EXHIBIT 23.1 Consent of Independent Certified Public Accountants We have issued our report, dated February 11, 2002, accompanying the consolidated financial statements and included in the Annual Report of Rent-A-Center, Inc. and Subsidiaries on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001. We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference of said report in the Registration Statements of Rent-A-Center, Inc. and Subsidiaries on Form S-4 (File No. 333-81160), Form S-3 (File No. 333-77985), and on Forms S-8 (File No. 333-62582), (File No. 33-98800), (File No. 333-53471), (File No. 333-66645), (File No. 333-40958) and (File No. 333-32296). GRANT THORNTON LLP Dallas, Texas March 27, 2002