Whether you're a college student, gamer, work-at-home employee or a mom who simply enjoys keeping up with family and friends on social media, you need a high-quality laptop. Dell laptops fit this bill. In fact, the company did quite well in 2020 when it came to sales. According to Statista, Dell Technologies generated $92 billion in revenue in 2020.
Having little to no credit doesn't have to stop you from investing in a Dell laptop, however, as there are several ways you can go about obtaining one.
Rent a Dell Laptop
There are actually several companies that make money by renting electronics and other items to customers. Rentex has a variety of laptops, including Dell. With this company, you simply select the specific Dell model you're interested in renting and click the blue "Request a Quote" button. The laptops are available for rent for as little as one day or as long as 12 months. Rentex will email you a quote in one business day, however, you can call 800-574-1702 for immediate help.
If you're looking for a Dell laptop that you don't have to return, consider going with a company like Rent-A-Center. They let you rent-to-own. It's important to note that you'll end up paying more for the laptop in the long run than if you simply bought it in cash, but it is a viable solution if you don't have the money upfront. Rent-A-Center also has physical stores you can visit, unlike Rentex.
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Put the Laptop on Layaway
Plenty of stores offer layaway options for Dell laptops. Of course, with layaway, you won't actually receive the laptop until you've paid your balance in full. Walmart is an excellent choice for this, and they actually have two options for customers. Layaway itself is available during the holiday season, which typically starts at the end of August and continues through December.
If you're looking to buy outside of these months, you can apply for Walmart's Affirm program, which comes with either a three, six or 12-month repayment plan. There are no fees associated with this program and electronics are one of the eligible categories. You will have to pay interest on the purchase though. Of course, you can always go with Sears or Kmart, as they have year-round layaway options.
Take Out a Personal Loan
If you need a laptop for work or school, consider asking a friend or family member for a loan. They won't require a credit check and they may even provide the funds without charging interest. Before approaching the individual, come up with a payment plan that fits your budget. It would also be a good idea to show the family member your budget so that he or she will see you are serious and capable of repaying the money.
Should you not have any family or friends willing to front you the money, look for a personal loan lender who caters to individuals with bad or no credit. Keep in mind that these loans charge high interest rates, as borrowers are deemed more of a risk. Unless you have a pressing need, it's better to save up the money and purchase the Dell with cash than go with the personal loan.
Read More: How to Buy a Laptop on Installments
Consider a Dell Payment Plan
Go directly to Dell and sign up for their financing program. Pre-qualifying takes just a few minutes and it won't affect your credit score. If approved, you'll be issued a Dell payment plan with 12 months of financing.
If you join the Dell Preferred Account, you'll even get 6 percent back in rewards. Oftentimes, the program features a variety of specials that you can take advantage of, such as $100 off a laptop purchase or 0 percent interest if the loan is paid in full within the first six months.
Read More: Student Grants for Laptops
References
Tips
- Loans that are easy to qualify for usually charge higher interest rates. Shop around to find and compare different interest rates before choosing a loan company.
Writer Bio
Alicia Bodine is a New Jersey-based writer specializing in finance. With more than 13 years of experience, her work has appeared in LendingTree, GoBankingRates, Sapling, Zacks and budgeting.thenest.com.