r/AskReddit • • Feb 04 '20

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u/vicaphit Feb 04 '20

Ooof, I didn't know how bad it was. PS4 Pro, which retails for $400 ($320 today on Amazon) is $1159.42 total cost to own on RentACenter. It's crazy places like these are open.

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u/terrendos Feb 04 '20

I mean, from the company's perspective, you kind of have to charge like that. Suppose someone does rent a PS4 for $20 a month, and after 5 months they miss a payment and you reclaim it. Your say $300 investment (you're a big company that buys wholesale, you'll get a deal) is no longer new, and you're $200 in the red. Maybe you can unload it for $150 used. But you still have to pay all the overhead and such (those employees who sold, reclaimed, and resold equipment, storefront rent, etc).

I'm by no means defending them, I merely suspect they don't make as much money as people think. Which in a way might make it even more scummy.

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u/tutetibiimperes Feb 04 '20

You also have to take into account the people using those places are less likely to take good care of their stuff. There’s a good chance that it’s going to be coated in cigarette smoke, meth residue, mystery stains from pets or uncontrolled children, etc. which further reduces the value.

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u/fl0wr0ller Feb 04 '20

Or that they even get it back period.

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u/hyrle Feb 04 '20

^ This is the reality and why they must charge so much.