 APRO: The Official Voice of the Rent to Own Industry
|   
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
RTOHQ.org Sitemap
|
Sitemap of APRO's RTOHQ.org Website:
APRO's RTOHQ Homepage APRO's RTOHQ.org website is the Official Voice of the Rent-to-Own Industry. Find RTO news, rent-to-own events and calendars, rent-to-own resources and rent-to-own industry information at RTOHQ.org. Contact APRO Contact the Association of Progressive Rental Organizations. Phone, fax, address and email contact information for APRO. Join APRO (Rental Dealers) Use this form to join APRO as a Rental Dealer. Join APRO (Vendors) Use this form to join APRO as a Rent-to-own Vendor. RTO Today Weekly e-Newsletter Use this form to sign up for RTO Today, APRO's weekly e-Newsletter for the Rent-to-own industry. APRO's Rent-to-Own Customer and Employee of the Year Entry Form Use this form to nominate someone for APRO's Rent-to-Own Customer of the Year or Employee of the Year Awards. APRO's Rent-to-Own Photo Gallery Browse through the photos from APRO and Rent-to-own events and happenings. About Rent-to-Own Rent-to-own tips for consumers in tough economic times In tough economic times, rent-to-own can be a viable means for millions of American consumers to acquire appliances, furniture, electronics and computers, according to a recent article on MSNBC. Especially at a time when consumer credit is scarce and when existing credit lines are being cut, the rent to ... Rent-to-own Product Manuals Here are links to rent-to-own product manuals available online from some of APRO's vendor companies. If you are an APRO vendor and would like to make your online product manuals more accessible to your customers, please contact APRO by e-mail or by calling 800/204-2776, ext. 103, and your company's ... Rent-to-own Reports and Studies Survey of Rent-to-Own Customers published by the Federal Trade Commission's Bureau of Economics [This report is most beneficial to policy makers, news reporters, legal and legislative analysts] While there has been considerable debate concerning the rent-to-own industry over the past decade or more, there has been little independent systematic ... Rent-to-Own Organization and Company Websites Rent-to-own Organization Websites AVB-BrandSource Arkansas Rental Dealers Association California Rental Dealers Association Florida Rental Dealers Association Illinois Rental Dealers Association Missouri Rental Dealers Association New York Rental Dealers Association Ohio Rental-Purchase Dealers Association RentDirect Nationwide Rental-Purchase Dealers Association of Indiana Tennessee Rental Dealers Association Texas Association of Rental Agencies ... Rent-to-own franchise companies Here are most of the key players in the rent-to-own franchise industry. A complete profile of each company - including information on what franchisors are seeking in franchisees, as well as statistics and expected growth - is available both on this website and as a PDF by clicking on ... Rent-to-own franchising By Geoff Williams They can focus on their business and not have to worry about vendor or business relationships. We’ve already established those on their behalf,” says Larry Sutton, owner of Rent-n-Roll Custom Wheels and Tires. “We also have a media buying service. We can take ... RTO: Rent-to-Own Changing With the Times Ownership is just an option The emphasis is on renting, not necessarily owning. While ownership is an option, industry research and statistics have consistently shown that over the past 20 years, three out of four rent-to-own customers—75 percent—return their products within four months. The choice is the ... The rent-to-own customer The rent-to-own transaction is the most flexible transaction in the marketplace today. The fact that customers can return a product at any time for any reason distinguishes itself as a unique and valuable transaction filling many niches. Consumers have choices. They can buy used merchandise, which many customers do ... Rent-to-Own: Cost vs. Value No long-term obligation.Terminate the agreement at any time for any reason.Never incur debt.Credit is never extended.Credit checks are never required.Flexible payment options: weekly, bi-weekly, monthly.Early-purchase options-offering significant price reductions.Re-instatement rights. If a customer has to return a product for any reason during ... Rent-to-own prices For years, critics of rent-to-own have targeted the industry’s prices as being the primary negative aspect of the business. What those critics fail to acknowledge is that rent-to-own doesn’t simply offer new, name-brand products. With every transaction, customers receive unparalleled service, flexibility of payments and no obligation ... Rent-to-Own Industry Overview What is rent-to-own? The $6.3-billion rent-to-own industry—or RTO— continues to improve its business, customer service and pricing becoming a viable consumer option in the American economy. The unique rent-to-own transaction sprang up in the 1960s in response to a growing consumer need for acquiring the use of ... What is APRO? Past Employee and Customer of the Year Recipients EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR RECIPIENTS: Bill Tennison Watch video. 2008 Rent-to-Own Employee of the Year Bill Tennison, a ten-year employee of Heartland Furniture and Appliances from Doniphan, MO, is the proud recipient of APRO's 2008 Employee of the Year. Tennison won for his many contributions to the local food ... APRO 2008-2009 Committee Assignments The APRO Board of Directors is a talented team with committees headed by top-notch talent. But the association would like to expand committee participation beyond members of the board. APRO is urging participation from other association members to tackle industry issues on its various committees. Listed below, you'll find ... RTO Customer & Employee of the Year Annual Contest NOW LOOKING FOR APRO's 2009 Rent-to-own Employee and Customer of the Year! DEADLINE: JULY 24th, 2009 Applications and Judging Criteria Below. APRO's Employee and Customer of the Year are those customers and employees who inspire, help or sacrifice for the betterment of their families and/or communities—just like the ... APRO's Rent-to-Own Collection Practices These collection guidelines were initiated by the Association of Progressive Rental Organizations for its members and their businesses. Use this link to download a printable PDF of the Collection Practices that you may wish to display in your stores. APRO has also created a list of Code of Ethics ... Meet the staff of the Association of Progressive Rental Organizations Bill Keese, Executive Director 800/204-2776, ext. 101 Bill oversees all operations of the association, manages the staff and resources and implements APRO board policy. If you've got a policy question– or any question about APRO– he's the person to contact. Email: bkeese@rtohq.org