Do you have any views on rent-to-buy stores such as Brighthouse?

ChopinonaBudget

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

You would pay someone to fit a washing machine :huh:

As an addendum, I've got a !!!!ed up back because of an old slipped disc, so I can't go rummaging around the back of a washing machine, much less move the thing about to do it. Mine broke recently, and the repair man left it sticking out a few inches; I can't even push it back into its slot properly. Simple stuff ain't simple stuff to everybody.

sourcrates

Simple two pipe connection, and waste pipe, easy as pie, as long as its already been plumbed in.
Thing is with second hand goods, especially washing machines, how is a single mum going to be able to transport it, and fit it on her own, without paying someone to do it ?
And whose to say its not going to break down in a weeks time, people always have a reason why they sell something, a lot of the time cause its on its way out.
These companies are no different to the "radio rentals" of the past, there has always been a market for this service, and the way things are going, it looks set to continue.

ChopinonaBudget

sourcrates wrote: »

And whose to say its not going to break down in a weeks time, people always have a reason why they sell something, a lot of the time cause its on its way out.

Or is even in working order when it is bought.

I'm not a fan of these rip off merchants either; they're barely better than loan sharks, but just saying that people on low incomes can buy second hand is simplifying a very complex issue that doesn't take into account things like upfront purchase costs, transport, fitting, or the risk of the item not working for long or at all.

Even freecycle isn't free if you don't have a handy car or a van or a second person to help that you don't have to hire, or someone to look after the kids while your car is full of white goods, or someone who is confident enough to fit the thing once you've got it home.

It's flipping expensive being poor.

WestonDave

The fundamental problem is a lack of savings culture. That £487 washing machine seems relatively easy to buy at £6 per week but as already pointed out, that is a total of £936 paid when an equivalent machine at Argos (same make and capacity but slightly different model number) including delivery and install is £270. At £6 per week you could save up for that in 44 weeks instead of paying for it for 156 weeks (3 years) at Brighthouse. Clearly if you can afford £6 per week after needing a washing machine, you can afford it before, but its a matter of choice to put that money away ahead of needing it rather than cutting back on whatever else its being spent on to afford it after the old machine dies.


To be fair at the "I really need a washing machine and this is the only option" end of the scale you can understand it to a degree as a once off and learn (provided you don't get caught in the trap where it goes wrong as soon as you've finished paying it off). However you really have to question the sanity of anyone who is paying similarly over the odds for one of the higher spec machines. For example paying £1156 for a Samsung machine that would cost you around £500 if bought outright.

Toomuchdebt

I have had 3 second hand washing machines-cost £60,£80 and £55 and all 3 broke down after 6 months. I finally bought a new one for £180 on an interest free deal and it's still going 2 years later. I couldn't have afforded more than £80 outright. It's a false economy buying washing machines second hand I have found. And yes I wouldn't have a clue how to plumb it in, nor would I be able to move it.
Furniture on the other hand I will always buy used, preferably really old stuff from the 50's and 60's. It's indestructible

foxgloves

My views on these types of companies are that they do fulfil a need in some cases, but in an exploitative way. I would like to see their pricing come under scrutiny, also the alleged high pressure selling of expensive insurance/warranties. When we walk past this shop in our town, we are struck by the hugely expensive colossal TVs in the window, plus very large sound system gear, etc. Of course people have a right to decide what they want to buy, but I think that many of the customers who buy goods in this way may be vulnerable, & tempted into weekly payments for vastly over priced goods which are anything but essential. If they sold essential household items such as white goods, dining tables, beds, chairs, pots & pans, cookers, etc, at fair prices & offered a credit facility at low interest rates, I wouldn't have a problem with them, but the tempting window display of massive TVs is just there to tempt people to take out credit agreements for non essential stuff they can't afford. I agree with a previous poster that there is no culture of saving. It is harder on a very low income, but people did used to do it. My grandparents (born early 1900s) had an extremely small income, but Nan used to squirrel away tiny amounts which added up so that there would be a few quid to help with a rainy day. She used to say that whatever was leftover after bills & food, spend half, & save half.

dotdash79

A lot of these stores, will sell an new item have the buyer default get back the item and resell it to a new customer and do the 3 or 4 times.

FOXGLOVE_2

To some people they obviously provide a lifeline for when an essential appliance such as washing machine or fridge freezer breaks down. And as many have said, not everyone on a low income will have say £100 to spare instantly to get one secondhand.

My issue is with the products on offer instore and the actual total cost.

I've passed by Brighthouse and seen the stuff in the window and most are top spec models that most households woulndn't opt for. Yet for someone on a low income to be told that, yes, they can have this shiny new 50" tv or latest mobile phone it must be tempting.

In an ideal world there would be a not for profit store offering basic economical appliances for those in need of household items. Not PS4s and massive leather corner sofas. Unfortunately, providing hire purchase must be offset with a higher APR to allow for the fact that some may not pay as required.

Maybe by removing those high ticket items their losses would not be as great.

double_mummy

its all based on the fact people have a now culture - when our washing machine broke when i was a child my (single) mum did the washing by hand until she had saved up enough to get a new one, whereas people now dont want to wait and save.

the push coming towards xmas is also pretty big it has already started at my local one with PS4 and Xbox ones you can order them now start paying and pick them up in december

this is also the same with some of the catalogs

might have a wander in there tomorrow i have never actually been in one of them lol

BillJones

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

You would pay someone to fit a washing machine :huh:

Some people genuinely will never put in any effort to learn how to do even the most basic tasks. They seem to think that it is below them, and so end up paying someone else a fortune to do something that after ten minutes on e web they could do themselves.

Of course, it's never their fault.