Aarons "Rent to Own" computers are spying on you.

[Homerboy]

techs, I know it may be hard at this point, as its so firmly wedged, but pull your head out of your ass.

The update is Aaron's is denying this is a corporate wide policy and that rather this software and tracking has been installed by 2 vendors.

take your "Shens" and "bullshit" comments elsewhere. You're one of the most useless posters on this entire forum (and that is quite an accomplishment)

 

[techs]

techs, I know it may be hard at this point, as its so firmly wedged, but pull your head out of your ass.

The update is Aaron's is denying this is a corporate wide policy and that rather this software and tracking has been installed by 2 vendors.

take your "Shens" and "bullshit" comments elsewhere. You're one of the most useless posters on this entire forum (and that is quite an accomplishment)

Oh, the company is denying it so it must not be true?

Your post said clearly "the REAL story". No, just because the company said it's not true doesn't make it not true. And the REAL story was what I posted. Additional information is the company denying it. And the REAL story is not what the company posts on a website designed to publish company propaganda, er, public relations statements.

I seriously wonder how a franchised Aarons store would go ahead and do this without the companies knowledge.

 

[PottedMeat]

I seriously wonder how a franchised Aarons store would go ahead and do this without the companies knowledge.

very easily?

manager is losing money from computers
manager decides on his own to install remote monitoring software without asking corporate

 

[edro]

very easily?
manager is losing money from computers
manager decides on his own to install remote monitoring software without asking corporate

Yeah. Individuals can do anything without corporate not knowing.
It's pretty naive to believe employees always follow every corporate policy.

 

[coloumb]

People rent because of bad credit [ever hear of bankruptcy?].

As long as nothing was stated in the rental contract about monitoring software - this is an invasion of privacy plain and simple.

 

[dainthomas]

very easily?

manager is losing money from computers
manager decides on his own to install remote monitoring software without asking corporate

And I'm sure Aaron's would NEVER consider throwing some lowly manager under the bus for following an "unofficial" corporate policy.

Aaron's lawyers doubtless have them covered up and down. And if this manager tries to blame them, the slime machine will certainly be unleashed (he made personal phone calls on company time, personal emails, took a long lunch three years ago etc. etc.)

 

[Homerboy]

And I'm sure Aaron's would NEVER consider throwing some lowly manager under the bus for following an "unofficial" corporate policy.

Aaron's lawyers doubtless have them covered up and down. And if this manager tries to blame them, the slime machine will certainly be unleashed (he made personal phone calls on company time, personal emails, took a long lunch three years ago etc. etc.)

But we should ALWAYS assume its the slime machine right?
I mean it could NEVER be an independent person doing independent acts.

There's a small insight on DT's coverage of the story too:

It still remains unclear how many franchisees of Aaron's Inc. are using the software, even if the company's claims are substantiated.

The store in question was also reportedly decorated to appear like a first-party Aaron's store, so the case still raises significant questions for customers -- who likely will be unable to determine between some first-party and franchise outlets.

 

[1sikbITCH]

False. Most states have rules that allow entery in many cases where the person leasing does not give permission.

While your statement is true, it does not apply. The original statement was that the owner must give prior notice that he will be entering the premises. It did not say that the tenant's permission was required.
While the specifics will be different from state to state, I doubt any state allows landlords instantaneous unannounced access to occupied units.

More to the point of the analogy, landlords certainly cannot use recording equipment to spy on the renters, which is seemingly what Aaron's is doing.

 

[kranky]

You can buy a computer for a couple hundred dollars...why the fuck would anyone rent one?

I can provide one example. A mentally-ill friend was ruled eligible for SSDI benefits. He was living on $350/month welfare, rent-free, up to that point. When he found out he was going to start getting $800/month checks, he went right to Aarons and did a rent-to-own on a washer, dryer, TV and laptop. He could afford the payments but didn't want to wait 6 more months to have the stuff. He didn't care that he was paying too much, all he knew was he could have that stuff now.

 

[WackyDan]

So if you do not pay your house mortgage, the bank can cut off your electricity, stop your garbage pickup and turn off your water?

Personally, I think looking inside someones house goes too far.

Computers are not real estate. Real estate is considered "Real Property" by law... Laptops are not.

 

[Vette73]

While your statement is true, it does not apply. The original statement was that the owner must give prior notice that he will be entering the premises. It did not say that the tenant's permission was required.
While the specifics will be different from state to state, I doubt any state allows landlords instantaneous unannounced access to occupied units.

More to the point of the analogy, landlords certainly cannot use recording equipment to spy on the renters, which is seemingly what Aaron's is doing.

Also FALSE.

Sorry we let the apartments burn down as I needed to get in and turn the gas off but did not have time to tell you so i just let it burn down.

Thats an extreme example but most if not all states allow entry without notice for many reasons including safety.

 

[waggy]

False. Most states have rules that allow entery in many cases where the person leasing does not give permission.

err false. a landlord can not enter without permission just because they want to (they can come in and check to see if its clean and kept up with notice). now if there is a emergency they can enter without notice or permission.


Also just beause the company said it didn't happen does not mean it did (just as the people saying it did does not mean it did),.
IF they really did this then i hope they get sued to shit.

 

[Vette73]

err false. a landlord can not enter without permission just because they want to (they can come in and check to see if its clean and kept up with notice). now if there is a emergency they can enter without notice or permission.


Also just beause the company said it didn't happen does not mean it did (just as the people saying it did does not mean it did),.
IF they really did this then i hope they get sued to shit.

So which is it, false or true in some cases like I, and you, said?

 

[Duder1no]

what an awesome business practice:

Aaron's: "here's a pic of you fapping to porn with our pc"

End user: "take your damn pc"

 

[waggy]

So which is it, false or true in some cases like I, and you, said?

because didn't put in emergency how you word it is like they can come in anytime.

wich they can't. What you said was not 100% right.

 

[highland145]

what an awesome business practice:

Aaron's: "here's a pic of you fapping to your girlfriend with our pc"

End user: "take your damn pc"

Aaron's:" Not so fast. It would be nice if you'd pay for the computer and let us take it anyway. So, how's the missus?"

 

[Vette73]

because didn't put in emergency how you word it is like they can come in anytime.

wich they can't. What you said was not 100% right.

"Most states have rules that allow entery in many cases where the person leasing does not give permission."

I never said anytime, you seem to be adding words I did not.

 

[CPA]

I've never even heard of rent to own PC's. Are you allowed to reload the os when you get these, or will they reclaim them from you if they lose connection to them?

You've never heard or seen those Blue Hippo commercials? After your "rental" you end up paying almost $2K for a $500 computer. It's ridiculous.

 

[Vette73]

You've never heard or seen those Blue Hippo commercials? After your "rental" you end up paying almost $2K for a $500 computer. It's ridiculous.

IDK, you think those were even $500 computers.

Most seemed like they were the $299 special from wal-mart/dell.

 

[edro]

"Most states have rules that allow entery in many cases where the person leasing does not give permission."
I never said anytime, you seem to be adding words I did not.

And you're trying to argue an obviously poor point.
You're acting like a little kid pointing a finger in someones face saying "I'm not touching you, I'm not touching you."

Of course, most laws/rules can be broken in emergencies. ie, killing, stealing, etc.
This thread is not about emergencies.
It's about breaking a privacy law under normal circumstances.

 

[ichy]

Ha, who'd ever imagine that a sleazy rent-to-own place would be unethical!

 

[highland145]

Ha, who'd ever imagine that a sleazy rent-to-own place would be unethical!

Maybe the sleazy people that patronize them with their bad credit?

kranky's example excluded.