Wisconsin approves RTO bill | APRO members take message to Capitol Hill | Conference attendees range in age and nationality | Aaron's National Managers Meeting draws record attendance | JDRF fundraiser cancelled | New ColorTyme franchisees offer hometown hospitality | Speed Queen offers three-year warranty | Rent-A-Center ad campaign urges customers to "Never settle" | Upcoming meetings | APRO membership drive | RTO in the news | Contact APRO

Wisconsin Assembly approves RTO bill
by Ed Winn III
++Wisconsin may be poised to enact rental purchase legislation. Last night the Wisconsin Assembly approved the pending rent-to-own bill by a vote of 55 to 37. The bill has already passed the state senate and is now on its way to the Governor's desk for signing.
++"There were some last-minute amendments proposed and much debate on the floor but, the bill passed and we're excited," says Jeff Lebakken, president of the Wisconsin Rental Dealers Association.
++The governor has 30 days to sign or veto the bill. If he does neither, the bill becomes law and is in effect in 90 days. In a previous administration, a Republican governor vetoed similar RTO legislation during the final days of the legislative session. This time around, there is cause for more optimism, as Governor Doyle, a Democrat, and former attorney general, had indicated that he would sign rental purchase legislation if it got to his desk. Time will tell whether this time is the charm in a state legislature that has been considering rental purchase legislation on and off since 1981.
++If enacted the bill will be the most comprehensive regulation of rental purchase dealers and the RTO transaction anywhere in the country. The bill requires rental dealers to be licensed in the state, like in Oklahoma and Wyoming. There are the usual contractual, advertising and price tag disclosures. There are limits on cash prices and limits on other fees that dealers may charge. The bill has comprehensive debt collection procedures to regulate that end of the transaction.
++Even with all of the disclosures and other limits on dealer behavior, the bill is good news for Wisconsin dealers and for the industry everywhere. Opposition to the industry has been entrenched in Wisconsin and the state has become the focal point for anti-RTO activity. The Wisconsin attorney general has actively opposed the industry's efforts in Washington, D.C. and has appeared at hearings in D.C. to oppose any federal regulation of RTO. In the state, RTO opponents have marshaled labor unions, black churches and others to rally against the industry.
++As one of only three states not to have enacted RTO legislation over the years, the state legislature was clearly out of the mainstream on the RTO issue. It is gratifying to those who have labored under adverse conditions for so long in the state to be close to a well-earned legislative victory.

APRO members take
message to Capitol Hill
++Thirteen years after rent-to-own industry leaders staged their first legislative conference, close to 50 APRO members and rental dealers returned to Washington D.C. on February 28 to share their message of rent-to-own legislation with their federal representatives. This year's legislative conference drew a record number of first-time attendees and increased over 2005.
++"I am delighted with all of the 'new blood' working on APRO's legislative efforts," says APRO Government Affairs Chairman John Raines. "The new participants certainly raised the enthusiasm for the whole group."
++Robert Bloom, CEO of ColorTyme got the 2006 Dave Egan Legislative Conference off to a great start at the general session with a presentation reminding attendees that a positive attitude – believing in self, recognizing opportunities, persistence in focusing on solutions and looking for the good around you — plays a key role in the success of one’s business and in the industry’s goals.
++After the general session, attendees met with each of their representatives and senators on Capitol Hill in individual meetings. Their goal was to share an important rent-to-own message — that a federal rent-to-own transaction definition would benefit small business, the economy and the three million customers who use rent-to-own annually.
++"We had extremely productive meetings on the Hill," says Raines. "Keep your fingers crossed that we will have good news to report later this year."
++After a full day of work, attendees were treated to dinner at Top of the Town in Arlington, Virginia. The restaurant provided a bird’s eye view of D.C.’s monuments and fostered a great deal of discussion about the productiveness of the day’s meetings. Following this networking event, attendees were taken on a “Washington After Dark” tour of famous Capitol sights.
++On March 1, some dealers returned to the Hill to conduct further meetings. In the meantime, a committee met at the hotel to plan the new format of the industry statistical survey. The new survey will provide the most pertinent and usable information for APRO’s members.
++APRO would like to thank Welton USA, Frankel Company, High Touch, M&B Jewelry, RSSS, Whirlpool, and S.E.D. International for their generous sponsorship of the 2006 Dave Egan Legislative Conference. With their support, attendees were able to experience a new and exciting format to the legislative conference.            

