Rent-to-own News - Moodys Celebrate Anniversary of Premier Rental-Purchase Store in Tuscaloosa.

Chad Moody.

Brothers Chad and Jeffery Moody are celebrating the first anniversary of their second Premier Rental-Purchase store this month in Tuscaloosa, Al. It was always part of the plan to open another store since they debuted in Columbus, Miss. in mid 2008, and according to Jeffery it happened faster than they had anticipated and proved to be the right decision, despite a tricky economy.

“We always intended to open a second store because we knew we wouldn’t be satisfied with just one. When the opportunity arose in Tuscaloosa last year, we got really excited about it. Tuscaloosa is a lot bigger and there is a lot of potential there. Despite the economy, the financing went well and the process went smoothly. We were of course familiar with what to do having opened our first store not too long ago. And we certainly felt supported by Premier as a franchisor. You can’t compare our experience with other dealers who are out there trying to open up as independents.”

Fast Track?Chad’s whole RTO career has been on the fast track.

“When I was starting out, I heard about a new RTO store opening up in town and went by and talked to them. They offered me a job on the spot. I went in as accounts manager, quickly became sales manager and then store manager – all within just eight months of my getting into the industry. My store grew nicely. My secret has always been a commitment to customer service. That has a lot to do with success. As long as I keep customers happy, my business will be good.”

Being an entrepreneur runs in his family and he always expected he would follow tradition. When his little brother Jeffery came to work for him, they began talking about opening an RTO store together as 50/50 partners.

“I filled in on and off for my brother in the store he managed and learned about the RTO industry,” says Jeffery. “Out of college I worked in finance briefly and then was sales rep for a major waste company. But I knew all along that Chad and I would one day own an RTO business.”?

Finding Premier

Chad and Jeffery researched several different RTO franchising companies, both large and small. They specifically wanted a company that provided guidelines to help them out and get them open rather than a set of corporate rules. After all, they were hard core entrepreneurs at heart who just needed some help getting started, help that included getting set up with an SBA loan. They found Premier through a colleague and decided Premier offered the type of support they were looking for.

“As I had thought about different companies and options,” says Chad, “Premier was the best fit." Jeffery adds. “We have so much leeway in what we can do as owner of a Premier business. We can run it the way we want to, buy products we want to, work with our customers the way we want. We are not under corporate limitations. We know what works for us and our business. No one is pointing a finger to tell us what to do. It’s so beneficial to work that way.”

Continuing their trend of moving quickly, they opened their first store and successfully met their six month goal in four month – a good sign they felt. They set high standards and met them, right down to customer service.

“We try to be more personable than our competition,” says Jeffery. “We have more of a one-on-one relationship with our customers and tend to be there to help them rather than push them.”

That extends to their employees.

Secret to Success

Chad adds, “Our success along our RTO journey stems first from treating people right. That is how we can offer a good experience to our employees and that filters through to the customer. We have two other standard procedures in our stores. We always give something away, like a TV. And we always give back to our community. This year we are adopting a family in both Tuscaloosa and Columbus and making sure they have Christmas gifts. That is part of how we do business.”??With two stores open and running, the Moodys have discovered that even as entrepreneurs they appreciate the on-going services Premier is providing.

"Premier has been helpful,” says Chad, citing human resources, insurance, payroll and marketing as important to their individual operation. “When we get a new employee, we can get him in the Premier system and Premier takes care of everything through a paperless “green” system. I like the convenient advertising resources and promotions that come out of Premier Marketing like our recent Holiday Cash Giveaway program. Perhaps the best part of being in business is perpetuating the family legacy of self employment. And building a business together has been especially rewarding for the Moodys. “It pays to treat your brother right," said Chad. “You never know – he might wind up being your partner!”

The national office of Premier Rental-Purchase is located in Williamsburg, Virginia. All Premier stores are independently owned and operated. Visit Premier’s website at www.premierrents.net or call (800) 2-Premier and ask for Trooper Earle.