Tulisha Carson, Office Manager 800/204-2776, ext. ... APRO Vendor Advisory Committee The APRO Vendor Advisory Committee serves a critical function in addressing APRO suppliers’ needs and issues. The committee sets the direction and helps with many of the specifics of the convention and buying show, while providing an important link between vendors and dealers. Committee members serve staggered, two-year terms ... APRO's Board of Directors APRO is governed by a 17-member elected board of directors. Sixteen directors serve staggered two-year terms with eight directors elected each year. The 17th board member is from the vendor community and is elected by the APRO Vendor Advisory Committee. All directors are elected at the annual convention. For ... Honoring the Rent-to-own Industry's Finest The APRO "Buddy" Awards are presented every year to those outstanding individuals and organizations that have raised the level of what can be done to better the industry for everyone. The recipients are named at the annual APRO Awards Banquet held during the association's Convention and Buying Show. ... APRO's Scholarship Foundation Education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one. M A L C O L M F O R B E S NOW Accepting Applicants to APRO's 2009 Educational Scholarship. One $2000 scholarship will be awarded to an APRO Employee or their Child. DEADLINE FOR ... RTO [Relief to Our] Employees Disaster Relief Fund In 2005, members of the Association of Progressive Rental Organizations contributed more than $190,000 to help rent-to-own employees get back on their feet after the devastation caused by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The rent-to-own community helped 159 employees survive and recover from these natural disasters. Unfortunately, natural disasters ... Rent-to-own Industry Timeline Rent-to-own Industry 2000-Present June 2008 U.S. Senator Charles Schumer re-introduces the Rent to Own Reform Act - S. 1530 to "reign in these highway bandits." The introduction sets off a series of news reports negatively portraying rent-to-own. APRO donates $50,000 worth of product and money ... APRO's Rent-to-Own Code of Ethics These ethics guidelines were devised by the Association of Progressive Rental Organizations for its members and their businesses. You may also download a printable PDF of the Code of Ethics that you may wish to display in your stores. APRO has also created a list of Collection Practices in ... Membership Benefits APRO saves you money! APRO Government Relations: Federal and State Legislative Protection Since 1993, there have been seven federal bills that would cripple the national rent-to-own industry pre-empting every state RTO law that protects the right for rent-to-own dealers to conduct business. In the past two Congressional sessions, U.... The Voice of Rent-to-Own The Association of Progressive Rental Organizations is the international voice for the rent-to-own industry founded in 1980. APRO is the nonprofit trade association advocating and representing the rent-to-own industry before the U.S. Congress, Internal Revenue Service, state legislatures, the courts, media and the public. The association offers a ... Rent-to-own Events APRO's 2009 RAE Awards competition open Watch 2008 RAE Award Winners The time is now for rent-to-own dealers to dust off their best advertisements from the past year and enter them in APRO's 20th anniversary Rental Advertising Excellence Awards competition. EARLY DEADLINE: July 17th, 2009 LATE DEADLINE: JULY 24th, 2009! (You're punished a $5 late ... APRO 2009 Convention and Buying Show - Sponsors THANKS! APRO would like to thank the following companies for their generous sponsorships of the 2009 Rent-to-Own Convention and Buying show, August 30–September 2 Paris Resort, Las ... APRO 2009 Convention and Buying Show - Exhibitor Information Exhibitor information for APRO’s 2009 Rent-to-Own Buying Show The Association of Progressive Rental Organizations—the national trade association for the rent-to-own industry—invites you to exhibit at its 2009 Convention and Buying Show, August 30-September2 in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is the largest, most prestigious gathering dedicated to ... 2009 Rent-to-Own Convention and Buying Show APRO's big show returns to theCity of Lights! August 30-September 2 Paris and Bally's, Las Vegas APRO REGISTRATION ISNOW OPEN Rental dealers please click here to begin your registration Exhibitors please click here to begin your registration Paris and Las Vegas share the nickname “City of Lights.” ... APRO Rent-to-Own Events Overview APRO’s Annual Rent-to-Own Convention and Buying Show This annual event is the largest, most-prestigious event dedicated to the rent-to-own industry. More than just a trade show, the APRO Rent-to-Own Convention and Buying Show includes two days of educational seminars offered by top speakers and RTO industry experts from ... State RTO Associations State Rental Dealer Association Presidents Alabama-Mississippi Rental Dealers Association Lee Duvall, president Baber’s Inc. 2500 Amonett St. Pascagoula, MS 39567-2422 228/312-0350, ext. 806 Fax 228/312-0387 leeduvall@babers.com Alaska Rental Dealers Association Inactive Arizona Rental Dealers Association (See Southwest Rental Dealers Association) Arkansas Rental Dealers Association Scott Houchin, president FAN Sales & Leasing LLC ... Rent-to-Own's State Economic Impact and Statutes APRO calculates the key economic indicators for each state according to APRO’s database and the annual industry survey conducted by statistical research firm Industry Insights. APRO has been the leader in defining the rent-to-own industry statistically for the past decade and continues to refine and build the rent-to-own ... State Rent-to-Own Association Resources The Association of Progressive Rental Organizations encourages all rental dealers to become involved in industry activity on the state level in addition to participation on the national level through APRO. State associations were crucial in developing the comprehensive network of positive state rent-to-own laws that govern how rental dealers ... RTO Legislative Activity Rent-to-own Consumer Tips In tough economic times, rent-to-own can be a viable means for millions of American consumers to acquire appliances, furniture, electronics and computers, according to a recent article on MSNBC. Especially at a time when consumer credit is scarce and when existing credit lines are being cut, the rent to ... APRO Congressional Grassroots Instructions If you have never met with an elected official then you may be intimidated by the process and politics of the U.S. Congress. But, in reality, the U.S. Congress is there to listen and help you. You will quickly find the political process to be easy and ... APRO's Political Action Committee APRO PAC supports candidates for political office who