Rent-to-Own

House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) announced the new leadership team elected by House Republicans Wednesday, according to the Republican Leader Press Office.

Boehner was recently re-elected to his party’s top post in the House during House Republican Conference organizational meetings for the 111th Congress and will now face a Democratic White House and a dramatically strengthened Democratic House majority.

"The months ahead will present Republicans with an unprecedented opportunity to renew our drive for smaller, more accountable government and offer positive solutions to the challenges facing the American people," Boehner said. "House Republicans will rebuild our majority coalition by winning the issues that Americans care about most."

House Republicans elected the seven leaders Wednesday. The top three posts are held by congressmen who voted in favor of industry supported legislation in 2002, including Boehner, Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) and Mike Pence (R-IN).

Boehner was also a former co-sponsor of rent-to-own legislation.

The full list of the newly elected Republican leadership team is as follows: 

*    Republican Leader:  Rep. John Boehner (R-OH)
*    Republican Whip:  Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA)
*    Conference Chairman:  Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN)
*    Policy Committee Chairman:  Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI)
*    Conference Vice-Chair:  Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA)
*    Conference Secretary:  Rep. John Carter (R-TX)
*    NRCC Chairman:  Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX)

Republican Senate leaders were elected Tuesday, with Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) elected Republican Senate Leader. Current Senate co-sponsor John Thune (R-S.D.) was elected National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman.

“We’ve assembled a great team which stands ready to protect American taxpayers by cutting spending, paying down the national debt, and moving our nation toward energy independence,” said Senator McConnell.  “We are eager to work with our Democrat colleagues to forge bipartisan agreements and implement real legislative accomplishments.”

The full list of the Republican Senate Leadership team is as follows:

*   Republican Leader, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.)
*   Republican Whip, Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.)
*   Republican Conference Chair, Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.)
*   Republican Policy Committee Chairman, Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.)
*   Republican Conference Vice Chair, John Thune (R-S.D.)
*   National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman, John Cornyn (R-Texas)

mevans@rtohq.org

In the spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday and to continue the Company’s Random Act of Caring community initiative, Rent-A-Center, based in Plano, Texas, teamed-up with Olean Mayor David Carucci today to help ease some of the pain of families in the Greater Olean, New York area that have been affected by the current economic upheaval.

In efforts to make sure all families have the opportunity to have a festive Thanksgiving Day dinner in the comforts of their own home, Rent-A-Center employees handed out 14-16 pound family turkeys and $25 food gift cards redeemable at Tops Markets to 150 area families.

Mayor Carucci, along with Common Council members Jim Finch, Linda Edstrom and Rick Smith.  Families were selected from various sources so that those in greatest need would be touched by Rent-A-Center’s Random Act of Caring and have the chance to enjoy a safe holiday at home with their loved ones.

“I am very glad to help with this project,” Mayor Carucci said.  “It is so important for families to be together during the holidays and I am honored that I can help make that possible.   I offer many thanks to Rent-A-Center for choosing Olean for their ‘Random Act of Caring’ event.  I know these residents greatly appreciate this assistance and it is a pleasure to be a part of this event.”

Every day we help people with multiple needs, but with limited resources, build a better life for themselves,” said Evan Manley, regional director for Rent-A-Center.  “We wanted a community initiative that helped those less fortunate in the Olean community have a pleasant Thanksgiving Day, as well as remaining in the spirit of our ‘Random Acts of Caring’ initiative.  This corporate initiative lets us surprise people, who weren’t expecting the day to be any different from any other day, with something that instantly enhances their lives because someone cares.”

Rent-A-Center’s entire business model is built on showing respect to people who don’t always receive the respect they deserve.  The company’s Random Acts of Caring initiative is now broadening that ideal beyond the doors of Rent-A-Center’s two stores in Olean and more than 170 stores throughout New York.

This is Rent-A-Center’s 10th “Random Act of Caring,” having launched the statewide initiative 10 months ago.  Among the Random Acts include…

•    In February, Rent-A-Center coworkers went door-to-door in Elmira, N.Y., providing 400 families with $50 credits on their home heating bills.

•    In March, Rent-A-Center coworkers handed out 10,000 RGRTA Freedom Passes in Rochester, N.Y., to assist individuals and community groups with mass transportation needs. 

