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VRTO Research · Methods · Published

Codebook: the Christmas 2026 rent-to-own survey

Every column of the response file behind the Christmas 2026 rent-to-own study: what it measures, how many of the 2,038 respondents answered it, and its most common values. The full response file is private; an anonymized version, without the identifier, timestamp and typed-answer columns, is on the data page.

V
VRTO Research
Survey fielded August 22, 2026

One row per respondent, 2,038 rows, first submission per participant. A blank cell means the question was not asked (routing) or not answered. Multi-select answers sit in one cell, separated by semicolons. Values are cut at 40 characters in the "most common values" column. Columns that took typed answers are listed with their counts, but their answers are not published. Participant, session and study identifier columns exist in the private file and are listed here for completeness; their values are never published. The anonymized row file drops them, the two timestamps and every typed-answer column.

Columns

ColumnMeaningAnsweredMost common values
wavefielding wave (wave1-validation, wave2-200, phase3-main)2038phase3-main (1777); wave2-200 (159); wave1-validation (102)
response_idTypeform response id2038identifier / timestamp
participant_idpanel participant id (pseudonymous)2038identifier / timestamp
study_idpanel study id2038identifier / timestamp
landed_atform opened (UTC)2038identifier / timestamp
submitted_atform submitted (UTC)2038identifier / timestamp
ai_assistant_primaryAI assistant used for shopping, if any2038ChatGPT (812); Gemini (Google) (550); I don’t use AI assistants for shopping (529); Copilot (Microsoft) (49); Another AI assistant (45); Grok (36); Meta AI (17)
d1categories planned to finance (multi)476Not sure yet (33); Phones, tablets, or computers (12); TVs or home electronics; Gaming consoles (11); Gaming consoles, gaming PCs, or video ga (9); Gaming consoles, gaming PCs, or video ga (8); Toys; Clothing or shoes (7); TVs or home electronics; Phones, tablets (7); Gaming consoles, gaming PCs, or video ga (7)
d10household income band (planners only)476$50,000-$74,999 (126); $25,000-$49,999 (118); $100,000-$149,999 (82); $75,000-$99,999 (71); Under $25,000 (39); $150,000 or more (37); Prefer not to say (3)
d1_primaryprimary category deep-dived476Gaming consoles, gaming PCs, or video ga (118); TVs or home electronics (99); Phones, tablets, or computers (72); Furniture (44); Appliances (39); Clothing or shoes (32); Jewelry or watches (24); Toys (23)
discovery_channelswhere the respondent discovers products (multi)2038Google or another search engine; Amazon (140); Google or another search engine (108); Google or another search engine; Amazon (106); Google or another search engine; Amazon (78); Google or another search engine; An AI a (69); Amazon or store websites and apps (63); Google or another search engine; An AI a (56); Amazon or store websites and apps; Googl (36)
ftc_channel_historychannel of that history (store / checkout / both)949At a rental store (453); Through a checkout option (329); Both (118); Not sure (49)
ftc_ever_usedRO-1 analog: ever used rent-to-own / virtual rent-to-own, with recency2038No, never (1014); Yes, 1 to 5 years ago (355); Yes, in the last year (329); Yes, more than 5 years ago (265); Not sure (75)
ftc_ro11_satisfactionFTC RO-11 verbatim satisfaction, 5-point949Somewhat satisfied (458); Very satisfied (208); Somewhat dissatisfied (128); Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied (128); Very dissatisfied (27)