have demonstrated their support of the rent-to-own industry. Only qualified candidates for the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives are eligible to receive these funds. APRO PAC is dedicated to the protection and preservation of the rent-to-own ... Rent-to-Own Bill Co-sponsors The Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act of 2009 by U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu and U.S. House of Representative William Lacy Clay has been introduced and assigned bill numbers S. 738 and H.R. 1744. The rent-to-own regulatory bill will require consumer pricing disclosures, advertising disclosures and reinstatement ... Independent Research on Rent-to-Own Rent-to-own agreements: Customer characteristics and contract outcomes By UMASS Finance Professor Dr. Michael H. Anderson and California Polytechnic State University Finance and Economics Professor Dr. Sanjiv Jaggia Published in the Journal of Economics and Business in January 2008. The rent-to-own (RTO) industry is popular among low income consumers in ... Rent-to-Own Legislative History Federal: Below is a summary of the major federal initiatives aimed at passage of a Consumer Rental-Purchase Agreement Act: 2009-2010 | 111th Congress: H.R. 1744 by Representative William Lacy Clay (D-MO) and S. 738 (D-LA) have been referred to the Senate Banking Committee and House Financial Services Committee. ... Rent-to-own vs Retail: A Profit Comparison The Truth about Rent-to-Own Profits Rent-to-own’s supposedly “exorbitant” profits have been a primary point of criticism from the industry’s detractors—but the numbers show that RTO profits are in alignment with a competitive industry and fair profits. This chart represents a sampling of public companies and ... Why the Rent-to-Own Industry is Seeking Federal Legislation Why federal rent-to-own legislation? Passage of a federal rent-to-own bill will benefit consumers, businesses and the American economy *****Download the full text of the Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act here. The Clay/Landrieu Bill Defines the Rent-to-own Transaction as a Lease The rent-to-own transaction provides millions of consumers with a ... The Rent-to-own Industry's Message to Congress Dear U.S. Congress, The logical first question you ask is why the rent-to-own industry a Congressional issue. The simple answer is because of you – Congress. In 1993, 2006 and 2007, powerful members of Congress introduced federal legislation that would eliminate the rent-to-own industry in America. As a ... Welcome Legislators An Introduction to Rent-to-Own: We know your time is valuable and we appreciate visiting our site to learn more about the rent-to-own industry. On these pages, we hope you find it easy to locate the resources you need on the industry, its customers, the economic impact of rent-to-own—both ... APRO's Legislative Conference APRO’s 2009 Dave Egan Legislative Conference is scheduled for April 21-23 in Washington, D.C., at the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel. After 16 years of representing the rent-to-own industry before the U.S. Congress, APRO's annual legislative conference is the legislative event of the year. APRO's Legislative Conference is ... Rent-to-own Legislative Activity and Resources A history of the rent-to-own industry's legislative efforts and its current strategies regarding state and federal legislation Seeking federal legislation The rent-to-own industry is an established part of the American economy. Since the industry’s inception in the 1960s and its rapid growth in the past 40 years, consumers, ... Rent-to-Own's State Economic Impact and Statutes APRO calculates the key economic indicators for each state according to APRO’s database and the annual industry survey conducted by statistical research firm Industry Insights. APRO has been the leader in defining the rent-to-own industry statistically for the past decade and continues to refine and build the rent-to-own ... RTO Education Resources APRO's Rent-to-Own Seminars The Association of Progressive Rental Organizations offers educational seminars designed for owners and employees at a number of industry events. Take advantage of the valuable networking and educational opportunities by learning how to make yourself, your business and your industry better. APRO's annual Convention and Buying Show For two ... Rent-to-Own Glossary of Terms Account: a term usually used to designate a customer who has a unit on rent or a rental agreement. Account number: the identification number given to each account and used as a reference for tracking the progress of the agreement. Account transfer: the reassignment of a rental agreement from ... Take a FREE Rent-to-Own Online Training Course! Congratulations! You have taken the first step toward your Rental Training Online education. For a limited time, APRO is offering a free Rental Training Online course, “Introduction to Rent-to-Own.” The course is a $19.90 value—but can be yours free. To receive this free course, just ... Rental Training Online Registration Before entering APRO’s Rental Training Online Virtual University, you may want to print this page to use as a guideline for registering for online courses. Use this link to download a printable PDF of the registration procedures. Important: Each student must have his/her unique e-mail address before beginning ... Rental Training Online Courses APRO’s Rental Training Online Virtual University was designed to provide basic, specialized training for store-level RTO employees. The program is very flexible and allows students to learn at their own pace, when and where it is convenient for them and their companies. The cost per course is $29.... RTO Advertising & Media Rental Advertising Excellence Contest “Advertising is the No. 1 source of rent-to-own’s public perception.” Trenholm Marketing Research’s report on the public perception of rent-to-own Enter 2009 Contest here. APRO's 2009 RAE Awards are On! Enter your best advertisements to celebrate APRO's Rental Advertising Excellence 20-Year Anniversary. EARLY DEADLINE: JULY ... Download APRO Logos and Graphics Below are links to download APRO’s logo for members’, vendors’ and advertisers’ needs. You can also download a version of the logo specifically for your Web site, letting visitors know you are an APRO member. Click here if you need a logo in a version other than the ... Product Focus and Advertising Deadlines In every issue of RTOHQ: The Magazine (Formerly Progressive Rentals), a listing of who’s who of RTO vendors is featured. These listings highlight rent-to-own industry product and service suppliers who support the industry in a variety of ways. February–March 2009: Who’s Who in Rent-to-Own Management Advertising ... Advertise with APRO: Expand Your Market RTOHQ: TheMagazine (Formerly Progressive Rentals magazine) The premier magazine serving