•    In April, Rent-A-Center coworkers provided $30 gas gift cards to several hundred community volunteers in Albany, Schenectady and Troy, N.Y., to say “thank you” during National Volunteer Appreciation Week.

•    In May, Rent-A-Center coworkers provided furnishing makeovers for three nurses’ lounges at Harlem Hospital Center in honor of National Nurses’ Appreciation Day.  The company also provided meals for the nursing staff.

•    In June, Rent-A-Center coworkers turned Friday the 13th into a lucky day for 1,000 Brooklynites who each received two tickets to a Brooklyn Cyclones game, and donated $1,300 to Camp Brooklyn to help sponsor camp attendees.

•    In July, Rent-A-Center coworkers hosted a group of underprivileged young people from the Syracuse Southwest Community Center for a night at the ball park, including a picnic dinner, Sky Chiefs baseball game and fireworks display.

•    In August, Rent-A-Center coworkers ensured that 120 nursing students – all students with a declared nursing major – at Clinton Community College in Plattsburgh received a $100 textbook credit to help off-set the high cost of textbooks.

•    In September, Rent-A-Center gave the Mayor of Buffalo $21,000 in scholarships and book gift card to be presented to students that participated in his Reading Rules! 2008 Kids Summer Reading Challenge.  The company also donated $10,000 to eight Buffalo library branches to purchase financial literacy materials and to provide financial counseling programs.

•    In October as a “thank you” to New York’s “Bravest” for the work they perform each and everyday, Rent-A-Center co-workers from Staten Island delivered new furniture and other furnishings to three FDNY Staten Island firehouses, all in an effort to help improve the living quarters at these three busy Staten Island firehouses.  Also a part of Rent-A-Center’s give-back to the FDNY, representatives presented a $5,000 check to the FDNY Foundation to assist the non-profit organization in carrying out its critical life-saving work of the FDNY.

In 2008, Rent-A-Center has dispatched coworkers to at least one community in the state to surprise people with something unexpected to brighten their day.   Random will be the key word in the Random Acts of Caring initiative because no one will know when, where or how Rent-A-Center will make a difference in a deserving group of people’s lives. 

Big city or small town; up in the Adirondacks or down by the shores of Lake Erie; knocking on someone’s door on a cold winter morning or having a presence at a summertime street festival – a Random Act of Caring could happen anywhere, anytime in New York State.

“This is a fun, creative and, most importantly, useful way to say ‘thank you’ to the many communities where we serve residential and business customers,” said Mark Speese, Rent-A-Center’s chairman and chief executive officer.  “And for our coworkers who understand and champion the importance of a mutually beneficial relationship with these very same communities, this is a great opportunity to walk the talk.”

Beyond Random Acts of Caring, Rent-A-Center continues its annual nationwide financial support for fighting hunger, providing positive role models for youngsters, giving boys and girls productive places to spend their free time and supporting financial literacy education programs. The company also has an annual program that awards $50,000 in scholarships to customers and coworkers.

In New York, Rent-A-Center operates 178 stores including two in Olean.  The company also operates a national product service center in Liverpool, where a team of specially trained technicians services merchandise on rent.

Rent-A-Center (NASDAQ: RCII), headquartered in Plano, Texas, operates more than 3,000 stores in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada with a focus on home furnishings and financial services.  The Company employs more than 18,900.

mevans@rtohq.org

RimTyme opens Plano store with salute to Iraq Veteran

Former U.S. Marine and Iraq War Veteran Adam Earls (center) with RimTyme Plano Store Manager Cain Maxwell (left) and RimTyme VP of Operations Tim Hogan (right).

It takes vision, intelligence and a healthy dose of moxie to succeed in the highly competitive wheel and tire game.

This Saturday, RimTyme Custom Wheels and Tires will show it has all that and plenty of heart as well.

That’s when the company will celebrate opening its 19th RimTyme location — 12 franchise plus seven corporate stores — in Plano, Texas, taking advantage of a key demographic area and using the occasion to honor local Marine Adam Earls, 26, a decorated two tour Iraq War Veteran.

RimTyme will present Earls — who served in both the initial 2003 invasion and the battle of Falujah — with a full set of 20 inch chrome wheels and Nitto tires during ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremonies that will officially launch the new 5,600 square foot store.

