FTC Approves Final Orders Settling Charges that Rent-to-Own Operators Restrained Competition through Reciprocal Purchase Agreements

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved final orders settling charges that rent-to-own operators Aaron’s Inc., Buddy’s Newco, LLC,  and Rent-A-Center, Inc. negotiated and executed reciprocal purchase agreements in violation of federal antitrust law. According to the complaints, which were first announced in February 2020, from June 2015 to May 2018, Aaron’s, Buddy’s, […]

Rent-to-Own Operators Settle Charges that They Restrained Competition through Reciprocal Purchase Agreements

Rent-to-own operators Aaron’s Inc., Buddy’s Newco, LLC, and Rent-A-Center, Inc. have agreed to settle FTC charges that they negotiated and executed reciprocal purchase agreements in violation of federal antitrust law. The complaints allege that from June 2015 to May 2018, Aaron’s, Buddy’s, and Rent-A-Center each entered into anticompetitive reciprocal agreements with each other and other […]