the ever-changing rent-to-own industry RTOHQ: The Magazine (formerly APRO's award-winning Progressive Rentals) is APRO’s bi-monthly magazine with an emphasis on larger issues facing its players in the rent-to-own industry. As the premier magazine serving this booming industry, advertising ... APRO Publications Media Tips Media Relations for the rent-to-own company Chapter I HOW PUBLICITY AFFECTS YOUR BUSINESS How necessary is it for you to take the time and effort to prepare for potential media interviews? Just how much can the media affect your business in any case? The Damage of Negative Coverage Consider ... RTOHQ: The Magazine Archives Welcome to the RTOHQ: The Magazine (formerly Progressive Rentals Magazine) Archives. Here you can browse past magazines in full PDF format, or read through the articles on this site or download them for later. Archives are listed in reverse chronological order: 2009 RTOHQ: The Magazine Archives April - May ... Rental Viewpoint E-newsletter Archives Back issues of Rental Viewpoint—APRO’s former online newsletter—are available by clicking on the links below, listed in reverse chronological order. Note: some of the links within these archive documents have been removed. Use this link to sign up for RTO Today—APRO’s current weekly online ... Other APRO Rent-to-Own Publications APRO offers a wide variety of publications to help your rent-to-own business—some available to APRO members only at no charge. Many of these publications have been updated recently and reflect the marketing, advertising, legal and financial analysis specific to the rent-to-own industry. These reports were written by some ... RTOHQ: The Magazine A new chapter in rent-to-own communications has begun.RTOHQ: The Magazine is setting a new standard for the rent-to-own industry's printed communications. Its predecessor,Progressive Rentals, was the Association of Progressive Rental Organizations' award-winning, four-color, bimonthly magazine providing news, industry trends, management techniques, details on upcoming events, APRO member ... Rent-to-own News Premier dealers turn "jailbirds" to send MDMA kids to camp William Cuthbertson jailed to raise money for the Muscular Distrophy Association. Local business owners and community leaders from Clarksville, Tenn. were accused recently of “having a big heart” and were “arrested” and hauled off to “jail” on Thursday, June 18. Among them were Premier Rental-Purchase dealers ... APRO Golfers tee off at scenic Angel Park Angel Park Golf Club. This year's annual Tom Kitchens/Joe Eason Golf Tournament will be held on the Palm Course at the Angel Park Golf Club in Las Vegas during APRO's annual Convention. Registration Deadline: August 14 Find full tournament details and download entry form here. At almost 3,000 ... Aaron's Inc. Q2 Conference call July 22 Aaron’s, Inc. will host a conference call at 10:30 a.m. EST July 22 to discuss the company's second quarter 2009 results. There will be opening remarks and then questions and answers with Chairman Charlie Loudermilk, President/CEO Robin Loudermilk, COO Ken Butler, and Executive Vice President/CFO Gil Danielson. ... 'A breath of fresh air': Illinois RDA makes renovation possible at area Boys and Girls Club IRDA Board members. It wasn't the outreach project they'd planned to do; but it's the one that needed doing. The Illinois Rental Dealers Association Tuesday will formally present The Boys and Girls Club of Central Illinois (BGCCIL) with a check for $21,000 at a press conference at 10 ... New Consumer Protection Agency could impact RTO bills The Obama administration yesterday sent a detailed proposal to Congress to create an agency to protect consumers and oversee nearly every facet of consumer lending. Though the bill, and the agency it proposes to establish – The Consumer Financial Protection Agency – does not name rent-to-own directly and is ... Employee and Customer of the Year: deadline July 24 Click to watch video. APRO's Employee and Customer of the Year Contest is On! Deadline July 24! The search is on for the rent-to-own customer and employee who best personify the spirit of the industry through their work on behalf of others. Nominations can be made online here or ... Minnesota Supreme Court: Franken wins, Dems at 60 The Minnesota Supreme Court today unanimously ruled former "Saturday Night Live" star Al Franken the winner of last November's Senate race, putting him on the brink of becoming a U.S. Senator and giving Democrats a dominant 60-vote supermajority in the Senate. In a unanimous 5-0 decision, the ... APRO Convention Update: Early bird registration July 15 The Rent-To-Own Industry Event of the Year Is Here Register by July 15 – Save $100! Register Now: Dealers Exhibitors Convention packages are $1,195 for Bally's and $1,295 for Paris, with discount, and include a four night hotel stay and complete registration for two people. For example, ... Rent-A-Center, Q2 2009 conference call broadcast July 28 Rent-A-Center will broadcast its quarterly earnings conference call on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at 10:45 AM ET over the Internet. This call will be held to discuss the earnings release that will be issued after the close of the market on Monday, July 27, 2009. Audio of the call ... American Rental product expo, picnic set for July American Rentals General Manager David P. David tries his luck on the mechanical bull at last year's American Rental company picnic. American Rental, the third largest independent RTO company in the U.S., is gearing up for its 19th annual training expo and company picnic which this year includes ... Premier wraps midyear dealers retreat with open house The Premier Companies wrapped a successful midyear dealers retreat in Atlanta, Georgia Thursday with an open house for entrepreneurs interested in joining the Premier family. Over 90 dealers attended the retreat and took part in 15 offered workshops available to support dealers in their growth. Premier unveiled a number ... RAE Awards celebrate the industry's best ads: July 24 deadline Click to watch. The rent-to-own industry's most prestigious advertising competition is back. But if you want your ad or community relations program included in this year's 2009 Rental Advertising Excellence Awards (RAE) awards competition, you don't have time to waste. The RAE submission deadline is July 24, so click ... Newly elected councilman donates 1,000 DVDs to libraries Riverside City Councilman Paul Davis (center) with family at his swearing in ceremony this week. Riverside City Councilman-elect Paul Davis of Ward 4 was officially sworn into office this week, but he's already going to bat for local libraries. Davis, owner of Nations Rent-To-Own, who ran on a platform ... ColorTyme and RimTyme offer franchise financing guarantee ColorTyme and RimTyme rent-to-own companies offer franchise business opportunities