Association of Professional Rental Organizations (APRO)
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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.

Same-as-Cash Promotions in Rent-to-Own

Last Updated on April 29, 2026

Same-as-Cash promotions in rent-to-own (also known as Lease-to-Own) are a type of Early Purchase Option that allows customers to obtain ownership by paying a specified amount within a defined period, often equivalent to the Cash Price of the product.

What Same-as-Cash Means #

Same-as-Cash is one form of an Early Purchase Option available in some rental-purchase agreements.

It gives customers the ability to acquire ownership sooner than the full agreement term by paying a defined amount within a promotional period.

In many cases, completing the Same-as-Cash option results in the customer paying an amount equivalent to the Cash Price.

How Same-as-Cash Works Within Early Purchase Options #

Rental-Purchase agreements often include early purchase options that allow customers to buy the product before completing all scheduled payments.

Same-as-Cash is one version of this.

A typical structure includes:

  • A defined promotional period (for example, 90 days or longer)
  • The ability to make payments during that period
  • The option to pay the remaining balance within that timeframe

If the customer completes payment within the period, ownership is achieved under the Same-as-Cash terms.

If not, the agreement continues under standard rent-to-own terms with no loss of flexibility.

Relationship to Early Purchase Options #

It is important to understand that Same-as-Cash is not a separate system.

It is:

One type of Early Purchase Option within a Rental-Purchase Agreement

Other early purchase options may exist with different timing or pricing structures, but they all serve the same purpose — allowing customers to obtain ownership earlier if they choose.

Why Same-as-Cash Is Offered #

Same-as-Cash promotions provide an additional pathway for customers who want to:

  • Complete ownership more quickly
  • Reduce the total cost of acquiring the product
  • Take advantage of a shorter-term payment opportunity

At the same time, customers who do not use the promotion can continue with the standard agreement.

Flexibility and Consumer Choice #

Same-as-Cash reflects one of the core features of rent-to-own: optionality.

Customers are not required to use the promotion. They can:

This flexibility allows customers to make decisions based on their current situation, not a fixed obligation.

Important Distinctions #

Same-as-Cash in rent-to-own is different from promotional financing.

  • It does not convert the agreement into a loan
  • It does not create interest-bearing debt
  • It exists within a rental-purchase structure that remains flexible

The customer retains control throughout the agreement.

Frequently Asked Questions #

What is Same-as-Cash in rent-to-own? #

Same-as-Cash is a type of Early Purchase Option that allows a customer to obtain ownership by paying a specified amount within a defined period, often equal to the Cash Price.

Is Same-as-Cash required in rent-to-own? #

No. It is optional. Customers can choose whether or not to use it.

What happens if I do not complete the Same-as-Cash period in rent-to-own? #

The agreement continues under standard rent-to-own terms, and the customer keeps all available options.

Is Same-as-Cash the same as an Early Purchase Option in rent-to-own? #

It is a type of Early Purchase Option. Not all early purchase options are Same-as-Cash, but Same-as-Cash is one form of early purchase.

Related Topics #

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

Table of contents

Mike Lewis

Central Properties dba Premier Rental-Purchase

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.