Rent-to-own payments and financial obligations are controlled by thecustomer and there is no penalty if he or she needs to change payments orreturn the product. Add in the fact that most rent-to-own companies offerthe customer their lifetime to reinstate previous payments toward ownershipof a product -- but without the obligation to do so -- then it's obviousthat rent-to-own helps to answer the concerns of a troubled economy,tightening credit and an unstable employment future.

The modernization of rent-to-own pricesand payments, which include early-purchase and"90-days-same-as-cash-payment" offers, makes rent-to-own cheaper than manycredit card transactions, competitive with retail and yet never requiresthe customer to make the next payment. Rent-to-own companies have spent thepast decade lowering prices and developing payment options that are morecompetitive in the consumer market. With the economic downturn, theconsumer credit crisis and an uncertain job market, consumers arediscovering the positive advances rent-to-own has made toward betterpricing and wide-ranging payment options.

With the holiday spirit being threatened due to economic woes, rent-to-own stores offer millions of consumers an option to save Christmaswithout going further in debt or jeopardizing one's credit. The recent300,000 annual increase in rent-to-own customers demonstrates that theindustry is responding to the financial crisis.

The rent-to-own industry, through the Association of Progressive RentalOrganizations (APRO), has spent more than 25 years improving businesspractices to become one of the fastest growing and vibrant consumerindustries in America. For more information, visit www.rtohq.org.

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Corporate Contact:Richard MayAPRO Public Affairs Director512/225-1051Email Contact