How Rent-A-Center Works and What to Know Before You Rent

What Rent-A-Center is and how the rental model works

Rent-A-Center is a rent-to-own retailer with locations across South Carolina where you can rent electronics, furniture, and appliances with the option to purchase them later. You pick an item, pay a weekly or monthly rental fee, and after a set period—usually 12 to 24 months depending on the item—you own it outright. If you stop paying or return the item before that period ends, Rent-A-Center takes it back.

The company operates differently from a traditional store. Instead of buying something outright, you're making smaller payments spread over time. Each payment goes toward eventual ownership, but you're also paying for the convenience of not needing the full purchase price upfront. Rent-A-Center has stores in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, and dozens of other South Carolina towns, so you can visit in person to see items before renting.

The rental agreement spells out your payment schedule, what happens if you miss a payment, and your options if you want to own the item early. Read this agreement carefully before signing—it contains the terms that govern your entire rental period.

Key Takeaways

• Rent-A-Center lets you rent electronics and furniture with payments applied toward ownership, typically over 12 to 24 months.
• You pay weekly or monthly fees, and the total cost of renting-to-own is significantly higher than buying the item outright.
• If you miss payments or return the item, Rent-A-Center reclaims it and you lose ownership rights and any payments already made.
• You can visit a physical store to inspect items before renting, and you have the option to purchase the item early by paying the remaining balance.

How payment schedules and ownership work

When you rent an item from Rent-A-Center, you choose a payment frequency—weekly or monthly—and a rental period. The store calculates your payment based on the item's value and the length of the agreement. For example, a television might cost $15 per week for 78 weeks, or roughly $1,170 total by the end of the rental period. That same television might have cost $400 to buy outright, so you're paying a premium for the flexibility of smaller payments.

Each payment you make builds equity in the item. Once you've made all payments on schedule, the item is yours—no additional paperwork or purchase required. If you want to own it sooner, you can pay off the remaining balance at any time, though Rent-A-Center may charge an early-purchase fee depending on your agreement.

If you miss a payment, Rent-A-Center will contact you about the overdue amount. If payments remain unpaid, the company can repossess the item. When that happens, you lose the item and any payments you've already made toward ownership—they don't carry over or refund.

Total cost compared to buying outright

The rent-to-own model costs substantially more than purchasing an item at a retail store or online. A laptop that sells for $600 at Best Buy might cost $25 per week through Rent-A-Center for 52 weeks, totaling $1,300. You're paying more than double the retail price for the ability to spread payments and return the item if your circumstances change.

This higher cost reflects what Rent-A-Center calls "convenience"—you don't need savings or credit to get the item today, and you can return it without penalty if you change your mind or face financial hardship. For people without access to credit or savings, that flexibility has real value. For others, it may be cheaper to save up, use a credit card with a promotional rate, or buy used.

Before renting, compare the total rental cost to the item's retail price at other stores. Many items available at Rent-A-Center are also sold at Walmart, Best Buy, Amazon, or local retailers—sometimes significantly cheaper. If you have any way to purchase outright, that's usually the lower-cost option.

What happens if you return an item or miss payments

You can return a rented item to Rent-A-Center at any time without penalty. The rental agreement ends, and you're no longer responsible for payments. However, you also lose ownership rights and any money you've paid toward the item—there's no refund or credit for partial payments. If you've paid $500 toward a television over six months and return it, that $500 is gone.

If you miss a payment, Rent-A-Center will attempt to contact you by phone or mail. Depending on your agreement, you may have a grace period—typically a few days—to make the payment before the company considers it delinquent. If you don't pay within that window, Rent-A-Center can repossess the item without notice in most cases. South Carolina law allows repossession of rental items without a court order, so the company can retrieve the item from your home or vehicle.

Missed payments can also affect your credit report if Rent-A-Center reports to credit bureaus, though not all locations do. Check your rental agreement to see whether payment history is reported. Even if it's not reported to credit agencies, owing money to Rent-A-Center could result in collection action or a lawsuit if the debt remains unpaid.

