TRDA to host conference at Opryland | Florida committee approves rental theft statute| Wisconsin governor vetoes rent-to-own bill | Teletrack names new president | RSSS Users' Conference flyin' high | Whirlpool/Maytag merger gets go-ahead | DSI Systems reports growth | ColorTyme veterans rebuild after Katrina | Upcoming
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RTOHQ coming April 12!
As of April 12, all traffic to APRO's APROVision Web site will be redirected to the new site, RTOHQ. Please change your bookmarks and check back frequently for news updates.
TRDA to host conference at Opryland
++The Tennessee Rental Dealers Association is inviting fellow Tennessee dealers to the TRDA spring conference on June 8–9 at the renowned Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville. This year’s conference offers educational sessions on keeping businesses compliant with state RTO laws, how to grow store revenues, a legislative update and a new vendor show.
++“We hope Tennessee rental dealers will come to Opryland to enjoy good food, partake of the local entertainment and go home with tools to make their business more profitable,” says TRDA President Larry Goad.
++The Tennessee spring conference is attracting speakers from four states. Conference speakers include Kevin Quinn of Quality Rentals, Mike Tissot of Countryside Rentals, Terry Beville of Buddy's Home Furnishings, Sidney Burton of Hometown Ventures and Ed Winn of APRO.
++"This is a very strong program from a state association," says APRO Executive Director Bill Keese. "The number and quality of TRDA's speakers are comparable to most national-level conferences."
++For registration information, contact Goad by e-mail or at 423/626-8025. Registration is free to TRDA members and guests. Registration for non-members is $100 for the first employee and $50 for each additional employee. Registration ends on May 16. Mail fees to: TRDA, P.O. Box 60, Harrogate, Tennessee 37752. Hotel reservations can be made by calling Opryland Resort at 615/883-2211. Meeting attendees may ask for the X-TNRA block rate of $139.
Florida Senate committee approves
rental theft statute
By Richard May
++The Florida Commerce and Consumer Services Committee unanimously passed Florida Senate Bill 1328, sponsored by, Senator Victor Crist on March 28. The Florida Senate Criminal Justice Committee also unanimously approved the legislation. SB 1328 will now be referred to the full state senate. The bill's companion legislation, HB 73, is moving through the Florida House of Representatives.
++The bill is supported by the Florida Rental Dealers Association and will amend the Florida state rental theft statute, making it easier for rent-to-own dealers to retrieve stolen merchandise. The bill made significant progress last session but died when the session ended. This session, the strategy is to let the bill pass on its own rather than amending it to a larger omnibus bill as happened last session. The Florida state session began on March 7 and will end on May 5.
Wisconsin governor vetoes rent-to-own bill
By Richard May
++On March 30, Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle vetoed SB 268, which would have defined the rent-to-own transaction as a lease, allowing for small rent-to-own business owners to offer the rent-to-own transaction in the traditional manner. The passage would have promoted economic development and competition in a state where the majority of rent-to-own companies vacated due to the hostile legal environment. Please visit WisPolitics.com for more information.
Teletrack names new president
 ++Teletrack Inc. announced that Dale Williams will replace Teletrack founder Dana L. Webster as president on April 3.
++“After a nationwide search for a replacement, I am confident that Dale will be successful in taking Teletrack to the next level,” says Webster. “Dale’s 25 years of experience will result in a number of innovative, customer-focused solutions for the markets we serve.”
++A financial services veteran, Williams previously served as the vice president of collections and recovery solutions at Fair Isaac Corp. Williams also served with Lloyds TSB Bank and Household Finance Corp. in a number of collections, fraud and lending operations management roles. He earned an MBA from the University of Sussex in Brighton, England, and an undergraduate degree from North Gloucestershire College of Technology in Cheltenham, England.
++“I am proud to be given the opportunity to build on the strong foundation and success that Teletrack has today,” says Williams. “Dana’s track record of responding to our changing markets and providing our customers with pioneering solutions will continue to be the mainstay of Teletrack’s mission.”
