Association of Professional Rental Organizations (APRO)

Rent-to-Own 101

New to rent-to-own? Explore the basics to understand how it works and why it matters to millions of Americans.

Delivery, Setup, and Service in Rent-to-Own

Last Updated on April 29, 2026

Many rental-purchase agreements include delivery, setup, and ongoing service as part of the Rental Period. Because the transaction is a lease, dealers often provide support such as installation, maintenance, and repairs while the item is under the Rental-Purchase Agreement.

The Service-Supported Retail Model #

Rent-to-own transactions are often discussed in terms of payment flexibility, but another important aspect of the model is the service provided during the Rental Period.

Unlike traditional retail purchases, where customers take responsibility for the product after buying it, rent-to-own dealers frequently provide delivery, setup, and ongoing support for the items under agreement.

This service component is especially important for large household goods that require installation or occasional maintenance.

Delivery of Household Goods #

Many rent-to-own stores offer delivery services when customers begin a Rental-Purchase Agreement.

This can include transporting large items such as:

  • Refrigerators and other appliances
  • Living room and bedroom furniture
  • Washers and dryers
  • Televisions and entertainment systems

Delivery services help ensure that customers can begin using the product immediately after entering the Rental-Purchase Agreement.

For large appliances or furniture, delivery may also include moving the item into the home and positioning it in the appropriate location.

Setup and Installation #

In many cases, rent-to-own dealers also assist with setup or installation of the product.

Examples may include:

  • Connecting washers and dryers
  • Positioning and assembling furniture
  • Installing televisions or home entertainment equipment
  • Ensuring appliances are ready for use

These services can help customers avoid the difficulties that sometimes accompany installing large or complex household goods.

Maintenance and Repairs #

Another distinguishing feature of many rental-purchase agreements is that dealers often provide service and maintenance while the item is under rental.

Household products such as appliances, electronics, and furniture may occasionally require repair or replacement during normal use.

If this occurs while the item is under the Rental-Purchase Agreement, the dealer may repair the product or provide a replacement depending on the circumstances.

This service support is particularly valuable for products that households rely on every day.

The exact services provided may vary depending on the dealer and the type of product involved.

Why Service Matters in Rent-to-Own #

The inclusion of delivery, setup, and service reflects the practical nature of many rent-to-own transactions.

Customers often use rent-to-own to obtain items that are essential for daily living, such as refrigerators, furniture, or washing machines.

If these products stop working, households typically need a solution quickly.

By providing delivery and service support, rent-to-own dealers help ensure that customers can continue using the products they depend on.

Real-World Example #

Consider a household that needs to replace a washing machine.

After selecting a washer through a rent-to-own dealer, the company may deliver the appliance, place it in the laundry area, and connect it so that it is ready to use.

If the appliance later requires service during the Rental Period, the dealer may repair or replace it depending on the situation.

This combination of product access and service support is an important part of how rent-to-own transactions operate.


Frequently Asked Questions #

Do rent-to-own stores deliver products? #

Many rent-to-own dealers provide delivery services for large household goods such as appliances, furniture, and televisions.

Delivery policies may vary by dealer and location.

Do rental-purchase agreements include installation? #

In many cases, dealers assist with setup or installation, particularly for large appliances or furniture.

This can help ensure the product is ready for use when it arrives in the home.

What happens if a rent-to-own item stops working? #

Many rental-purchase agreements include service or repair during the Rental Period.

If an item requires maintenance, the dealer may repair or replace it depending on the circumstances.

Why is Service Included in rent-to-own? #

Because the product remains under a Rental-Purchase Agreement until ownership occurs, dealers often provide service support to ensure the item continues functioning properly during the Rental Period.


Related Topics #

To explore the rent-to-own model in greater detail, see these educational resources:

Mike Lewis

Mike Lewis is a Premier Rental Purchase franchisee with multiple stores and currently serves as Vice President of Operations. With 33 years of experience in the rent-to-own industry, he has spent the past 20 years working closely with franchisee owners and previously spent 12 years in Corporate RTO, gaining a strong foundation in the business.

For the past five years, Mike has been sharing his knowledge by teaching managers and franchisees at the company’s Training Center.

Outside of work, he enjoys time with his family, kids, and grandkids, and appreciates the simple things in life – especially riding his Harley Davidson with the sun on his face. If you know, you know!

Lauren Talicska

Arona Corporation dba Arona Home Essentials

Lauren Talicska is an experienced multi-channel marketing specialist and the Vice President of Marketing & Communications at Arona Home Essentials. She has found her home in the RTO community, supporting stores in branding, growth, and increasing traffic.

You may recognize Lauren as a former RTO vendor, including her time as a partner for Nationwide RentDirect, or her previous participation in the APRO Vendor Advisory Committee. Lauren calls Columbus, Ohio, home and spends her workday crafting and executing marketing promotions from inception to realization, all while supporting the branding and social media needs of all the Arona stores in 12 states (plus Puerto Rico!).

Charles Smitherman

APRO

Charles Smitherman, JD, PhD, CAE, became CEO of APRO in 2023, bringing years of legal and executive experience in the rent-to-own industry. 

Prior to joining the association, Charles served as COO, General Counsel, and Vice President of PTS Financial Services, where he played an active role in the rent-to-own industry by representing his company through PTS’s club program offering with APRO member dealers. Charles is an attorney with two decades of experience across a wide variety of areas, including RTO, consumer financial services, antitrust, corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, litigation, franchise law, and privacy law. Following law school at the University of Georgia, Charles earned a Master of Legal Studies and PhD in Law from the University of Oxford in England.

Charles is credentialed as a Certified Association Executive (CAE) with the American Society of Association Executives, a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) with the International Franchise Association, and a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US) and Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM) through the International Association of Privacy Professionals. As APRO’s sixth CEO in its 45-year history, he brings a collaborative, member-focused approach to association leadership, emphasizing transparency, advocacy, and value creation. Outside of work, Charles is an active ultra runner and open water swimmer.

Mike Kays

Ashley Furniture Industries

As VP of Rental Sales for Ashley Furniture Industries, Mike thrives on building relationships with our RTO industry veterans, and helping businesses grow through new product, new marketing, and new supply chain options.

Mike works to leverage a wide breadth of relationships and influence, intimate knowledge of market trends, and unique knowledge of what RTO dealers need from a supplier to be successful.

The saying goes that a high tide raises all boats, and our goal is to leverage the world’s largest furniture manufacturer to drive the continued growth of the RTO industry and all the suppliers.

Mike Tissot

Countryside Rentals Inc., dba Rent-2-Own

Mike grew up in the rent-to-own industry under the guidance of his father, former APRO President and RTO legend Darrell Tissot. For nearly 25 years, Mike’s innovative leadership has helped expand the family business to more than 40 stores across Ohio and Kentucky while also shaping the industry as a whole.

He has served as President of the Ohio Rental Dealers Association, an APRO board member and Treasurer, and President and Treasurer of the TRIB Group. His contributions have earned him the APRO President’s Award of Excellence and the title of APRO Rental Dealer of the Year.

Outside of RTO, Mike enjoys time at the lake house or in Orange Beach, Alabama, with his girlfriend, Angela Strong McCool. A passionate Cincinnati Reds fan, he rarely misses a game, whether watching or listening alongside his parents. He also takes every opportunity to visit Arizona, where his daughter is currently attending Arizona State University.