Read More.

Former U.S. Marine and Iraq War Veteran Adam Earls (center) with RimTyme Plano Store Manager Cain Maxwell (left) and RimTyme VP of Operations Tim Hogan (right).

It takes vision, intelligence and a healthy dose of moxie to succeed in the highly competitive wheel and tire game.

This Saturday, RimTyme Custom Wheels and Tires  will show it has all that and plenty of heart as well.

That’s when the company will celebrate opening its 19th RimTyme location — 12 franchise plus seven corporate stores — in Plano, Texas, taking advantage of a key demographic area and using the occasion to honor local Marine Adam Earls, 26, a two tour Iraq War Veteran.

RimTyme will present Earls — who served in both the initial 2003 Iraq invasion and the battle of Fallujah — with a full set of 20-inch chrome wheels and Nitto tires during ribbon-cutting and grand opening ceremonies that will officially launch the new 5,600 square foot store.

Earls was selected for the prize by the Collin County Veterans Services office, and Earls said the new treads couldn’t have come along at a better time.

A week before he was notified of the gift, his wife, Nichole, had a blowout in the family’s 2006 Chevy Trailblazer. The vehicle was due for new wheels, and the Earls were due for a major expense.

"When I first got this car I thought a set of rims would really make it," Earls said. "I’m extremely grateful for this gift from RimTyme, especially this year when Iraq is going successfully yet it’s disappeared from the news. When someone goes out of their way to recognize a veteran, it means a lot, it truly does."

In addition to his Iraq service, Earls also served in humanitarian-assistance and civilian-evacuation missions during the Liberian Civil War.  He’s received numerous military awards including the Combat Action Ribbon, Iraq Campaign Medal and National Defense Medal.

Earls left the Marine Corps in 2005 and has served as a police officer with the Dallas and Plano Police Departments. He plans to return to college and continue his career in law enforcement.

He is the father of three children; son, Bryce, 6, and daughters, Caelyn, 2, and Addison, 6 months. He looks forward to retelling the story of how he got his new wheels during his various holiday travels when he plans to show them off to relatives.

The new RimTyme location is ideal, said Tim Hogan, vice president of operations for RimTyme during the recent "RimTyme Rally"  at the company’s corporate headquarters, also in Plano.

Hogan said the opportunity to give back to the community in conjunction with the new store opening was one RimTyme could not pass up.

"We have a quarter of a million people in a five-mile radius that fit our target demographic here in Plano," Hogan said. "At the same time you have to remember that we’re very much a neighborhood business. We’re now a part of this community. What better person to pay tribute to than to honor a local veteran who has put his life on the line for our country."

Hogan said the current economic downturn has not directly impacted business, though RimTyme does anticipate growth in sales of smaller wheel lines as well as in the “monster” 24 inch size.

The new Plano RimTyme store stocks more than 300 tires in sizes from 16- to 24-inches and carries 120 styles of rims ready for mounting. Major brands include ATD, Wheel Pros, American Eagle, TNT and Custom Wheels Unlimited.

Plano RimTyme store manager Cain Maxwell said that RimTyme will prove even more valuable to consumers as the economy continues to stagger and the retail chains of Firestone, Discount Tire, Goodyear and National Tire and Battery become stingier with their financing.

With no credit check, 90-days-same-as-cash and other flexible payment options, RimTyme is poised to offer an alternative financing tool for consumers who want high-quality wheels and tires.

"People do not always have all the money up-front or a credit score high enough to just say ‘charge it.’ RimTyme gives them another option," Maxwell said.

Maxwell said he’s receiving positive feedback from the community and is hoping to fill up the parking lot at the grand opening this weekend, which will feature a cookout and a high-end car show, merchandise drawings and other events.

RimTyme currently has locations in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Oklahoma and Kentucky. Two additional stores are under construction and will open in Houston by year’s end.

RimTyme is the custom wheel and tire brand of ColorTyme. Both companies are independently subsidiaries of the world’s largest rent-to-own company, Rent-A-Center.

mevans@rtohq.org

Sen. Ted Stevens, the longest serving Republican in Senate history, narrowly lost his re-election bid Tuesday, according to the AP. His defeat by Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich moves Senate Democrats one step closer to a filibuster-proof 60-seat majority in Congress.

