Rent-to-Own

RTO Pro Software, the Rent-To-Own Industry’s leading Windows-based management system serving over 1050 RTO locations, announced it has begun beta testing its long-sought-after Central Server version which is expected to be released Dec. 1.
 
"This is our most advanced version of RTO Pro to date and another example of how RTO Pro Software is able to use advanced Windows technology to meet the increasing operational needs of the Rent to Own Industry," says Ron Ganus, President of RTO Pro. "The new Central Server version is the best of both worlds – it gives multi-unit RTO home office operators with 2-200 locations, 100% secure control over the entire company’s system, while giving stores the flexibility to access company-wide data with minimal hardware requirements."
 
Benefits of RTO Pro’s Central Server System that multi-store companies can look forward to include:

• Minimal hardware requirements – 1 server required at the Corporate Office, only thin clients or in-expensive Windows computers at the store level.
• Instant access to live company-wide customer data from both corporate office and store locations including customer information, customer history, customer rating/status, inventory history and more.
• Shared company-wide master inventory and instant inventory transfers between locations.
• Live Remote Payments – the ability to view and take live payments for customer accounts at other stores.
• Instant up-to-the-minute reports by individual location or company-wide.
• Easy daily backups and program updates on single-corporate server.
• Data & Internet Security- Ability to limit employee access to secure data and internet use.
• Data Integrity-Centrally-managed data entry including employee rights, inventory product categories, pricing structures and rental rates.
   
  RTO Pro users interested in beta testing the new Central Server version can call RTO Sales for more information at: 800/351-6299 or 662/253.5014.
   
  Expected Central Server release date for the entire RTO industry: December 1st, 2010.
   
  About RTO Pro Software
   
  FutureWare Enterprises Inc. has been developing RTO Pro Software for the Rental-Purchase Industry since 1990 using only the latest technology database and programming systems. Currently over 1050 locations operating with RTO Pro software include single-store operators and multi-store chains up to 25 locations. Store-level single-user, store-level network, and Home Office versions are available.
   
  Recent enhancements and exciting features include: Online Web Payments, Integrated ACH & Credit Card Payment Processing, Integrated Delivery Scheduling, Alternate Location Payments, Company-Wide Inventory Viewing, Special-Order Purchase Orders, Integrated Customer Email and more. A complete listing is available at: www.rtopro.com.

   

September 29-October 1, APRO Fall 2010 Board Meeting, The Peabody Little Rock Hotel, Little Rock, Arkansas.
For more information, contact Shelley Martinek at 800/204-2776, ext. 109.

September 29-30, The Premier Companies Premier Home Furnishings Summit, Ft. Worth, Texas.
For more information, contact John Darden at 434/566-3652.

Around 17 Arkansas rental dealers from across the state met to re-organize their state association and elect new officers Sept. 15 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Dealers elected a new president Shane Carver (Don’s E-Z Pay), vice president, Tim Daughtery (Rent One), treasurer, Rhonda Weatherford (Don’s E-Z Pay), and secretary, Christy Miley (Don’s E-Z Pay).

Alan Frazier is the association’s immediate past president.

APRO General Counsel Ed Winn III addressed attendees on a number of legal and legislative RTO topics.

"Even though we do have strong laws in Arkansas, it’s important we keep a board together and stay active," Weatherford said.

ARDA plans to hold a event this spring as well, though dates have not been formally announced.

Consumer confidence in the economy climbed more than five points in September, according to figures released today by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and CNET. Confidence in consumer electronics rose slightly, by more than one point, as well.

The CEA-CNET Index of Consumer Expectations (ICE) rose more than five points in September to 163.4. The ICE, which measures consumer expectations in the overall economy, has rebounded in the past two months since the index reached an all-time low of 157.3 points in July. The ICE, however, is down nearly six points from this time last year.

“Consumers’ overall mood for an economic recovery is optimistic,” said Anne Claudio, vice president of research at CBS Interactive. “This month’s index showed an upswing from the summer, as families purchased school supplies like clothing, backpacks and computers.”

Consumers are also feeling more confident about technology. The CEA-CNET Index of Consumer Technology Expectations (ICTE), which measures consumer expectations about technology spending, is up 1.1 points from August. It’s down two points from this time last year.

“Consumers’ appetite for consumer electronics continues to grow, as tech companies launch new products for the upcoming holiday season,” said Claudio.

The CEA-CNET Indexes comprise the ICE and ICTE, both of which are updated on a monthly basis through consumer surveys. New data is released on the fourth Tuesday of each month. CEA and CNET have been tracking index data since January 2007. To find current and past indexes, charts, methodology and future release dates, log on to: CEACNETindexes.org.

CNET (cnet.com) is where people go to discover the latest in tech and consumer electronics. Driven by a trusted voice and a passionate community, CNET creates an open environment for people to find and use the best products to fit their lifestyle. The powerful combination of CNET’s award-winning news, lab-tested product reviews, safe and spyware-free downloads, and user-generated content give people information and inspiration to live and thrive in a life gone digital.

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $165 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry. More than 2,000 companies enjoy the benefits of CEA membership, including legislative advocacy, market research, technical training and education, industry promotion, standards development and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES – The Global Stage for Innovation. All profits from CES are reinvested into CEA’s industry services.  Find CEA online at www.CE.org.
 

