Rent-to-Own

The Association of Rental Organizations (APRO) has a better understanding of the rent-to-own industry than any other organization. Those people that question, "What is rent-to-own?" need to look to this association because APRO members are involved in every area of this small business industry.

What is rent-to-own?  The simplest answer is these small businesses give their customers an opportunity to rent items they need for their homes and businesses, but the nice extra is items that are rented are slowly being purchased if the customer desires.

But, there is more to "What is rent-to-own?"  These small businesses:

1. Help customers
2. Are good investments
3. Contribute to the economy

Rent to own businesses offer their local customers a way to obtain what they need even if the customer has struggled with loan applications or had other types of payment problems.  Rent to own businesses help customers with poor credit history renew good payment habits while contributing to their local economy.

Being a part of the local economy is why small business investors open rent-to-own businesses.  What is rent-to-own?  It is a way for a small business investor to make a solid business investment while helping others.
 
Actively supporting a local economy is perhaps one of the best things that members of APRO do.  Through their efforts people that other businesses might turn away are given the chance to make their town or city’s economy stronger.

What is rent-to-own?  As you can see, it is a diverse small business area that helps the investor, the customer, and the economy.  The rent-to-own businesses that are members of the Association of Progressive Rental Organizations belong to an organization that believes in this industry and understands it value at the local, state, and national levels.
 

Life is full of choices. You choose daily what you want to eat, what you want to do with your spare time, and whether or not you are going to take off work early to catch your daughter’s dance recital. You probably make a lot of purchase decisions, too.

If you are like most of us, you need to make smart choices with your money. You may not be able to satisfy all of your needs right now, but with the right purchases, you can get by until you have enough money to get the things you need. That’s where rent-to-own comes in.

Why rent-to-own? Why not just purchase outright? Here are some of the biggest reasons why people choose this option:

• No credit check – Credit checks are a hassle, and they might not tell the whole story. After all, does something that happens several years in the past even matter anymore? You can even build your credit back up by making payment on a rented item.
• No obligation – Rent to own doesn’t employ confusing contracts. You can return the merchandise and walk away at any time.
• Temporary needs – If you need extra furniture for a party or want to let your child try a musical instrument before you buy, renting may be the more reasonable option.

There are many rent-to-own franchises out there, and one is likely in your area. Purchasing an item is simple—just go over the terms with the dealer and get that refrigerator, couch, or television right away.

If you have questions about the process, visit the rent-to-own dealer nearest you or visit APRO, the Official Voice of the Rent to Own Industry. Check out all the information on APRO’s website, then decide if this option is right for you.
 

Always be on the Lookout

Whenever you enter into a business agreement, it is always a good idea to do your homework on whoever you are dealing with. That is just good business. While the vast majority of those that you will work with are honest, trustworthy people, every once in awhile you simply get a bad apple. Thankfully, if you know what to look for, you can usually weed out these sorts of people before you enter into an agreement that you will later regret.

Pay Attention to Red Flags

When you rent-to-own, thankfully it is pretty easy to avoid scams. By taking your time, knowing what to look for, and by making a decision with your head, you can avoid those rare business owners who are out to prey on unwitting customers. Always make sure you:

• Understand the terms – Before entering into any agreement, make sure you get—in writing—the terms of the rental agreement. This includes number of payments, interest rate, additional fees, early payment options, balloon payments, and the total amount to own the product.
• Know the condition of the product – Make sure any items that you rent as new are in fact new. Get it in writing. If it feels wrong, walk away.
• Learn what happens when something goes wrong – What happens when the TV you rented breaks? Who pays for the repair? What about if the couch is damaged? Is there a penalty? Knowing beforehand what will happen in these unfortunate situations will help you know if that deal that seems too good to be true really is.

We at APRO want to make sure the rent-to-own industry is always seen as fair and upfront. That’s why we have a Code of Ethics that we expect our members to abide by. The odds are good that you will never run into a rent-to-own scam. When you deal with an APRO member, the chances are even better.
 

After you have decided to take advantage of renting terrific merchandise, it then becomes a matter of finding out where to do so. And, luckily, rent-to-own places are very common. There are thousands of locations in the United States, so finding the one nearest you is a very simple task! It is up to you to decide which business you would like to try out, but knowing that there are rent-to-own places located in your area is very helpful.

After visiting one of the many convenient locations, you will see the advantages of renting merchandise. You can get name brand products at great prices. You will also learn all the details about setting up a payment plan that will best suit your financial situation – whether you should pay in monthly or weekly installments, or find another flexible plan. And with the payment plan, you can put yourself on course to own top quality merchandise in a very short period of time.

