ULPT: You can get anything from Rent-A-Center in Kansas and they legally can't fo anything if you don't pay them
Posted by Egavas0@reddit | UnethicalLifeProTips | View on Reddit | 151 comments
I was a CAR (Customer Account Rep) at rent a center for a lottle over a year, I got promoted to Collections/Credit manager. My job was Mai ly calling a list of people that went late and either get payment or schedule return. The company's ethics co flicted with mine so I started filling out applications. I really liked my coworkers and my boss was nice and all but after watching so many people take food out of their fridge so we could take it back (all because they were nice enough to communicate with us/ answer the door when we knocked on collection routes), or picking up children's bunkbeds, and seeing what our home office pays for them vs what we charge people for them (ends up being am average of 400% mark up called a "4-turn") I stopped caring about our stores collections metrics and gave up on my duties. Granted I was being paid to do a job so I felt awful either way. I'd rather stick it yo a company that doesn't gaf about its customer base. They used to be able to do "replevins" which involve a locksmith and sheriff, which basically is up full on repo-ing an item. Then a lawsuit in like 2020 resulted in us not doing those anymore. And the "arbitration" agreement you sign is meaningless because we never take anyone to court so their are no legal fees to incur.
TLDR: after 90 days of not paying or having contact with you, it gets charged off and it only effects the store managers bonus. There is no garnishment, there is no repossessions without consent of the "customer". If you get something from them and you don't ever talk to them again there is no repercussion is the state of kansas. I've seen playstation 5s and 86" TVs leave the store for a literal penny, never to be seen again. Worst thing to happen to them is they can't rent with them again. If you need or want something, consider a RAC visit.
Erikalicious@reddit
This isn't just Kansas. My late husband was a manager at a store in our state. He'd come home all the time with stories about people stealing. The DM didn't care. She'd tell him to make any sale he could so their sales numbers looked good. Only repercussions the thieving customers would have is RAC just wouldn't rent to them again. That's it.
EntranceWorried4979@reddit
They sent a letter to my friend saying it’s a felony charge if he doesn’t return the item. The item is lost & has been lost since my friend got the item but he has continued to pay it. He isn’t able to make a payment this time and has been behind 10 days and he probably owes a couple hundred left. But they’re not willing to wait until his pay day and he doesn’t have the item, should he just report it lost since it actually is! Will they really press felony charges? Even tho most of it is paid off? I’m in WA state too!
Active-Common-3477@reddit
That probably isn't true. Report the store to the FTC for violations of Fair Credit. It's a civil matter like all credit. If they give you the regulations that allow them to charge you look it up. Everyone says the lease agreement...it's a credit agreement. They extended you store credit like getting a Target credit card. If you default on the card you don't go to jail. They have gotten sued for their illegal collection tactics. So just do your research. They also never put it on your credit. Even if they do it literally falls off
Little known fact Repossessions can not Breach the peace at that point it's theft. So don't respond and save your money for school.
Erikalicious@reddit
I don't want to give a definite answer because I don't know. I don't remember him ever saying they pressed felony charges on anyone. I just remember him talking about how pissed he was because the sale made the numbers look good at the tkme and then they'd charge it off after 90 days, bringing the store's numbers down, making him look bad even though he didn't want to make the sale in the first place because he knew the item was going to be stolen. This was also almost 20 years ago, mind you.
EntranceWorried4979@reddit
Ohhh ok!! Thanks for taking the time to answer!
Human_Extent_6662@reddit
How much was the item worth ?
EntranceWorried4979@reddit
$1,000ish
2Boobs2Boobs@reddit
What state?
Erikalicious@reddit
Washington
Jealous_Fondant_6405@reddit
Don’t listen to this dude, they have a new credit collection agency called Landmark that will 100% garnish you within a week of a 90 day no pay charge off…
Rebecca_Incognito@reddit
Does the debt get reported on credit reports and/or is it sold off to collections agencies which then list the debt on credit reports?
