Archive for the ‘NEWSLETTERS’ Category

RES, Buddy’s come to aid of colleague

Tuesday, January 17th, 2012

 RES, Buddy’s come to aid of colleague

L to R: James and Brittany Compton, Michael Gerwe Jr., Jeff Robinson from Buddy’s Home Furnishings.
 

When RES Accessories CEO Michael Gerwe Jr. learned a long-time Tampa business associate Brittany Compton’s home burned to the ground just before Christmas, he knew he had to help.

Gerwe tapped long-time client Buddy’s Home Furnishings, specifically Jeff Robinson, and the two worked with Victor Crespo Jr., manager of Buddy’s store #8, to outfit Brittany and husband James Compton’s new rental home completely with $4,500 worth of new furnishings and appliances.

"As soon as I heard about it, I immediately got in contact with Buddy’s," said Gerwe who is also co-vice chairman of APRO’s Vendor Advisory Committee. "I wanted to put something together for them and Buddy’s stepped right in and made this happen."

Brittany and James Compton, along with their 5-year old and 8-month old are re-settled in Tampa.

 

Rep. Hurt visits local Aaron’s

Monday, January 16th, 2012

Rep. Hurt visits local Aaron’s

(L to R): Aaron’s Franchise Field Consultant Mike Sofge, Franchise Principal Derek Mitchell, Aaron’s General Manager at F946 Marcy Muncy, US Congressman Robert Hurt, Franchise Principal Bobbie Floyd, and Franchise Principal Chad Mitchell.

US Congressman Robert Hurt of Virginia’s 5th Congressional District, visited Aaron’s location F946 in Danville last week for a first hand look at the rental purchase industry.

Hurt is a co-sponsor of H.R. 1588 — The Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act. Rep. Hurt also sits on the House Financial Services committee which H.R. 1588 will need to pass out of before it can move to the floor for a vote.

Rep. Hurt toured the store and met employees and customers.

 

Premier Companies’ Award Winners Announced

Friday, January 13th, 2012

Premier Companies’ Award Winners Announced

The Premier Companies ended their 2012 National Convention in Key West Wednesday night with the always anticipated Awards Banquet. Premier congratulates all the award winners for their hard work, dedication and success.

Shooting Star Award
Awarded to stores that gross revenues in the sixth full month of operations reach
Rental-Purchase Stores $45k
Home Furnishings Stores $55k
Wheel Workz Stores $45k
Shooting Star Award Recipient:  DANNY SAPIEN, PREMIER HOME FURNISHINGS GALLUP, NM
 
Stellar Awards
Bronze Level
Awarded to stores whose annual gross revenues exceed $700k
Kim & Gerald Jacobs – Lynchburg, VA
Brian Clussman, Trinidad Rubio, Roy Soto – San Antonio, TX (2 stores)
Shawn Newman – Harrisburg, PA
Rich Bagoly & Dave Jones – York, PA
John George – Lackawanna, NY
Drew Summa – Oakland Park, FL
Mike Lewis – Elkhart, IN
 
Silver Level
Awarded to stores whose annual gross revenues exceed $850k
Jamie & Rick Sieverding – Clinton, IA
Brian Clussman, Trinidad Rubio, Roy Soto – San Antonio, TX
Rich Bagoly & Dave Jones – Reading, PA
Ron Semelsberger – Coshocton, OH
Scott Kinnear – Dayton, OH
Mike Shuler & Heath Peters – Hastings, NE
Jim Forker – Sturgis, MI
Mike Gordon – Lakewood, CO
Jack Rowland – Sacramento, CA
 
Gold Level
Awarded to stores whose annual gross revenues exceed $1M
Chris Mueller – Tampa, FL
Brian Clussman, Trinidad Rubio, Roy Soto – San Antonio, TX
Rich Bagoly & Dave Jones – Allentown, PA
Rick Vadnais – Syracuse, NY
Mike Shuler & Heath Peters – Kearney, NE
 
Diamond Level
Awarded to stores whose annual gross revenues exceed $1.2M
Jim Forker – Benton Harbor, MI
Danny Sapien – Los Lunas, NM
Jim Ratner & John Reichenbach – Westbrook, ME
Ted Krygoski – Portage, IN
 
Top Performers of the Year – Those who represent the values of Premier: Operational Performance, Premier Standards, Premier Involvement, Industry Involvement, Community Involvement, Certification Training Program:
Rick Vadnais
Chris Mueller
Jim Ratner & John Reichenbach
Jamie & Rick Sieverding
Scott Kinnear
Mike Shuler & Heath Peters
Rich Bagoly & Dave Jones
Brian Clussman, Trinidad Rubio, Roy Soto
Jim Forker
Danny Sapien
 
North Carolina Premier Rental Purchase Dealer Jim Forker is the Rental Dealer of the Year for 2011.

