[oldbrowser]

offering a widening spectrum of payment plans that ultimately cost far more and add to the burdens of life on the economy’s fringes

The cost is not because they are poor.
The cost is based on the fact that on average most of the purchase agreements will never be fulfilled by the customer. They will make a few payments, ruin the furniture, or sell it at a yard sale, and then quit making the payments.
Many of those that do pay require constant reminders of past due payments, and then there is always losses due to repossession of damaged furniture.

Customers that establish a good payment history are quickly granted credit at regular retail stores.

[cuban leaf]

Yep. I would never buy a used car at a place that said bad credit is no problem. It mens the prices are way too high.