Egavas0@reddit (OP)
Nope, RAC doesn't report to the credit bureau. Once it hits its 90th day its charged off and just reflected in the store collection metrics.
AcanthaceaeSome465@reddit
Do they report you to the police?
Alastornematode80085@reddit
Only in Indiana
matterdaddy77@reddit
Oh darn. What if I move states with the stuff lol
Alastornematode80085@reddit
Seriously doubt whatever state will extradite you over RAC furniture
gaytee@reddit
How strict are the ID/collateral requirements? Can someone rent without an ID with just cash?
Omegaman2010@reddit
This man out here planning
LivingIncident3694@reddit
Retiring in 4 months, in fact.
MrRossy1992@reddit
I know this is an old post but;
This actually isn’t true, we sell our accounts to a collections company who does in fact ding your credit. We implemented this in August.
Medium_Discussion256@reddit
Little late but I’m a manager in California at a franchise location. We do however send it to a collections agency after charging off and it does affect your credit. They actually send the full long term amount to collections. Not sure how corporate does it tho
Rosiechunli@reddit
So they don’t take people to court as they say? Or threaten with criminal charges?
Medium_Discussion256@reddit
We definitely will threaten you but that’s just that a threat and nothing more
TransBipolarBear@reddit
Legally you can't do that. I've talked to lawyers about collection tacts.
Medium_Discussion256@reddit
What a stupid thing to say bye the way, “Legally they can’t do that…..” stfu whatever pronoun or gender you think you are. People and companies do illegal shit all the time. Just because there is a law doesn’t mean someone has to obey. Just look at yourself you should be illegal but you’re still alive. 🫨😬
TransBipolarBear@reddit
Ah, so you're a transphobic bigot. But you can't wait outside their home and you can't go inside. I can literally call the police and you'd have to leave for making me feel safe. Plus, my apartments are private property. I'll call the tow truck company to tow your truck.
It's funny because people don't know that it's illegal, but it is. The most you can do is take court. I know because I've dealt with this.
If rent a center breaks into your house to repo their stuff, they will be paying you for breaking the law.
You can't be a bully, and legally, you can't make someone feel threatened.
BTW my gender has nothing to do with this discussion, just like your gender has nothing to do with it. You're just mad because I won.
Medium_Discussion256@reddit
Congratulations here’s a medal 🥇 I hope you feel safe. What kind of world would it be if we didn’t have a safe place right? 😂 I didn’t think you people actually existed.🤣 have a safe life sir/mam
Medium_Discussion256@reddit
Also rent to own companies do not have to follow same policies rules and regulations as collections agencies.I used to work for them. I’ve known them to go as far as to camp outside your house and bother you as soon as you come outside until you give it back, or come to your house and even hope you left your door unlocked and if so go right in and take it. If not they will send you to 3rd party collections for the full dollar value of the item which will go on your credit. Seriously they can make your life hell, they will show up at your job, property managers office if you rent, follow you and call you to the point of harassment. You could get 3 calls a day asking for payment. If you move, change jobs, and change numbers you’ll just get sent to a 3rd party collector. Good luck calling corporate to report harassment those emails just get sent directly to the store so they know your trying to snitch
Medium_Discussion256@reddit
Okay? Maybe so but unless you have a number that says this phone call will be recorded and I tell you we’re going to do this and that… theirs really not much anyone can do about it. Especially since companies like this look the other way anytime an employee is reported for harassment or collection practices. These companies literally tell us to do what you have to do to get the money or the merchandise back.
Medium_Discussion256@reddit
It’s cost a lot of money to take someone to court it’s more cost effective to just write it off as a loss
Egavas0@reddit (OP)
They also don't impact credit when applying for their financing
stupidshoes420@reddit
My cynical ass thinking this is RAC Kansas district managers desperate atte.ot and boosting sales 😂
TotallySavageSzym@reddit
Happy Cake Day!
CinciSensei@reddit
Know anything about this in Ohio?