The Premier Companies 2012 National Convention ran January 9-11 at the Casa Marina Resort in Key West, Florida.
 

Jim Forker is Premier’s 2011 Dealer of the Year

Thursday, January 12th, 2012

Jim Forker is Premier’s 2011 Dealer of the Year

Premier’s 2011 Dealer of the Year, Jim Forker.

The Premier Companies ended their 2012 National Convention in tropical Key West Wednesday evening by naming Jim Forker the Premier Rental Purchase Dealer of the Year.

Hard work, motivation and the desire to succeed are some of the traits that helped Forker win the prestigious award.

“I had a vision for my business and that vision was to treat people like family,” said Jim Forker accepting the 2011 Premier Dealer of the Year Award Wednesday.

Forker’s dedication to sharing with his employees his vision for his company’s future is a major part of his continued success. Forker owns three Premier Rental-Purchase stores and one Premier Home Furnishings store. His stores are located in Michigan and Indiana.

“Jim is a very passionate, vocal, and driven person," said The Premier Companies President and CEO Trooper Earle. "He is pushing his business and continues to strive for even greater success."

Forker recently opened his fourth Premier storefront over Labor Day weekend.

Jim Forker is preceded by 2010 Premier Dealer of the Year, Scott Kinnear of Dayton Ohio.

Premier Rental Purchase Franchisees operate 78 stores in 24 states.

Mark and Dawn Martin open new store in Raleigh

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012

Mark and Dawn Martin open new store in Raleigh

ColorTyme Franchisees Dawn and Mark Martin.

Four years after opening their first North Carolina rent-to-own store in Goldsboro, Mark and Dawn Martin have added another ColorTyme, this time in Raleigh.

Located at 3673 New Bern Ave, the new store will offer rent-to-own appliances, electronics and furniture to residents in the city’s central and eastern neighborhoods.

“We are so pleased to bring ColorTyme back to Raleigh,” said Mark Martin. ”Our store at 2600 E. Ash in Goldsboro is now very well established, and we knew there used to be a very successful store in this neighborhood in Raleigh. So, we’ve had our eyes open for a location for quite a while because we really wanted to serve this area.”
 
Like all ColorTyme stores, the new Raleigh location offers a variety of convenient payment plans without a credit check. The owners and staff intend to give residents a unique rental experience by creating a hometown atmosphere with superior customer service.
 
“We’ve been very warmly received here, and I look forward to meeting more of our neighbors and serving this community,” said Martin, who has been a successful ColorTyme franchisee since 2001.

Mark, Dawn and Mark’s parents, John and Marian Martin, won ColorTyme’s coveted Franchisee of the Year Award in 2005 for their then two-store operation in Florida. Mark and Dawn Martin have since sold their Florida locations and live in Apex, North Carolina.

“ColorTyme is unlike large, corporate-owned chains in that we truly create meaningful relationships with customers. I look forward to providing personalized service and attention and low prices that can’t be found elsewhere.”
 
ColorTyme, Inc., founded in 1979, is America’s oldest franchisor of independently owned-and-operated rent-to-own stores. ColorTyme franchisees operate 191 rent-to-own stores in 32 states, and the company’s custom-wheels-and-tires franchise brand, RimTyme, operates 20 stores in 11 states. ColorTyme is headquartered in Plano, Texas, and is an independent, wholly owned subsidiary of the largest RTO company in the world, Rent-A-Center.

 

Making the grade: Seven additional scholarship recipients earn award installment

Tuesday, January 10th, 2012

Making the grade: Seven additional scholarship recipients earn award installment

A new round of APRO Education Foundation scholarship checks are headed to seven students who finished the fall semester with a 3.0 grade point average or better.

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

The latest round of APRO scholarship recipients have submitted grades and earned their second scholarship installments: 

Kaylie Scherer, Bloomington, Indiana
Indiana University: Bloomington, Indiana
APRO Sponsor: Rick Scherer, American Rental, Bloomington, Indiana

$3,000 Scholarship Winner

Both Scherer’s grandmother and father have worked for American Rental for twenty years and “rent-to-own has always been a part of my life," she writes in her application.