When visiting one of the many different rent-to-own places,  in addition to flexible payment plans, you do not have to worry about credit checks hindering your chances. Also, if you decide to rent, you can then actually build your credit – which will help you in other aspects of your life. So the advantages do not just end with getting brand new merchandise for yourself.

If you are interested in learning even more about how this process works, then all you have to do is visit your local business owner. There are many advantages when working with a rent-to-own business. If you decide to visit a place close to your home, you will be informed of every important detail regarding payments and other aspects. Then you can make all of the best decisions when you rent-to-own your new merchandise.

You may ask yourself: what is rent-to-own and how does it work? With thousands of stores and millions of customers nationwide, the industry only continues to grow. The rent-to-own industry offers flexibility in ways that many stores do not. There are many reasons why renting works so well for such a wide range of customers.

With rent-to-own business nationwide, you have the best merchandise available to you. The highest quality televisions, computers and other home furniture and electronic devices are available to rent. All that you have to do is pay a low monthly or weekly payment, and often within a year you will own that television or computer outright. But in what way can you qualify for this? Unlike most stores, there is no credit check – so it allows everyone to have the chance of renting to own high quality merchandise at great costs. Payment plans are also flexible to fit the customers’ unique situation: pay weekly or monthly. And if what you have picked out no longer fits your needs, then you can return your product without the fear of facing a penalty and exchange it for something else. This kind of flexibility offers great opportunities for anyone looking for deals on terrific merchandise!

And the rent-to-own industry is supported and promoted by the Association of Progressive Rental Organizations (APRO). APRO advocates for the industry before the U.S. Congress, as well as the IRS and even state court systems. The association is also involved in the marketing and public vision of the industry. Since its foundation in 1980, APRO has been the leader in the rent-to-own industry, taking charge to assure that all business owners are fairly represented in government which in turn guarantees that customers receive the best service possible. So with great offers and various merchandise to choose from and APRO’s support, renting to own is a terrific way to get what you want at reasonable prices.

From computers to televisions to refrigerators to video game systems, the rent-to-own industry offers everything for the consumer looking to save money while still receiving high quality merchandise. And with such a wide range of merchandise available for renting, it is important for any business to promote positive and successful transactions with new and regular customers alike.  Without these positive outcomes, customers will not be inspired to return and continue spending their time and hard-earned money with the industry.

There are many different ways the industry has worked to provide the best experiences for all consumers, from the moment they enter the store to the time when the last payment is paid. There are many advantages to renting merchandise as opposed to buying it outright, and each consumer will have different options when they make a rent-to-own transaction. For example, the various types of payment plans available are very convenient for people of all backgrounds. It is up to each individual which plan is best – deciding to pay monthly or even weekly. There are also reinstatement policies that protect consumers if they decide to return and then rent the same merchandise out. With each new transaction, a consumer is investing in their future – maybe purchasing that new computer for the family, or possibly getting a new washer and dryer. And there are also no credit checks, giving everyone a chance at getting great products at great costs.

And with the Association of Progressive Rental Organizations (APRO) supporting the industry and consumers at state and national levels, renting is becoming an even more popular decision amongst many families and individuals. The different options for payment as well as other policies covering returns and reinstatement guarantee the best transaction possible. So when picking out new merchandise, rent-to-own transactions are very helpful and reliable.
 

After deciding to rent furniture or a new appliance, the terms of the agreement must then be decided. With the renting industry, consumers will find cost-effective, flexible options that are readily available. The terms decided upon will allow a convenient payment plan which will help get what is needed without having to worry about not having the money upfront that is required to buy merchandise outright.
   
There are various rent-to-own terms, a better understanding will result in picking the type of payment plan that is the best for each individual consumer. Also, knowing different terms will lead to better experiences that will offer a wide range of benefits.

For many, the most advantageous options concern the amount of time allotted to pay for an item. Depending on the specific location, the consumer and business set up unique terms that will allow ownership within a set time frame. This can be anywhere from three months to one year. It will depend on what terms of payment the consumer wishes to undertake. Consumers can decide on monthly, weekly or even biweekly payments. And shorter payment plans result in even more savings when renting.

Return policies and terms are also very customer-friendly. If a consumer is unhappy with his or her merchandise, then it is possible to return it and find another item that will be more satisfactory. And if merchandise is returned and then the consumer decides that they would like it back, the reinstatement plans are typically available. This means that the consumer can take their merchandise home with their previous payments and terms put back into effect – which means that there will be no additional costs for renting the same product.

