By Roy Griffaw
President
RTO Online

Update: See Steve Tripoli's response to our story here

Update: See reader responses here

The National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) published a misleading report Tuesday entitled "In Harm’s Way – At Home: Consumer Scams and the Direct Targeting of America’s Military and Veterans". The report attempts to link the Rent to Own industry with Pay-Day lending/Cash Advance and claims military personnel are "ripe targets for consumer predators" like the rent to own industry.

The NCLC held a press conference on Tuesday at the National Press Club in Washington DC to announce the release of the report. The press conference was picked up by AP, and subsequently repeated as 'news' on at least 40 TV stations and hundreds of newspapers around the country.

The report lists the Rent to Own industry prominently on page 1 as an example of "consumer unfriendly" businesses that surround military bases. The report specifically targets 'Everybody Rents', a rent to own store located near Kings Bay Naval Base. An exterior shot of Everybody Rents is printed in the report.

RTO Online has learned that no one from NCLC, including the supposed author of the report, contacted any staff or management of Everybody Rents or, as far as we can determine, any other rental purchase company to conduct research.

No evidence whatsoever is offered in the entire 67 page report to support the outrageous allegation that the Rent to Own industry in general, or Everybody Rents specifically, preys upon military families or anyone else.

Had NCLC Staffer Steve Tripoli, author of the report, bothered to actually research the story, he would have quickly learned that Everybody Rents is owned by retired military man Craig Boully. Craig was assigned to special forces, stationed at Fort Bragg. He served his country with distinction in both Granada and Panama. His dedication to those who he describes as "brothers" in the military is unquestioned in his community. Prior to opening Everybody Rents, Craig was Vice President Operations at Buddy's Home Furnishings.

"The rent to own transaction is perfect for military people", says Mr. Boully. "I've lived it, I've been there, I dealt with rental stores when I was in the military". He adds, "A soldier may be stationed at a base for two years, but he can get orders at any time sending him around the world. With rent to own, he has no obligation and can return the furniture with a phone call. That option is not available with traditional retailers."

RTO Online interviewed the reports 'Principal Author', Steve Tripoli, a former NPR reporter with 27 years journalism experience, including a stint at the LA Times. I found him, at best evasive, at worst ignorant of the report that bears his name. It was obvious to this reporter that Mr. Tripoli prefers blind acceptance as opposed to honest questions.

Mr. Tripoli refused to answer questions regarding how much, if any, original reporting he contributed to this report. I can only assume that the NCLC simply attached Mr. Tripoli's name as the principal author, trotted him and his NPR/LA Times credentials in front of the cameras to lend gravitas to an otherwise lame regurgitation of PIRG propaganda.

Excerpts from our interview with Steve Tripoli, NCLC...

RTO Online: Were you aware that the owner of Everybody Rents is retired military?

Steve Tripoli: I wasn't aware of it

RTO Online: Were you aware that Everybody Rents is listed by the Kings Bay Naval Base as a "Preferred Provider" of rental furniture?

Steve Tripoli: I...I...I...I'm going to stop commenting at this point.

RTO Online: Were you aware that Everybody Rents defers rental payments for sailors when they are at sea?

Steve Tripoli: I think...I...I think you need to speak to the director of this organization...alright...and...uh...I think what we have to say about rent to own is in the report.

RTO Online: Did you research the story?

Steve Tripoli: [no response]

RTO Online: Did you contribute any original reporting to the story?

Steve Tripoli: ...There's tons of original reporting in there...

RTO Online: Did YOU contribute any original reporting to the story?

Steve Tripoli: [no response]

RTO Online: Would you like to actually speak to Mr. Craig Boully, the owner of Everybody Rents?

Steve Tripoli: [click]...bzzzzz

Like the famous outdated 'Attorney Generals Letter', one can close ones eyes and picture Maxine Waters waving this report in the air during the upcoming debate in the House.

In these days of cut-n-paste journalism, any hack with 'Consumer Advocate' on their resume is endowed with instant credibility by otherwise reputable news organizations that repeat the tripe like it was carved in stone tablets.

Note to Jayson Blair...Don't give up hope, you too can be a consumer advocate.