and replevin to name a few. In the case of criminal action, the value of most of the merchandise makes it a felony. Wage garnishments add up to the value of the merchandise plus the past due payment on the merchandise plus legal fees for filing the wage garnishment. In the case of a replevin, the company gets a court order to enter your home with the county authorities whether you are home or not to retrieve the merchandise. If any illegal activity is observed during the enforcement of the court order the customer or other occupants can be arrested. If the merchandise is not recovered, a warrant is put out for arrest for contempt of court (that's the process in IL It may vary from state to state.)

As far as the pricing being a ripoff, reading is fundamental. Our rental agreeements clearly outline the cash price as well as the total cost of all items sold. It specifies whether the item you are receiving is new or used and makes it very clear that (at least in IL) it is a LEASE transaction which means if you don't pay for it you have to return it. Unfortunately most rental purchases (especially electronics) are impulsive purchases in which the low weekly rate initially outweighs the total cost.

In closing, if this you aren't trying to steal and this is simply a matter of being a couple of days late on your payment then your best bet is to communicate with the manager. RentACenter has programs in place to assist occasional late payers. In some cases items can be returned and resold at a lower term. Also there is a process to defer payments to the end of your agreement so that you can continue payments without playing catch up. Its all about communication & showing good faith. Also, if you have a legitimate complaint about your service, every location nationwide has a customer care hotline number posted inside the store and at the front counter. It is still retail where "the customer is always right". If your complaint is valid, and often even if it isn't, the corporate office can assist you way better than anything we have to say here.

I just wanted to say.......................................................................................................................... I think........................................................................................................................ that ALL Companies and Industries on this world are  RETARDED  becuase products that are sold, especially electronics are much much to high in value in the first place whether you're renting it or flat out buying it in full. Personally I believe money should have never been invented. So Jeff don't let theres tards make you feel bad, all you did was not make some rich a*****e even more richer than he needs to be. As far as the whole employees losing there jobs because of it is a bunch of BS and is the fualt and ignorance or that employees a**hole boss who takes the job away. Kay eats poop cereal! : P

I am a former employee, and manager of several Rent-A-Centers in several states. They do not have insurance for items that are rented and not returned. The "insurance" that some people sign up for is for stolen or damaged merchandise. However, the insurance is owned and financed by RAC so they actually take the hit anyway.

Well I can understand with the employees of rent a center but how can you sleep at night knowing you bugging a person who doesn't even have control of your merchandise. I feel like you use the references to get their opinion on the person you're renting the merchandise from. After you call them in the beginning that should be the end of it. It's ridicilous how you continue to harass people day after day time after time. It's get frustrating. Since all you employees claim you can take legal action. HINT: Take them and stop bugging the heck out of people who don't even do business with you.

It's been interesting reading all these "rip off reports" about RAC. I am a RAC employee in Iowa and really felt like I needed to respond.

While I cannot in any way condone the alleged actions of some RAC employees who were written about here, there are a lot of GOOD employees giving GOOD people a chance to own some really nice stuff that they would not have a realistic chance of owning any other way. We service the stuff and give loaners to people while their stuff is being serviced. We have a lifetime reinstatement policy whereby if we pick up or you give back your stuff, you can have it back and not lose any of the rent money that you've put into it. Is that such a bad deal?

I know for a fact that my store does not act in any of the ways that were mentioned on this site. As a matter of fact, over Christmas my manager gave away a mattress to a family whose kids were sleeping on the floor after she called us to come get her furniture because she could not afford it. He also gave some presents to some renters' kids who **probably** would not have otherwise gotten anything from "Santa".

What all this boils down to is this: we spend 80% of our time pursuing the 20% who don't pay their bills. Renters sign a contract that explains all of the charges etc. for renting merchandise. We explain the contract in detail and ask if there are any questions. If you don't like the contract, which spells out exactly the actions RAC can and will take and the actions that the renter can and will take, then DON'T SIGN IT!

Sorry to "yell" this: ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS PAY YOUR BILL ON TIME OR EARLY AND WE WILL NOT CONTACT/BOTHER YOU!!!

