Two additional RTO industry scholarship checks are headed to APRO Scholarship recipients, Tyler Heck and Robert Sonnenfelt who finished the fall semester with a 3.0 grade point average or better.

College bound rental industry family members were awarded $30,000 from the APRO Education Foundation last year. Recipients earned half of their scholarships immediately with the second half pending on their academic performance in the fall semester.

About the winners:

Tyler Heck, Clinton, NY
Union College: Schenectady, NY
APRO Sponsor: Greg Heck, Great Rentals, Utica, NY

$2,000 Scholarship Winner

Heck spent his life working at his father’s Great Rentals rent-to-own stores in Utica and Rome, NY. He has seen firsthand the power of rent-to-own to give American consumers “the opportunity to make the unaffordable affordable”. He maintains a 3.95 GPA while starting for the Division III College Baseball team.

Robert Sonnenfelt, Valmeyer, IL
St. Louis University: St. Louis, MO
APRO Sponsor: Paul Sonnenfelt, Aaron’s, Afton, MO.

$1,500 Scholarship Winner

Sonnenfelt is a sophomore at St. Louis University pursuing a degree in Political Science. He spent his High School years as a member of the Model United Nations, varsity soccer and the National Honor Society. He continues his political involvement at SLU as an active member of the College Republicans and the Student Conduct Board.

High Touch Technologies and Asset Protection Products, LLC today announced a joint venture that will be called  Product Assurance Management (PAM).

PAM was formed to address the urgent need of operators and franchisees in the rent-to-own market to track, geo-locate, disable, restore, and update computing devices of all types, including smart phones, tablets, net books, laptops, and desktops running a variety of operating systems including Windows, Linux, Mac OSX, Android, and iOS.

The application features point & click administration of assets, and the backup and restore functionality reduces time spent on support and redeployment of assets.

The initial product launch by Product Asset Management is scheduled for February 26, 2012. PAM will also be providing software demonstrations in booth #1703 at the 2012 annual TRIB Group Convention in Orlando, Florida Feb. 27-29, 2012.

The joint venture brings together the initial application development by Asset Protection Products, with the power of distribution and support provided by High Touch.

"We took the development of the product as far as we could as a start-up," said Sal Moccia, Managing Member of Asset Protection Products. "We need the experience of the leader in the RTO Software industry to take this to the next level," he added.

“We are pleased to partner with APP and continue the development and support of a quality product. PC Intelligence is a meaningful broad software application to protect valuable assets, not only in the RTO market but other markets as well," said Wayne Chambers, Chief Executive Officer of High Touch, Inc.

High Touch Technologies is an employee-owned company that provides technology solutions to small and mid-size businesses. Based in Wichita, Kan., with offices in Dallas, Denver, Kansas City and Corpus Christi, High Touch serves business clients with hardware and software services, website and Internet services, and network security solutions.

For more High Touch information, visit www.hightouchinc.com.
 

Michael Landry, new ColorTyme VP of franchise sales.

Chain adds new VP-level position as part of aggressive growth plan
 
Michael Landry has joined the ColorTyme organization as vice president of franchise sales. During the 2012 ColorTyme National Convention last week, CEO Cathy Skula announced an aggressive new growth plan and the company’s search to fill a brand new VP-level position, strategic to the plan’s execution.

“I am happy to say that the search is over. Mr. Landry has the perfect background and track record for this new position,” said Skula. ”He shares our vision for growth and has the necessary experience to make it happen. We are happy to welcome him to the ColorTyme family.”
 
Formerly the director of franchise development for CiCi’s Pizza and also having served Planet Beach Franchising in the same capacity, Landry brings over six years of franchise sales development to his new role at ColorTyme.
 
“With ColorTyme’s new lower franchise and royalty fees, combined with Rent-A-Center’s financial commitment to this growth plan, we have a winning formula for growth,” said Landry. “It’s an exciting proposition, and I am honored and challenged by my new position with ColorTyme.”
 
The oldest rent-to-own chain in America, ColorTyme has an aggressive short and long-term growth plan. For more information on owning a ColorTyme franchise, visit http://franchise.colortyme.com.