Egavas0@reddit (OP)
Not a thing
Human_Extent_6662@reddit
Is this in Va ?
Hot_Relative1824@reddit
In Kansas how long until they stopped knocking at the door?
Oluyemi-@reddit
I’m in kansas, wondering will they actually show up at your house or job? Or do they just spam call you?
Egavas0@reddit (OP)
All over this post it says they'll knock at your door. Not sure what else to put in the post
rarecare@reddit
Do they require a drivers license or how could you get by with a fake ID?
Nykoleinrholez@reddit
Do all Rent own places use the same database like to criss ref if someone defaulted at a different Ren to own company?
Egavas0@reddit (OP)
They input you DL number into a database (there own so nothing federal) most the time they require an ID of so.esort but the number is just tied to the account they are create it isn't screened or check against anything. I've seen coworkers put 999999999 just b3cause they left it at home and need the sale typed.
whiskeyinthebottle@reddit
What are the laws for someone in NY about this?
Important_Crew_7267@reddit
I've come into some hard times and can't afford to pay rent a center. I live in Nebraska and rent from South Dakota. Can they do anything to me if I don't pay them?
No_Fennel8507@reddit
Yes sure can. Good luck
Any_Butterscotch7051@reddit
I know that home office for rac makes the decision on pressing charges and the exact laws in your area. I know in pittsburgh, pa I pressed charged on anyone that stole from my store, or my district. But home office would only approve if it had payments made of less than 9 weekly payments. That doesn't have to be 9 on time payments. It could be 2 monthly payments and 1 weekly payment or however 9 weeks works out. Eventually i was just bypassing home office due to the fact that is was impossible to get home office to approve and would takes weeks for approval or denial. So depending on the store and my relationship with the magistrate in that area would depend on if I could file. When I worked in other districts they would just charge off after 90 days and no rr. The new system is a little harder to get approved or to get alot of merchandise. I've seen stores get got for 9 brand new accounts. They really just push shit out the door. Or at least used to.
sammiejean10166@reddit
Would you mind answering the “same as cash” method? Like what does that even mean. We stupidly started a contract with them on a couch as we need one asap and no where else has same day. It seems the same as cash is cheaper and it says something about paying it sooner??
Internal_Warthog_462@reddit
Is this still the case in Kansas? Wanna make sure before I order a bunch of stuff lol
CashSignificant2847@reddit
Late to the party but what about in RI? Just received a 5 day demand notice for return of rental property. They have yet to come by my house or knock on the door, no phone calls just the letter. I am behind two weeks for a couch, that a 200 lb Great Dane has destroyed and tires for a car that’s about to be repossessed. Is there anything legal to this letter? Just let it go?
LargeAlien123@reddit
What ended up happening
CashSignificant2847@reddit
As of right now nothing, they call and threaten police action every other day but no one has showed up at my house, my family is home all day and no knocks on the door. It’s about $1300 worth of my tires and a couch. It will probably cost more to go to court. Will see what happens over the next few weeks.
Thunderdroplet@reddit
Wait… update. I’m in Ri too
CashSignificant2847@reddit
As of today I am 72 days past due, they call my phone threaten NSF fraud since they tried to autopay out of my checking account which was closed. I just keep on blocking the numbers. No one has showed up at my house. Husband is home all day and with my kids and a 200 lbs dog and nothing. if they want to talk to me so bad then come to my house.
Thunderdroplet@reddit
They knock on my door, call me they have tell me I’m now reposted to the police department
CashSignificant2847@reddit
What city are you in?
Thunderdroplet@reddit
Woonsocket
CashSignificant2847@reddit
HAHA is it Jose? I'm in Woonsocket too. I get the you have to call us honey, the corporate office is saying its fraud charges. Please call us.
Thunderdroplet@reddit
Is he the one that sounds constipated on the phone?
CashSignificant2847@reddit
Yes and I will get occasionally the store manager Mike I believe calling me. they get blocked. Its been more than 70 days wish they would just take a hint that i am not going to pay anymore and move on.