You signed a contract with RAC that said your payment is due on a certain date...not one day, two days, three days AFTER that date. The RAC contract works exactly like the mortgage papers you signed...your payment is due on a specific date and if you don't pay on that date, the mortgage company WILL contact you. The contract you signed with RAC is no different.

I'm really suprised, also, that the RAC renter who left a message here about making only one payment and no more and RAC never pursued them or got any more money from him or their stuff back...that RAC didn't get its merchandise back. Our store goes through a legal process of bonding the person, getting a judgment and then showing up on your doorstep with the Sheriff to retrieve the merchandise. Yes, we use the legal system but only after ALL other methods of getting the merchandise back have been exhausted (or the renter has ignored our efforts to contact them). And sometimes the court system says that we have no right to get the merchandise back and we don't pursue it any further.

Perhaps some people who have had negative experiences with RAC will respond that I've been "brainwashed" into the RAC way of thinking. All I can sayto that is I can only write about what I've seen at my store and how we conduct OUR business. There may be some bad apple stores in America who act in ways that are described in the posts here, but I FIRMLY believe that they are few and far between. If you have issues with these specific store(s), I say pursue those stores but DO NOT try to paint ALL STORES and our ENTIRE organization as being run by a bunch of thieves and robbers of "a certain demographic", as someone said in previous posting.

Thank you...I feel better!

ok mark from virginia, the point has been made, you and the rest of your co-workers are irresponsible liars, con-artists yourselves. You're remarks are already disregarded. You lie and cheat people at work, and you lie here on this web posting.

Kay, what is God going to ask you about when your time comes? you sit here and judge others yourself. Thats not your job, save your 'religious freak' comments, you are also a fraud.

Rent-A-Center takes advantage of a certain demographic, without any regard for their customers. Paying into something that is already jacked up, then lying to get every last cent out of your customer forcing them into a corner. Karma is real, and very unforgiving. Let it all bleed out is your mission statement.

A company does not have to be insured for merchandise leased or rented by a consumer. It is the consumers responsibility to ensure this occurs. If the company offers a protection plan or liability waiver, it is the responsibility of the consumer to ensure that this is paid along with the leased item. If this does not occur, the consumer is liable for the fair market value remaining on the product.

If the product is leased and the consumer has made no attempt to pay on the leased merchandise, they have a right to contact you by phone, by mail and, yes, come to your place of residence to seek payment or reposess the merchandise.

Well as your parents have (hopefuly) told you, "read every line before you sign." This rings true even to a no obligation contract (meaning that you can cancel at anytime with out penalty) and scare of loosing those hard earned dollars?

Fear not! Re-instatement is the beauty of this outfit, have you ever paid on a car and could no longer afford it, so you "voluntarily" had it repossessed and then given a check saying "hey when the cards are right come back and pickup where you left off."

I am a LAM (Lead Assistant Manager) for a southern Idaho store. Integrity is one of the core values of RAC. If you feel like you are lied to or otherwise mistreated by a RAC employee you should do one of two things.

1. Confront the employee, it is possible that they have made a mistake. (I am sure that you are impervious to these)
2. Call the customer care hotline, that goes directly to their DM (district manager) and I assure you that there will be a result of it.

So lets sum this up.
1. Read the contract, make it fit what you want (yes the employee will make you happy)
2. If you can no longer afford, return the merch. on good terms and request a reinstate check (valid at any Rent-a-center)
3. Stand up for your self.
4. Have integrity. You owe it to your self, your life will only be enriched by your own actions.

When I had bad credit and needed or wanted the merchandise Rent A Center offers I used them. Most things I paid 90 days same as cash and got it cheaper than I would at the electronic or furniture stores. Never had a problem with the calls because I set up my payments to come out of my bank account or just went in and paid either early or on time, that's all you gotta do and they won't even call. Even now that my credit is very good (just bought new car and house) I still buy 90 days same as cash because it is cheaper. The only thing that I did keep making payments on because I wasn't sure I was going to keep was a bedroom set for my daughter. I did end up keeping it and did agree to their terms but just because people with bad credit need to buy things doesn't mean RAC should mark it up 400%. Yes people with bad credit are a risk and RAC is in the business of making money but a lot of people with bad credit also have bad credit because they have had money problems, charging triple for an item can sometimes make those money problems worse. Should they still not have furniture for their children to sleep on? RAC should think about that and change some of their practices, but for me they have worked for me and I would probably continue to buy from them as long as it's something I can pay for 90 days same as cash.

