Rent-to-Own

Keep up to date on all the latest rent-to-own industry news and announcements on APRO’s Twitter and Facebook pages.

Read previous Twitter posts here, then sign up and "follow" RTOHQ to receive regular updates via e-mail, smart phone application or text. You decide how you want to stay connected.

Get association updates on the go via your smartphone or PDA.

Join Facebook and APRO fan here.

Become a member of Facebook and become an APRO fan today!

Aaron’s today is donating two solar-powered electric systems valued at $100,000 in support of Haiti relief efforts through ACORP, Aaron’s Community Outreach Program.

Through ACORP, Aaron’s associates have donated thousands of hours of associate time to community service projects in more than 1,700 cities across the U.S. and $6.8 million in goods and services donations.

The solar-powered systems, designed by Sundance Solar Designs, will provide enough power to sustain two medical centers and 34 treatment tents.

According to Spencer Smith, the Aaron’s franchise owner heading up the project with Sundance Solar, the lack of fuel to run generators in Haiti already has created a significant issue for medical professionals trying to administer treatment. Smith, a franchise owner of 21 Aaron’s stores, and his employees, donated $50,000 while Aaron’s, Inc. corporately donated an additional $50,000 through the ACORP program.

"American companies and individuals have offered support to Haiti on a massive scale, and Aaron’s is proud to be a part of that effort," said Ken Butler, Aaron’s, Inc. Chief Operating Officer. "However, it was important that Aaron’s not just write a check, but give in a way that would create immediate impact. With these generators, thousands will receive critical medical treatment that we hope will make a life-saving difference for many Haitians."

Sundance Solar Designs will donate their time, expertise, and purchase of the equipment as well as personally delivering and installing the systems in Haiti. Sundance Solar Design’s support team will arrive in Haiti today to ensure the generators are installed successfully. In addition to the solar panels that power the invertors and battery banks, Sundance Solar will bring the lighting fixtures and refrigeration units.

"With the donation of these solar-powered systems, we are addressing a specific and immediate need," Spencer Smith said. "Without the fuel to run their generators, medical staff is forced to stop operating with the absence of light after the sun goes down. These unique solar-powered systems are self-sustaining and will not only provide lighting 24/7 for two full medical centers, doubling the hours available to treat patients, but will also run the refrigeration units containing life-saving medical supplies."

On April 19, Providence ColorTyme Store Manager Albert Coelho will be running for more than his health; he will be making a difference for thousands of children. Coelho will participate in the Boston Marathon, a 26.2-mile foot race, to raise money for Children’s Hospital Boston.

“I’m running for Children’s Hospital Boston because I believe so strongly in all the great things it does for kids,” explained Coelho. “The patient care programs, pediatricians and staff are extraordinarily sensitive to what children and their families really need."

In addition to his own fundraising efforts for the hospital, Coelho will receive a donation of $5,000 from the New England Rental Dealer’s Association. Ray Bird, vice president of NERDA and franchisee of the ColorTyme store in Providence, is proud to be a sponsor.

“I’m honored to be a part of Albert’s run and give support to such a worthy organization,“ said Bird. “Children’s Hospital Boston changes children’s lives and gives hope to so many families.”

For Coelho, it’s not about the race; it’s about the cause. While he is not an avid runner, Coelho said Children’s Hospital Boston has given him a greater purpose for running.

“This marathon gives me an opportunity to support an organization I really believe in,” Coelho explained. “My motivation for the good work of Children’s Hospital Boston will be more than enough to get me to the finish line.”

To help sponsor Coelho, visit https://howtohelp.childrenshospital.org/bostonmarathon/pfp/Default.asp?ID=ca0102

We are very excited to announce Serta’s 1st Quarter 2010 National Marketing Event. Never before has a Mattress Manufacturer offered an event like this that gives rent-to-own dealers the opportunity to capitalize on a nationally advertised event in the mattress category.

