The prices they are offering for the games can really not be called "next to nothing". Close to $200 for Mega Man 7, so, should they buy to rent them, the risk of people just keeping the games instead of returning them seem insanely high.
I really have no idea what's going on, but I'm intrigued as all hell. I'll try to ask in the store when I'm back there, though I'll probably not get an answer.