future_use_intentlikelihood of using RTO/LTO again949Somewhat likely (349); Very likely (213); Not sure (139); Somewhat unlikely (134); Very unlikely (114)
session_idpanel session id2038identifier / timestamp
p_appliances_brand_bnplappliances: BNPL brands considered (multi)28Affirm; Afterpay; Klarna; PayPal Pay in (4); Affirm (3); Affirm; Klarna (3); PayPal Pay in 4 (2); Afterpay (2); PayPal Pay in 4; Affirm; Afterpay (1); Sezzle; Affirm (1); Klarna; Affirm; Afterpay; PayPal Pay in (1)
p_appliances_brand_checkoutappliances: checkout lease brands considered (multi)5Acima; Katapult; Snap Finance; Progressi (1); Katapult; FlexShopper (1); Katapult (1); Katapult; Acima; Progressive Leasing; No (1); Snap Finance; FlexShopper; American Firs (1)
p_appliances_brand_storefrontappliances: storefront brands considered (multi)6Buddy’s Home Furnishings (2); Rent-A-Center; Aaron’s; Buddy’s Home Fur (1); Not sure yet; An independent rent-to-own (1); Aaron’s; Rent-A-Center (1); Aaron’s; Rent-A-Center; An independent r (1)
p_appliances_budgetappliances: expected weekly payment band, RTO/lease planners (D3)11$20 to 29 a week (about $80 to 129 a month) (5); $30 to 49 a week (about $130 to 209 a month) (4); $10 to 19 a week (about $40 to 79 a month) (1); Not sure (1)
p_appliances_budget_bnplappliances: expected total item cost band, BNPL planners28$500-$999 (10); $100-$249 (6); $1,000-$1,999 (4); $250-$499 (3); $2,000 or more (3); Not sure (1); Under $100 (1)
p_appliances_channelappliances: storefront vs checkout (D6)11At a store that rents items (like Rent-A (6); As a payment option at checkout, online (5)
p_appliances_first_bnplappliances: first-choice BNPL provider28Affirm (9); PayPal Pay in 4 (8); Klarna (4); Not sure yet (4); Afterpay (3)
p_appliances_first_checkoutappliances: first-choice checkout lease provider (D7)5American First Finance (2); Katapult (2); Not sure yet (1)
p_appliances_first_storefrontappliances: first-choice rental store (D7)6Rent-A-Center (3); Buddy’s Home Furnishings (1); An independent rent-to-own store (1); Aaron’s (1)
p_appliances_itemappliances: item within category (D2)39Washer and dryer set (10); Small appliance (microwave, air fryer, e (9); Refrigerator (6); Washer (4); Dishwasher (4); Dryer (2); Range or oven (2); Not sure yet (2)
p_appliances_secondaryappliances: secondary category flag11Typed answer; not published
p_clothing_brand_bnplclothing: BNPL brands considered (multi)31Affirm; Afterpay; Klarna; PayPal Pay in (3); Affirm; Afterpay; Klarna (3); Afterpay (2); Affirm; Afterpay; Klarna; PayPal Pay in (2); Afterpay; Affirm; PayPal Pay in 4 (1); Zip; Afterpay (1); Affirm (1); Afterpay; Klarna; PayPal Pay in 4 (1)
p_clothing_brand_checkoutclothing: checkout lease brands considered (multi)1Not sure yet (1)
p_clothing_budgetclothing: expected weekly payment band, RTO/lease planners (D3)1$10 to 19 a week (about $40 to 79 a month) (1)
p_clothing_budget_bnplclothing: expected total item cost band, BNPL planners31$100-$249 (15); $250-$499 (6); Under $100 (6); $2,000 or more (2); $500-$999 (1); $1,000-$1,999 (1)
p_clothing_channelclothing: storefront vs checkout (D6)1As a payment option at checkout, online (1)
p_clothing_first_bnplclothing: first-choice BNPL provider31Klarna (8); Affirm (7); PayPal Pay in 4 (7); Afterpay (7); Zip (1); Not sure yet (1)
p_clothing_first_checkoutclothing: first-choice checkout lease provider (D7)1Not sure yet (1)
p_clothing_itemclothing: item within category (D2)32Typed answer; not published
