Walk into the Malibu Shopping Center off NW 12th Street and you’ll find it. Tucked right there in Moore, Oklahoma, is a shop that everyone seems to have an opinion on but few actually understand the math behind. Rent a center Moore OK isn't just a place to grab a sofa when you’re in a pinch. It is a specific kind of financial engine. Some people call it a lifesaver. Others call it a debt trap. The truth? It’s usually somewhere in the messy middle.
If you’ve lived in Moore for any length of time, you know the drill. Life hits you fast. Maybe a tornado siren wasn't the only thing screaming last spring—maybe it was your refrigerator giving up the ghost right before payday. When you don't have $800 sitting in a savings account at Tinker Federal Credit Union, your options feel pretty thin. That’s the exact moment most people start looking at the storefront at 850 NW 12th St.
The Reality of Rent to Own in the 73160
Most folks walk in thinking they are "buying" a TV or a washer. You’re not. At least, not yet. You are entering a rental-purchase agreement. In Oklahoma, this is governed by the Rental-Purchase Act. Basically, you’re paying for the right to use that Ashley Furniture sectional or that LG OLED screen for a week or a month at a time. If you stop paying, you give it back. No harm to your credit score, usually, but no couch either.
The "Worry-Free Guarantee" is the big marketing hook here. It sounds great because it includes delivery and repairs. If the internal compressor on your rented Whirlpool fridge decides to quit on a Tuesday, they’re supposed to come out and fix it. Honestly, this is where the Moore location gets its mixed reviews. Some locals swear the service is snappy, while others describe a frustrating game of phone tag with the manager when things break.
💡 You might also like: Bank of the West HELOC: What Really Happened to Your Equity
What the Stickers Don't Always Tell You
Let’s talk money. If you look at the tag on a laptop at rent a center Moore OK, you’ll see a "Cash Price." Then you’ll see the "Total Cost of Ownership." These two numbers are rarely in the same zip code.
- The Cash Price: This is what you’d pay if you walked in with a stack of bills today. It’s usually higher than what you’d find at a big-box retailer in the nearby Warren Theater area, but it’s the baseline.
- The Weekly Rate: This is the "small" number. $25 a week? Sounds like a Starbucks habit.
- The Long Haul: If you go the full 91 weeks or whatever the term is, you might end up paying double or triple that cash price.
It is expensive. There is no way to sugarcoat that. However, the 6 Months Same As Cash option is the "pro move" if you can swing it. It lets you bypass those massive interest-equivalent markups if you can pay the item off within 180 days. Most people intend to do this. Fewer actually manage it.
The Brands and the Inventory Mix
What’s actually inside the Moore store? They lean heavily on the heavy hitters. You’re going to see a lot of Ashley Furniture because it’s durable enough to survive multiple moves—which happens a lot in the rental world. In the electronics aisle, it’s usually Samsung, LG, and Sony.
Computers are a big draw for parents in Moore, especially when back-to-school season hits and the budget is tight. They carry HP, Dell, and ASUS. The trick with tech at any rent-to-own spot is the "Exchange" policy. Since technology devalues faster than a used car, Rent-A-Center allows an exchange within the first six months. You can swap out that laptop if it’s too slow and apply your previous payments to the new one. It keeps you from being stuck with a brick, though you’re still technically paying a premium for the flexibility.
Why Location Matters in Moore
Being in the Malibu Shopping Center makes this a high-traffic spot. It’s right near other local staples, so it’s easy to pop in while you’re running errands. But convenience has a price. Because this specific store serves a wide area of Cleveland County, the delivery schedule can get backed up.
If you need a range or a dryer delivered, don't just assume it’ll be there in two hours. You’ve got to coordinate. And a word of advice: check the item before the delivery guys leave your driveway. Whether it's a "previously rented" clearance item or something brand new, look for the dings. Once they drive away, proving that scratch wasn't yours becomes a whole lot harder.
Consumer Protection and the Oklahoma Hook
Oklahoma laws are relatively strict about how these contracts are disclosed. The "Oklahoma Rental-Purchase Act" requires the store to clearly state whether the item is new or used. If you are looking at rent a center Moore OK for a clearance item, it must be labeled as such.
📖 Related: Cost of heating oil today: Why prices are finally dropping and what to do next
Interestingly, many people don't realize that Rent-A-Center doesn't technically report to the big three credit bureaus for your regular payments. This is a double-edged sword. It won’t help you build credit to buy a house in Moore later, but it also won't wreck your score if you lose your job and have to return the furniture. It’s a "no-obligation" deal, which is the primary reason people choose it over a traditional Best Buy credit card or a personal loan.
Avoiding the Pitfalls
If you’re going to shop here, you need a strategy. Don't just wander in because you want a bigger TV.
- The 90-Day Target: Treat it like a 90-day loan. If you can't pay it off in three to six months, you are likely paying way too much for the privilege of the item.
- Read the Liability Waiver: They’ll try to sell you a "benefits plus" or liability waiver. It covers things like fire or theft. In a town like Moore, where weather is a factor, some people find it worth the extra few bucks a week. Others see it as a total waste of money. Know your home insurance or renter's insurance policy first.
- The "Used" Goldmine: The clearance section in the back of the Moore store is often where the real deals are. These are items that someone else rented for three months and returned. They’ve been sanitized and inspected, and the "Cash Price" is significantly lower.
Actionable Insights for Moore Residents
If you’re looking at rent a center Moore OK, do your homework before signing the digital keypad. Check the price of the same model number at a standard retail store first. If the "Total Cost of Ownership" is 3x the retail price, ask yourself if you can wait and save for three months instead.
When you do go in, talk to the store manager directly about the 6 Months Same As Cash terms. Get it in writing. Ensure you know exactly what day of the week your payment is due, because late fees are the silent killer in these agreements. If you are a day late, the "Worry-Free" part of the guarantee starts to feel a lot less relaxed when the collection calls start.
✨ Don't miss: Finding Another Word for Encroachment That Actually Fits Your Situation
Ultimately, the Moore Rent-A-Center is a tool. Used correctly for a short-term need—like an emergency fridge replacement—it works. Used as a long-term way to furnish an entire house, it becomes a very expensive way to live. Know the math, check the inventory at the Malibu Shopping Center, and always have an exit strategy for your contract.