No Stigma Attached With Rent A Computer Option

By Shahzad Qamer on Fri, 2010-07-02 11:07

The word "rent", when used in the context of consumer goods, seems to have two interpretations. A recent story on Google News about the stigma of the word "rent" for some retail sectors contrasts with the realities of the "rent a computer" business, which is a viable and valuable option for many companies these days.

Renting – Good or Bad?

According to the article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Aaron Rents – a chain of stores that rents furniture and electronics to customers with poor credit – is changing its name to Aaron’s. The motivation? Getting rid of the word "rent". The CEO says the concept of renting to own has a negative stigma, like Kentucky Fried Chicken.

It may be that in Aaron’s sector of the marketplace, renting to own is viewed less favorably than in other areas. But for some sectors, like computers, renting is seen as very positive. Renting a computer gives companies flexibility, helps with their budgeting and allows them to hang onto capital for other expenses.

The Benefits of Renting a Computer

When it comes to high tech equipment, there is definitely no stigma to renting. Whether you rent to own a computer or rent to get through a short–term project, the idea of obtaining the technology you need without a large initial outlay of cash is very appealing.

Imagine if you were opening a new business or taking tentative steps toward expansion of your existing business. Why spend a lot of money on a computer when you can rent–to–own? Renting to own gives you the chance to spread your payments out over time, making it easier to manage the costs. It also means less reliance on credit to make purchases. Low monthly rental payments are much easier to finance than large one–time expenses.

Renting a computer is not your only option, of course. Buying things like large LCD displays or high–end LCD projectors is just not feasible for some companies. If you use equipment like that only a few times a year, renting makes considerably more sense than buying.

What about disaster planning? Again, computer rentals are invaluable. Whether it be a temporary server rental or a laptop rental to replace a broken–down unit, rentals help keep a business afloat after a disaster like theft, fire or a computer crash.

Many businesses also rely on their technology rentals agent to provide "new" equipment for sales presentations or trade shows. Instead of dragging their old computers to a meeting, they can rent a computer with all the latest bells and whistles to impress their prospective clients.