I have worked for RAC for several years and I love the company and what we stand for. I manage a store in WV and we have the lowest cash prices around. We match and often beat anyones retail prices. Where else can you walk in and put $50 down on a bigscreen and have it delivered that day or the next.

NOWHERE! Where can you get your item serviced for free and have a loaner to use, NOWHERE! We help people, people who want and deserve a far chance at nice things, not everyone has great credit or $2000.00 under a couch cushion to buy a TV, and it's hard to save money these days, especially if you have kids, you never know whats going to happen. We make it easy to own by our 90 days same as cash, RAC is like layaway you take it home and pay weekly, biweekly, or monthly.

Our programs and processes are great, it's dishonest people who are making it hard on everyone. But you have to understand this is a debt and an obligation, you rent you have to pay and pay on time. We have jobs just like you do, sorry ours is calling you but all you have to do is pay on time and your problem is over. We don't go to your job and make things hard on you so have the same respect and make ours easy.

I find a lot of the reports on here very funny. I happen to work for RAC and think that some of these people should stop and think a little. First off Kay is right Rent To Own in going nowhere. Take a look at the stock market report and that will back up my statement. I am an Executive Assistant at a store in WV and I must say my employees are well trained and do none of the things reported on this sight. I also am not stupid and aware some of those things go on and those employees should be fired.

As far as RAC being a ripoff there are only two problems with that statement. One is that are price tags are clearly marked with a retail value aka 90 days same as cash price. They also have the total cost of the item on the tag, meaning that if you take the item full term what you will pay. They also have a spot marked for the Rent To Own Charges, that states the diffrence between th 90 days and the total cost.

Also when we go over a rental agreement with a customer the whole entire process is explained in detail. We then ask if the customer has any questions and can tell us there next due date. How is that being "SHADY". As for Jeff you have gotten away with stealing from our company but more times then not we get it back one way or another.

We have 3300 stores nationwide and we all work together. I have gotten back a couch rented in WV back in UTAH. So you are the exception not the rule. Your posts also show your lack of morals and Kay is also right you can thank people like yourself for the high prices we charge. Also come to think of it I would like you to try this sometime people.

Go into a Circuit City or Best Buy sometime and pick out a 60 inch DLP television and tell the manager you are only going to give him $50 dollars and see what happens. That is why Rac charges higher. it is as simple as this. HIGH RISK. HIGH REWARD. I honestly love what I do and we do not prey on the poor or whatever you guys might call it. Just because someone does not have alot of money does not mean they should not be aloowed to have nice things.

I also think of RAC as a family that includes co workers and customers. I have built a lot of solid freindships with my customers to the point of being invited to there homes for dinner. I have never gone but that just gives you the sense of what I am talking about.

I will not personally insult anyone but I am sure people like Jeff cant not afford to pay his bills and would rather steal from someone and that is a shame that the world finds this kind of behavoir acceptable.

In closing Kay I will address you personally and thank you for your efforts in the field and on this site. Keep on renting and collecting

THANK YOU AGAIN ON BEHALF OF THE WV FACTION OF RAC AND ALL OUR EMPLOYEES COMPANY WIDE

I worked in the "Rent To Own" business for a short time as an accounts manager.

Plain and simple, if our stats were not good, we simply did not have a job. And, that level of performance was expected on the 1st day of your second month on the job! No excuses.

We were taught to get a payment or pick up the merchandise by whatever means needed.

We were taught to pull the 24ft truck across the driveway while still in the street early in the morning before the subject had to leave for work. And not move it to allow them out until we had our property on the truck.

They would always threaten to call the police and we would say go ahead, then we can file our criminal complaint for stealing our merchandise.

