Rent-to-Own~Any horror Stories?

purplesofa

I have a rent to own on a computer, I was under the impression that it would be paid off in a year, year rolls around and they say I owe $529.00 more dollars. Ok, now I find out I owe for another 12 weeks.

Missed a payment and now they come over to pick up the merchandise with the cops last night.

The cop did not allow them to pick it up, I was under the impression when they left I could pay today, but my daughter said ......No, mom, they are coming to pick up the computer today......at 6:00. I did tell the cop I would be home at 6:00, but to pay, not for them to pick up the merchandise.

What are my rights........I am honestly embarrassed to say how much I have paid for this computer.

I just wanted to add. This week has been hell. My daughter took a bunch of pills one night this week and I woke up to a shattered glass top to my coffee table. My youngest son had a hernia operation, he lives with me. My oldest son, who is getting a divorce, moved to St Louis to stay with my bother and work, had to come home as my brother refused to give him a ride to work anymore from the cost of gas. He got a great union job and first paycheck is not until next week.

My other son, that has custody of his daughter, his transmission went out in his truck and we had to help him get around, pick grand daughter up from school etc etc.

Then for me, the anemia thing, a reason for always being so tired.

I feel like a huge freak and RentaCenter did not help, All I owe them is $56.00 and it was actually an oversight on my part as I have the money, but was just totally task saturated.

I have been all over the net this am reading complaint after complaint about rent-a-center and this is their typical MO.

Whether what they are doing is ethically right or wrong........I am not sure what the law is concerning my rights. The contract I signed with them was up in March......that would be payments for a year. Then like I said .....they said I still owed $529. and now 12 more weeks.

If they get that computer I will NEVER get it back.

Any advice????

thanks in advance,

purps

free2think

(((((((((((((purps)))))))))))))

I don't know anything about Rent to Own, but I jsut wanted to say I'm really sorry you and your family are going through such hard times.

I know how it feels being anaemic, I have been in the past, found out when I was about to have surgery. I hope you're feeling better now.

hugs

misanthropic

Yeah those rent-to-own places are a complete rip off from what I've heard. I would go in there and take care of the money you owe them before tonight if that's possible, I don't believe they can come and take it if you're caught up.
Good Luck, that really sucks.

SnakesInTheTower

purps

those folks have you over a barrel. RAC, as you have come to understand from your internet travels, seems to be immune from many of the collection laws in the FDCPA (Fair Debt Collections Practices Act) because of them being a "rental" place rather than a "retail" outlet. (This despite the fact they are supposedly selling ..not renting.. this computer). You will have paid for that computer 2 or 3 times by the time you are done and the computer will be outdated by then,

You dont say how much you have already paid. Depending on that, maybe you can get someone to lend you the $529 in one lump sum and pay them back (not the pay day loan places!, which are horrid in Missouri .....you dont say which state YOU are in). Heck, for $529, you can go buy a brand new computer on Dell.com Maybe you should cut your losses and give it back since essentially you are only "renting" the computer... (dont forget to back up the hard drive and wipe it good), but remember RAC may put it on your credit reports. You may have to file a complaint with the state attorney general or take them to small claims court to get anywhere.

As a bill collector myself (I go to people's houses too), I try to be empathetic. I cant say what I collect on...but not any rent-to-own stuff! (services is all I can say without outing myself), but I am given the customer list and the amounts to collect or I have to shut off the services and collect the equipment. I have no choice. If I just "let it go", then someone else from my crew comes behind and does the deed. Most of the people I collect on do owe the money, most of the time it is an oversight or short term financial issue. But the company I collect for causes so much trouble in their billing that the disputes pile up and people dont want to pay their bill until the dispute is settled....meantime people think the company is going to call them back....not likely since the company call center is in the Philippines.

So.... I wish you well on this one...if I find out anything else that might help I will either post or PM you.

SnakesInTheTower (of the fading sheep class )

purplesofa

The name of the company is Rent to OWN.......

and what about my contract being up in March....after the full year.

purps

purplesofa

I am talking to an online friend of mine that is a lawyer and have faxed him the info I have.

I am getting the documents together.

Here is a great site to report and read about ripoffs

http://www.ripoffreport.com/default.asp

Also, I am transferring everything to external hard drive.....thats the only thing i know to do with the stuff......

purps

tim hooper

Purps,

I don't know anything about the particular contract you've signed up to, but you need to be rid of these parasites as soon as possible.

Used PC's cost pennies these days.

tim

purplesofa

dont we as customers have the right to not be denied past due payments.

OK.....how do I #uCk this computer up so they cant make another penny off it

purps

nvrgnbk

Some who have worked for me have used Rent to Own for furnishing their homes and electronics.

IMHO, it is the worst financial decision one could ever make. They prey on those who feel they have no other choice.

Get out of it as fast as you can and never go near it again.

Sorry for your trouble purps.

OUTLAW

Purps..Fill up the bathtub..Put the computer in the bathtubtub..Plug the computer into an electrical outlet.....A slingshot and a rock for the screen..Bwa-ha-ha-ha!..LOL!!...OUTLAW

Rent-to-Own~Any horror Stories?

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