Computer and consumer electronics distributor D&H Distributing would like to remind its rent-to-own store owners and dealers to take advantage of upcoming sporting events to gain incremental rental sales.

D&H’s RTO customers can market big ticket items such as large-screen, Internet-connected televisions with supporting merchandise such as 1,000-watt surround sound home theaters and gaming consoles.

As millions of Americans get ready for the Super Bowl on February 5, enthusiasts might like to literally gear-up their living rooms in time for the ultimate Game Day.  The decision to upgrade their home entertainment systems to accommodate the championships could potentially inspire consumers to opt for longer-term rentals.

Wide-screen, high definition and Internet-connected TVs could be an in-demand element for the perfect Super Bowl event, delivering a crisp, high-fidelity picture that’s the next best thing to being on the field — with no weather or travel restrictions.  Similar sales strategies can be applied during March Madness season, when sports fans tend to gather in media rooms across the country for big-screen bashes.

D&H offers LCD, LED and plasma displays with screens anywhere up to 65 inches from Toshiba, Samsung, Panasonic, JVC and other leaders in the field.  Internet-connected displays (or “Smart TVs”) let the consumer surf the web between quarters to dig up stats, search for real-time reviews of the action, find footage from past games, check their email and more.

Dealers can offer popular party items such as sophisticated wine refrigerators; theatre-style popcorn makers; or “Kegerator” beer taps as part of a game-day bundle along with an HDTV.  Or to get fans up and moving before the event, dealers can offer a Microsoft Xbox 360 Kinect gaming system, letting arm-chair quarterbacks blow-off some pre-game steam with titles like Kinect Sports Season Two Xbox 360 or MotionSports Adrenaline.

“We try to keep our RTO store owners aware of opportunities to make extra sales,” said John Alifano, director of D&H’s Consumer Products Division.  “With a little clever marketing, they can create a package that might get their consumers leaning toward an upgrade of their electronics and appliances in a way they might not have considered otherwise.  Big sports championships are a way to put those ideas into customers’ heads.  That’s potential new business which might turn into a longer-term contract.”

About D&H Distributing
As the nation’s leading technology distributor, D&H provides a wealth of resources to empower the retail and rent to own dealer, delivering a broad selection of categories, products and applications. 
With an impressive 94-year history, the company prides itself on creating business partnerships with an astute focus on ease-of-doing-business, relationships, value, performance and service.  D&H ships out of five separate locations in North America, including its US headquarters in Harrisburg and its Canadian headquarters in Mississauga, Ontario.  Additional US warehouses are in Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; and Fresno, CA. Call D&H toll-free at 800/340-1007 or visit www.dandh.com/rto.
 

Rental dealers and vendors at the APRO/Ashley reception in Las Vegas Tuesday.

More than a dozen rent-to-own professionals and vendors turned out Tuesday for the annual RTO reception at Las Vegas Winter Market at the Ashley Furniture Suite.

The event was hosted by the Association of Progressive Rental Organizations and sponsored by Ashley Furniture.

More than 150 first-time exhibiting companies and new lines are on display this week at Las Vegas Market, adding more choices and resources for buyers looking for what’s new and next in 2012.

The market runs through Feb. 3.

See APRO’s Las Vegas World Market photos here.
 

L to R: Kris Swift, Bestway Regional Vice President, David Kraemer, Bestway CEO/President, winner Nakeisha Carter, Chris Nicoulin, Bestway District Manager and Store Manager C.D. Bell

Bestway Rent To Own recently gave away $5000 in furniture with its "Fill A House" promotion, October 1 – December 31, 2011. 

The winner, Nakeisha Carter is from Brandon, Mississippi. Carter entered the contest at her local Pearl, Mississippi store.

Store Manager C.D. Bell, was thrilled that an existing customer won. 

Bestway Rent To Own has 91 locations in ten states in the Southeast region of the United States. 

