[pjc50]

Exactly. This is a very old business model; the UK company "Radio Rentals" pioneered it in the 30s and was very successful in the era when TVs were expensive (compared to housing!). It's been largely obliterated by cheap credit.

All of the items on that front page have a monthly rental cost that's about 1/10 the purchase cost. In most cases you'd be better off with a 12 month personal loan than renting it for 12 months and you get to keep the item. If you want it for 18 months then even buying it on a credit card at 20% looks like a reasonable option.