We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Hardware

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Should I Know About Rent to Own Computers?

Tricia Christensen
By
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 13,863
Share

Rent to own computers may seem like attractive deals, especially if you have poor credit and can’t buy a computer on credit at the moment. Most rent to own locations will work with people with bad credit, but you can expect that you’ll pay for this additional feature. There actually may be a few good reasons to consider rent to own computers, but these circumstances don’t tend to apply to most customers.The decision to lease or rent to own a computer may be a good option if you need a computer for a very short duration of time, a month or two perhaps while you work at a temporary office. Make sure you check out any extra fees that the company charges. For example, ensure that you will not have to pay extra fees if you return the computer early.

In most cases, consumers look to rent to own computers because they don’t have good credit or the ready cash to purchase a computer. Payments for these computers may be structured over five years and you should note that when you have made all payments on a rent to own computer, you will have paid approximately double to triple the price of other purchase methods. For instance, expect rent to own computers that would retail for about $1000 US Dollars (USD) to cost you at least $2000 and possibly up to $3000 USD.

Some people do see certain advantages with rent to own computers. Many companies have replacement offers if the computer ceases to function. The shelf life of many computers is not that great, and they can have problems within a year or two of purchase. Some argue that if you are purchasing a rent to own computer, you’re at least buying some safety in case something goes wrong with the computer. However, it is good to remember that you can also buy warranties and extended warranties when you purchase a new computer. The warranties may be pricey,but in the end, you may still pay more for the rent to own option.

Another consideration is how much you’ll pay a month. Some companies look like they offer astonishingly low prices, but when you get to the store you find out the price offered is by week and not by month. If you’re going to pay $100 USD or so as a monthly fee, consider saving this amount for three to four months. You may be able to purchase an inexpensive new computer, or a good quality, used computer for what you'd end up paying four months in "rent" of a computer.

For most people, getting a rent to own computer is costly, and in the end much more costly than alternatives. If you are really strapped for cash, look at sites like craigslist for people who may be giving away computers or selling them at inexpensive prices. Exploring other options can help tide you over while you save money to purchase a computer.

Share
EasyTechJunkie is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Tricia Christensen
By Tricia Christensen
With a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience as a EasyTechJunkie contributor, Tricia Christensen is based in Northern California and brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her writing. Her wide-ranging interests include reading, writing, medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion, all of which she incorporates into her informative articles. Tricia is currently working on her first novel.
Discussion Comments
By drtroubles — On May 24, 2011

Before you consider rent to own computers, and all of the fees and interest that come with it, you should look into buying a refurbished computer. These are not the newest models, but work well and come with warranties.

They are available at most computer shops and can cost just a few hundred dollars.

Instead of paying a monthly fee of $100 or more a month to rent a computer, why not just wait a couple of months to buy one outright?

The truth is, by the time you pay off your rent to own computer, you could have had a refurbished one to get your through, and saved enough to buy

By Sara007 — On May 22, 2011

For those with financial difficulties rent to own computers may be the only way to get a household computer. Unfortunately these companies often prey on those with bad credit and charge very high fees. If you miss a payment, in general, your interest rate will skyrocket.

You should also read the paperwork closely before agreeing to a rent to own scenario. They usually contain a lot of legalize, so if you don’t understand make sure to have someone help you go over it.

As a tip, be aware that many of these companies are fly by night organizations. If they go under, make sure anyone taking your contract has the legal right to do so. You may not have to pay.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
With a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience as a EasyTechJunkie contributor, Tricia...
Learn more
Share
https://www.easytechjunkie.com/what-should-i-know-about-rent-to-own-computers.htm
Copy this link
EasyTechJunkie, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

EasyTechJunkie, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.