I see these places everywhere, and we got a circular from them this week that at least has my interest for furniture...my sons' bedroom furniture is literally on it's last leg, and they are maturing enough now to really own something other than hand me downs and such. Hubby and I have been putting it off because we don't have $$ to throw around, but certainly could pay monthly. Anyone else used them or know someone that has? Good, bad, indifferent? I've never used this method but I'm also not going to buy million dollar stuff, either! Any and all suggestions PLEASE!!
Before you decide to go that route, at least calculate the real cost of what you will be getting, and compare other furniture stores that offer financing. I have no personal experience with Aaron's or any other rent-to-own place, I'm just suggesting you might be able to get what you want for less money at another store.
Stay away is you possibly can. From what I understand (no personal experience) they will charge you far more than what the item is worth if you do that weekly thing. Like KDS said, add up what the total would be of all those payments. As I understand it, they tend to take advantage of those with low/no credit.
Also some furniture stores offer payments for 90 days, or no interest as long as you pay it off before the ending date. I think you could do better and get better quality furniture elsewhere. 'Rooms to go' seems to always be offering interest free for a yr or longer.
I would stay away too. I've heard the interest rate is much higher than the norm. Check out some of the local Good Wills and Thrift Stores. It may be you can find a great deal there and with a little elbow grease and paint, you can make it like new.
Only thing I've really seen people do from the Aaron's type places is to rent big screens and couches for some special events such as the Super Bowl, onve the event os over they return the stuff and never really had to shell out a bunch of money.
We are currently buying two loft beds - solid wood with desk below - on a lay away type plan through a craigslist furniture dealer. Nice, decent people not a fly by night type operation. They carry a lot of different furniture and it's like, $50 to put the item on hold and then you pay what you can monthly until it's paid off. You don't get the furniture until you've paid for it, but it is a way to stretch out the payments without interest or anything like that. If you search craigslist with their phone number: (919)793-0327 under "furniture by dealer" it will bring up everything they have currently listed on craigslist. Liz and Keith are the owners. Just an option to think about in lieu of a rent to own place...
OK, I am on the other end of the spectrum...I have used these places and really have no complaints. As said, most of these places have to where you can pay the items off in 90 days, same as cash. If you do that, you are not paying any more than you would at a store. We have done that several times. As far as the quality of the furniture, we got some furniture from Colortyme and it is from Ashley Furniture. There were times that we have had to streatch the payments, but have paid off things as quickly as possible. I would not use Rent A Center, and Colortyme here in Clayton is closed, but there are others. I have also used Aarons in Raleigh. Now if you can find something at a store, that is the best route to go, but if you need things now and just don't have all the money, I cannot complain about these companies.
I've bought (never rented) furniture from Aaron Sales in Raleigh and it has all turned out to be pieces of junk. I could get better furniture from yard sales or thrift stores.
STAY AWAY!! You will pay three times what it is worth....... Lots of furniture stores have lay-a-way. Try to go another route!!
One of the only situations I might consider using them is if I was assigned somewhere temporarily, say no more than a year. I emphasize might, you can probably use your money more wisely.