This worked everytime.

Keep in mind, that the FDCPA does not apply to Rent to own. You can legally use any tactic short of violence or vandalism.

We would outright call an employer and tell them of the situation. We would knock on neighbors doors and give info on the collection efforts.

I quit because I couldn't do anyone like that. My opinion is that is what the courts are for.

I worked in the "Rent To Own" business for a short time as an accounts manager.

Plain and simple, if our stats were not good, we simply did not have a job. And, that level of performance was expected on the 1st day of your second month on the job! No excuses.

We were taught to get a payment or pick up the merchandise by whatever means needed.

We were taught to pull the 24ft truck across the driveway while still in the street early in the morning before the subject had to leave for work. And not move it to allow them out until we had our property on the truck.

They would always threaten to call the police and we would say go ahead, then we can file our criminal complaint for stealing our merchandise.

This worked everytime.

Keep in mind, that the FDCPA does not apply to Rent to own. You can legally use any tactic short of violence or vandalism.

We would outright call an employer and tell them of the situation. We would knock on neighbors doors and give info on the collection efforts.

I quit because I couldn't do anyone like that. My opinion is that is what the courts are for.

I worked in the "Rent To Own" business for a short time as an accounts manager.

Plain and simple, if our stats were not good, we simply did not have a job. And, that level of performance was expected on the 1st day of your second month on the job! No excuses.

We were taught to get a payment or pick up the merchandise by whatever means needed.

We were taught to pull the 24ft truck across the driveway while still in the street early in the morning before the subject had to leave for work. And not move it to allow them out until we had our property on the truck.

They would always threaten to call the police and we would say go ahead, then we can file our criminal complaint for stealing our merchandise.

This worked everytime.

Keep in mind, that the FDCPA does not apply to Rent to own. You can legally use any tactic short of violence or vandalism.

We would outright call an employer and tell them of the situation. We would knock on neighbors doors and give info on the collection efforts.

I quit because I couldn't do anyone like that. My opinion is that is what the courts are for.

I worked in the "Rent To Own" business for a short time as an accounts manager.

Plain and simple, if our stats were not good, we simply did not have a job. And, that level of performance was expected on the 1st day of your second month on the job! No excuses.

We were taught to get a payment or pick up the merchandise by whatever means needed.

We were taught to pull the 24ft truck across the driveway while still in the street early in the morning before the subject had to leave for work. And not move it to allow them out until we had our property on the truck.

They would always threaten to call the police and we would say go ahead, then we can file our criminal complaint for stealing our merchandise.

This worked everytime.

Keep in mind, that the FDCPA does not apply to Rent to own. You can legally use any tactic short of violence or vandalism.

We would outright call an employer and tell them of the situation. We would knock on neighbors doors and give info on the collection efforts.

I quit because I couldn't do anyone like that. My opinion is that is what the courts are for.

I had a problem with them as well. A relative of mine moved in with me and rented stuff from them. They then left and took the stuff with them. I was called four times a day at my home phone number and they would leave messages. When I got the message upon coming home, I called them and explained that the relative does not live here anymore and the merchandise is not here. And to please quit calling. This continued for a few days. Finally I spoke to a manger and told them I considered these phone calls solely intended for the purpose of being harassment as I had already stated that I neither had the merchandise or knew an address for this relative and that I would tell them to contact Rent-a-center upon hearing from them.

Wouldn't you know it, I still got a call the next day. So I called one final time and asked them if I needed to contact the police about these harassing calls of theirs. Of course, it stopped then.

RAC is pretty relentless and at times overzealous. They will even go after relatives who didn't sign anything with them. If you have the merchandise, return it. For anyone who is not the renter and is being harassed, I'd advise doing what I did and threaten to call the police on them for harassing phone calls.

If you were or are stupid enough to work for this company, you are just as much responsible for contributing to the problem than you are at creating a solution.

Kay--you're a suck-up. And not only are you an ignorant suck-up, you're also impressing your subjective and narrow morality in this forum. Find something better to do--like working for a more reputable company, for instance. if you have since left this rank company, congratulations on growing a brain.