Thunderdroplet@reddit
Literally🤣
Ok_Drink_4727@reddit
Work at RAC rn, as of now we have a company taking on our debts that go 90 days without a payment and it goes to collections now. Very new.
Illustrious-Sock-268@reddit
Anybody know the law in Connecticut??
Ok_Drink_4727@reddit
Work at RAC, same position you did. They now sell 90+ no payment accounts to a company and they act as a debt collector and report to credit bureaus now. RAC getting weird. Hate this job.
Kalanidreamz@reddit
Okay so when will they leave me tf alone. It’s been like a month at this point and they are still excessively knocking and they went to try to get my landlord to open the door for them yesterday (can they even do that?)
Egavas0@reddit (OP)
90 days
Dull-Amphibian-2126@reddit
I hate whoever made this post bc I listened to this advice have a friend at rnt a center and he said the same thing now after my court date I have a garnishment FUCKING HORRIBLE ADVICE
Egavas0@reddit (OP)
Laws vary by state, read carefully. This is also and unethical sub reddit. Practice at your own risk. Sorry I didn't specify what state MORE.
Ray_of_fn_sunshine@reddit
Does anyone know if this is also applicable in Texas?
gunz_a_g0g0@reddit
Good for you OP stick it to corporate greed
Public_Jeweler_7706@reddit
Have there ever been instances where the bank declared payment to rent a center fraud?
Egavas0@reddit (OP)
Not in ks
EntranceWorried4979@reddit
I’m in WA state, and my friend has paid most of the item off except for the last couple of hundred (it was like 900 bucks maybe more, maybe less). My friend has been paying it even tho he lost the item months and months ago! When he got behind on a payment one time, they sent something in the mail stating that if he doesn’t return the item it’s a felony charge. He just made a payment a few weeks ago. Now, 5 days later, they’re blowing his phone up asking for another payment and it has to be today. He can’t afford to make a payment until his next pay day. He already told them he was going to be able to make a payment today because they said they won’t wait 10 more days even tho he repeatedly told them he can’t until his next pay day. He lost the item and now they’re going to press criminal charges on him because they can’t wait 10 more days. The item is almost paid off. What if he reported it stolen or lost? He truly lost it but still continued to pay it.
AcetheGent@reddit
Anyone know how they do it in Iowa?
OwlWraith@reddit
How does this effect Illinois?
CjSui@reddit
I doubt if anyone will comment on this but does this work in Montana too? They threatened to sue my nephew after targeting him for multiple things, PC switch and TV and it's like 5000+ with 1500 interest
Kalanidreamz@reddit
When do they stop knocking on your damn door? Lol. I’m in Kansas and these mfs can really kma 😂
Public_Jeweler_7706@reddit
Say someone rents and pay off within a month with CCS can they press charges?
LivingIncident3694@reddit
Omw to RAC RIGHT now. Letbyall know how FL handles.
Northernlight97@reddit
Oh no, they got him
LivingIncident3694@reddit
They'll never get me.....
I ain't never gonna stop either.
....yall wanna buy a TV...?
Northernlight97@reddit
What kind of TV?
Any-Contact6146@reddit
😂😂How did florida handle it?
yell0wsn0wc0nes@reddit
FL will send you immediately to firing squad.
Xaigallery@reddit
What about Oklahoma ?
AggressiveSupport596@reddit
Anyone know the laws in AZ? I tried working with them because I have items like a fridge/stove which aren’t categorized the same as electronics/phones etc. I tried asking for a teacher period since the items I have are deemed necessary (fridge/stove) and they continue to call and show up even when I’m paying. My kids have been home alone and they’ve tried pushing the door open with them when they answer (it’s on camera) and everything. I’ve reported them to corporate, asked for a different store to handle my account etc and nothing is ever done.