More than 300 turned out for Twin Star-Classic Flame’s fourth annual "Customer Appreciation Party" at the Wynn Resort and Casino kicking off the Winter 2012 Las Vegas Furniture Market Jan. 30-Feb. 3.

"We throw this party every year to show our appreciation for all our customers and associates," said Jeff Colletto, Twin Star Owner. "We had a great year and we want to share that with our friends tonight."

More than a dozen rental dealers were in attendance as well as representatives from TRIB Group and APRO. See photo gallery.

APRO will host a Rent to Own Hospitality Suite, generously sponsored by Ashley Furniture, Tuesday, January 31, 5:30-6:30 pm at Ashley suite, World Market Center, Building B, 15th Floor.

A new feature of this year’s Las Vegas Market is a "Made in U.S.A." Pavilion feature nearly 40 companies with American-made products.

This showcase follows on the successful launch of the American pavilion at Suites at Market Square at the Fall High Point Market, and gives manufacturers, buyers and designers who attend Las Vegas Market the opportunity to experience a west coast version of the popular destination.

The new 5,000-square-foot pavilion, located in on the second floor of Building B, will showcase distinctive American-made furniture and home décor products and collections, highlighting the growing trend toward American-made goods in the industry.

“As more and more consumers move toward the trend in supporting and buying local and domestically made products, Las Vegas Market wanted to present a single destination on the West Coast for those companies to showcase their goods,” said Margaret Powers, vice president of tradeshows/Las Vegas. “This new pavilion gives all our manufacturers an opportunity to highlight their made in U.S.A. wares while providing buyers one-stop-shopping for these highly sought-after products."

A special highlight of this new pavilion will be Las Vegas Market’s partnership with Rick Dale and his shop, Rick’s Restoration, featured in the hit History Channel show “American Restoration.”

Rick’s Restoration will showcase their one-of-a-kind pieces featured on the show, as well as the before-and-after looks of these professionally-restored pieces of American history.

Additionally, Las Vegas Market has secured vintage pieces of local Las Vegas neon history through the world-famous Neon Museum and Boneyard. Select pieces of historical American neon from the heyday of Las Vegas glitz and glamour will be highlighted throughout the pavilion with these unrestored and unique pieces.

Exhibiting companies in the new Made in U.S.A. pavilion include Oak Design Corporation, ITW Dahti Seating, Whittier Wood Furniture, Old Hickory Furniture Co., Sole/Divani Designs, McClure Tables, Supracor, Dapwood Furniture Co., Utah Mountain Furniture and Cambridge Mills.

The pavilion will also feature a product showcase with examples of American-made wares from many permanent Las Vegas Market exhibitors from across the campus.

Showcasing their domestically-produced products in the Made in U.S.A pavilion will include ACME Furniture, Adagio Water Features, Anthony California, Best Home Furnishings, Capel Rugs, Fine Art Tapestries, Fireside Lodge Furniture Company, Four Hands, Furniture Traditions, Imagine That!, India House, Karastan Rugs, King’s Rattan, Legends Furniture, Leggett & Platt Consumer Products Group, Manual Woodworkers, Marshfield Furniture, Montana Woodworks, Omnia Leather Furniture, Pacific Coast Lighting, Peninsula Home Collection, Pure Country Rustic Décor, Reliant Ribbon, Rene Cazares/RC Furniture, Rowe Furniture, Simply Amish and Veneman. Buyers will be able to view a sampling of these exhibitors American-made goods and follow up by visiting their permanent showroom at World Market Center Las Vegas.

John Darden, The Premier Companies Dealer/Vendor Liaison

During their recent convention in Key West, The Premier Companies, franchisor of four Rent-to-Own brands, released their 2012 Training Seminar schedule to their franchisees.

The aggressive schedule includes workshops and seminars focused on key operational elements of the franchisee’s business.

The Premier Companies have five Financial Workshops on the calendar for this year. The Financial Workshops allow for the dealers to meet one-on-one with Trooper Earle, President & CEO of The Premier Companies; Jim Upchurch, Franchisee Support Consultant; and  John Darden, Operations Support, to review all aspects of the dealer’s business.