Kay

I have never and would not rent from Rent-A-Center myself because it practices usery under the guise of "renting", but that aside I have
2 points you might want to consider before you badger these people.

1. No less than 6 states have class action law suits against Rent-A-Center.
If they are such a fine and upstanding organization how come such a huge malcontent exists for their "service".

2. The organization you so fondly defend charges its customers the equivalant of %400 interest on items such as PC's; $3700 by weekly payments to purchase a PC you could buy outright for $1000.

I am not trying to justify stealing, it is not right. And, it is not smart to "rent" from Rent-A-Center to begin with. But using your logic I could justify selling guns to murders on the black market.

"Rent-A-Center doesn't do credit checks because they know the reason you're there is because your credit isn't good. Why else would you go to them and pay 2 or 3 times what a product is worth? BECAUSE YOU CAN'T GET IT FROM ANYONE ELSE without paying the same high prices... no one else is going to "give you a break" based on your credit."

A fabricated argument for the Black Market:
Known felons can't buy a gun through the normal channels. The black market doesn't do background checks. Felons should have to pay more for the guns because no-one else will sell them the gun.
The gun the felon purchases at exorbitant prices is going to be used to rob you. Case in point "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should."

I'm so glad you can go home at night with a clear conscience, Kay. I worked as a temp for Rent-A-Center for one week and I can no longer work for them because I have seen some of their practices. I can not work for nor justify the practices of a company that sells furniture to people who can not afford it, at exorbitant prices no less, while their kids are starving. A company whom sends one of its cronies to your door if you have not paid within 7 days of the due date of your bill.

I am not going to trade insults with you, Lisa... I call it like it is -- no one said you had to like it.

The bottom line is that if you're a thief, you should be worried about where you're going to spend eternity -- and nothing anyone can say will change that fact. Everyone, no matter who they are, will answer for their own life and the choices they make... whether they work for RAC or not.

Unethical people are not relegated to any race or color... and they are poor, rich and middle-class. AND THEY WORK EVERYWHERE. RAC is not and SHOULD NOT be defined by a few bad employees. RAC, as a company, does not belong on this site. Making a profit is NOT a crime.

It is obvious that, like I stated previously, that some people will NEVER, EVER "get it". It reminds me of the old saying, "There are none so blind as those who will not see." Life is about choices and you can choose to be blind if you like.

First, let us talk about the rent to own industry. Sorry, Lisa, but it isn't going anywhere. Why? Because there are people who have bad credit and don't pay their bills. These people HAVE bad credit BECAUSE they don't pay their bills... and they don't pay their bills because they are in the debt trap (living beyond their means) or simply can't make enough money to really survive. Rent-A-Center and other RTO companies RENT to these types of people -- taking a calculated RISK (as evidenced by delightful folks such as our rocket-scientist "Jeff" who, by the way, you can all thank for the astronomical prices you're paying! Maybe you should be kicking him in the rear-end instead of patting him on the head!)

Let me ask those of you with a sense of entitlement at the expense of others this... why did you go to Rent-A-Center instead of Ethan Allen or Rhodes Furniture? Because Ethan Allen or Rhodes Furniture would run a credit check on you and see that you aren't a good credit risk? No one held a gun to your head and made you rent to own, did they? No, you knew the prices of the merchandise and what you were getting into UP FRONT. You see, here is the problem. You wanted what Rent-A-Center was offering and could have cared less AT THE TIME the prices you were paying to get what you wanted. THIS is the VERY mentality that has gotten you where you are today in your life... play now and pay later. Only when it comes time to pay, suddenly "it's too much" or "it's a rip off" or some other such nonsense. Basically, all you are doing is trying to justify some reason, ANY reason, to keep from paying your bill and to put a salve on your conscience. Isn't it funny? The very people who gave you what you wanted/needed, when NO ONE ELSE WOULD, are the very people you're complaining about and trying to stiff? Isn't that something...

Rent-A-Center doesn't do credit checks because they know the reason you're there is because your credit isn't good. Why else would you go to them and pay 2 or 3 times what a product is worth? BECAUSE YOU CAN'T GET IT FROM ANYONE ELSE without paying the same high prices... no one else is going to "give you a break" based on your credit.

