Having worked inside the business for nearly a decade I'm afraid your article addresses some simplistic truths while ignoring the revelations of honesty. It's funny how the mindset of the masses follow what is believed to be "common knowledge".
The unforgiving truth is that Rent-A-Center and rental purchase agreements as a whole do not compete on even ground with the all mighty dollar. (Cash is king and always should be!) There can be an argument made for the value that most rental companies offer through their services. Most stores offer a cash option, while this cash option is almost always higher than you'll pay in a retail establishment, it does include delivery, setup and service plans. The cash option period can extend from 90 days all the way up to six months. There are times where you can find a television with little to no wear that has been discounted down under "retail" pricing that will include additional warranties up-to 4 years for parts & service. It is often overlooked but I thank you for referencing one of the biggest advantages to using RTO is that the customer can cancel for any time and any reason. This is not a luxury provided by a more affluent customer that gets buyers remorse or was unfortunate enough to place a purchase on a credit card that can no longer be paid. By the way, do the math on a $1,800 purchase with only minimum payments being made at a 24% interest rate and tell me who the real crooks are. I promise it will surprise you.
The "flex pay" plan that you reference is the rent-to-own option and the most expensive option of 3 that most stores offer. I can assure you that stores don't want you to return these agreements. There is no scam involved. There are many less fortunate, hard working people that can't provide what so many people take for granted. Whether it's a functional laptop for a child that needs it for school, a washer and dryer for basic daily cleanliness or a place to sleep when the alternative is the floor, these stores accept folks that most people don't even want to interact with. Much less trust them with thousands of dollars of product that can be delivered same day with the customer's "word" they'll make their payments on time or return the products in a condition that makes them able to be re-rented.
Many states have their own regulations on the RTO industry and I'm fairly certain that all states require a quasi-full disclosure that is much more simple to understand than you would have your readers believe. Not only is the maximum possible amount listed on each price tag but the rental lease itself discloses this amount. This is a very standard practice not only for RAC but even mom and pop stores countrywide.
In closing, there are many people who have acquired high quality durable home goods using the rto model that otherwise would not have access to credit or the financial means to do so. This service undoubtedly costs more than if a consumer had purchased the goods outright but in many situations cost less than financing an item and making minimum payments to a credit lender. There are a number of companies worldwide who now offer leasing services because of the simplicity of the design including Sears, Big Lots, and numerous online web based businesses.
I don't buy $8 coffee, but to some people it's justified. That doesn't make the $8 coffee a "scam". Is that predatory to the superficial?