p_clothing_secondaryclothing: secondary category flag16Typed answer; not published
p_furniture_brand_bnplfurniture: BNPL brands considered (multi)29Affirm; Afterpay; Klarna; PayPal Pay in (3); Afterpay (2); PayPal Pay in 4; Afterpay (2); Not sure yet (2); Klarna (2); Affirm; Afterpay (2); PayPal Pay in 4 (1); Affirm; PayPal Pay in 4; Zip (1)
p_furniture_brand_checkoutfurniture: checkout lease brands considered (multi)9Progressive Leasing (2); American First Finance; Progressive Leas (1); Not sure yet (1); Uown Leasing; Progressive Leasing; FlexS (1); Progressive Leasing; Uown Leasing; Snap (1); Acima; Katapult; Progressive Leasing (1); Acima (1); Katapult; Acima (1)
p_furniture_brand_combinedfurniture: brands considered across channels (multi)1Aaron’s; Rent-A-Center (1)
p_furniture_brand_storefrontfurniture: storefront brands considered (multi)5Rent-A-Center; Aaron’s (1); An independent rent-to-own store; Buddy’ (1); Rent-A-Center; An independent rent-to-ow (1); Rent-A-Center (1); Aaron’s; Rent-A-Center; An independent r (1)
p_furniture_budgetfurniture: expected weekly payment band, RTO/lease planners (D3)15$20 to 29 a week (about $80 to 129 a month) (6); $30 to 49 a week (about $130 to 209 a month) (5); $10 to 19 a week (about $40 to 79 a month) (3); $50 or more a week ($210+ a month) (1)
p_furniture_budget_bnplfurniture: expected total item cost band, BNPL planners29$500-$999 (10); $1,000-$1,999 (9); $250-$499 (4); $100-$249 (3); $2,000 or more (3)
p_furniture_channelfurniture: storefront vs checkout (D6)15As a payment option at checkout, online (9); At a store that rents items (like Rent-A (5); Not sure yet (1)
p_furniture_first_bnplfurniture: first-choice BNPL provider29Affirm (9); PayPal Pay in 4 (8); Klarna (6); Afterpay (4); Zip (1); Not sure yet (1)
p_furniture_first_checkoutfurniture: first-choice checkout lease provider (D7)9Snap Finance (2); American First Finance (2); Katapult (1); Not sure yet (1); Progressive Leasing (1); Acima (1); FlexShopper (1)
p_furniture_first_combinedfurniture: first choice across channels1Rent-A-Center (1)
p_furniture_first_storefrontfurniture: first-choice rental store (D7)5Rent-A-Center (3); Aaron’s (2)
p_furniture_itemfurniture: item within category (D2)44Sofa or couch (15); Full living-room set (8); Bedroom set (7); Sectional (6); Recliner or lift chair (4); Mattress or bed frame (2); Dining set or table (1); Not sure yet (1)
p_furniture_secondaryfurniture: secondary category flag19Typed answer; not published
p_gaming_brand_bnplgaming: BNPL brands considered (multi)96PayPal Pay in 4 (8); Affirm; Afterpay; Klarna; PayPal Pay in (7); Affirm (6); Klarna; Affirm (4); Klarna (4); Affirm; Klarna (3); Affirm; PayPal Pay in 4 (3); Afterpay; Affirm (3)
p_gaming_brand_checkoutgaming: checkout lease brands considered (multi)9Acima (2); Progressive Leasing; Acima; American Fir (1); Katapult; Acima (1); Not sure yet (1); Katapult; Not sure yet (1); Snap Finance; Progressive Leasing; Katap (1); Progressive Leasing (1); Snap Finance; Progressive Leasing (1)
p_gaming_brand_combinedgaming: brands considered across channels (multi)4Not sure yet (2); Aaron’s; Acima; American First Finance; (1); Katapult; An independent rent-to-own sto (1)
p_gaming_brand_storefrontgaming: storefront brands considered (multi)9Aaron’s; Rent-A-Center; An independent r (2); Rent-A-Center (2); Buddy’s Home Furnishings; Rent-A-Center (1); An independent rent-to-own store; Rent-A (1); Aaron’s; Rent-A-Center (1); Rent-A-Center; An independent rent-to-ow (1); Rent-A-Center; Aaron’s (1)
