Easyhome, the nationwide franchise chain with a branch here in Newmarket, is making a pitch for a slice of the Christmas gift market. 
“Make their Season Merry. Find the perfect gift from any store and pay at your own pace.”
Their flyer tells me I can get a HISENSE 50” QLED 4K UHD 60HZ- FIRE TV:
“Yours for only $9.99 per week”
You can get one of these Hisense TVs at Best Buy for $319.99 or from Walmart for $369.99.
Easyhome doesn’t tell you how much the “buy now” price is because, I suppose, they are not in that line of business. They lease so you can own… one day.
The cost of owning the same TV via the easyhome route is $1,558.
But you’ve got to work that out for yourself by combing through the fine print. The lease term for the Hisense TV is 156 weeks.
Of course, not everyone can afford to spend $320 on a Christmas gift. There are thousands of people here in well-off Newmarket who struggle to pay the bills. Easyhome's business model proves the point.
Fine print can be Painful
The small print at the bottom of the leaflet says:
“We know that fine print can be painful, but we believe it’s important for you to have all the facts!”
Easyhome is being economical with the truth. The APR is 29.9% but the painful fine print says:
“The Annual Percentage Rate “APR” of 29.9% is calculated from the cost of the product. The APR is from a representative lease and may not be the same for all advertised merchandise.”
Tantalisingly, the flyer says you can
“Get up to 12 months off your lease”.
But it’s not immediately obvious that doesn’t apply to the TV where the weekly payment is $9.99 and the "12 months off" offer only applies to weekly lease payments of $15.99 a week or more.
"The Term Reduction does not impact scheduled payment amounts, is calculated based on the original term of the new lease agreement and is applied at the end of your lease."
I’m not entirely sure what all that means.
Second Hand
But I do understand easyhome when they say:
“Advertised merchandise may not be exactly as shown. The photographs in this advertisement are representative and may been (sic) enlarged to show detail.”
And, astonishingly,
"Merchandise may be new or previously enjoyed.”
Not to put too fine a point on it, that means second hand.
And once you sign on the dotted line you are on the hook:
“Easyhome cannot accept returns for the product once it has been delivered to you.”
Financial Literacy
The easyhome flyer arrived a couple of days after one from our new Conservative MP, Sandra Cobena, former banker with the TD. She was reminding us that November is “Financial Literacy Month”. She was having a go at Carney and the Liberal Budget.
But, closer to home, what does she think about easyhome?
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Click "Read more" for the fine print
Note 1: Easyhome's "painful fine print" says this if you sign up between November 17-22: 
“No Payments for up to 12 months”. For a limited time customers who are approved and enter into a new lease agreement with easyhome between November 17 and November 22, 2025 may be eligible for a lease term reduction (“Term Reduction Offer”). The Term Reduction does not impact scheduled payment amounts, is calculated based on the original term of the new lease agreement, and is applied at the end of your lease. To be eligible, new lease agreements must have a minimum original term of 78 weeks. Term Reductions: New lease agreements with an original term of 78 weeks will be reduced to by up to three months; 104 week terms by up to six months; and 156 week terms by up to one year. To qualify, the customer must not have delinquency or inactivity on their account. The Term Reduction Offer is nontransferable, nonconvertible, and limited to 1 per customer. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer. Offer valid at participating easyhome locations only. Terms and conditions subject to change, some restrictions may apply. See in store for details. The amount of the term reduction depends on the new lease agreement total term and weekly payment amount. Weekly lease payment must be $15.99 a week or more to qualify. Processing fees must be collected upfront on the new agreement to qualify for this offer. Offer valid at participating easyhome Franchise locations only. Offer excludes products featured in this flyer and “Anything from Anywhere” specialty items like ebikes, airconditioners and BBQs. Some conditions may apply, ask for details.”
It goes on to say:
“Ownership is attained only after all periodic payments have been made or the early purchase option is exercised as provided in the lease agreement. Easyhome cannot accept returns for the product once it has been delivered to you.”
Note 2: The Advertising Standards Complaints Council says this:
Truth. Fairness. Accuracy. The Canadian Code of Advertising Standards (Code) sets the criteria for acceptable advertising in Canada. Created by the advertising industry in 1963 to promote the professional practice of advertising, the Code is the cornerstone of advertising self-regulation in Canada. Administered by Ad Standards, the Code is regularly updated to ensure it is current and contemporary – keeping pace with consumer and societal expectations.
The Code says:
* Advertisements must not contain, or directly or by implication make, inaccurate, deceptive or otherwise misleading claims, statements, illustrations or representations.
* Advertisements must not omit relevant information if the omission results in an advertisement that is deceptive or misleading.
* All pertinent details of an advertisement must be clearly and understandably stated.
* Where price discounts are offered, qualifying statements such as "up to", "XX off", etc., must be in easily readable type, in close proximity to the prices quoted and, where practical, legitimate regular prices must be included.