A recount is possible, but should Begich hold on his victory raises Democrats’ Senate majority to 58 seats, with races in Georgia and Minnesota still undecided.

Stevens, who turned 85 on Tuesday, was trailing Begich by 3,724 votes when the result was declared after a two-week count of absentee and early voting ballots.

Stevens was involved in politics before Alaska was a state, and over his senatorial career, he has secured billions of dollars in federal aid for transportation and military projects. His ouster marks an abrupt shift in Alaska politics and will alter the power structure in the Senate.

Tuesday’s tally of just over 24,000 absentee and other ballots gave Begich 150,728, or 47.76 percent, to 147,004, or 46.58 percent, for Stevens. There are about 2,500 overseas ballots yet to be counted.

Stevens was found guilty in October on federal corruptions charges or failure to report extensive renovations to his Girdwood, Alaska home.

Minnesota

The contentious fight for a U.S. Senate seat between incumbent Republican Norm Coleman and Democratic challenger Al Franken moved into the recount phase this morning as election workers across Minnesota started re tabulating more than 2.9 million ballots — one by one.

The recount is being carried out in more than 100 sites across Minnesota. It is required under state law because the votes cast for Coleman and Franken differed by less than 0.5 percent. Coleman’s 215-vote lead heading into the recount translates to 0.008 percent.

Georgia

Early voting began today in the runoff between Republican incumbent and rent-to-own co-sponsor Saxby Chambliss and Democrat Jim Martin. Neither candidate secured a majority in the three way race with Libertarian candidate Allen Buckley.

Lieberman Effect:

Independent Sen. Joe Lieberman is one of two Independents — the other is Bernie Sanders — who caucus with the Democrats and who are counted among the Democrats current 58 seat majority.

After Lieberman’s public support of Republican Sen. John McCain’s failed presidential bid, it remained unclear to what degree the move would affect his relationship with the party and it’s potential 60-seat filibuster-proof majority.

On Tuesday, by a 42-13 vote, the Democrats of the Senate decided only to pull Lieberman out of the Environment and Public Works Committee, including taking his chairmanship of one of its subcommittees.

Lieberman will continue to preside over the powerful Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

RTO

The economic downturn and the shift of power in Washington will ultimately affect how Congress deals with the rent-to-own industry in the next session and will spotlight regulation of financial markets and consumer affairs.

With the U.S. economy chief on its plate of concerns, the next Congress will continue to focus on financial services, credit and market regulation. The committees of jurisdiction for rent-to-own industry legislation — the Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act — will be of particular interest for the next Congress.

All the more reason for rental dealers to join APRO’s 2009 Legislative Conference this year to tell the rent-to-own story, explain the importance of the transaction to consumers in credit strapped times, and make sure the right RTO bill gets the attention, said APRO Public Affairs Director Richard May.

"With the focus on the (Senate) Banking Committee and the (House) Financial Services Committee, we believe we have a convincing story to tell," May said. "We believe we can help this by showing how our transaction can help millions of credit strapped American consumers."

With the added responsibilities of steering the $700 billion banking bailout package and with U.S. auto-makers now asking for assistance, Congress will have its hands especially full next session.

"The congressional address of the economic meltdown continues to complicate matters and highlight where rent-to-own fits," Mays said. "It’s our job to tell legislators how it fits."
 
RTO industry supported legislation earned 100 sponsors in House and 22 in the Senate last session. The bill will be re-introduced when the new Congress reconvenes in January.

mevans@rtohq.org

Democrats reach 58 in Senate, early voting begins in Chambliss race

Sen. Ted Stevens, the longest serving Republican in Senate history, narrowly lost his re-election bid Tuesday, according to the AP. His defeat by Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich moves Senate Democrats one step closer to a filibuster-proof 60-seat majority in Congress.

A recount is possible, but should Begich hold on his victory raises Democrats’ Senate majority to 58 seats, with races in Georgia and Minnesota still undecided.

Stevens, who turned 85 on Tuesday, was trailing Begich by 3,724 votes when the result was declared after a two-week count of absentee and early voting ballots.

Read more.

Funeral arrangements for Norm Smith, 81, former head of rental market sales for Zenith, were released today.