RSSS Users' Conference flyin’ high
++More than 55 RSSS users turned out for the RSSS 2006 Users’ Conference, Fly High ’06. The conference, hosted at Corpus Christi Town Club in Corpus Christi, Texas, began on April 3 with a golf outing and opening cocktail party.
++"This is the highest attended Users' Conference to date,” says RSSS General Manager Ellison Crider.
++The attendees got down to business on April 4 with an address by High Touch President Wayne Chambers on what the future holds for RSSS and High Touch.
++ “We are focusing on making RSSS and High Touch more customer-centric,” says Chambers. “Our goal is to become a business solutions provider rather than only a software provider.”
++After the session, attendees participated in a vendor networking break where they mingled with RSSS vendor partners to discuss mutually beneficial marketing opportunities. In the afternoon, participants attended user roundtables and seminars on the features of RSSS software. Attendees concluded the day with a dinner and casino night at the Omni, overlooking scenic Corpus Christi Bay. The conference concluded on April 5 with one-on-one appointments with RSSS staff at the company’s offices.
++Fly High ‘06 sponsors include APRO, Benefit Marketing Systems, BrandDirect, High Touch, Rent Direct Nationwide, Retail Up!, Sonicwall and TRIB Group.
Whirlpool / Maytag merger gets go-ahead from U.S. antitrust
 ++Whirlpool Corp. and Maytag Corp. announced on March 29 that they have received clearance from the U.S. Department of Justice to complete their proposed merger. Whirlpool plans to close the transaction as soon as practical, but no later than April 3, 2006.
++“We are pleased with the Department of Justice’s decision and look forward to closing the transaction, and begin the integration of our businesses,” says Jeff M. Fettig, Whirlpool chairman and CEO. “The combination of Whirlpool and Maytag will create substantial benefits for consumers, trade customers and shareholders, through continued development of innovative products, improved quality and service, and cost efficiencies. The Maytag portfolio of brands, when combined with Whirlpool, will enhance our ability to succeed in reaching a broader set of customers, which can benefit from our innovation and efficiencies.”
++“Our merger with Whirlpool provides fair value to Maytag shareholders,” says Ralph Hake, Maytag chairman and CEO. “This transaction will enhance the competitiveness of the Maytag brands with new innovation and greater global reach to a broader base of consumers through Whirlpool’s established sales and manufacturing capabilities.”
DSI Systems reports growth
++APRO member company DSI Systems, a home satellite and appliance distributor, was highlighted on Twice.com's online newsletter on March 27. The company reports more than 300 percent growth in its rent-to-own business since opening the division two years ago. According to the article, “DSI has over 150 account managers across the United States serving the RTO market from 30 sales and warehouse locations. DSI said it supports all major buying groups and offers 98 percent next-day delivery to most areas of the country.”
ColorTyme veterans rebuild after Katrina
++When Hurricane Katrina struck the Louisiana Gulf Coast on August 29, 2005, Tom and Lisa Neyhart not only witnessed the destruction in the region they call home, they also saw two-thirds of their business demolished by the catastrophic New Orleans floods.
++Before Katrina, the Neyharts owned three ColorTyme locations in Louisiana, one each in Baton Rouge, Gretna and New Orleans. The New Orleans store was completely destroyed and deemed a total loss while the Gretna location was damaged badly. Tom was left with only his Baton Rouge store operating.
++The Neyharts’ Gretna location was repaired and reopened in early November. The couple opened a new location to replace their New Orleans store in southern Baton Rouge in December—building on their established presence on the north side of the city and the large influx of people to that area following Katrina.
++“We would love to be able to go back to New Orleans; we’re all locals and our roots are here,” says Tom. “We had such loyal customers and strong relationships in New Orleans.”
++Tom got his start in the rent-to-own industry in 1983, working after school while finishing college. He began working with a ColorTyme franchisee in 1991. By 1993, he was a partner in a franchise and in 1999 he bought the business outright from his partner. Tom built his franchise into the three successful stores by 2005. The Neyharts have been prominent figures in the industry. Tom has served as president of the Louisiana Rental Dealers Association and the New York Rental Dealers Association. He was also a member of the APRO board of directors.
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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.
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