This commentary offers an industry perspective on several of Hastak's (2004) premises pertaining to the future of the rent-to-own industry in Wisconsin. The commentary focuses on the legal characterization of rent-to-own transactions in Wisconsin as credit sales and practical issues that such a characterization pose for the industry. The commentary also offers an explanation of why Rent-A-Center adopted its new business format in the state.
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References
1.
Burney v. Rent-A-Center (1994), Docket No. 94-0-1162 (E.D. Wisc.).
2.
CarterCarolyn, WilliamsonOdette, and RaoJohn (2002), “Repossessions and Foreclosures,” in Consumer Credit and Sales Legal Practice Series.Boston: National Consumer Law Center, 473–74.
3.
HastakManoj (2004), “Regulation of the Rent-to-Own Industry: Implications of the Wisconsin Settlement with Rent-A-Center,”Journal of Public Policy & Marketing, 23(Spring), 89–95.
4.
JonesRichard P. (2001), “Rent-to-Own Firms Crank Up Lobbying,”Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, (August 5), 1B.
5.
KaneEugene (2001), “Unchecked Rent-to-Own? Might as Well Get Your TV from Tony Soprano,”Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, (August 5), 1B–3B
6.
Lebakken Rent-To-Own v. Warnell (1998), 589 N.W.2d 425 (Ct. App.).
7.
Palacios v. ABC TV & Stereo Rental, Inc. (1985), 365 N.W.2d 882 (Ct. App.).
8.
Rent-A-Center v. Hall (1993), 510 N.W.2d 789 (Ct. App.).
9.
Wilson v. First American Rental (1998), Docket No. 98-CV-005945 (Milwaukee County Cir. Ct).
10.
Wisconsin v. ColorTyme (1993), Docket No. 93CV004652 (Cir. Ct.).
