Progressive Leasing Reviews 

I have been a loyal Guitar Center customer for more than 20 years. In fact, I even helped build the largest Guitar Center in New York City in the early 2000s and worked there briefly afterward. Because of that history, it genuinely pains me to write this.

Unfortunately, the level of customer service I have experienced recently has been some of the worst I have encountered anywhere, and I have been purchasing musical instruments for more than 30 years.

In less than two months, I have had three negative experiences with Guitar Center and two separate issues involving Progressive Leasing.

The first incident involved a rare electronic instrument that I purchased through Guitar Center using Progressive Leasing. Seven hours after completing the purchase, I discovered that the item had been sold to another customer. I had to make several phone calls just to figure out what had happened because I never received the confirmation number or tracking information I had been promised. A Guitar Center representative assured me they would call me back with the tracking number after the online purchase was completed, but I never heard from that person again.

As a result, I lost the opportunity to purchase a very rare instrument due to either carelessness or incompetence. This happened less than two months ago.

Despite that experience, I decided to give Guitar Center another chance. I found an Akai MPC Sample at a local Guitar Center about an hour from my home. The item was advertised and sold to me as brand new, and I paid full retail price for it. However, when I arrived home and opened the box, it was obvious that the unit had already been used.

I do not have a problem purchasing used equipment. I simply expect honesty and transparency when making a purchase. Once again, this was another disappointing experience with Guitar Center.

A few weeks later, I found another rare musical instrument and purchased it through Guitar Center and Progressive Leasing. Nearly a week later, I realized I was dealing with the same Progressive Leasing representative from the first incident, Mike Contreras, who had been argumentative and dismissive during our previous interaction.

Ironically, on the same day I completed a customer survey expressing my dissatisfaction with Progressive Leasing, I received a phone call from Mike Contreras informing me that Guitar Center could no longer sell me the item I had ordered nearly a week earlier. At that point, I had already spent days anticipating its arrival that coming weekend, assuming it was already in transit.

I was then told that the item had suddenly been discovered to be damaged and therefore could not be shipped.

Honestly, I was stunned.

Perhaps the timing was simply a coincidence, but it certainly did not feel that way. After submitting negative feedback regarding my experiences, I suddenly learned that my order would not be fulfilled because the item was supposedly found damaged at the last minute.

At this point, I have experienced three separate incidents with Guitar Center and two with Progressive Leasing in less than two months.

Needless to say, I will never use either company again.

After the first incident, when I lost out on the rare instrument that had been sold to another customer, I even submitted a formal complaint. I never received a response from anyone at Guitar Center headquarters, which speaks volumes in itself. It left me feeling as though customer concerns simply do not matter.

There also appears to be a major disconnect between Guitar Center and Progressive Leasing, and unfortunately, customers are the ones who suffer because of it.

Moving forward, I will continue doing business with companies like Sweetwater, Zzounds, and others where I already have accounts. In all my years dealing with those companies, I have never had a single negative experience.

What is most disappointing is that, after everything I went through, nobody from either company attempted to offer a reasonable solution, alternative, or even a sincere apology.

That says everything.

I will never purchase another item from Guitar Center or through Progressive Leasing again. I would strongly caution anyone considering using Progressive Leasing for a rare or highly sought-after item. If it is something you truly have your heart set on, do not assume you will actually receive it, and do not get your hopes up.

My only problem is that I tried to return the item in mint condition because something had happened and I couldn’t receive a refund on what I already paid. Total bummer.

Progressive Leasing allows up to two agreements. They say they encourage a customer to pay early. I had two such leases/agreements. Always paid on time. Never late. Never took even close to the amount I was approved for. I wanted to get another at a different company and paid off one early. Not within 90 days, but in about 5 months instead of the year they give. I was approved for an amount but when I went to place an order, an error came up. It said something like, couldn't verify payment card. The exact same bank account and debit card I've always used. When I called they didnt know anything and said I could reapply in 30 days. Researching all this, I have found about 12 other people that this same exact thing happened to. Perfect payment history, no change in bank or debit card. But paid early and were then denied another. The 10 other people I spoke to, never paid early, had a few late payments, and after both of their agreements were eventually paid off, they had no problem getting another.

I believe this appears to be deceptive and unfair approval practice by Progressive Leasing. This raises concerns that Progressive Leasing may be internally penalizing customers who pay agreements off early while publicly encouraging early payoff. If true, this would appear misleading and potentially deceptive to consumers. It also raises concerns that the company may be using vague “payment verification” messages instead of transparently disclosing the true reason for denial or restriction. I encourage everyone to Contact the CFPB and report Progressive Leasing.

We used progressive leasing 2 times paid off our lease on time wanted to use it again and now they want a bank statement a copy sss card to review didnt have to that the first time and when I called I could not understand the representative I was talking to so I guess I won't be using again

I have used Progressive Leasing a number of times now and it has always worked very well for me. I currently have a new lease in place and called customer service and unfortunately was connected with somebody offshore. They did not understand what I needed they did not comprehend what I wanted to do and because of that I had to call back and handle it with someone else. I'm not sure if I will use this company again in the future for my needs.