She graduated high school in the national honor society with an Academic Honors Diploma. She was recently accepted into the Washington Leadership Program where she spent a semester in Washington, D.C. as an intern. During her college years, she travelled to Mexico to help build homes for the homeless. She has also volunteered for Special Olympics, the Community Kitchen, the local food bank, nursing homes and by teaching gardening at the local elementary schools.

Chad Jasman, Bay City, MI
University of Michigan: Ann Arbor, MI
APRO Sponsor: James Jasman, RAC, Birch Run, MI

$2,500 Scholarship Winner

Jasman grew up with rent-to-own watching his father work for the rent-to-own industry for nearly 20 years.  He graduated High School with a 4.0 GPA and being named as an academic all state athlete and plays college baseball and was named on the 2010 NJCAA Academic All-American team. Whttp://www.rtohq.org/rent-to-own/wp-admin/post-new.phphen Chad is not fielding baseballs, he is volunteering for Habitat for Humanity and the local homeless shelter.

Kassie Barroso, Noblesville, IN
Ivy Tech: Anderson, IN
APRO Sponsor: Joseph Stepke, Aaron’s, Indianapolis, IN

$1,500 Scholarship Winner

Kassie is off to college “as a tribute to her hero” – her dad Joseph Stepke from Aarons. Joseph sacrificed years of hard work to make sure Kassie had the chance for college and she wants to thank her father and mother with a teaching degree. Kassie spent her High School lettering in concert band and on the Rugby team. She participated in the ROTC and many other school activities.

Matthew Bowen, Scranton, SC
Francis Marion University: Florence, SC
APRO Sponsor: Kenneth Bowen, RAC, Florence, SC
 
$1,500 Scholarship Winner

Bowen has excelled in education all of his life. He graduated high school with a weighted 4.297 GPA and maintains a 4.0 GPA at Francis Marion University. Matthew gives back as much as possible through Toys for Tots donations, canned food and clothing drives to the point of being “happily dunked in a dunking booth for hours” for these causes.

 

Michael Elkik, Kennesaw, GA
University of Georgia: Athens, GA
APRO Sponsor: Ann Elkik, Aaron’s, Kennesaw, GA

$1,000 Scholarship Winner

Elkik graduated high school with a weighted 4.1 GPA and an un-weighted 3.8 GPA. During high school, he worked with “Shop with a Mustang” sponsoring an underprivileged child. Michael was president of DECA, the school’s business club, and won business competitions at the local, state and international levels.

Dusty Ray, Bridgeport, IL
Vincennes University: Vincennes, IN
Rent One Regional Manager

$1,000 Scholarship Winner

Rent One “Regional Manager of the Year”, Dusty Ray, is completing his marketing degree at Vincennes University. Dusty was also Rent One’s “Employee of the Year”. Dusty is an active member of the local chamber of commerce volunteering time and efforts for the many community events both as a Rent One employee and as a citizen.

Christopher Willman-Bunge, Akron, OH
Penn State: Mont Alto, PA
APRO Sponsor: Martha Willman, Blue Ribbon Rentals, Cuyahoga Falls, OH

$1,000 Scholarship Winner

Willman-Bunge grew up in a one-parent household and knows financial hardship. While in high school, he participated in the orchestra and choir. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout with a specialty World Conservation Award. He plans to pursue English as a writer/reporter. 

Read about additional 2011 APRO scholarship winners who have also met grade requirements to receive their second scholarship installment checks.

 

Last week for TRIB discount

Tuesday, January 10th, 2012

Last week for TRIB discount

The 2012 TRIB Group Annual Convention & Buy Fair is fast approaching and the  $100 early bird registration discount deadline is Sunday January 15.

TRIB Group’s 2012 Convention and Buy Fair is set for Feb. 27-29, 2012 at the beautiful Marriott World Center in Orlando, Florida.

This year’s theme urges members and vendors alike to "Achieve Universal Goals" by working towards common objectives and ambitions in the industry. The host hotel boasts 2,000 rooms and a world-class convention center attached, and will be a great venue to visit and enjoy.
   
The three-day event, now held Monday through Wednesday, will include the annual business and membership meeting, an election to fill three expiring Board of Director seats, a HOT SHOW, a golf outing and a buy fair.
   
To make members’ convention experience both worthwhile and exceptional, TRIB Group has many programs available to help with registration costs and travel expenses as well as spectacular specials and cash drawings.
 
The 2012 Tom C. Kitchens Annual Golf Outing, sponsored by Whirlpool and open to all TRIB Group members and vendors, will be held Monday, February 27 at Hawk’s Landing, right outside the front doors of the Marriott World Center. 