with a franchise financing guarantee. If an approved franchisee does not receive financing, ColorTyme will refund the franchise fee. ColorTyme, Inc. is America’s oldest franchisor of independently owned-and-operated rent to own stores. ColorTyme’s history is rooted in the ... Countryside team volunteers for local campers Countryside Rentals Human Resources Director Jim Runnels pilots a boat full of Kamp Dovetail campers and volunteers. On a picture-perfect summer day, near a postcard lake in southwest Ohio, over 10 percent of the Countryside Rentals workforce was there to lend a hand for one of the largest summer ... Customers honored at Bargain Center Customer Appreciation Day Grand Prize raffle winner Ralph McCord atop his new Harley Davidson. Bargain Center -- a rent-to-own company based in Grove, Oklahoma -- recently held a customer appreciation event throughout all 14 of its store locations to thank its customers the communities it serves. “We really wanted to show ... APRO Convention registration open: Early bird discount deadline July 15 This year the Association of Progressive Rental Organizations returns to the "City of Lights" for the rent-to-own event of the year: APRO's 2009 Convention and Buying Show at Paris and Bally's, Las Vegas, Aug. 30 - Sept. 2. This year APRO offers attending dealers a $100 discount off ... ColorTyme bikers trek across U.S. for franchisee retreat ColorTyme Time Travelers. While many chose to endure air travel to Jackson Hole, Wyo., for ColorTyme’s 2009 Summer Meeting, a valiant group of franchise owners and corporate employees trekked across the country by motorcycle. The group named the Tyme Travelers, included Larry Hill, Mark Shealy, Nellie Rosete, Mark ... High Touch auto dial product helps cut costs High Touch, Inc., a technology solutions provider, will soon rollout a highly anticipated product that complements the company's PRO/Store point-of-sale software. Auto Dial Voice Messaging is designed to maximize staff efficiencies and minimize overhead, according to Jason Mock, Director of Enterprise Accounts for High Touch. Talley’s Beta Tests ... Local ColorTyme owners announce essay contest winners ColorTyme franchisee Louis Garcia presents laptop computers to local high school essay contest winners. Owners of five ColorTyme franchise stores in Maryland, Epic Ventures LLC today, announced the four winners of the 2009 Epic Ventures People Helping People Senior Essay Competition. Winners of the essay contest include Sloane Morgan ... Premier Rental-Purchase Donates $10K to Booker High School Premier dealer Calvin Cooksey and wife. Premier Rental-Purchase in Sarasota, Florida, is the proud No. one sponsor of Booker High School's sports program, having recently committed $10,000 to support the Booker Tornadoes. Premier Sarasota is a family-owned and operated rent-to-own store specializing in furniture, appliances and electronics. They ... ColorTyme franchisees, vendors pow wow in all day conference Yesterday, as part of the ColorTyme Summer Meeting in Jackson Hole, Wyo., franchise owners participated in an all-day conference where they met with several vendors. Vendor representatives provided a list of merchandise that franchisees could later purchase during a special "hot buy" session. ”I love the summer ... Heartland Show totals rock expectations Sale in progress on the show floor of the 2009 Heartland of America Trade Show. The economy may be rotten but you won't find evidence of that in show totals posted at the fifth annual Heartland of America Trade Show which wrapped up yesterday in Lake Ozark, Missouri. The ... Rent-A-Center commits to community at Wyoming store opening Customers in Riverton, Wyoming, and surrounding communities now have a new choice available when it comes to renting or buying brand-name furniture, appliances, electronics and computers. Rent-A-Center celebrated the opening of its newest store with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday. The new store is located in The Shoppes at Federal, ... Heartland training day adds new level of value to show Dan Green of Ashley Furniture shows off the engineering behind an Ashley Furniture recliner. The Heartland of America Trade Show today launched its much anticipated product training day where over 150 rent-to-own dealers will rotate through vendor led training sessions aimed at sharpening product knowledge at the store level ... Heartland Show wraps with awards banquet MRDA Executive Director Ken Steiner (l) with association president John Cleek Jr. Heartland of America Trade Show attendees packed the Granada Ballroom at the Lodge of the Four Seasons Resort Wednesday night for the annual awards banquet recognizing golf and bass tournament winners and reflecting on the association's and ... Relationships rule at Heartland Show National TV Sales and Rental company at the Heartland of America Show. Though purchase order totals will not be available until tomorrow, organizers of the Heartland of America Tradeshow are all smiles as activity in the main exhibit hall winds up Wednesday evening. Around 167 dealers representing 20 rent-to-own ... Dealers, vendors make Heartland Show networking events L to R: Sean Keefe (DSI), Larry Carrico (Rent One), Kelly Carrico (Rent One) and Dan Haight (Pioneer) enjoy a game of four man scramble Wednesday. Rent to own professionals took full advantage of recreational and networking opportunities today at the fifth annual Heartland of America Regional Trade Show ... Jackson Hole hosts ColorTyme franchise summer meeting Starting today, the Snake River Lodge in Jackson Hole, Wyo., will host ColorTyme’s Franchise Summer Meeting in which franchisees from around the country will gather to spend several days working with members of the ColorTyme corporate staff, collaborate with fellow franchisees and attend several vendor buying presentations. “... RTO dealers turn out for Heartland; attendance up 26 percent Clint Young (l) of Fisher & Paykel Appliances shows off one of the company's high tech washing machines to Murray Beck of Rent One. Rent-to-own dealers and vendors from over five states across the midwest trekked to the banks of The Lake of the Ozarks tonight to shatter attendance ... BlackBox GPS launches Imagery's "Company Cake" training BlackBox GPS, the leader in RTO Fleet Routing and Monitoring Solutions announced today their launch of Imagery Marketing’s Company Cake Training Course. The BlackBox GPS Company Cake Courses were developed to help RTO Managers effectively manage their fleet and improve the overall efficiency of their mobile workforce. The ... Rent-A-Center donates $10,000 to D.C. Food Bank Rent-A-Center's Dwight Dumler presents a check for $10,000 to Lynn Brantley of the Capital Area Food Bank. Rent-A-Center today donated $10,000 to the Capital Area Food Bank – the Capital region’s largest public, nonprofit food and nutrition