Conference attendees range
in age and nationality
++Last week’s legislative conference attendees came from far and wide, but none came quite so far as Stephen Emmer. Emmer is an exchange student from Berlin, Germany, and is the house guest of John Spangle and his wife in Friendswood, Texas. “I wanted Stephen to experience the sights of our nation’s capital as a part of his exchange experience,” says Spangle.
++APRO President Shannon Strunk isn’t wasting any time introducing his and Cynthia’s granddaughter to the legislative process. Two year-old Kaitlyn Wood went with her grandparents and mother, Lauren Wood, to meetings on Capitol Hill.
++“This conference is an excellent time to see the legislative process in action,” says APRO Executive Director Bill Keese. “We are pleased that our members bring their families to experience it.”

Aaron’s National Managers Meeting
draws record attendance
++Aaron Rents announced the successful completion of its largest-ever National Managers Meeting at the renowned Gaylord Opryland Resort, adjacent to the world-famous Grand Ole Opry House. More than 2,000 associates from 46 states, Canada and Puerto Rico gathered to hear Chairman of the Board and CEO Charlie Loudermilk and Aaron’s Sales and Lease Ownership President Ken Butler congratulate them on their achievements during 2005, the company’s 50th and most successful year to date.
++“Our growth and success is a pure testament to the dedication of every one of these Aaron’s associates,” says Butler. “It is amazing to think just how far we have come.”
++In one of the meeting’s highlights Loudermilk outlined the company’s value-based culture, giving special emphasis to those areas on which he declares that no Aaron’s associate should be willing to compromise. “Aaron’s culture will continue to grow and thrive as we focus on the values of integrity, trust, teamwork, accountability, truth and, ultimately, excellence,” says Loudermilk.
++Managers who helped their stores achieve excellence during 2005 were recognized during the awards ceremony. The top two Aaron’s store managers were each rewarded with a 1955 Chevy in honor of their stellar performance during Aaron’s 50th Anniversary year. In addition, several stores achieving benchmarks of $3 million or $2 million in annual revenues were rewarded for their performance.
++Dell Computer was also recognized as Aaron’s Vendor of the Year. In a surprise acceptance speech, Michael Dell, founder and CEO of Dell Computers, addressed the group via video connection.
 ++The company’s Georgia roots were proudly on display as the NFL’s Atlanta Falcon cheerleaders and Atlanta Falcon Head Coach Jim Mora were in attendance. The cheerleaders opened the event and Mora spoke during the general session. Several NFL players were also on hand to thank Aaron’s for their role donating furniture to fill homes for deserving single mothers and their families as part of Atlanta Falcon Warrick Dunn’s Homes for the Holidays charity.

JDRF fundraiser cancelled
 ++The annual South Carolina ColorTyme charity golf tournament to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) has been cancelled. According to fundraiser organizer Bob Kogler, those interested in donating can still send a check that will be presented at the JDRF walk in Florence, South Carolina on April 8. Donations should be made payable to the JDRF and sent to ColorTyme, 938 S. Irby St., Florence, South Carolina 29501.

New ColorTyme franchisees offer hometown hospitality
 ++First-time ColorTyme franchisee Kraig Fussell stayed close to his roots when he opened his first ColorTyme store in Alexandria, Louisiana. In fact, he opened his store in the same shopping center that he’s worked in for the last seven years, remaining nearby many of the customers he’s come to know as friends.
 ++Fussell’s first ColorTyme store opened last fall. “ColorTyme’s franchising system gives me the opportunity to run my store with a touch of southern hospitality: remembering our customers’ birthdays, flexible payment options and custom ordering,” says Fussell.  The Alexandria ColorTyme store also offers custom wheels to his customers along with a variety of lawn tractors.
 ++ColorTyme also welcomes Big House Rentals owner Joe Huck of Greenville, South Carolina. Huck converted his independent rent-to-own store to ColorTyme in October of 2005. Huck hopes to open two to three larger ColorTyme stores and is on track to open the first of those this year. Huck had built a loyal customer base that was accustomed to the personal service at his store: every employee greets each customer, every customer receives a complimentary drink at the store and the walls of his store are covered with photos of his customers when they pay off a purchase.
 ++“The transition to ColorTyme has been so smooth, they’ve really made me feel like they wanted me and my team at Big House Rentals as a part of their organization,” says Huck.