“We review not only how they are running their business, but strategize and assist them in understanding and evaluating all financial aspects of their business”, said Trooper.

Marketing Workshops have been implemented to focus on the ever changing world of promoting your business.  The Premier Rental-Purchase Marketing Board, hosts the Marketing Workshop to assist dealers with the process of determining their marketing budget, deciding what types of effective media to implement, keeping up-to-date on social media and more.

Last year, The Premier Companies built an online, state-of-the-art marketing tool for dealers to enter their marketing plan online and track the advertising campaigns each month based on deliveries.

The dealers can also see exactly where their current and past customers are thus helping them to see where they need to market.  All these marketing tools are shared during the Marketing Workshop.

John Sprayberry, Premier owner in Dixon, IL, attended the fall 2011 marketing workshop.

“The technology Premier is providing us is just amazing and a very useful tool to help us be better at determining what types of advertising is really working. Participating in a workshop like this allowed me to see some different ways to utilize some of the basic marketing that we all do.”

The Premier Companies goal is to visit each store twice each year. Sixteen In-Field Training sessions are scheduled this year to allow every store and their employees the opportunity to attend the regional training events.

The Field Training Sessions are tailored towards the franchisees, managers and their staff to provide effective and beneficial training materials to help them improve on sales and day to day operations.

“Our Field Training Sessions have been a great addition to our franchise support system” said John Darden, The Premier Companies Dealer/Vendor Liaison. “You know they are working when you walk into a store and an Account Manager ask you “When is our next training session?”
 
The support does not stop there! The Premier Companies also hosts an annual National Convention at the beginning of the year and Dealer Retreat during mid-year.

The national office of The Premier Companies is located in Williamsburg, Virginia. Premier Brands consist of Premier Rental-Purchase, Premier Home Furnishings, Premier Wheel Workz, Premier Auto by Rent. All Premier stores are independently owned and operated. Visit Premier’s website at www.premierrents.net or call 800/2-Premier and ask for Trooper Earle.
 

RNR Las Vegas Customer Leo Mazer (center) with RNR Manager Kelly Pierce (L) and wife Tammy Pierce.

At 87, decorated veteran Leo Mazer of Las Vegas may not seem like the typical custom wheel and tire rental customer.

Then again, Mazer isn’t your typical anything.

A veteran of World War II (Philippines), Vietnam and Korea, Mazer spent 20 years in the Army before retiring. He’s also been married to the same woman for 67 years.

Oh, and the Minnesota transplant — he moved to Vegas for the weather in 1986 — is a bit of a car enthusiast as well. He’s purchased seven sets of custom wheels from RNR Custom Wheels of Las Vegas since Ernie Lewallen opened shop their in 2008.

"I just got a new Kia Sorento in December and Kelly (Pierce — store manager) helped me pick out some new wheels," Mazer said. "He gives me a good deal and I usually go with the 60 or 90 days ’same as cash’. I trust Kelly. We work together well and he knows what I like. I’ve been a customer service rep. and I know, if you don’t treat people right they’ll go somewhere else. Kelly knows that and that’s why they have excellent customer service there."

Pierce said getting to know Mazer, and hearing some of his tales of adventure overseas, has been a wonderful experience and he and his store staff looks forward to his visits.

"The guy’s got some stories, whenever he comes in for service I sit down with him and he loves to talk about his military service," Pierce said. "You can see it in his eyes when he tells these stories — ‘he’s there.’ It’s a great opportunity. He’s a fascinating character I’m proud to call a friend."

Pierce said he invites Mazer and his wife to Christmas with his family every year but the Mazers are usually too busy with their own social plans.

As for the changing face of the custom tire rental customer, Pierce said it’s not just a ‘youth thing’ anymore. With a growing passenger tire division, RNR is seeing its customer base continue to diversify.

But Pierce agrees, Mazer is definitely one of a kind.

"We are seeing older customers come in and that’s becoming more common," Pierce said. "As for Leo, he’s always been a car enthusiast. He’s built cars and wants them looking nice. He just wants to give it a little different look, a unique touch."