Stores ARE run by a store manager. The next "level" is EA (executive assistant), then you have I/O (inside/outside manager) and then you have Sales and Account Managers. The ones who call you are the account managers... the bottom of the "totem pole" so to speak. Account managers, unfortunately, DO things like what happened to your door... which is the reason WHY they are account managers. They are either NEW and in need of serious training (or they have HORRIBLE managers who let them run amok) or they have been there a long time and there is a REASON why they have not advanced. We have people in our store who are just as dumb as bricks and the only reason they are working at RAC is because RAC can't find anyone good to replace them. These account managers will rob the stores blind and do crazy things that you would fall off your chair if you knew some of the things that managers have to put up with because they can't get good people. They can't run the stores by themselves, you know! So everything is NOT what it seems.

Lisa, as far as getting "thief" carved in your door, did you write out a complaint and sent it certified mail to the home office -- along with photos -- or anything similar? And why would you do business with someone who was as unprofessional as what you described? That would have been my first clue that I should not be doing business with that particular store... and I would have immediately reported him to the home office. You see, Lisa, here is the problem... you did NOT complain about his actions from the get-go... then you had a personal crisis where you couldn't make your payments and some jerk carves "thief" in your door. Now your complaint is more than likely going to have WAY LESS impact and the guilty party(ies) will PROBABLY attempt to say you did it yourself to try to get the merchandise for free or something similar. For future reference, put EVERYTHING in writing... and if someone is so unprofessional and unethical on your first contact as to try to seduce you in your own home, refuse to do business with them and REPORT THEM. People like that do what they're doing and will CONTINUE to do what they've done because they are GETTING AWAY WITH IT. Don't let them get away with it... you can still report it! I can assure you that the majority of those who work for RAC are NOT like the people you've dealt with.

Lastly, I want to explain the term "RENT". How many of you own your own home? How many of you are renting? What are the chances that, after renting for 10 or 20 years that your landlord is going to let you have the house -- simply because you've paid "all that money" into it? Using your mentality, renting a home is just as big a "rip-off", if not bigger, because you aren't getting ANYTHING! You do NOT have the option to pay and then own the home, unless you have a contract to do so. Yet, you still pay that rent, month after month, year after year with nothing to show for it.

Here we go with this Kay person again.

You need to get a life and find something else to do. Eternity? d**n I hope Rent-A-Center is paying you well.

I agree with a little bit of every one's rebuttals even some of your's Kay but you really need to get real. If YOU have children, you need to get off the d**n computer and do something a little bit more constructive with your time.

What are you going to do if you loose your job at Rent-A-Center? And when your time comes, will you get a better seat in Heaven because you worked so diligently at defending Rent-A-Center's honour?

Like I said before, two wrongs don't make anything right and your comments are always very insulting and it was refreshing not having to read your comments for a while. Rent-A-Center does practise dirty tactics, this is a fact. So if you want to talk to anyone about morals and all of that other garbage, turn around and tell it to your co-workers or won't you work as hard at trying to make Rent-A-Center a better organization and a more people friendly place to buy from.

Okay Jeff... so you're a thief and a liar. I don't think I would break my arm patting myself on the back over that if I were you. What, is that something to be proud of in your family?? Is that what your parents taught you... how to be a good thief and con-artist? Is that what you plan on teaching your children? Mark my words... one day you WILL pay the price for what you've done because one day you will answer to God. I doubt when that day rolls around that you'll be bragging to Him about how you furnished your home with stolen goods. I also sincerely doubt that when you consider eternity and where theives and liars spend it that it will have been worth it.

We all can keep going back and forth trying to prove that these rent-to-own rackets are rip-off's but it's a waist of time arguing about it. the world knows that this is a fact!!!!

Jeff don't red flag anything. If you've gotten away with it then more power to you. I wouldn't make a career out of it and two wrongs don't make anything right. But I do think it's just a matter of time before the whole rent to own business is history, so the folks that are employed by such a company should stop waisting time answering these rebuttals back and forth and spend more time looking for a more secured job with some type of future.

