Rent-A-Center — Local services in La Follette

Please beware of this company. We had a housefire in 2013 and needed a stove immediately. We rented a stove from them in 2013. We ordered a new stainless and they sent us a used white stove that was supposed to be a temporary solution, until the new stove came in the next week. I called upon receiving the stove due to the filthy condition and was told it was all they had but that the new stove would be in the next week. The next week, the stove still hadn't arrived. Every week or two when I called, they apologized and assured me it would be in the next week.

By this time, I had quite a bit invested in it, so I waited. Month after month, and no stove. Finally at the middle of the contract, I contacted the manager and expressed my dissapointment. He was aware of the situation and assured me that if I continued the contract, that I would receive the new stove by the end. Not wanting to lose all that was invested, I continued. About a month before the payoff, I called him back. He stated that he would have the new stove and if not by payoff, soon after and would make sure they were switched out. When payoff came and I called, the manager then stated that they had new managers due to the issues such as this, and that he needed to check into the situation. In the end, he called stating that he found where it was ordered but that the stove ordered was discontinued, therefore all he could do to resolve the situation was offer me a credit toward the next rental or purchase. I was frustrated by then and left it at that.

The stove we paid off through them caught fire due to a wiring issue, so I called around again to get a temporary stove until I could afford another. None of the other rental companies had one immediately available, so I decided to take advantage of my credit at rent a center. I spoke with Reece and found that the company was bought out but he agreed to honor the credit. I was hopeful that this buy out would be a better organized and honest outcome. Far from it! Again, same situation. I ordered a new one, they sent me a black used one with rusted eye rings that needed cleaned. I was assured of a new one in the next two weeks and was under the impression that they would honor the credit, due to their negligence, and apply it toward the stove as promised. Keep in mind that no payment was requested at time of delivery. That was three weeks ago. Then, 3 days ago, they show up to pick up the stove because of nonpayment! In disbelief, I called and spoke with Reece, the manager, which then told me that the credit would be applied toward the end of the agreement, meaning that I would once again be investing in a used stove at new prices and just hoping they keep their word this time in delivering a new stove. When I questioned the former credit, he suddenly couldn't find it. Frustrated at this point, I ask what I needed to pay to keep a week longer, in order to keep from doing without a stove. They stated $48 which I paid. Now, three days after paying a week up, what he told me to pay to keep it a week longer, he calls me wanting to schedule this weekend to pick up, meaning the payment was not even for the week.

At this point I'm furious! I requested some company information and was shocked when I was given a different business name, doing business under the Rent a Center name. Basically, I was told they are a franchise branch, independantly owned. They obviously do not have to adhere to the same policies of Rent a Center company and DO NOT have the same standards of good business practices. I told him to come pick up the stove and that I would be filing a complaint. So to everyone considering doing business with them, please go to a different company. Ez Rentals, Aarons etc. I have never dealt with EZ rentals, but I do know Aarons is an honest, reputable business and have much better standards when it comes to their products, and stand behind them 100%! I for one refuse to do business with a company that lacks organization and practices such dishonest and downright...

I reviewed this business about 5 years ago and give them five stars and I was so wrong.Stop if you are thinking of doing business with this Rent-A-Center. This has been the most terrible experience. A month ago my special needs som tried to rent to own an electric bike. We started the agreement knowing they didn't have the charger and was told that they would have it later that same day. Well that didn't happen. The next few days they made the same empty promise. A week goes by with them claiming that they were having trouble getting a hold of the guy but they would have the charger by the end of the day. They assured that they would have it that day and it would be safe for me to go to knoxville and he would be able to ride the bike home. Of course that fell through. But what made me so angry is that I was stuck in Knoxville and my special needs son was stuck walking home 9 miles in a downpour rain. That is we found out that this thing needed a key as well and there is no way they are getting from the previous owner. For the next month...that's right 4 weeks of him consistentlymaking his payment and not being able to ride the bike once. So I have a 150 pound weight in my kitchen that is being paid for on time consistently that he has not been able to ride one time. I don't know about you....but I was taught to help those with special needs and not take advantage of them. It took them a month to get us a key and charger to find out that the base of the battery was broken and still can't be ridden. Now this poor kid has sunk in over 250 bucks into a bike that we have taken care of and stored to just lose all that money. So I got angry and walked next door to Farmers Furniture and Whitney and Mikaela took great care of us. I financed the bike through them and rode it home that same day. The bike is better quality and I was treated with respect and dignity.....most importantly we got a product in it's entirety the very same day. No lies, no runaround and no wasted money. What kind of people rip off a special needs kid.....the kind of people that will never get my business. If you have the option, go to Farmers instead of RentA-Center. They are good people and care about their customers and conduct themselves professionally. I hope the corporate office knows how they are swindling good folks out of hard earned money. Shame on you...

The fat guy at the front is taking away business from you guys. He has a god complex from being a manager at a rent a center and thinks he can cuss out teenagers. “That couch is not yours it’s mine and I can come take it whenever I want “ 😂 like we haven’t missed a payment and He says stuff like that. Also he’s lazy at doing his job. He wouldn’t even help me move my couch out of the movers truck into my truck. I recommend going to farmers. Actually anywhere but here. He’s rude and honestly just an annoyance to have to talk to. Please please don’t go to this rent a center. I think his name is James. Terrible person all around His Customer service needs worked on or he needs...