"Hey dad, I want to watch Dexter's Laboratory...can I borrow a quarter?"

That's the scenario for a UK based Rent to Own company,  appropriately named, "Buy As You View". The company has a 30 year history in the 'coin-meter' (pre-pay) method of retailing.

Pre-Paid TV Formula
The customer chooses a new TV. An employee helps estimate the average weekly television viewing time of the customer. A 'coin-meter' is attached to the TV. The coin-meter controls the electrical supply to the television and regulates the number of viewing hours, which will vary depending on the repayments. The customer pays in advance for the agreed upon number of viewing hours.

The TV will not operate if the number of pre-paid hours is exceeded. The customer can adjust the number of hours by paying a higher or lower weekly rate. Similar methods have been tried in the US for Computers, Appliances, and even Cars with limited success.

The company was founded by Bernard Jones and Gerald Coleman in 1972 and was originally named Bee Gee Domestics. Bee Gee used the coin-meter method for appliances. By 1973, they expanded into Electronics. At that time, they were strictly Rent to Rent.

In 1976, Bee Gee Domestics changed it's name to 'Just Rentals' and expanded their electronics selection. Later that same year, the company took a step backward and decided to focus on standard retail financing.

In 1979, the company formed Dunraven Finance Limited, a finance company used to finance small retail sales at it's outlets.

In 1999 the company changed its name to Buy As You View, to more accurately reflect the nature of the business. In June 1999, Michael Henderson was named

Map

Chief Executive and set his sights on expansion. Buy As You View covers three regions, Northeast, Yorkshire, Midlands, and South Wales. The company plans to achieve total UK coverage within five years.
 

Company Website
www.buyasyouview.com