Rent-to-own offers sound great, but beware, because it is another form of very expensive borrowing. At this time of year we tend to shop much more than any other time on the calendar. And, from time to time we come across a great deal on a new television, or computer or piece of furniture but the credit cards are already close to their limit and there’s not much available cash. You’re about to walk away but then the salesperson tells you that they have a rent-to-own program and it sounds perfect! But, what the salesperson isn’t telling you is that rent-to-own can be VERY expensive. The reality is that the rental charge can amount to three or four times what it would cost to pay cash or finance the purchase on an installment plan.
According to a CBC News investigation, Canadians spend $260 million every year for rent-to-own products, often paying exorbitant prices that would not be allowed in some U.S. states. Canada lags behind the U.S., where the majority of states have enacted laws to protect rent-to-own customers by requiring more transparent advertising. Five states have actual price controls. Not a single Canadian province has followed suit with specific rent-to-own legislation. Rent-to-own targets low-income and credit-constrained consumers who are living paycheque to paycheque by offering low weekly and monthly payments for household goods.
Before considering rent-to-own, The Canadian Consumer Handbook has suggested four questions to ask yourself:
- Is the item something I absolutely have to have right now?
- Can I delay the purchase until I have saved enough money to pay cash?
- Have I considered all my credit options, including applying for retail credit from the merchant or borrowing money from a credit union or bank?
- Would a used item purchased from a garage sale, classified ad or second-hand store serve the purpose just as well as something new?
Don’t sign a rent-to-own contract without calculating what it’s really going to cost you and ask yourself if it’s really worth it. Getting into more debt is not the way out of debt. You need professional help to solve your debt issues. Contact Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. We can help you get back on solid financial footing so that Starting Over, Starting Now you’ll be well on your way to conquering debt. Check out our bankruptcy Canada faq yourself to start finding answers.