Rosiechunli@reddit
Wondering about Texas
Different_Maybe_2348@reddit
I’m not paying them anything moving forward. They sent me a letter saying my contract was terminated. That was 6/08/24. So why is someone still coming to my home!!? I’m not giving them nothing after I’ve been harassed while I was a faithful and on time customer. I only was late 2x.
Master-Letter-474@reddit
I advise to either jack them and never pay or well that’s it. They prey on people and up charge ppl an unconstitutional amount of money. It should be illegal just like payday loans. I did a ps5 from there and paid 70 per paycheck. Well I lost track of time and I ended up losing my job so I called them to ask for a grace period. Not only wouldn’t they do that. They wanted me to pay double and triple for whatever payments I missed. I get it. But here’s where it draws the line. It’s a 500-700 dollar system at most. I checked my account and to this day I have paid them a total of 1450 dollars and feels no end in sight. I’ve doubled the cost of their damn system and never have been late until now. And they wouldn’t even offer me a 2 week grace period. The system is paid off in double already so they are good. But to treat a customer that pays u double the worth and still owes u plenty more is immoral and they should be locked up for taking advantage of people. They showed up at my house to try and repo the game after a week although the system is paid twice over. Greedy fucks.
Master-Letter-474@reddit
I can’t wait to tell them how I feel today.
Extreme_Inflation607@reddit
Anyone know about Missouri?
DrfeldmanNYC@reddit
Wondering if that works in California as well ?
alexj116@reddit
Can any former Rent-A-Center workers in California tell us fellow Californians if this works?
Medium_Discussion256@reddit
Easy to steal from us but we are owned by franchise called eclipse RTO they send to collectors for the full term herd they garnish wages sometimes
Osk3r85@reddit
Can confirm this.
Newman658@reddit
People in California just shoplift whatever they want/need. Keeps the paperwork simple and NO ONE ever gets arrested (or even confronted).
Egavas0@reddit (OP)
Not sure, I'm o ly making this post because I worked at a RAC in kansas and thought it was absolutely absurd they made money just on people's ability to honor the agreement they signed to an absolutely predatory corporation.
Anonizon@reddit
Dude what the fuck is up with your letter “n” I’ve been trying to read this post but it’s so distracting
Egavas0@reddit (OP)
It's cryptic. Must have big brain to decipher
Any-Contact6146@reddit
Will they threaten you alot with legal statues? my Friend is going through this.
Comfortable-Bend-521@reddit
Does anyone know how it is for Utah?
No_Start6680@reddit
Does anyone know the law in Oklahoma?
Abject-Telephone2256@reddit
Wondering how this goes down in Missouri?
MercWithAMouth1121@reddit
Criminal charges in MO.
CEDG83@reddit
Ga?
Montaunte@reddit
Anyone know how they operate in texas?
yell0wsn0wc0nes@reddit
Straight to the gallows
Better_Today6856@reddit
No way, was about to return a monitor I got from them a month ot 2 ago till I realized the 250$ monitor was almost 800$ on the RAC site. I live near kck so I can just not return their calls and nothing will happen?
Balgias@reddit
A rent a center near me in KC just went out of business, their stupid game is over.
jesusmansuperpowers@reddit
Hmm. Maybe worth a drive to Kansas. I can get to the one in Garden City in 4 hours
AriChan1997@reddit
Its only if you live or have an address in ks
Appropriate-Eye2671@reddit
Question can RAC manager show up at your old job to try to reach you down is that legal?
Egavas0@reddit (OP)
Yes
LazyPokerPlayer@reddit
do you need to have a kansas address
Egavas0@reddit (OP)
Yes. If not on the ID on a lease or peice of mail.
YoureInGoodHands@reddit
You used an n in that sentence.
neocerebro@reddit
Did some research and failed. What’s the policy in Arizona, anyone know?
J-Entalman13@reddit
Do you know how it is in CO?
kdawg710@reddit
Bump
midwestcsstudent@reddit
Plz use autocorrect
theDaveB@reddit
Is the letter n faulty on your keyboard?
xFisch@reddit
He rented it out. It never got returned.
headhxncho@reddit
Im edging to this comment
EDGELORDSICKOBAMBA@reddit
okeh
human-potato_hybrid@reddit
What's the joke?