Speed Queen offers
new three-year warranty
 ++While many brands in the appliance industry are shortening their warranties, Speed Queen will bolster its warranty by an additional year. As of March 1, the company extended the commitment to its products by expanding its parts and labor warranty from two to three years.
 ++“The extension of our already strong warranty is testament to the confidence we have in the commercial quality of Speed Queen’s home laundry products,” said Chuck Melton, national sales manager for Speed Queen’s consumer line.
 ++Speed Queen’s three years parts and labor warranty applies to the company’s full line of front-load and top-load washers and dryers.“Speed Queen is all about American-made quality and that means customers don’t have to spend additional money for peace of mind by purchasing an extended warranty from a third party,” says Melton.

Rent-A-Center ad campaign urges customers to "Never settle”
++With names like "Electronics Behaving Badly," "Appliances with Attitude" and "Space: The Final Frontier…or Last Straw?" Rent-A-Center's new TV and radio spots remind consumers that no one should have to settle for second best when it comes to home merchandise.
++"Research told us that many consumers live with things that don't work right, or don't fit their taste anymore, because they don't think they can afford to upgrade or replace them,” says Rent-A-Center Vice President of Marketing Ann Davids. “We want them to know Rent-A-Center is here to help."
++The spots depict everyday situations with light humor; life's little aggravations brought about by ordinary household items that have outlived their usefulness. In one spot, a man attempts to use the icemaker on the door of his old fridge. Instead of getting a glassful, he's met with an avalanche of cubes. The voiceover observes, "Everyday, hardworking Americans are making do…with appliances that don't."
++"After 32 years, RAC enjoys very high brand recognition," says Davids. "It was the next level of communication ─ educating customers about our line-up of new, top-brand name merchandise, and the many services we include in the transaction ─ that was needed."

• TRIB Group Meeting of the Minds, March 8-9, Atlanta, Georgia
• Florida Rental Dealers Association Annual Legislative Meeting, March 14-15, Tallahassee,Florida
• APRO 2006 Mid-Year Conference, March 20-22, Tucson, Arizona
• Texas Association of Rental Agencies Convention and Buying Show, March 25-28, Austin, Texas
• RSSS Users Conference, April 3-6, Corpus Christi, Texas
• Arkansas Rental Dealers Association, April 25-26, Hot Springs, Arkansas
• High Point Furniture Market, April 27-30, High Point, North Carolina
• Click here to view a one-page industry calendar of events

APRO offers half off first-year
membership dues
++Any business owner knows that running a company of any size isn't always easy. For both new business owners and industry veterans, an APRO membership can be the most valuable resource to your business. By becoming a part of the APRO family, you have access to hundreds of rent-to-own resources.
++Just ask APRO member Tom Martin of Tame LLC, dba Aaron's Sales and Lease Ownership in Wichita, Kansas. “I initially joined APRO because I felt we needed a voice in Washington as well as state representation. If we don't stand together we will fall," says Martin. "The main benefit for us is that we found out about Central File and used them for a National Change of Address (NCOA) program. We found a skip in Wisconsin that recovered over $5,000. The cost of the NCOA program was around $600 and the cost of APRO was next to nothing."
++Join APRO now and reap the benefits of membership for 50 percent off your first year’s dues. Call APRO at 800/204-2776, e-mail APRO's Director of Membership Laurie Hill or visit the APRO Web site to find out what membership can do for you.

Visit the APRO Web site or call the APRO office at 800/204-2776.