Consumers who rent a Queen, Split Queen, King or Cal King size Serta Perfect Sleeper Mattress Set from February 4, 2010 to March 15, 2010, at participating Serta rentwn TRIB Dealers, will qualify for a FREE Serta branded Comforter. A $129 retail value. The 250 thread count comforter is available in polyester or down. This special offer will be advertised nationally by Serta, Feb. 11 through Feb. 13 and will provide a tremendous opportunity to drive traffic in participating stores.

Serta will fund the entire cost of the comforter, fulfillment and in-store Point of Purchase for this event. Rent to Own customers renting a Perfect Sleeper Queen or King mattress will receive a redemption coupon to send to the Serta fulfillment center who in turn will send the customer the size comforter to fit their Perfect Sleeper mattress.

RTO dealers at the Ashley Hospitality Suite at World Market Center Las Vegas Tuesday.

More than 30 rent-to-own professionals representing a dozen companies turned out Tuesday for the annual RTO reception at Las Vegas Winter Market hosted by the Association of Progressive Rental Organzations and sponsored by Ashley Furniture.

World Market Center Las Vegas’ campus was alive with optimism and enthusiasm during opening days of the first major home furnishings market of the year and the decade with attendance numbers on par to outpace last year’s Winter Las Vegas Market. Pair that with the nearly 100 new exhibitors, and Las Vegas Market experts say it bodes well for the coming year in home furnishings industry activity, innovation and design.

"This has been a great market," said Showplace Rent to Own owner Gary Ferriman. "There are definitely deals to be had out there."

Ferriman was one of dozens of rent-to-own dealers who headed to World Market Center in Las Vegas this week for the Winter World Market. Ferriman joined buyers from other notable RTO companies such as Buddy’s, ColorTyme, American Rental, Dian Rent-To-Own and Bestway Rent To Own.

“Optimism, optimism, optimism. That’s the theme for this Las Vegas Market,” said Robert Maricich, president and CEO of World Market Center Las Vegas. “There has been an uptick in activity and it is reflected in attitudes and order writing here in Las Vegas. This Market aims to be a leader not only in products and sales, but in leading the charge for innovation and creativity. It’s a new world and a new way and we are here to give buyers a look at what’s up next in every realm. The industry has weathered the eye of the storm, and it’s gratifying to see people here motivated and geared up for success after the last two and a half years in a most challenging environment.”
 

See APRO’s Las Vegas World Market photos here.

“We’ve been swarmed with dealers from all over,” said Ron Wanek, chairman of Ashley Furniture, the largest furniture manufacturer in North America. “The dealers are coming in upbeat and we’re writing good business. We think 2010 should be a pretty good year. Dealers like to come here to Las Vegas because the economics are good.”

Ron Munoz shows off some art samples at Las Vegas Market.

For over 30 years the Artists Guild of America has been producing hand-painted art on canvas in company studios located in Los Angeles, California.

Each painting begins with a blank canvas and is painted and signed by studio artists who use genuine paints, heavy textures, gel, crackle, foils, sand, decoupage paper, tissue, and other unique surface materials.

Artists Guild of America contracts with around 30 studio artists to produce unmatched quality acrylic art at affordable prices that perfectly complement any RTO dinette, living room or bedroom suite.

"Our artwork has become a very successful complementary accessory in RTO," said Ron Munoz, executive VP of sales and marketing. "We offer something original, an original work of art that is not out of reach for the average consumer."

See samples.

George Ramel, Mike France and Dan Kendrick of Progressive Furniture.

Progressive Furniture, a 25-year old North Carolina Furniture Company, recently expanded its offerings by producing a line of hardwood products manufactured in the company’s Mexico plant. Progressive is exhibiting it’s hardwood furniture at the Winter Las Vegas Market this week.

The hardwood products — made from either Maple, Birch, Alder, Poplar, or Basswood — offer a contrast in appearance to the industry’s typical Pine offerings with its depth of finish and "cleaner" look. Becase the hardwood line is produced in Mexico it is more easily inventoried and shipped.

