VRTO survey finds 81.5% of rent-to-own store customers satisfied

VRTO Research’s 2026 survey found that 81.5% of 373 rent-to-own store customers were satisfied with their experience, using the same question the FTC asked in 2000. The study also found satisfaction was higher among more recent users and that the full data and charts are free to download.

Why it matters: - Rent-to-own remains a mainstream consumer option for furniture, appliances, electronics and tires. - Satisfaction levels can shape how often customers use rent-to-own again and how the market is perceived. - VRTO’s survey gives a current snapshot of customer experience and lets readers compare it with the FTC’s older study.

What happened: - VRTO Research asked the FTC’s rent-to-own satisfaction question again in a 2026 online survey. - The survey found that 81.5% of 373 rent-to-own store customers who had used rent-to-own in the last five years were very or somewhat satisfied. - The FTC’s 2000 survey found 75% satisfied. - VRTO published the full study, charts and downloadable data at the full rent-to-own customer satisfaction study.

The details: - Among respondents who rented only from a rent-to-own store and used it in the last year, 88.1% were satisfied, or 104 of 118. - Among all respondents who used rent-to-own in the last year, including store and virtual rent-to-own users, 79.3% were satisfied, or 329 respondents. - Of all 949 respondents who have ever used rent-to-own, 70.2% said they were satisfied. - Of the 373 store customers, 10.5% said they were dissatisfied. - The FTC’s earlier survey found 19% dissatisfied. - Among respondents who had only used virtual rent-to-own in the last five years, 72.6% were satisfied, or 204 of 281. - Six in ten past customers, or 59.2% of 949 respondents, said they were likely to use rent-to-own again. - Among very satisfied customers, 90.4% said they were likely to use rent-to-own again.

Between the lines: - The results suggest recency matters: customers who used rent-to-own more recently reported higher satisfaction. - VRTO says the 2026 survey and the FTC’s 2000 survey used different groups and methods, so the two results should not be treated as a trend line. - The study is meant to be reusable, with methodology, tables and anonymized responses available for download at no cost with credit.

What's next: - VRTO says it will continue publishing research and other rent-to-own materials on its research page. - The company says the study page includes the method, every table and anonymized responses for further use. - VRTO’s broader directory and reference coverage continues at VRTO Research.

The bottom line: - Most surveyed rent-to-own store customers reported satisfaction, and the share was higher than the FTC’s 2000 result.