Why is Magic Johnson pitching Jackson Hewitt and Rent-a-Center
Categories: African-American, Business, Featured
Written By: Shawn Williams
It was odd to see Magic Johnson on T.V. selling the virtues of Jackson Hewitt’s Tax Services. Not everyone feels comfortable doing there taxes, so seeking help from a big name company is understandable. But many of the African-Americans that Jackson Hewitt targets don’t realize that the person they are working with isn’t that much more qualified to do their taxes than they are, just in tune with the software.
They’re predatory loan scheme, called Tax Refund Anticipation Loan, is the real problem. This is where Jackson Hewitt takes part of their customers tax refund because they can’t wait to get the check in the mail. Jackson Hewitt -just like pay day loan sharks- are seizing on black folks struggle with delayed gratification.
When I then saw Magic fronting Rent-A-Center, I saw it as a disturbing trend. Mr. Johnson appears in 15-30 second TV and radio spots created by Dallas ad agency Launch. I just found out Rent-A-Center is one of my new neighbors, moving in to a retail spot vacated by Blockbuster some time ago.
“In teaming with Magic Johnson, we have found the ideal partner to help get the word out. He’s living proof of how, with hard work and determination, you can get the best things in life — which is exactly what Rent-A-Center is all about.”
Ann Davids, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer
Check out MagicTricksUs.org
It’s that “best things in life” line that gets me. If you have to use RAC to get the “best things in life” then you don’t need it. And trust me, if it came from RAC, it’s probably not the best. Magic Johnson’s name means too much let these two companies trade off of it.
I didn’t question Magic and his support for Hillary Clinton in the Democratic Primary. But his partnership with Jackson Hewitt and Rent-A-Center is troubling to say the least. Teaming the Magic brand that we’ve trusted for so long (Starbucks, Movie theaters, etc.) with those that take advantage of our community is a bad mix. Magic is better than that.
Here are some customer experiences from Rent-A-Center at ConsumerAffairs.com
- Lashelle of Va Beach VA (04/02/09) This place is a joke. They promise one thing and then call you a lair when you ask them about it. I got an X-box from them that didn’t have the right pieces and when I went to return it and get my money back like I was told many times wouldn’t be a problem they just kept saying that I was wrong. They even came right out and said that I was lying. They are disrespectful and rude. I will never do business with them again and if you want to get what you pay for you wouldn’t either
They are stealing peoples money!
- Michael of Los Angeles CA (03/31/09)
Well my wife went in to exchange a laptop to upgrade for a different one, she was told many times to come on in and that she could apply the balance she has paid towards a more expensive one, to which we agreed, shen she got there after 1 hour they tell her they could not we would have to start all over again and that they would not apply a penny towards the new laptop.they have done this too us several times in the past. we originally purchased it thru AArons to whom they own and changed name to RAC- i know many many people who have been ripped off from RAC so my wife left the laptop there after having paid 80% of the exaggerated purchase price.
Lost $800.00
- Shane of Costa Mesa CA (03/24/09)
I had the worst experience that I ever had with a company. They were not true to their word and shuffled me around. After signing the terms of agreement and took my money they went back on their word. They were mismanaged, had bad communication, and would not return my calls. They made me wait all day for nothing. They did not do their research and once it they arrived, they were confused and no idea of my adress. I was a monstrosity, and I would definitely tell people not to do buisness with them or give them money.
April 21st, 2009 at 7:23 pm
I had the same concerns when I heard the commericals on the radio. Too often people will lend their name to promote a product or company without doing the research to see how that company or product effects the community it targets. Many rent-a-car style places exploit lower socioeconomic communities with higher fees, hidden costs for those without credit cards.
April 23rd, 2009 at 12:33 pm
This is not the first time Magic Johnson has made me raise an eyebrow. He’s a good guy and an early sports hero to me–and an icon in the community(s) doing some very good works —but he’s very capable of talking outta both sides of his mouth as anyone who recalls his long ago interviews when he first was diagnosed with HIV might recognize.
Per these commericials: He’d have to be more clueless than a Park Cities trophy wife to not know how low places like RAC go to make the unaffordable REALLY unaffordable. It’s the 2009 version of being a sharecropper. I won’t even talk about the refund loans. That’s payday loan sharking’s half sister.