Rent-A-Center locations and what items are available in South Carolina

Rent-A-Center operates more than 100 locations across South Carolina, with stores in most towns of significant size. You can find locations in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, Spartanburg, Myrtle Beach, Florence, and many smaller communities. The company's website has a store locator where you can enter your zip code and see nearby locations, hours, and phone numbers.

Inventory varies by location, but most Rent-A-Center stores carry televisions, laptops, tablets, gaming consoles, refrigerators, washers, dryers, and bedroom furniture. Electronics tend to be the most common category, with options ranging from budget to mid-range brands. You can call a store directly to ask whether a specific item is in stock before visiting.

Some locations offer same-day delivery for an additional fee, though this varies by store and item. If you need an item quickly and don't have transportation, ask about delivery options when you visit or call ahead.

Alternatives to Rent-A-Center in South Carolina

Aaron's operates a similar rent-to-own model with locations throughout South Carolina. Like Rent-A-Center, Aaron's charges weekly or monthly payments with ownership at the end of the rental period, and the total cost is higher than retail. The terms and payment schedules differ between the two companies, so comparing offers for the same item can save money.

Buying used from Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or local thrift stores like Goodwill often costs far less than renting. A used laptop or television may have cosmetic wear but functions normally and costs a fraction of the rental price. The trade-off is no warranty or return option if something breaks.

Layaway programs at retailers like Walmart let you reserve an item and pay it off over time, then take it home once it's paid in full. You don't get the item until payments are complete, but the total cost is the retail price—no markup for the payment plan.

Credit cards or buy-now-pay-later services like Affirm or Klarna let you purchase at retail price and spread payments over weeks or months. If you have decent credit, a 0% promotional credit card offer can be cheaper than renting. Buy-now-pay-later services don't require a credit check and often have no interest if you pay on time.

Questions to ask before signing a Rent-A-Center agreement

Before you commit to renting, get clear answers to these questions from the store associate or your rental agreement:

• What is the total cost of renting this item to ownership? Add up all weekly or monthly payments to see the full price you'll pay.
• Can I return the item anytime, and what happens to my payments? Confirm that you can return it without penalty and understand that payments don't refund.
• What is the early-purchase option, and are there fees? If you want to own it sooner, know the payoff amount and any fees involved.
• What happens if I miss a payment? Ask about grace periods, repossession policy, and whether missed payments are reported to credit bureaus.
• Is there a warranty or protection plan? Some Rent-A-Center agreements include damage waiver or warranty coverage; others don't. Clarify what's covered if the item breaks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy the item before the rental period ends?

Yes. You can pay off the remaining balance at any time and own the item immediately. Your rental agreement states the payoff amount at any point in the rental period. Some agreements charge an early-purchase fee, so check your contract. Paying early saves you money compared to completing the full rental period.

What if the rented item breaks or stops working?

It depends on your agreement. Some Rent-A-Center contracts include a damage waiver or warranty that covers repairs or replacement at no extra cost. Others don't. Read your agreement carefully to see what's covered. If the item breaks and you're not covered, you may still owe the remaining rental payments even if you can't use it.

Does Rent-A-Center report to credit bureaus?

Not all locations report rental payment history to credit bureaus, but some do. Check your rental agreement or ask the store directly. Even if payments aren't reported, missed payments can result in collection action, and owing money to Rent-A-Center could affect your ability to rent from them in the future.

Can Rent-A-Center repossess an item from my home?

Yes. South Carolina law allows Rent-A-Center to repossess rental items without a court order if you miss payments. The company typically doesn't need to give advance notice. If you fall behind, contact the store immediately to discuss payment options or return the item before repossession occurs.

Is renting from Rent-A-Center cheaper than buying on a credit card?

Usually no. If you have access to a credit card—especially one with a 0% promotional period—buying outright and paying off the card is almost always cheaper than renting-to-own. Even a standard credit card at 18% interest costs less over time than Rent-A-Center's markup. Compare the total rental cost to the retail price before deciding.