I also think that different cases are handled in different ways so where Jeff is getting away with it, the next guy might not. I owned mchds from rent-a-center and had paid many many payments and when I was late due to an unplanned surgury, not only did the phone calls start immediately but one of the rent-a-center guy's carved THEIF in my door with his keys. When I contacted the store in reference to this the manager or whoever (I think they are all called managers or assistant managers- it means nothing) told me that my door would be replaced.

Then, when my 82 year old grandmother was home along, they told her some big lie that I was going to jail and of course that scared her and she let them into my bedroom to move the bedroom set. My neighbor called the police and when they arrived, they made the rent a center guy put the stuff right back where they had found it and told them that they would have to take me to court. Well, that has not happened yet and it's been about 8 months. I would have gladly continued to pay for my stuff but I got sick and couldn't make it down to the store.

I despirately want to go to court and show the judge the pictures of my door. I tried to make other arrangements to pay for my stuff, but the mgr. told me that they just wanted my stuff back. Keep all the money that I already paid, take the stuff back and put it right back on the floor and rent it to the next fool. Jeff, GOOD JOB! I am just not bold enough to do what you are doing. I also have a friend that actually went to court with Rent-A-Center and she said that the judge was totally not impressed with the whole Rent-a-center deal and thoroughly devowered the salesman due to his total unprofessionalism and the outcome didn't work in Rent-A-Center's favor. Sure, they can be ripped off too!!

There's a reason why they don't do a credit check. They'll put a big screen in your house for a few dollars without even checking anything? It's not going to last. Half the time they don't even check your references. One " manager" was trying so hard to get a date with me that he didn't make one phone call to any of the people on my application. He asked his co-worker that was helping him move my stuff in to wait downstairs and give him 10 minutes with me, then he had the nerve to tell me that he had done this. He was also telling me how badly he cheat's on his wife. This is not the type of conversation a salesman should be having with a customer is it????

Hey Tony, if thats the case, explain to me how I have 2 Big Screen TVs, a living room set, 2 bedroom sets (including mattresses), a washer/dryer, the computer Im on right now, and a chest freezer. These all came from either rent a center, Aarons, Rentway, or Rainbow rentals right here in Columbus. Also, I have no pending cases in criminal or civil. Seems like I got away with it. Some over 3 years ago

I think rent-a-center seriously rips people off and have shitty customer service but I have to agree with the poeple who are saying its illegal. I was late on a payment and they called at least five times a day. There was one employee in particullar who left very rude messages using profanity. I checked it out and if you would like to check for yourself the site is www.leg.wa.gov/RCW/Index.cfm?section=9A.56.096&fuseaction=section

Theft of rental, leased, or lease-purchased property is a class B felony if the rental, leased, or lease-purchased property is valued at one thousand five hundred dollars or more.

Theft of rental, leased, or lease-purchased property is a class C felony if the rental, leased, or lease-purchased property is valued at two hundred fifty dollars or more but less than one thousand five hundred dollars.

Theft of rental, leased, or lease-purchased property is a gross misdemeanor if the rental, leased, or lease-purchased property is valued at less than two hundred fifty dollars.

Hey Jeff, Let me borrow that new car of yours. Trust me I'll bring it back. If I don't, I know you will take it like a Descent and Moral Person, won't you.

You should not give advise on things you really don't understand. That is what our legal system is for and we do use it. I have been at many a door with 2 Policeman, a Court Order, and a locksmith to retreive property that was rented with advice from people like you. Infact the last one was from 1 1/2 years ago! MY, MY, it always comes back down the road, dosn't it (Good or Bad).

It's "Chestnut Thinking" like this that adds to everyones daily problems, including yourself.

Do the public a favor and use your HEAD man!

well to let you all know i used to work for rent a centers competion aarons. some of the stuff i saw about rent a centers employees trying to take a air conditioning unit out to gain acess is breaking and entering. you can only enter a place of residence if the renter is there or a person over the age of 18. ohh and those that think its ok to rent stuff and then theyll write it off theyll still come after you it is still there merchandise and is concidered theft. so therefore dont be idiots pay on your merch.