MRDA fall training kicks off in St. Louis Wednesday

MRDA’s annual "free-to-members" fall training event kicks off this Wednesday at the Crowne Plaza hotel at the St. Louis Airport.

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MRDA’s annual "free-to-members" fall training event kicks off this Wednesday at the Crowne Plaza hotel at the St. Louis Airport.

The one-day training event this year will feature training seminars led by top industry vendors including Hewlett Packard, Mitsubishi, Simmons and Whirlpool.

Last year 150 area rent-to-own professionals took advantage of MRDA’s fall trainings which are free for MRDA members and a $50 fee for non-members — are a prime example of one of the benefits of membership, said MRDA President "Tiger" John Cleek Jr.

"Our member dealers can send as many employees to this thing as they wish for free and that’s a huge value," Cleek said. "The seminars are geared mainly toward assistant managers, account managers and sales people who can really benefit from this kind of in-depth product knowledge. Plus they get the opportunity to network with their peers in the industry."

MRDA Administrative Manager Ken Steiner said the training fall training — which first began in 2001 — was shaping up to be one of the association’s highly anticipated events.

"We’ve had a great deal of response again this year," Steiner said. "Like the tradeshow (Heartland) we do in the summer, anytime you give dealers product information it gives them more information to do their job. More information to talk about the features of one product over another."

The show runs from 10 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 29.

Rent to own buying groups Rent Direct and TRIB Group are sponsoring the event.

To register call 573/442-2963 or email Ken Steiner for more information at steineraa@aol.com

Almo Corporation, the major national consumer electronics and appliance distributor, announced the release of their annual full-line electronics catalog in both print and digital formats. This product packed tool offers their dealers a better way to visualize and share product information with their sales teams and customers. 

“Almo’s full line CE catalog was designed as a comprehensive dealer tool.  In keeping with that philosophy, we wanted our dealers to have easy access to the catalog wherever they work – in the office or on the road,” stated Warren Chaiken, Almo President and COO.  “That’s why we joined with the industry leader in digital publications to ensure that our dealers have access on their Blackberry, Droid, Palm, iPhone, iPad, and laptop too.” 

Designed as a dual purpose tool, the 2010/2011 Almo CE Catalog offers MSRP pricing, product and technical information along with integration to Almo’s B2B dealer portal where inventory, pricing and ordering information are just a click away.  This structure allows a resller to use the catalog as a reference tool when working with a customer without revealing dealer pricing details. 

Product categories included in this version are Home Entertainment, Portable Entertainment, Photo/Video, Communications, Mobile Electronics and Small Appliances.

Almo dealers received printed versions of the catalog last week.  The digital version is both full and mobile formats can be found at http://www.AlmoCEcatalog-digital.com.     

About Almo Corporation

Almo Corporation is the nation’s leading independent distributor of Major Appliances, Consumer Electronics and Professional A/V equipment.  Known for its Rapid Ship services and exceptional customer service, Almo distributes over 40 of the industry’s top brand names.  Dealers and Retailers have instant access to a wide variety of Major Appliances, Consumer Electronics, Mobile Electronics, Professional A/V Equipment and Professional Residential Kitchen and Outdoor Appliances.  

Founded in 1946, Almo is headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and operates 10 regional distribution facilities with over 1 million square feet of warehousing throughout the United States.  More information on Almo is available by contacting the company directly or at Almo’s web site located at www.almo.com.
 

Wichita, KS, September 27, 2010:  Bud Gates, Chairman and CEO of easygates, LLC announces franchisee, easyphoenix, LLC, has opened their second easyhome franchise store in Arizona in Glendale.  The store had their grand opening on September 25 at 5838 N. 43rd Ave. in the Fry’s Plaza Shopping Center.
 
easyphoenix, LLC is a relatively new partnership.

“The owners in easyphoenix are experienced and successful business people," Gates said.  "They have history in the rent-to-own business and bring sound business knowledge to the easyhome brand.  We are pleased to partner with them to bring the easyhome concept to Glendale.  While this is our second store in Arizona, this marks our 36th in the U.S. The easyhome concept is very successful and Steve Riedl, Vice President – Operations for easyphoenix, has put together an outstanding team led by Jon Miller, the Glendale Store Manager.”
 
Bud Gates was formerly Chairman and CEO at Rent-A-Center and THORN Americas, Inc.   easygates, LLC, was established in 2007 by Bud Gates to create a platform to develop both corporate and franchise stores in the U.S. $6 billon rent-to-own industry.

“We are excited to bring another easyhome brand to our 8th state and I look forward to bringing our unique service offering to the customers of Arizona as we have successfully done to date in all of our markets," David Ingram, President and CEO of easyhome Ltd. commented.
 
easygates, LLC through easyhome U.S. Ltd. has the exclusive rights to franchise or operate easyhome stores in the 36 states in the U.S., not bordering Canada. easyhome Ltd. (parent company of easyhome U.S. Ltd), is Canada’s largest merchandise leasing company and the third largest in North America, offering top quality, name brand household furnishings, appliances and electronics to consumers.

As of August 31, 2010, easyhome had 244 stores, including 204 Canadian corporate stores, 14 US corporate stores, 21 US franchised stores, 7 Canadian franchised stores and 1 licensed Canadian store.  easyhome is Canada’s largest merchandise leasing company and the third largest in North America.