There are many benefits to renting merchandise instead of buying outright. While the terms vary depending on location, they will certainly help make secure, convenient experiences. From payment plans to reinstatement policies, these are all put in place to protect the consumers’ rights and guarantee satisfactory experiences. And with the support of the trusted Association of Progressive Rental Organization (APRO), the industry has become even more popular with consumers. So if good terms and policies are needed, then look into your local rent-to-own business or peruse the APRO website for even more helpful information and tips.
 

With an industry as large as rent-to-own (RTO), it is necessary to have laws that protect customers and the businesses themselves. Without any sort of standards, any business is likely to encounter many problems on different levels. With RTO laws, this is avoided. The Association of Progressive Rental Organization (APRO) has played a vital role in the industry taking huge strides forward with its high standards and reliable business practices.  APRO pushes for legislation in Washington, D.C. in order to keep the businesses and its practices functioning at their best, while also protecting local business owners and the customers that support RTO.

Over the past thirty years, rent-to-own laws have been adopted across the country. From California to Florida, the industry has seen itself grow stronger with laws that help to provide the best service for its customers and protect their rights. Each state can differ in how they operate in regards to reinstatement rights, price tag disclosures that are displayed in-stores, agreement disclosures and fees and payments. But across the nation, the importance of providing high quality products backed by guarantees from the business and industry itself has allowed RTO to thrive.

On a federal level, APRO continues to push for legislation that will benefit the economy, as well as customers and business owners. This continued push for regulation is inspired by small business who recognize the importance of a set standard that allows customers the freedom to truly get what they need, all while feeling secure and protected. With RTO laws passing, the industry saw many improvements in how customers and businesses operated – with significant reduction in complaints coming in, and more satisfactory experiences being reported.

Since APRO was founded in 1980, countless significant changes have occurred with RTO laws and the industry itself. APRO is a pioneer, providing programs and seminars for business owners, while also pushing for positive changes with legislations in Congress and in courts nationwide. APRO continues to protect business and customers all over the country on a federal level, and assist in getting small business to offer the best service available. And APRO gathers a comprehensive list of all state RTO laws for the convenience of any interested party.
 

Aaron’s announced today that it has changed the name of its 11 furniture and bedding manufacturing plants from MacTavish Furniture Industries to Woodhaven Furniture Industries. The name change is synonymous with the Woodhaven brand of products the Company manufactures and accompanies a move toward greater green practices within the manufacturing process. A full rebranding effort including a new logo supports the name change.

"Our manufacturing operations have undergone substantial changes over the past few years, namely a movement toward greener practices," said Aaron’s President and CEO, Robert C. Loudermilk, Jr. "We also recognized our plants are best known for the Woodhaven product brand, so we believe this is the perfect time to rebrand accordingly. Our new logo of a green tree not only represents our commitment to the environment, but it signifies what Aaron’s is all about – strength, stability, growth and community responsibility."

Aaron’s has implemented a number of actions in its effort to go green at its manufacturing plants, including the recycling of all scrap materials, the use of sustainable wood products in furniture, the use of raw materials containing at least 25 post-consumer content, skylight panels to reduce the use of light fixtures and energy consumption, the use of wood waste for heating, and the implementation of electronic documentation processes to reduce the amount of paper used. With these efforts in place, Aaron’s reduced landfill waste at its Coolidge and Cairo, Georgia locations by approximately eight million pounds and generated a cost savings of nearly $250,000 in 2009.

"We’re at the forefront of the green movement in the furniture manufacturing industry," said Mike Jarnigan, Aaron’s Vice President, Manufacturing. "Aaron’s is proud to make its furniture, upholstery and bedding right here in the U.S., and it’s important that we do everything in our power to protect the environment in our own backyard. As we like to say at Woodhaven, we’re saving the world, one sofa at a time."

The Woodhaven Furniture Industries division operates 11 facilities in five states, with a twelfth facility scheduled to open in Phoenix later this year. Most production is shipped to Aaron’s Company-operated and franchised stores. The division manufactured approximately $72 million at cost of furniture and bedding in 2009. The ability to control quality, durability, styling, cost and supply through Company-operated manufacturing facilities is a distinct competitive advantage. In addition to producing high quality upholstered furniture and bedding, Woodhaven is a key employer in the communities where plants are located.

Briley is new APRO President

New APRO President Robert Briley Thursday at the association’s 2010 Convention and Trade Show in Louisville.

The Association of Progressive Rental Organizations Board of Directors Thursday, elected Robert Briley as the association’s new president.

Briley, who currently serves as first vice president, succeeds outgoing president "Tiger" John Cleek who was elected APRO’s president the past two years.

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