education resource. The donated funds will help support the ... Above and beyond: RTO employee, customer of the year sought The search is on for the rent-to-own customer and employee who best personify the spirit of the industry through their work on behalf of others. These are people who inspire, help and sacrifice for the betterment of their families and/or communities. The Association of Progressive Rental Organizations annually celebrates ... Rent One donates computer to youth program Rent One owner Larry Carrico, Rev. James Gordon, a youth advisor and several children at Rent One corporate offices yesterday. Rent One donated a laptop computer to the Southtown Youth Program in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, Wednesday. The program is run by a local church and coordinates a summer camp ... New York dealers hold successful legislative day NYSRDA annual membership meeting. Around 18 New York Rental Dealers from across the state turned out in Albany, New York, yesterday to meet and greet state lawmakers and promote a better understanding of the rent-to-own transaction's impact on consumers and the economy. The New York State Rental Dealers Association ... Training to highlight re-vamped Heartland Show Bass tournament at last year's Heartland Tradeshow. Next week the Heartland of America Trade Show in Lake Ozark, Missouri, will add training to it's enviable golfing, fishing, networking and buying bonanza, a move that will further fortify the show's regional legacy as a value packed company destination. Over 150 ... Easygates opens two new franchise stores Easygates -- the franchise division of Canada-based easyhome -- opened two new stores last week in San Marcos, Texas and Salina, Kansas. “We are elated to bring the easyhome concept to two new markets," said Bud Gates, chairman and CEO of easygates, "Trent McKenzie and Chuck ... Davis wins Riverside City Council Seat Riverside Ward 4 City Councilman Paul Davis. Listen to podcast. Rent-to-own dealer Paul Davis is the new Riverside Ward 4 City Councilman after winning a decisive victory over the two-term incumbent last night. Davis took home 52 percent of the vote in the race against Frank Schiavone in a ... Discover Rental Purchase launches franchise happiness guarantee In a business landscape cluttered with companies seeking franchise operators, Jim Steger thinks he may have it figured out. As Vice President of Franchise Development for Discover Rental Purchase, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Steger knows he is competing with hundreds, if not thousands, of U.S businesses who ... Rent-A-Center contributes $2K to library at store opening Starting today, customers in Novi, Michigan, and surrounding communities have a new choice available when it comes to renting or buying brand-name furniture, appliances, electronics and computers. Rent-A-Center is celebrating the opening of its newest store at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2. Featuring approximately 4,500 square ... APRO 2009 Scholar search begins APRO 2008 Scholarship winner Penny Wyatt (center) with then APRO President Larry Carrico (left) and Show Me Rent To Own owner Gary Romine. Watch Video. The Association of Progressive Rental Organizations is seeking qualified applicants for it's second annual scholarship competition open to all APRO rent-to-own employees and their ... Don's EZ Pay to open new store in July Arkansas-based Don's E-Z Pay is looking to open a fourth store in neighboring Idabel, Oklahoma this July, almost a year after the company's founder, Don Cecil died. Cecil's daughter, Rhonda Weatherford, a registered nurse, who has also managed the company's three existing stores for the past 10 years, said ... ColorTyme franchisees see big future in Canton Tony Trombley and Tom Smith Partner to Offer Superior Customer Service in New Store Canton, Ohio is now the home of a new ColorTyme store – co-owned by Tony Trombley and Tom Smith. Located near the corner of Whipple Avenue and Tuscarawas Street West in Canton Centre Mall, the ... ColorTyme store celebrates successful fundraiser for boy awaiting heart transplant It started with Hanover’s local ColorTyme store donating a laptop. Then it progressed to the development of a “Have a Heart, Give a Heart” fundraising campaign – all for Jarrett Peck, a 10-year-old boy who will soon undergo a complicated heart surgery. See previous story. Today, the ... RTO employee and customer of the year search is on Far right: APRO's 2008 Employee of the Year Bill Tennison of Heartland Furniture and Appliance. Watch video. The search is on for the rent-to-own customer and employee who best personify the spirit of the industry through their work on behalf of others. Nominations are being accepted now through July ... RNR continues to help feed hungry in Tampa Members of Grace Family Church serve meals in their outdoor soup kitchen set up in the parking lot of an RNR Custom Wheels & Performance Tire’s store in Tampa, Fla. RNR Custom Wheels & Performance Tire’s store on East Fletcher Avenue in Tampa, Florida, has been drawing ... DSI, Digital Delivery Group announce strategic alliance DSI Systems, the nation's largest distributor of satellite and consumer electronic equipment, and Digital Delivery Group (DDG), the leading convergence and digital products-focused distribution consortium, today announced a strategic partnership creating the DSI DDG Alliance. With 59 pickup facilities coast to coast, the alliance will provide custom integrators with ... Rent-A-Center Gift to benefit summer camps in Onondaga and Madison Counties New York State Sen. David Valesky joins Rent-A-Center representatives as they present Camp Healing Hearts with a check for $4,000. Rent-A-Center will help brighten summer vacation for more than 740 children attending Camp Lookout in Madison County and Camp Healing Hearts in Onondaga County. Representatives from 14 area ... Electronics lead consumer confidence rally Consumer confidence in the overall economy moved up sharply in May, according to figures released today by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). The CEA-CNET Indexes also show that consumers continue to feel more confident about future spending on technology and consumer electronics (CE). The CEA-CNET Index of Consumer Expectations ... Vendor Advisory Committee nominations due July 1 Seven seats on APRO's Vendor Advisory Committee are up for election this year and the nomination process is now underway. The Vendor Advisory Committee is open to any APRO Associate Member in good standing who desires to get more involved with the rent-to-own industry trade association. The election will ... Cleek's annual bowling event tops $100K mark John Cleek Jr.'s sixth annual "Bowling for Autism" event earlier this month raised $21,400 for the Judevine Center for Autism in Columbia, Missouri, bringing the