The document discusses hire purchase, a system where a person can purchase an asset by making a down payment and paying the remaining balance in installments. There are typically three parties involved - the seller, a financing company, and the hirer/purchaser. The hirer obtains possession of the asset after the down payment but the seller retains ownership until final payment. The hirer makes installment payments over an agreed period and can own the asset outright after the final installment. If payments are missed, the seller can repossess the asset.