p_gaming_budgetgaming: expected weekly payment band, RTO/lease planners (D3)22$30 to 49 a week (about $130 to 209 a month) (7); $20 to 29 a week (about $80 to 129 a month) (6); $10 to 19 a week (about $40 to 79 a month) (5); Under $10 a week (about $40 a month) (2); $50 or more a week ($210+ a month) (1); Not sure (1)
p_gaming_budget_bnplgaming: expected total item cost band, BNPL planners96$500-$999 (46); $250-$499 (23); $1,000-$1,999 (13); $100-$249 (7); Under $100 (4); $2,000 or more (3)
p_gaming_channelgaming: storefront vs checkout (D6)22At a store that rents items (like Rent-A (9); As a payment option at checkout, online (9); Not sure yet (4)
p_gaming_first_bnplgaming: first-choice BNPL provider96PayPal Pay in 4 (32); Affirm (31); Klarna (14); Afterpay (10); Sezzle (5); Zip (3); Not sure yet (1)
p_gaming_first_checkoutgaming: first-choice checkout lease provider (D7)9Progressive Leasing (3); Katapult (3); Acima (2); American First Finance (1)
p_gaming_first_combinedgaming: first choice across channels4Rent-A-Center (2); Not sure yet (1); Katapult (1)
p_gaming_first_storefrontgaming: first-choice rental store (D7)9Rent-A-Center (5); Aaron’s (2); Buddy’s Home Furnishings (1); An independent rent-to-own store (1)
p_gaming_itemgaming: item within category (D2)118PlayStation 5 (39); Nintendo Switch or Switch 2 (24); Gaming PC (desktop) (19); Xbox Series X|S (12); Games or accessories only (no new consol (12); Gaming laptop (7); Not sure yet (3); Gaming PC or laptop (2)
p_gaming_secondarygaming: secondary category flag53Typed answer; not published
p_jewelry_brand_bnpljewelry: BNPL brands considered (multi)20Affirm; Klarna; PayPal Pay in 4 (3); Affirm; Afterpay; Klarna (2); Not sure yet (2); Afterpay; Klarna (2); Klarna; PayPal Pay in 4; Affirm; Afterpa (1); PayPal Pay in 4; Affirm; Afterpay; Klarn (1); Sezzle; Zip (1); Klarna; Affirm; Afterpay; PayPal Pay in (1)
p_jewelry_brand_checkoutjewelry: checkout lease brands considered (multi)2Katapult; Acima (1); FlexShopper; American First Finance; Pro (1)
p_jewelry_brand_storefrontjewelry: storefront brands considered (multi)2Rent-A-Center; Buddy’s Home Furnishings (1); Aaron’s; Rent-A-Center (1)
p_jewelry_budgetjewelry: expected weekly payment band, RTO/lease planners (D3)4$10 to 19 a week (about $40 to 79 a month) (3); $50 or more a week ($210+ a month) (1)
p_jewelry_budget_bnpljewelry: expected total item cost band, BNPL planners20$1,000-$1,999 (5); $250-$499 (3); $500-$999 (3); Under $100 (3); $100-$249 (3); $2,000 or more (2); Not sure (1)
p_jewelry_channeljewelry: storefront vs checkout (D6)4At a store that rents items (like Rent-A (2); As a payment option at checkout, online (2)
p_jewelry_first_bnpljewelry: first-choice BNPL provider20Klarna (8); PayPal Pay in 4 (5); Affirm (2); Not sure yet (2); Afterpay (2); Sezzle (1)
p_jewelry_first_checkoutjewelry: first-choice checkout lease provider (D7)2Katapult (1); American First Finance (1)
p_jewelry_first_storefrontjewelry: first-choice rental store (D7)2Rent-A-Center (2)
p_jewelry_itemjewelry: item within category (D2)24Necklace or bracelet (12); Not sure yet (7); Watch (4); Earrings (1)
p_jewelry_secondaryjewelry: secondary category flag8Typed answer; not published
p_other_brand_bnplother: BNPL brands considered (multi)6Affirm (1); PayPal Pay in 4; Klarna; Afterpay; Affir (1); Affirm; Afterpay (1); Afterpay; Klarna; Affirm (1); Klarna; Affirm; PayPal Pay in 4 (1); Klarna; Afterpay; Affirm (1)
p_other_brand_checkoutother: checkout lease brands considered (multi)2American First Finance; Katapult; Not su (1); Katapult (1)