ABoyNamedSou@reddit
o?
tje210@reddit
Someone pranked them and put N on top of their space bar.
orangshrbert@reddit
does this work in NC
MaxWebxperience@reddit
Similarly People don't get it how much unsecured debt they can default on and virtually nothing happens but the credit report thingy...
sk169@reddit
You’re right if you start off with a good score — you can do it — But the way I see it — how many times can you do it before no one lends you
idkwthtotypehere@reddit
Exactly. You better be done buying homes/cars because you’ll be fucked getting a loan for either if you default on a bunch of unsecured credit.
Guilty-Meat-2523@reddit
Tell me more about about this my good sir
Reignbow_rising@reddit
And tell me once they’ve told you.
Phantomisticc@reddit
I need to know the Ohio laws on this😂
IllustriousIntern@reddit
Would this work in Maryland or Virginia? Asking for a friend.
NurseKaila@reddit
Maryland: The Rent-A-Center settlement terms prohibit the company from filing criminal complaints against customers who fail to return rented items or who miss payments. The company also agrees not to visit consumers at their homes for debt-collection purposes more than once in a 30-day period for each debt.
iStandWithWhatever@reddit
This man is doing the lord‘s work
drud69@reddit
i’m in kansas, how sure are you lol
Example_Name@reddit
As a former store manager for rentacenter in district 224 (southwestern kansas), I can attest to all of this. And I am also completely in favor of screwing them over whenever possible. Weekends (when sales are being pushed harder by the district and regional managers) are the best time to sneak a half-assed rental application by - especially if you go in near the end of the day when verifying that rental application can be problematic.
dirtymoney@reddit
Good. Remtacener is one of those evil companies.
So this only works if you live and rent from them in Kansas? Because I live in Missouri.
souldust@reddit
Could you please explain this 400% mark up? What is a "4-turn" ?
Egavas0@reddit (OP)
It's a "4 turn" because they make 4 times as much money on an item, if an item gets returned but only made 3 times its worth its a "3 turn"
throwaway1123745954@reddit
I'm assuming the terminology originated as 3-turn as a play on REturn but as the company got greedier 4-turn became the baseline?
Egavas0@reddit (OP)
No, it has to do with turnover. They aren't that clever. We woukd still expect a "4turn" on an item on one agreement (never returned brand new)
I.e A 400 TV brand new in our system gets rented out at around 1000 6 months same as cash, and $1200 full term prices. Even if they never returned they'd still be expected.
TVs are a bad example of a "4 turn" item. A fridge is more applicable because they last longer. Also worth noting most items start as a 4 turn but lose value as they get rented out.
Rent a center aims for a 4 turn, and everything they beg you to buy from them, they never want it back. They woukd rather you keep it and haggle with them in that wiggle room from cost to remaining value. It is an extremely convoluted business being rent to own but basically they want to squeeze whatever they can out of you and if they aim for the moon they'll land in the stars.
ImOldGregg_77@reddit
They buy something for $100 and sell it to a customer for $400. A 4x markup. "4-turn" is just internal lingo for this
souldust@reddit
but its rented furniture... is it rent to own?
ImOldGregg_77@reddit
Yes its rent to own.
AdditionalLog6404@reddit
It when RAC turns you around and fucks you 4 times in a row
pyrus420@reddit
This law varies from state to state. I live in Illinois, and the RAC can definitely come after you if you default here. However, I know the one in my city, at least, won't do business with anyone with a Wisconsin address (we live about 10 minutes from the border) because they have a similar law and learned it was essentially giving things away to people in the next state over.
Egavas0@reddit (OP)
Very true. One of my old co workers transfered to another state that it is a jailable offense to not pay.
GroGungan@reddit
This Rent A Center employee just generated a lot more business
melanies420@reddit
Thank you my dude tips like this is what this sub is about