Finding the perfect apartment rental is great- but to turn that apartment into a home, you're going to need some furniture to fill out the space. However, don't just rush out to the nearest store and buy the biggest leather couch money can buy. Sometimes, purchasing your furniture outright isn't always the best solution - it's often wiser to rent or lease your furniture, especially if you're only going to be living in your apartment for a couple months at a time. If you're in this situation, it might be worth your while to check out a rent-to-own store.
What is Rent-To-Own?
The concept behind rent-to-own is simple - rent-to-own companies rent items, usually furniture, appliances, electronics and computers, with the condition that the item will be owned by the renter if the term of rent is completed. Rent-to-own contracts are generally written for a 12-, 18- or 24-month term, with weekly, bi-weekly or monthly payments. Since the rent-to-own agreement is a lease, as opposed to a credit sale, no interest is charged and most stores do not require a credit check, making it a popular choice with people who have no or poor credit history.
Who Uses Rent-To-Own?
Everybody! Rent-to-own customers include university and college students, corporate travellers on temporary assignment, military personnel and in-transit families. What they all have in common is that they have an immediate need for consumer household goods but can't or don't want to accept the long-term commitment that comes from purchasing major items such as furniture, appliances and televisions.
Rent-to-own also caters to peoples' immediate needs - sports fans might pick up rent-to-own furniture or a big-screen TV for the big game, exchange students could use a rent-to-own computer or laptop to keep in touch with friends and family while travelling overseas, while others might use the rent-to-own service to temporarily replace a broken appliance that is in for repairs.
The Most Flexible Transaction in the Marketplace
As mentioned above, if a customer fulfills the rental terms, ownership is acquired. However, the renter is not obligated to continue to rent the item until the term is completed - most rent-to-own stores will allow the item to be returned at any time without penalty. Most of them also have a lifetime reinstatement clause, allowing the consumer to re-rent a returned item and receive full credit for all previous rental payments made.
While it's true that you will end up paying more than the retail price for an item if you complete the rental term and acquire ownership, most rent-to-own customers enjoy the flexibility that comes with their no-obligation agreement, as items can be exchanged, returned or replaced depending on their needs and tastes.
In recent years, however, many rent-to-own stores have lowered their prices and are now offering shorter terms. If you're looking for new furniture, computers or electronics for your apartment rental but can't or don't want to keep the items for the long haul, now might be the perfect time to check out a rent-to-own store in your area.