p_other_brand_storefrontother: storefront brands considered (multi)1Not sure yet (1)
p_other_budgetother: expected weekly payment band, RTO/lease planners (D3)3$20 to 29 a week (about $80 to 129 a month) (2); Under $10 a week (about $40 a month) (1)
p_other_budget_bnplother: expected total item cost band, BNPL planners6Under $100 (3); Not sure (1); $500-$999 (1); $100-$249 (1)
p_other_channelother: storefront vs checkout (D6)3As a payment option at checkout, online (2); At a store that rents items (like Rent-A (1)
p_other_first_bnplother: first-choice BNPL provider6Affirm (2); PayPal Pay in 4 (2); Afterpay (1); Not sure yet (1)
p_other_first_checkoutother: first-choice checkout lease provider (D7)2American First Finance (1); Katapult (1)
p_other_first_storefrontother: first-choice rental store (D7)1Rent-A-Center (1)
p_other_itemother: item within category (D2)9Typed answer; not published
p_other_secondaryother: secondary category flag3Typed answer; not published
p_sheds_brand_bnplsheds: BNPL brands considered (multi)2Affirm; Afterpay; Klarna; PayPal Pay in (1); Affirm; Afterpay; Not sure yet (1)
p_sheds_budget_bnplsheds: expected total item cost band, BNPL planners2$2,000 or more (1); $500-$999 (1)
p_sheds_first_bnplsheds: first-choice BNPL provider2Afterpay (1); Affirm (1)
p_sheds_itemsheds: item within category (D2)2Medium (8-10 ft) (1); Large (10-12 ft) (1)
p_sheds_secondarysheds: secondary category flag2Typed answer; not published
p_tech_brand_bnpltech: BNPL brands considered (multi)57Affirm; Klarna (7); Affirm; Klarna; PayPal Pay in 4 (6); Affirm; Afterpay; Klarna (5); PayPal Pay in 4 (4); PayPal Pay in 4; Afterpay (3); Klarna; PayPal Pay in 4 (3); Affirm (3); PayPal Pay in 4; Affirm; Klarna (2)
p_tech_brand_checkouttech: checkout lease brands considered (multi)10Not sure yet (3); Katapult (2); Acima; FlexShopper; Progressive Leasing; (1); Progressive Leasing (1); Acima (1); Progressive Leasing; FlexShopper; Snap F (1); Progressive Leasing; American First Fina (1)
p_tech_brand_combinedtech: brands considered across channels (multi)1Not sure yet (1)
p_tech_brand_storefronttech: storefront brands considered (multi)4Not sure yet (1); Aaron’s; Rent-A-Center (1); Rent-A-Center; Aaron’s; An independent r (1); Rent-A-Center (1)
p_tech_budgettech: expected weekly payment band, RTO/lease planners (D3)15$20 to 29 a week (about $80 to 129 a month) (7); $30 to 49 a week (about $130 to 209 a month) (4); $50 or more a week ($210+ a month) (2); $10 to 19 a week (about $40 to 79 a month) (2)
p_tech_budget_bnpltech: expected total item cost band, BNPL planners57$1,000-$1,999 (22); $500-$999 (22); $2,000 or more (6); $250-$499 (6); $100-$249 (1)
p_tech_channeltech: storefront vs checkout (D6)15As a payment option at checkout, online (10); At a store that rents items (like Rent-A (4); Not sure yet (1)
p_tech_first_bnpltech: first-choice BNPL provider57Affirm (17); PayPal Pay in 4 (16); Klarna (12); Zip (5); Afterpay (4); Sezzle (2); Not sure yet (1)
p_tech_first_checkouttech: first-choice checkout lease provider (D7)10Katapult (3); Acima (2); Not sure yet (2); FlexShopper (1); Snap Finance (1); Progressive Leasing (1)
p_tech_first_combinedtech: first choice across channels1FlexShopper (1)
p_tech_first_storefronttech: first-choice rental store (D7)4Rent-A-Center (2); Not sure yet (1); Aaron’s (1)
p_tech_itemtech: item within category (D2)72Smartphone (31); Laptop (23); Tablet (9); Desktop computer (7); Not sure yet (2)
p_tech_secondarytech: secondary category flag24Typed answer; not published