Shipping time is about 15 to 20 working days.

"We believe the hardwood products gives the RTO dealer more alternatives," said Dan Kendrick, Progressive executive VP and general manager. "It captures a style with looks from China, but with the logistics to support it closer to home."

In addition to the production at the Mexico plant, Progressive also owns a 100,000 square foot warehouse in Rosarito, Mexico that allows the company to inventory more product and ship more quickly.

As an import distributor of fine home furnishings across all major residential categories, Coaster offers one of  the largest selections of continually-warehoused merchandise from seven warehouses strategically located across the country.

And with Coaster’s new 2010 "Rental Catalog", ordering just became that much easier.

Download catalog here.

Coaster’s new "Rental Catalog" condenses all the furniture company’s 3,200 different SKU’s into a simplified 44 page "Best of RTO" index featuring the products "that are best suited for the rental industry and are proven winners — stylish, durable and realistically priced."

“The items featured are those we have selected not only because they are attractive and stylish, but also because they provide exceptional durability, and they are priced practically for rental dealers,” said Larry Furiani, Vice President  of Dealer Relations for Coaster Company of America. “These are proven winners that can help take the guesswork out of ordering for your store.”

The products featured cover 10 categories including: casual dining groups, bedframes, bedroom groups, uphostery collections and home entertainment collections.

Coaster is one of over 1,500 exhibitors at the Winter Las Vegas Market this week.

Fore information contact Larry Furiani at 562/944-7899 or by email at lfuriani@coasteramer.com. Coaster’s Web site is www.coasteramer.com

Huntingdon Mayor Dee Dee Brown, center left, helps cut the ribbon on the new Majik Rentals store in her city.

Lancaster-based Majik Rentals and Sales officially opened its fifth rent to own location in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania yesterday. The stores ribbon cutting ceremony was highlighted by a $4,000 contribution to a local charitable organization.

Majik, which first opened for business in 1984 also has stores in Lancaster, York, Harrisburg and Columbia, Pennsylvania.

"We’ve see a lot of business in this first week," Dan Fisher, vice president of Majik Rentals told the local Daily News. "(At the other stores) it was more of a slower buildup. There certainly wasn’t the word of mouth from everybody, from the residents to the mayor to the area restaurants. Its been very positive."

Fisher said he plans to open two or three more Majik Rental locations within a 45 minute radius of the Huntingdon locations.

During the grand opening, Barb Wakefield, manager of Majik Rentals and Sales, Huntingdon, presented Deb Johnston, counselor advocate for the Huntingdon House — a local abuse shelter — with a contribution of $4,000 toward the purchase of furniture.

Joe Savovic, founder of SLR International.

SLR International, leather motion furniture specialist, debuts this week at the Winter Las Vegas Market in Building A, space 1054.

SLR International was founded in early 2008 by RTO industry veteran, Joe Savovic.

"It gives me great personal pleasure to once again serve a segment of friends spanning 25 years in the rental industry with a range of products specifically tailored to their every day needs".

SLR International offers 48 hour shipment from 5 Regional Distribution Centers located in:

Dallas, TX
Tacoma, WA
Riverside, CA
Milwaukee, WI
Martinsville, VA

SLR also offers one of the strongest warranty packages in the furniture industry….

15 years on frames
5  years on electric motors
Lifetime on all mechanisms
3 years against manufacturing defects

All supported by national service.

SLR’s product range going from premium Bonded Leather products for the rental industry, to full top grain leather products for major retailers, carry the same quality standards throughout the product line of over 40 styles.

Permanent Showrooms in High Point, NC and Las Vegas, NV.

SLR is proud to have a program approved by TRIB, and looks forward to renewing many long friendships among all APRO members.

See APRO photo gallery of the event here.
 

For more information contact, jsavovic@charter.net.