Smith, a leader in the industry and APRO’s first vendor of the year, died Tuesday morning at Glenbrook Hospital in Glenview, Illinois.

Visitation is scheduled for Thursday 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at N H Scott & Hanekamp Funeral Home 1240 Waukegan Rd., Glenview, IL. 60025. Funeral service is set for Friday 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment private. For more information call 847-998-1020.

mevans@rtohq.org

Cleek’s makes Aaron’s conversion

Cleek’s Lease or Own President "Tiger" John Cleek.

"Tiger" John Cleek today announced an agreement with Aaron Rents to convert his Cleek’s Lease or Own stores to Aaron’s Sales and Lease stores beginning December 1.

The Nov. 17 deal will impact as many as six stores in the central Missouri area and will usher in a series of purchases, sales and consolidations involving fellow Aaron’s franchisee and once chief competitor Alex Davis.

First off, Cleek’s will sell two of its stores — Jefferson City and Sedalia — to Davis. Cleek’s will than snap up Davis’ Columbia store and consolidate it with Cleek’s Worley Street location, also in Columbia.

The agreement also calls for Cleek’s to purchase Aaron’s corporate store in Moberly, which Cleek said he would consolidate into his existing Moberly location.

Read More.

Cleek’s Lease or Own President "Tiger" John Cleek.

"Tiger" John Cleek today announced an agreement with Aaron Rents to convert his Cleek’s Lease or Own stores to Aaron’s Sales and Lease stores beginning December 1.

The Nov. 17 deal will impact as many as six stores in the central Missouri area and will usher in a series of purchases, sales and consolidations involving fellow Aaron’s franchisee and once chief competitor Alex Davis.

First off, Cleek’s will sell two of its stores — Jefferson City and Sedalia — to Davis. Cleek’s will than snap up Davis’ Columbia store and consolidate it with Cleek’s Worley Street location, also in Columbia.

The agreement also calls for Cleek’s to purchase Aaron’s corporate store in Moberly, which Cleek said he would consolidate into his existing Moberly location.

Though the deal — the value of which was not disclosed — will decrease Cleek’s overall store count, he is confident the efficiency of the Aaron’s model combined with a thorough franchisee training program will more than make up the difference.

"On Dec. 1, we’ll go from nine stores in eight cities to seven stores in six cities, yet our gross revenues will go up almost 10 percent from the start," Cleek said. "Part of being a leader is knowing when to make a change. With this move, we take out our biggest competitor, get a tremendous support and training team, and have ADA’s (area development agreements) for future growth in a protected market."

A component of the agreement grants Cleek an ADA in each of the six counties he currently has stores plus additional markets for future expansion in Missouri.

Cleek’s Lease or Own employees, managers and owners today began an 11-week training program aimed at preparing staff and smoothing the company’s transition to an Aaron’s franchise.

Ray Muncy, director of central franchise operations for Aaron’s, is heading up the training program, which kicked off this week face-to-face but will also be carried out online.

The Cleek’s conversion is by far Muncy’s largest, and from what he’s seen, the key components are already in place.

"The best thing is that our companies do mirror so many aspects of one another," Muncy said. "It’s all about the associates and ownership for the customers. It’s very interesting dealing with people who are doing locally what we’ve been doing and teaching in our program nationally."

Cleek is the current president of APRO and a founding member of the Missouri Rental Dealers Association. His son and Cleek’s Lease or Own Vice President John Cleek Jr. is the association’s president.

Cleek said he will remain active in the association and will fully participate, along with his employees, in the annual Heartland of America Tradeshow training sessions, though the withdrawal of his company from the buying portion of the show will certainly have an impact.

As an Aaron’s franchisee, Cleek’s will purchase through that company. He said he is putting his inventory warehouse up for sale.

This month marks Cleek’s 52nd anniversary and though a lot has changed since the company — then Cleek’s Appliance and Food Service — financed freezers full of meat, much remains the same.

"The name on the sign may change, but our core values won’t," Cleek said.

Read about other Aaron’s conversions here.

mevans@rtohq.org

November 18-20, TRIB Group Electronics Committee and Vendor Meeting, Atlanta, Georgia.
For more information, contact Dennis Shields at 770/451-4302