May 2nd, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Majic j u is a joke how can u support Rac when they put must Rac in the Black community to Ripp People especially senior citzens and Rac hike your Bill up am so disapointed in Magic J for representing this company they ripp people off in the Black community Magic you ought to be a shame of your self. MARK SPESSE IS A RIPP OFF I KNOW ALL ABOUT RAC I WORK FOR THE COMPANY FOR FIVE YEARS AND THEY DID ME SO BOLD AM THINKING ABOUT GETIING A LAWYER ON THEM FOR ETICS VIOLATION. AND OTHERS THINGS THAT COMPANY HAS DONE TO THERE EMPLOYEES JUST AS WELL AS THERE CUTOMERS AND RAC NEEED TO BE EXPOSE FOR ALL THERE WRONG DOING AND MAGIC J YOU WITH THIS KIND OF ACTIVITY YOU MUST BE A MONEY HUNGRY MAN TO REPRESENT A COMPANY LIKE RAC. I KNOW A CUSTOMER PAID 8,000 DOLLARS FOR A 54″ INCH TV WHEN THE RV ON THE TV 0 THE TV HAD BEEN PAID OFF,BUT RAC CENTER WAS STILL COLLECTING MONEY OFF THIS TV THE TV WAS PAID OVER 6 TIMES AND EVERYTIME SHE MISS A PAYMENT RAC THREATED TO PICK THE TV UP AFTER CUSTOMER PAID ALMOST 8,000 DOLLARS. 45% GOES TOWARD RAC, IF YOUR BILL $34.04 A WEEK 45% GOES TOWARD RAC AND THE REST TOWARD YOUR MERCHANDISE WE HARASS PEOPLE WENT TO PEOPLE JOBS CAUSING PROBLEM WITH THE CUSTOMER AND THER BOSS BECAUSE WE WAS TOLD TO DO THAT OR WE WOULD HAVE LOSS OUR JOBS THEY WANTED EVERYBODY TO KISS THERE ASS TO KEEP THERE JOBS, THAT MARKET MANAGERS,REGIONAL,MANAGERS. ANY AND EVERYBODY THAT WORK FOR RAC SHE FILED A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST RAC,THEY DO NOT TREAT THEY EMPLOYEES RIGHT AM A PROVEN WITNESS ASK ANYTHING I WILL TELL YOU HOW WE WAS TAUGHT TO RIPP PEOPLE OFF. WHEN A CUSTOMER THINK THEY GETTING A PILLOW TOP THEY GETTING A RECOVER MATTRESS THAT WE TAKE OFF THE OLD AND PUT A ZIP PILLOW TOP BACK ON IT AND CHARGE THE CUSTOMER LIKE $1500 FOR SOMETHING THAT BEEN IN ANOTHER CUSTOMERS HOME IF NO STAINS ITS GOOD TO GO WE DO’NT HAVE TO CHANGE THE MATTRESS COVER. REMIND U WHEN A CUSTOMER PAY ON MERCHANDISE THE RV ON THE MERCHADISE GOES DOWN. RAC MAY HAVE A USE TV ON THE FLOOR AND THE RV ON TV IS $100 DOLLARS THATS ALL RAC OWE ON THE TV AND RAC WILL SELL THAT TV TO A CUSTOMER FOR ABOUT $1000.
July 27th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
I just saw the commercial and I think this is ridiculous. RAC is a scam and so is Jackson Hewitt as far as I am concerned. I have a finance degree and both of those places are not a smart decision.
Its sad because I love Magic. I am a huge sports fan. It is what it is because at the end of the day it is just business. However if you were a friend of mine or even a casual acquaintance I would tell you to stay clear of both.
Magic is doing what probably anyone would do which is rationalizing selling the product based on the money they are paying him. It happens and no one is perfect. its very sad but RAC is how the rich get richer and the poor stay poor. Magic seems to top notch of a guy to endorse those companies.
DONT GO TO RAC, you will pay 10 dollarss a month for 5 years for a 250 dollar ipod. DONT GO TO JACKSON HEWITT, your basically going to Amscot which is bad to and letting someone who isnt a cpa do a horrible job on your tax return.
August 27th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Magic has lost a lot of credibility, doing these rent a center ads. You think, “renting” a
house full of stuff is really the way to go, Magic?
August 31st, 2009 at 11:32 am
Good Afternoon:
Today I am filing an official complaint with BBB.Org in reference to deal with:
Rent-A-Center718-590-0510
220 E 161st St # 68, Bronx, NY
I have been a consumer for over 2 years with this company. Recently in May 8 2009. I had lost my employment. I am now working part-time. I have managed to keep my account up until now. I am 2 weeks late and on Friday after numerous calls being made to me I responded and spoke with Mr Rodriquez…he told me that he had been trying to get in touch with me a few times…well, I had been contacted prior and told RAC that I would have the payment in on past Sat 08/29/2009. Evidently no notes were placed on my account because I had made arrangements earlier…Mr Rodriguez checked and told me himself no remarks were added to my account… needless to say my brother Ricardo who is in the service called and spoke with someone who told him they could not take the payment over the phone via ccard and that he would have to come in person…he is in Tennesee…mind you, my daughter has called numerous times to make my payments until I am back full time at work. She called them and they told her the same…she works for Chase in Jacksonville, Fl and has proof of her payments on her statements and cannot understand this new tactic. She told them and asked them are they refusing payment? They could not answer. She has given them her contact number to call since the payments are made by her. They continue to harass me nonstop and whomever answers the phone talks to me as if I am a non entity.This is unacceptable. I may owe $25 left on my dinette, 600-bedroom set, 300-couch. I have no intention on absconding. I am and have always been a hardworking person. I have worked the past 9 years with The Practising Law Institute and when I called them, they had never heard of such a thing. I am tired of being treated like a criminal and want a resolution. My family is working with me to send payments into this so called business….there are no statements mailed to me….only threatening calls….I have been told on numerous occasions to ask my family to help! That is none of their business as long as the bill is paid! I feel as if I am being hunted by the Sopranos. I need reasonable customer service…..which is not supplied always by this company. Magic Johnson is a partner in this business. I am sure he does not know of these practices…..
January 29th, 2010 at 10:45 am
It is a rip off, I was wondering why is magic Johnson advertising for these rip off companies.He is not helping the african americans.My advice to everyone is wait or save to get it .
March 9th, 2010 at 6:42 pm
Magic Johnson should be pushing condoms, not dicking the poor.
April 29th, 2010 at 3:45 pm
I, too, was both puzzled and extremely disappointed to see Earvin Johnson serving as a spokesperson for Rent-A-Center. I wasn’t aware that he was also representing Jackson-Hewitt; that’s even more depressing. I remain an admirer of Johnson’s success as an entrepreneur, but confused about how he can see his association with these exploitative brands as a positive for either his name or his community.