p_tires_brand_bnpltires: BNPL brands considered (multi)5Affirm; Afterpay; Klarna; PayPal Pay in (1); Klarna; PayPal Pay in 4; Sezzle; Afterpa (1); Affirm; PayPal Pay in 4 (1); PayPal Pay in 4; Afterpay (1); Affirm (1)
p_tires_brand_checkouttires: checkout lease brands considered (multi)1Katapult; Acima; Progressive Leasing; Uo (1)
p_tires_brand_storefronttires: storefront brands considered (multi)2Rent-A-Center; Aaron’s; Buddy’s Home Fur (1); Rent-A-Center (1)
p_tires_budgettires: expected weekly payment band, RTO/lease planners (D3)3$30 to 49 a week (about $130 to 209 a month) (1); $20 to 29 a week (about $80 to 129 a month) (1); $50 or more a week ($210+ a month) (1)
p_tires_budget_bnpltires: expected total item cost band, BNPL planners5$1,000-$1,999 (2); $500-$999 (2); $250-$499 (1)
p_tires_channeltires: storefront vs checkout (D6)3At a store that rents items (like Rent-A (2); As a payment option at checkout, online (1)
p_tires_first_bnpltires: first-choice BNPL provider5PayPal Pay in 4 (2); Affirm (2); Afterpay (1)
p_tires_first_checkouttires: first-choice checkout lease provider (D7)1Katapult (1)
p_tires_first_storefronttires: first-choice rental store (D7)2Rent-A-Center (2)
p_tires_itemtires: item within category (D2)8Full set of 4 (4); 2 tires (3); Rims or wheels too (1)
p_tires_secondarytires: secondary category flag3Typed answer; not published
p_tools_brand_bnpltools: BNPL brands considered (multi)4Affirm (1); PayPal Pay in 4 (1); Klarna; Affirm; PayPal Pay in 4 (1); PayPal Pay in 4; Klarna; Affirm; Afterpa (1)
p_tools_brand_checkouttools: checkout lease brands considered (multi)1FlexShopper; Katapult; Progressive Leasi (1)
p_tools_brand_combinedtools: brands considered across channels (multi)1Aaron’s; Katapult; Progressive Leasing; (1)
p_tools_budgettools: expected weekly payment band, RTO/lease planners (D3)2Under $10 a week (about $40 a month) (1); $10 to 19 a week (about $40 to 79 a month) (1)
p_tools_budget_bnpltools: expected total item cost band, BNPL planners4$100-$249 (1); $250-$499 (1); $1,000-$1,999 (1); Not sure (1)
p_tools_channeltools: storefront vs checkout (D6)2Not sure yet (1); As a payment option at checkout, online (1)
p_tools_first_bnpltools: first-choice BNPL provider4PayPal Pay in 4 (2); Affirm (1); Not sure yet (1)
p_tools_first_checkouttools: first-choice checkout lease provider (D7)1American First Finance (1)
p_tools_first_combinedtools: first choice across channels1Rent-A-Center (1)
p_tools_itemtools: item within category (D2)6Lawn or garden equipment (2); Power tools (2); Generator (1); Not sure yet (1)
p_tools_secondarytools: secondary category flag1Typed answer; not published
p_toys_brand_bnpltoys: BNPL brands considered (multi)23Not sure yet (3); Affirm; Klarna (2); Afterpay (2); Zip (2); PayPal Pay in 4 (2); Klarna; Affirm (1); Affirm (1); Affirm; Afterpay; PayPal Pay in 4; Zip (1)
p_toys_budget_bnpltoys: expected total item cost band, BNPL planners23$100-$249 (10); $250-$499 (10); Not sure (2); $500-$999 (1)
p_toys_first_bnpltoys: first-choice BNPL provider23Affirm (6); PayPal Pay in 4 (5); Afterpay (4); Sezzle (3); Zip (3); Klarna (1); Not sure yet (1)
p_toys_itemtoys: item within category (D2)23Typed answer; not published
p_toys_secondarytoys: secondary category flag16Typed answer; not published
p_tv_brand_bnpltv: BNPL brands considered (multi)74PayPal Pay in 4 (10); Not sure yet (6); Affirm; Afterpay; Klarna; PayPal Pay in (6); Affirm; Klarna; PayPal Pay in 4 (4); PayPal Pay in 4; Affirm (3); Klarna (2); Affirm; Klarna; Sezzle (2); Klarna; PayPal Pay in 4 (2)
