In an effort to educate consumers about the potential pitfalls of buying consumer electronics and other household items from rent to own stores, a NJ nonprofit has developed a rent to own rap song.

That’s right – a rap song. Here are the lyrics… sorry we can’t provide the music.  If we find a clip we will post it.

The Rent to Own Rap Song
Have you heard about the latest ripoff scheme?
It’s called rent to own and it’s really mean.
Sell you a radio, appliance or TV
Charge you a twenty just to rent it weekly.
By the time you get to own it, your paycheck’s blown
Costs five times what it’s worth to own.
DUM DUM DEE DUM DUM DUM DEE DUM DUM- DUMB RENT TO OWN!  
Now rent to own is really bent,
Can end up costing ’bout 300 percent.
With rent to own, your money’s blown,
You keep on paying until you turn to stone.
On weekly payments your cash will go.
A thousand dollar TV? No no no!
DUM DUM DEE DUM DUM DUM DEE DUM DUM- DUMB RENT TO OWN!
Appliances? DUMB RENT TO OWN!
TVs? DUMB RENT TO OWN!
Anything they sell? DUMB RENT TO OWN!

Note: Copyright by Consumers League of New Jersey

Now, is using the word dumb really necessary?  I don’t think people who purchase items at rent to own stores appreciate the condescending nature of the song.  What do you think?

Update:  Use this link to download an MP3 version of the song —>  http://www.clnj.org/rto_rap.mp3