Teljoy Rent to Own: A Smart Way to Get Appliances Without Debt

When we got married in 2007, my husband and I had nothing. No fridge, no washing machine, not even a toaster to burn our breakfast with. We were starting from scratch, and while we didn’t want to dive into debt, we also weren’t keen on living like we were camping indoors.

Enter: Teljoy! (https://www.teljoy.co.za/) – our unexpected fairy godmother in the world of home appliances.

What is Teljoy?

Teljoy works on a “Rent to Own” basis, which basically means you get to use household appliances, furniture, electronics, and even baby goods on a month-to-month contract. Once the pre-determined rental period (usually three years) is up, you can take full ownership. The best part? You can upgrade, downgrade, or cancel at any time, and Teljoy covers all maintenance, risk cover, and even the TV license if you rent a TV. They also deliver and set everything up at no extra cost – no heavy lifting required (which was great because, let’s be honest, my husband and I were not prepared for appliance wrestling in our tiny first apartment).

Too Good to Be True? Nope!

We tested it out and were pleasantly surprised. Over the years, we’ve rented:

• A fridge (because warm milk is a crime)
• A washing machine (because hand-washing laundry is not romantic)
• A dishwasher (our marriage thanks us for this one)
• A tumble dryer (because winter doesn’t care about your plans)
• A deep freezer (to stockpile frozen pizza, obviously)
• A toaster, microwave, and kettle (because morning survival depends on coffee and toast)

A Little History Lesson

Teljoy has been around since 1969 – before TV even existed in South Africa! Founder Theo Rutstein saw an opportunity and made it happen, installing the first-ever TV set in SA in 1974. Fast forward a few decades, and they now offer a wide range of home essentials, making life easier for people who don’t want to commit to massive purchases upfront. Their goal? To help customers get what they need in a way that’s affordable, flexible, and stress-free.

Our Experience

Over the years, Teljoy’s service has been excellent. They’re reliable, quick to respond, and always willing to fix or replace items if needed. We’ve had:

• Our tumble dryer replaced twice
• Our dishwasher fixed
• Our fridge re-gassed

All at no extra cost. Honestly, knowing that maintenance and insurance were included gave us such peace of mind. Now that we own all our appliances, we don’t pay Teljoy anymore, but if we ever need something new, they’ll be our first stop.

Would I Recommend Teljoy?

Absolutely! If you’re just starting out, need appliances but don’t want to fork out a fortune, or simply love the idea of renting without the risk, Teljoy is a fantastic option. It saved us from debt, helped us furnish our kitchen, and made our home functional from day one.

Now excuse me while I go hug my dishwasher – I really don’t know how we ever lived without it. 😉

Oh, and speaking of kitchen convenience, if you’re looking for an easy way to whip up breakfast in a flash, check out my review on the Mix and Go blender here. It’s been a game-changer for quick and healthy meals!