p_tv_brand_checkouttv: checkout lease brands considered (multi)12Not sure yet (3); Acima (1); Katapult; FlexShopper; Progressive Leasi (1); FlexShopper; Not sure yet (1); FlexShopper; Snap Finance; Progressive L (1); Acima; Katapult; American First Finance; (1); Katapult; Acima (1); Progressive Leasing (1)
p_tv_brand_combinedtv: brands considered across channels (multi)3Aaron’s; American First Finance; FlexSho (1); Not sure yet (1); Aaron’s; Rent-A-Center; Snap Finance (1)
p_tv_brand_storefronttv: storefront brands considered (multi)10Rent-A-Center; Aaron’s (3); Rent-A-Center (2); Aaron’s; Rent-A-Center (2); Buddy’s Home Furnishings; Rent-A-Center; (1); An independent rent-to-own store; Not su (1); Rent-A-Center; An independent rent-to-ow (1)
p_tv_budgettv: expected weekly payment band, RTO/lease planners (D3)25$30 to 49 a week (about $130 to 209 a month) (7); $20 to 29 a week (about $80 to 129 a month) (7); $10 to 19 a week (about $40 to 79 a month) (5); Under $10 a week (about $40 a month) (5); Not sure (1)
p_tv_budget_bnpltv: expected total item cost band, BNPL planners74$500-$999 (28); $250-$499 (25); $1,000-$1,999 (15); $100-$249 (3); $2,000 or more (3)
p_tv_channeltv: storefront vs checkout (D6)25As a payment option at checkout, online (12); At a store that rents items (like Rent-A (10); Not sure yet (3)
p_tv_first_bnpltv: first-choice BNPL provider74PayPal Pay in 4 (27); Affirm (19); Klarna (13); Afterpay (9); Zip (3); Not sure yet (2); Sezzle (1)
p_tv_first_checkouttv: first-choice checkout lease provider (D7)12Not sure yet (3); Katapult (2); FlexShopper (2); Acima (2); American First Finance (1); Progressive Leasing (1); Snap Finance (1)
p_tv_first_combinedtv: first choice across channels3Aaron’s (1); Not sure yet (1); Snap Finance (1)
p_tv_first_storefronttv: first-choice rental store (D7)10Rent-A-Center (7); Aaron’s (2); An independent rent-to-own store (1)
p_tv_itemtv: item within category (D2)9958"-65" (31); 43"-55" (30); 70" or larger (22); Sound bar or home theater system (5); Other home electronics (not a TV) (5); Not sure yet (4); Under 43" (2)
p_tv_secondarytv: secondary category flag40Typed answer; not published
q1H1 holiday shopping gate2038Yes (1758); Not sure yet (178); No (102)
q2H5 payment methods planned (multi)1758Cash or debit card (446); Credit card I will pay off right away (331); Cash or debit card; Credit card I will p (138); Cash or debit card; A buy-now-pay-later (91); Credit card I will pay off right away; C (76); Cash or debit card; Credit card I will p (71); Credit card I will pay off over time (70); Cash or debit card; Credit card I will p (46)
trust_factor_primaryprimary trust factor when choosing a store2038Reviews and ratings from other customers (1299); Recommendations from friends or family (217); Clear prices and terms shown up front (196); Already knowing the brand name (143); A recommendation from an AI assistant (l (101); The look and feel of their website (62); Social media (13); Other (7)
yoy_spendH8 spend vs last year (added after wave 1; base 1,669)1669About the same (796); Somewhat more (363); Somewhat less (304); Much less (118); Much more (77); I didn’t shop last year (11)
Sourcing

Where these numbers come from

Every count on VRTO is read from the directory on the date stated, and every survey figure carries its base and its fielding date. The method for each is published, and the files behind it are free to download.

See how we collect data and how rankings work.

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