So grateful for progressive they made it possible to get a set of high end brand new washer & dryer on almost no notice & without a huge chunk of money down. The application was straightforward & easy & i got instant notice of approval to shop at Lowe's. My washer & dryer died within a week of each other & at a period in my life where i had already had a few back to back major issues causing financial hiccups. For the amount of money that i was able to scrounge together to try to get a set off marketplace which would've been most likely junk that wouldn't have lasted very long i was instead able to use that as a down payment on a new set with extended warranty & delivery thanks to progressive leasing. While the lease only covered the set itself the down payment was cheap enough that paying out of pocket for the extras was easy. I also very much appreciate the 90 days same as cash option. I have one weekly payment left to pay off my loan without incurring interest or high leasing fees! Customer service was great as well I had one issue with the bank returning one payment & progressive helped me to fix it so i didn't get knocked off of my early payment plan. I love my new washer & dryer & the peace of mind knowing they're covered for 5 years. It was also a huge help that Lowe's included haul away of the old & haul in & installation of the new as we have lots of steps.

Dont do it you will acquire interest fees and late fees bounce fees bad customer service nightmare!

After years of going through Progressive they’re dropping the ball. Why is there no edit phone number in the app. All this validation info and waiting days for approval over a customer who’s been paying off loans for over a decade. Come on, the app is inefficient as their process to changing phone numbers is. It’s ridiculous the process they have for something so simple. Progressive is getting harder to use over the years not easier.

Did the early payment option and they took two payments from us then tells us “congratulations youve paid it off” now next month theyre charging me again saying it was a “failed payment” it wasnt failed when the money came out of my account though. Now trying to charge us 2500$ more. The whole purchase was 1700 and we paid 1700 after the early purchase option but its 2500 more now ?? DO NOT BUY FROM HERE!!

I have used them two times now, and the experience was smooth and top notch. I really appreciated their customer service and I would not hesitate to use them again!

This company is a fraud and will cheat you out of your money! I went to pay the total amount in 90 days and then they said that didn't include the monthly payment and bounced my account - added hundreds of fees to my account and so I paid it off just to cut my losses. Customer service doesn't hardly understand or speak English - they will just out you on hold for 15-20 minutes at a time. They are a cheat and a fraud. Buyer Beware!

Do not do business with them. They are a modern day loan shark and if you don't pay off the product within the early payoff they double the price of it. Also they will block your card and bank account to force you to call in just to pay your bill. This literally happened to me. Their excuse was to not accept my payment method and they removed it from their system. I repeat they are basically trying to scam you. There are numerous reviews of similar things happening on the better Business bureau and they have been sued and forced to pay millions of dollars back to people for fraudulent charges. Do not do business with them.

Looks like they are selling out big time. They have taken away the extension option for 90 day purchases and replaced it with an "early buyout" option (which is more) so they can get more money from the customers who run into a snag. I have paid off countless leases through them with a couple needing an extension for the 90 day option, never had any issues until 2026. It seems like they moved their customer service fully out of the country as well, I used to get people in the US when i called, but now its specifically India every time i call, and its always hard explaining what i need when theres a slight to moderate language barrier.... 2025 progressive wouldve been a 4 star at least, but 2026 progressive? Easily a 1 star, this is no longer the same company, I would assume a big company bought them out.

Smooth approval even without great credit. Easy payments.

I bought an engagement ring and paid it off within 30 days. This was the time frame before high internet rates followed. I paid it off and three months after they emailed me and called me saying I owed them 242.00 dollars still. I sent them all my bank statements proving them I did in fact pay them off. Even after that they are still saying I owe them. Well they want their free interest money and I will not give it to them, so my credit will be ruined.

We've used Progressive Leasing 3 times now and have not had any problems getting approval. We've went to 3 different kind of stores for 3 different products.

I have been a customer of this company for a long time by giving them my business MAN when I tell you that the rules are out of bounds man there’s no way you can satisfy them I’ve sent paperwork after paperwork in pdf they say it’s to blurry I gave photos witch they won’t take now tell me who else would have photos of my information but me from checks to ssn and to my drivers license but none of that isn’t good enough for them makes no sense and it’s absolutely impossible to make them happy so for future reference when using them go through with the application because if you just wanted to how much you are able to get it will kick you out of there system and it will be a nightmare i hate to say it but they are going to lose customers they act like it’s Fort Knox smh 

This company is AMAZING!!! Not only did they approve me to get furniture that would make my house a home, but they were more than willing to work with me when I fell on hard financial times shortly after the purchase. There was no judging by their staff. It was very much, “Okay there’s a problem, how can we work with you to fix it?”

Awesome company and would highly recommend! 10/10

Was in a bind for a new refrigerator. Saw that the offered lease to own option. Man o man! I totally missed the small print were you end up paying twice as much for the merchandise. No thanks!

Very professional and reasonably priced. Sensitive to the needs of others when having financial challenges.