Rent-A-Center

I began college and it needed a laptop but I did not have the cash to buy one outright, so like most of us who find ourselves wondering into Rent A Center, I'll say I was desperate.
After talking to the associate I portrayed my need for a computer that was small, portable, and able to store data for my schooling on it. I had never shopped for a netbook before this day so I was unsure of what I should have been looking for. The associate apparently picked up on my ignorance and used it to his own sick advantages.
I walked out of the store with a Dell mini laptop for the price of $25.00 and $25.00 per week. While it seemed steep for me, I knew I needed it, so I decided I would only own this computer for a temporary time until I was able to obtain a laptop outright without dealing with their ridiculous and unnecessary scam.
TWO DAYS after my purchase they call my cellphone asking when I was coming to make a payment. I told them that I had 5 more days until my next payment was due. They said they understood and hung up. A few hours later I get calls from my mother, my uncle, my boyfriend, and my grandmother telling me that Rent A Center had called them and given out personal information about me regarding my balance and payments. They had also told them I was very overdue with my payment and they will have to repossess if they could not find me to recover their money. Isn't this odd considering I had personally talked to them on the phone politely just that day?
I went and made my payment early to make them stop calling and also to possibly show them that I wasn't a dead beat trying to steal the item. I thought by showing them the money early they might regard me with a little more respect.
Just a few days later (not even a week after my INITIAL PURCHASE!) Rent A Center begins calling my work and releasing again personal payment and balance information to co-workers and my boss trying to obtain MORE money! This was humiliating and not to mention it really pissed off my boss to receive these phone calls!
I had made up my mind at this point. They could have their blasted computer. They called my phone 15-20 times in a row several times per day everyday. They filled my voice mail box with messages and called my family and boss constantly and filled their voice mail boxes up as well.
Then one day on my way to work I see Rent A Center trucks parked in the alley behind my house. At first I didn't think anything of it. When I came home from work they greeted me as I was coming out of my vehicle asking me for the money. I told them I did not have it at that time. I had a feeling he wasn't going to leave, so I left my daughter in her car seat thankfully, and drove away. That night I stayed at my moms until about midnight then drove home.
At 8 a.m. the next morning my phone rings. I answered it, and it is Rent A Center. The manager says, "I have to retrieve the item today before 7 o'clock p.m. regardless of whether you made a payment or not because you're so far past due". (Keep in mind I had made 2 payments and by this time I had only had the computer for two weeks, meaning I was up-to-date on my payments). The manager then informs me, "I have a driver positioned outside of your home, all you have to do is come outside and give the computer to him".
Is this guy out of his mind? I informed him that I was up-to-date with my payments and he could retrieve it when I was actually overdue.
The driver started then pounding on my door and ringing my doorbell. He didn't rest or pause inbetween but simply went on and on constantly. This had to be illegal harassment!
I finally gave in, for I was afraid due to having my three year old daughter there with me. I didn't know what these monsters were capable of.
I went to the door and handed him the computer (which by this point wouldn't even turn ON it was such a piece of garbage). I was done with Rent A Center harassing my family, boss, and me by calling, pounding on the door, and peeking in my windows. Enough was enough.
I advise anyone not to give in to their scams and their promises because believe me, you will regret it...In a week or so.