My wife and I were buying a house and decided to rent a washer and dryer from RAC to avoid any new debt from showing on our credit report. BIG MISTAKE. Naturally, the retail price was nearly double that of the same unit in Best Buy, but we proceeded anyway to take advantage of their 90 days same as cash option.

Aside from the fact the retail price was doubled, we had two problems. First, after declining the insurance we discovered we were paying for it anyway. That was fixed but the biggest problem is they call us every Saturday to "remind" us about our payment being due. This despite we have never been late.

I'm curious if this constitutes phone harrassment? Since we have never been late, why bother to remind us that our payment is due?

I have seen it first-hand, as one of my neighbors had "skipped" from San Francisco to the East Bay, didn't notify RAC, and he was picked up by Alameda County on a felony warrant for theft by conversion.

The bad advice given by "Jeff" will get you put in Teletrak in the best case scenario (meaning you will not be able to use a check cashing service/payroll advance or rent anything else anywhere..the worst case scenario is felony prosecution for fraud and deception and/or theft by conversion.

Rent a Center will try to get a hold of you by calling your home/job/cell, coming to your door, and calling your references for 90 days. After 90 days, they write it off. Its pretty easy really. Go to the RAC store, pay the first week, or whatever up front fees are required, make like 1 or 2 payments, then disappear.

They will then start their "repossession". Any references that you used should be disposable numbers (pre-paid cell phones, pagers, etc), you can even set them all up.

If you use real numbers to friends or family, warn them that RAC is going to bug the hell out of them. Use a fake job reference, type up a fake lease (easy to find on the net).

Let them bug you for 90 days, then you are home free. A small price to pay for a $50 bigscreen, $40 living room set, or $25 computer. Or if you know you are moving, get the stuff like a week or two before you move, then you dont have to worry about them knocking on your door, or calling you for that matter, if you change your phone number too.

Rent a Center will NOT press criminal charges, Rent a Center will NOT file a civil suit. They will bug the hell out of you for 3 months, then they will simply write it off. This works for Aarons, and Rent-Way too.

Their main line of business is ripping people off, return the favor. Just be very thick skinned, they will start leaving some very insulting messages.

Christina,

Go back and read the first rebuttal. Why would anyone from RAC be stalking your house? Do you owe them money?

I totally agree with Kay. I'm tired of paying higher prices at retail stores because of the unscrupulous people who think they can get away with getting merchandise for free, or worse yet, going out and actually shoplifting items.

Christina, if you don't owe money, call the cops and get witness statements from your neighbors. If you do owe, pay up like a descent human being.

i am a truck driver, i am not always home. my friends have told me they stock my home and have tried to pull out the air cond from the window. is that legal?

Why is it that you want to know what the consequences are for taking something without paying for it (the legal definition of stealing)?

You have no idea what the employees of RAC go through because people such as yourself come into the store with the pretense of paying for the items, get RAC to deliver them to your doorstep and then immediately, or shortly thereafter, refuse to pay for or return the merchandise. OR they make promises to pay and never show up. If RAC is banging on your door, there is a darn good reason for it. How many times have you promised to pay them or avoided their phone calls when you know darn good and well that your payment is due? What is worst of all is hearing the people inside the home and they won't answer the door.

RAC employees work long, hard hours for their money, travel many times into dangerous neighborhoods, are verbally abused, sometimes physically attacked or shot at. The company requires that they maintain their accounts, and when they don't, they can lose their jobs. Is that fair? You aren't just hurting a "big corporation"... you're hurting ordinary people who are trying to make a living and have families to support, too.

If you can't pay for the merchandise, don't rent it. If you rent the merchandise and then lose your job, return it. Those are the terms of the agreement that you SIGNED.

Lastly, if you rented the merchandise with the intent of running off with it and it can be proven by your payment history (or lack thereof) a warrant can be filed for your arrest for "theft by conversion" and depending upon the value amount of the merchandise, that can be a FELONY warrant. So maybe you should rethink your thoughts of free merchandise.