The course, a premier golf resort in Florida, is a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary and boasts 18-holes over an impeccable 220 acres of prime, Florida resort space.
 
Golf sponsorships will benefit the APRO Scholarship Foundation that awards students within the RTO industry with educational scholarships to help with college tuition and expenses. Last year the foundation awarded $30,000 in scholarships.
 
TRIB Group strongly recommends that at least one representative from each member company attend the convention and be part of the event to network with RTO dealers from across the country, establish new relationships and save money on purchases at the buy fair.
 
Have a question? Call TRIB Group staff at 770/451-4302.
 
The Rental Industry Buying Group (TRIB Group) was established in 1983 and is currently the largest owner/member buying cooperative in the nation specifically for the RTO industry. TRIB Group’s membership is currently 151 member companies representing over 3,400 storefronts nationwide and is proud to be a strategic alliance partner with AVB/Brand Source.

 

Premier Companies Convention opens to record attendance

Monday, January 9th, 2012

Premier Companies Convention opens to record attendance

The Premier Companies 2012 National Convention January 9-11 kicked off with a golf tournament and deep sea fishing event at the Casa Marina Resort in Key West Monday, where organizers anticipate attendance to break all previous records.

Premier franchisees, vendors and special guests enjoy an ocean view and swaying palm trees at the opening events, setting the stage for the welcome reception and the convention.

Mark Gow, a nationally known motivational speaker, will address the audience during the General Session Tuesday. Gow will share his ideas on how to help dealers better understand how to improve their stores performance through more effective leadership.

He will also discuss what motivation really means and how to communicate in a way to make others more receptive to your ideas.

Tuesday kicks off with a vendor exhibition followed by an evening sunset cruise and beach reception. 

After a day of educational breakout sessions, the Awards Banquet will be held Wednesday evening to recognize the company’s Top Performers and announce the 2011 Dealer of the Year Award. Questions regarding the Premier National Convention can be directed to John Darden at  JohnDarden@premierrents.com.

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.

The Premier Rental Purchase division includes 61 locations in 24 states.

 

Congressman Canseco visits local Aaron’s

Friday, January 6th, 2012

Congressman Canseco visits local Aaron’s

Aaron’s hosts Congressman: (L to R) Stephen Morales (GM Aaron’s Ft. Stockton), District 23 Rep. Francisco "Quico" Canseco, Lorenza Ramirez, Nathlie Bernal, Aaron’s Regional Manager Sam Murdoch, Rosa Engeldorf, Isai Rojas.

Congressman Francisco "Quico" Canseco Thursday, lead sponsor of pending rental purchase legislation in the U.S. House, paid a visit to a local Aaron’s Sales and Lease store in Ft. Stockton, Texas to meet managers and store personal and get a hands on look at the rent to own industry in action.

Aaron’s Regional Manager Sam Murdoch and store manager Stephen Morales welcomed Canseco and gave him a tour of the store.

"It was great to get the opportunity to show him what we do and how we do it," said Murdoch who manages 11 Aaron’s stores in West Texas and New Mexico. "He was very impressed with the quality products we carry. He was especially interested in our programs like "lifetime reinstatement". The pride of ownership our customers get from being able to purchase these products is something the congressman really picked up on."

Murdoch said Rep. Canseco stayed at the store for around an hour.

Canseco is the original sponsor of H.R. 1588 The Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act which now claims 98 co-sponsors.

For complete list of co-sponsors go here.

 

Grand opening for Jacksonville Premier Rental-Purchase

Thursday, January 5th, 2012

Grand opening for Jacksonville Premier Rental-Purchase

Location… Location… Location!

That was the idea when Mike Zagar, Premier Rental-Purchase franchisee in Jacksonville, Florida, decided to relocate his store after two years.

Mike was in search of a shopping center that would provide him the traffic he felt he needed.  With the assistance of The Premier Companies Lease Negotiation support system, he was able to find that spot and obtain the lease that was right for him.

The Grand Opening of his new location was held right before Christmas.  “We wanted to let people know about the Grand Opening and tie it into the Christmas season”, said Mike.  The festivities included food, beverage, a live radio remote broadcast and free photos with Santa. Mike’s Grand Opening set a one day delivery record for his store.

Mike became a Premier franchisee after a 14 year career with Rainbow Rentals.

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.thepremiercompanies.net or call 800/2-Premier and ask for Trooper Earle.