Dosh dilemma – Karen’s rent-a-gadget regret

Karen landed her dream remote job. But there was problem - she needed a laptop, and fast.

She searched for rental options online and found a professional-looking site offering laptop rentals from just £30 a month.

The company looked legit, promised quick delivery and didn’t ask for a credit check.

But several months later, Karen started to notice a few red flags.

• Her total payments had already reached £120, not far off the laptop’s retail price.
• Hidden in the small print was a minimum rental term of 18 months, pushing the total cost to £630.
• Additionally, optional ‘cover’ for breakdowns and theft had been added automatically, at £4.99 a week.
• Cancelling early meant paying a large exit fee.

Karen wants to know if she has any rights.

Check the contract

In situations like these, always go back to the rental agreement and check for key terms like:

• total repayment amount
• minimum term
• cancellation policy
• add-ons (insurance, warranty, etc.)

If these weren’t made clear, you may have grounds for complaint under consumer protection law.

Challenge misleading practices

If fees were hidden or ‘optional extras’ were automatically added, Karen can:

• Complain directly to the company in writing.
• If unresolved, escalate the complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service or Trading Standards.

Alternative ways to access affordable technology

If buying brand-new tech isn’t an option, there are other cost-effective routes that might suit your needs.

• Buy refurbished devices – trusted sellers often offer refurbished laptops, tablets, and phones at up to 50% less than the price of new models, with warranties included in many cases.
• Look into local support schemes – many local councils and charities provide digital inclusion grants or access to low-cost or donated devices to help individuals get connected.
• Explore support from national organisations – The Good Things Foundation partners with thousands of community organisations across the UK to offer support through the National Databank, which provides free mobile data, devices and digital skills training to those in need.