After Adinniekien's thread,  Why the Xbox Entertainment-For-All Plan is Good for Consumers, I wondered if Microsoft has made deals with Rent To Own shops. After a quick google, a fair few came up in Australia, (I didn't even know they did that here, thought it was US exclusive) wanting my business. It left me wondering if Microsoft have done similar deals in our country and if yes, how much of an advantage will it be for next gen? Massive? Small? No effect at all?

Here's what I searched and what came up as results:
http://www.google.com.au/search?safe=off&q=rent+to+own+xbox+360&oq=rent+to+own+xbox+360&gs_l=serp.3..0l5j0i22i30l3.551213.551661.0.552362.4.4.0.0.0.0.236.536.1j2j1.4.0...0.0...1c.1.12.serp.qugKgpsS5FM


Let me know what you think.

rent to own is different from the EFS. all cuurent system can already be rent to own from rent a center. the EFS is more akin to a line of credit, slightly different and a better deal. 
http://www6.rentacenter.com/rent/electronics/gaming-systems?WT.z_position=snav&WT.z_content=Gaming%20Systems%20Electronics

in austraila : http://www.renttoown.com.au/product_page.php?cat=18

So it has exsited for a long time for current and last gen systems. It wont have much impact, just another option for some people.

The EFA plan is not rent-to-own. EFA plan amounts to a simple interest, no credit terms, purchasing option for consumers. Microsoft isn't going to recover the console if you opt out of the EFA plan.

Microsoft doesn't have deals with Rent-To-Own establishments. They, like any consumer, make the hardware purchase and then "resell" it under the premise of rent to own. If Microsoft was in business with rent-to-own businesses, then so too are Sony and Nintendo, because they off those consoles as well.

So the logic of the premise falls short. Rent to own isn't anymore of an advantage to Microsoft than it is to Nintendo or Sony. The EFA plan is, but again it isn't rent-to-own, as was pointed out in the EFA thread I posted.