six-year fundraising total for the event to $106,000. Money from the event held at the AMF Town and Country Lanes, ... Consumer confidence rallies for biggest jump in six years The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index last month posted its largest month to month gain in six years, rallying to an eight month high as consumers continue to gain footing in an economy rife with sluggish economic factors. The Index now stands at 54.9 (1985=100), up from 40.... APRO's 2009 RAE Awards competition open Watch 2008 RAE Award Winners The time is now for rent-to-own dealers to dust off their best advertisements from the past year and enter them in APRO's 20th anniversary Rental Advertising Excellence Awards competition. EARLY DEADLINE: July 17th, 2009 LATE DEADLINE: JULY 24th, 2009! (You're punished a $5 late ... Lynn Porter of RentQuik dies Longtime APRO member Lynn Porter, 53, of RentQuik died this Sunday afternoon of cardiac arrest. A memorial service has been scheduled for 4 p.m. at Freeman Harris Funeral in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Porter had been in business since 1985, and an APRO members since 1987, with six RentQuick stores ... Industry arguments begin in Mass. Supreme Court case Industry attorneys head to Boston June 9 to begin oral arguments before the Massachusetts Supreme Court over a multi-million dollar lawsuit that claims the state's 20 - year old RTO statute does not regulate RTO transactions. Read More. Last December the lawsuit a Massachusetts Federal District Court sent the ... Rent One first to donate to holiday fundraiser for troops JCOIF officials Sherri Meadows and Joyce Coorman accept a check from Rent One Owner Larry Carrico while Rent One managers Keen, Murray Beck and Trent Agin look on with other members of the JCOIF. Larry and Sharon Carrico and the entire Rent One family Thursday, kicked off the 2009 ... FRDA signs up dealers for new skips/stolen database Florida rental dealers discuss a new skips/stolen database at their annual association meeting last September. Buddy’s Home Furnishings, Rent King, and ColorTyme dealer Dave Pagano this week are the first companies to sign on to a new real time database rental dealers hope will allow them to reduce ... Consumer protection, regulation drive credit card reform A sweeping bill that would tame "abusive" practices by the credit card industry could make it's way out of the U.S. House of Representatives today after passing the Senate yesterday on a 90-5 vote. Propelled by a wave of anti-bank and pro-consumer sentiment, the bill would outlaw ... Dolezal named new High Touch CFO New High Touch CFO Vernon A. Dolezal. High Touch, a technology solutions provider, has hired Vernon A. Dolezal Jr., as director of finance and chief financial officer. The announcement was made by Wayne Chambers, High Touch CEO/president. Dolezal has 20 years of finance and accounting experience, including corporate finance ... Rental industry renews commitment to Congressional Black Caucus Bolstered by the support of state associations around the country, the rent-to-own industry will again donate over $50,000 worth of cash and products to the Congressional Black Caucus Spouses Education Scholarship Fund -- an effort aimed at helping dedicated students meet their educational goals. Rent-to-own industry professionals representing ... Call for APRO Board nominations In just over three months, members of the Association of Progressive Rental Organizations (APRO) will play a key role in shaping the course of the rent-to-own trade association and the industry as well. Eight of 17 APRO Board seats are up for grabs at APRO's 2009 Convention and Buying ... ColorTyme, RimTyme name new communications head Ryan Alford, new corporate communications specialist for ColorTyme, RimTyme. ColorTyme and RimTyme announced today the hiring of Ryan Alford as the new corporate communications specialist. In his new role, Alford will lead both brands’ public relations strategies, assist with internal communications and, most importantly, support franchisees. Before joining ColorTyme ... Wayland Russell to headline Premier dealer retreat Wayland Russell, founder and former CEO of Rainbow Rentals, will address attendees at the Premier 2009 Dealer Retreat June 24. Russell will focus on the importance of the entrepreneurial spirit and explain how Rainbow’s mantra – “More, Better, Different” – continually challenged those within the organization to ... Past APRO President heads rental sales for King Koil Glenn Davis of King Koil Mattress Company. APRO past president Glenn Davis and Curtis Spain will head up the newly created national rental sales division for King Koil Mattress Company, he announced this week. Davis was president of APRO in 1985 and served as secretary for six years. He ... Registration opens for 2009 Midwest RTO Training Expo Packed show floor at last year's Midwest RTO Expo. Registration for the hottest regional RTO Training Expo has begun. The sixth annual Midwest RTO Training Expo -- the brainchild of the Ohio Rental Dealers Association (ORDA) -- kicks off September 29-30 at the Concourse Hotel and Conference Center in ... New RTOHQ: The Magazine profiles industry lobbyists, "Niche" Connection By APRO Executive Director Bill Keese Prior to becoming our 18th president, Ulysses S. Grant was fond of sipping brandy and smoking cigars in the lobby of the famed Willard Hotel, just two blocks from the White House. Folklore has it that America’s Civil War hero coined the ... Premier to host franchising open house The Premier Companies, one of the top five fastest growing young franchisors, is hosting an Open House for those interested in owning their own business or growing their business portfolio in the rent and sale of household, auto related and financial goods and services. The event will be held ... Georgia Dealers welcome Loudermilk October 7 The Georgia Rental Dealers Association (GRDA) annual membership meeting will be held 9 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Oct. 7 at the Marriot Airport Renaissance Hotel in Atlanta and will feature a talk from the head of Aaron's, Inc. The meeting will precede the TRIB Group’s Meeting ... Arkansas dealers elect new board New ARDA Officers and Board members. Around 30 Arkansas rental dealers met Wednesday to elect a new slate of board members and officers to their state dealers association and participate in a range of educational presentations at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in West Little Rock. New board-members and officers ... WVRDA elects new officers, sets course for future West Virginia Officers: vice president Josh Hendricks, president Mike Courts and secretary/treasurer Rebecca Hollen. Around 16 rental dealers from 10 companies showed up at the Grand Pointe Conference Center in Vienna, West Virginia today to elect officers and come to grips