They aren't "renting" them on purpose - as the article says, most people don't understand that they are signing a lease. In fact the only reason these transact

They aren't "renting" them on purpose - as the article says, most people don't understand that they are signing a lease. In fact the only reason these transactions are structured as leases is to get around usury laws. It is effectively a loan with a very high interest rate - so high that it would be illegal in most states if it were called a "loan".