with new regulations regarding the pricing of used ... Hanover ColorTyme rallies community support for boy's heart transplant Residents of McSherrystown, Hanover and surrounding Pennsylvania communities -- including the Hanover ColorTyme -- are combining forces to raise funds for a local 10-year-old in dire need of a heart transplant. The Community fundraiser is for Jarrett Peck a 10-year-old boy, who has had two open-heart surgeries, five stints, ... Re-tooled Heartland Show set for June 16-18 Dealers from at least five states will again head to the scenic Lodge of the Four Seasons Resort in Lake Ozark, Missouri, for the fifth annual Heartland of America Regional Trade Show and Seminar June 16-18. Rent-to-own pros from Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri are expected and dealers ... Does FTC "Red Flags" rule apply to RTO? Ed Winn III By Ed Winn III, APRO Legal Counsel There is considerable press and palaver about the new FTC Red Flags rule, and what companies must do to get in compliance with it. You can read all about the rule at www.ftc.gov/redflagsrule. The first step to ... New ColorTyme opens with donation to child advocacy group Ribbon cutting ceremony for new ColorTyme in Augusta, Georgia. Bud Evans, owner of the new ColorTyme franchise store in Augusta, Georgia, cut the ceremonial red ribbon in front of his store April 30 to kick-off the grand opening celebration. Representatives from the mayor’s office and the chamber of ... Rent One takes on students in job shadowing program Rent One staffers Lori McGovern, Murray Beck, Chris Lowe and Donna Fally mentored local high school students in a job shadowing program Thursday. Rent One's Mt. Vernon, Illinois corporate staff grew by four yesterday as part of a new job shadowing initiative aimed at giving local high school students ... Easyhome Q1 results released Canadian-based rent-to-own Easyhome today announced its results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2009. Revenue for the quarter increased 10.2% to $43.9 million compared with $39.8 million in the first quarter of 2008. Operating income was $4.4 million, down from $5.7 million for ... RTO vets open new Premier store in Coshocton, Ohio Jeff Gibson and Ron Semelsberger. When Ron Semelsberger decided to join the RTO industry 23 years ago, he had no idea it would lead him and his family toward three acquisitions, six different relocations and the ability to one day own his own business as a Premier franchisee. When ... Arkansas dealers gear up for spring meeting Arkansas dealers from across the state will convene next Wednesday at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in West Little Rock. Members will elect directors to its board as well as officers during the packed agenda which also includes a talk by Chuck Sanders, Rent-A-Center Regional Director (R064) for the Dallas, ... CORT Furniture enters staging game Furniture rental company CORT is using its furniture muscle to help sell homes through a nationwide home staging program that will outfit empty homes homes for sale, according to the Washington Business Journal. The Fairfax, Virginia-based company also runs a corporate relocation service that includes helping sell the homes ... Voting begins in Paul Davis' council race Riverside City Council Candidate Paul Davis of Nations Rent-To-Own. Listen to podcast. Rent-to-own veteran Paul Davis' bid for a seat on the Riverside, California City Council began in ernest Monday as voters began receiving ballots for the mail-only election that will determine three council races. Davis, owner of two ... West Virginia dealers to study new pricing landscape, elect new officers WVRDA President Shawn DiLeo. When Shawn DiLeo, spearheaded the re-organization of the West Virginia Rental Dealers Association (WVRDA) two years ago, he was glad to have six dealers show up. A lot has changed since then. After two years as the WVRDA president, DiLeo is no longer managing stores ... RAC outfits rec-rooms for Fort Knox soldiers With help from the Rent-A-Center Random Act of Caring program, soldiers at Fort Knox will enjoy new furnishings in six rest and recreation areas on the U.S. Army base. Three rooms in the 233rd Transportation Barracks, two rooms in the 19th Engineer’s Building and the reception area ... Theft on the rise, lash back with world's first free GPS tracking devices Merchandise theft and loss costs Americans over an estimated 50 billion dollars every year. Globally, hundreds of billions are lost annually. IContain Aims to remedy this problem. With the cost of loss prevention climbing in an effort to combat these increases in theft, loss, and damage, available solutions for ... CEA: Net-enabled TV's in high demand Demand for Internet-enabled televisions is growing rapidly, according to a new study by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). The study, Net-Enabled Video: Early Adopters Only? found that about half of prospective TV buyers say they are likely to purchase an Internet-connected TV. The study reveals numerous ways consumers would ... Montana bill exempts rental goods from property tax A bill that will lighten the tax load on rent-to-own dealers in Montana became law last week after passing out of the state legislature one vote shy of unanimously. The new law will exempt from personal property tax "property (that) is owned by a business whose primary business ... Imagery welcomes vendors, clients to new digs Imagery Principal Marty Smith (right) discusses the company's newest offering, variable print on demand solution iDemandNOW, with open house attendees. After outgrowing their old digs and moving to a new building in April 2008, Imagery Marketing Group’s staff went to work. They worked on fliers and product development, ... GDP falls 6.1% in first quarter on record investment drop The U.S. economy again took a nosedive in the first quarter of the year as business investment declined at a record rate, the Commerce Department reported today. Real gross domestic product -- the inflation-adjusted, seasonally adjusted value of all goods and services produced in the United States -- ... RAC opens new store, commits $2,000 to Sheridan community Come April 1, customers in Sheridan, Wyoming, and surrounding communities have a new choice available when it comes to renting or buying brand-name furniture, appliances, electronics and computers. Rent-A-Center is celebrating the opening of its newest store at noon on Wednesday, April 29. Featuring 4,640 square feet of ... Northwest Rental Dealers meet May 14 The Northwest Rental Dealers Association will meet May 14 for the group's annual business meeting at the La Quinta Hotel in Tacoma Washington. The group, which represents the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana, will meet to hear an update on Washington state legislative issues as well as ... Neyharts hold ColorTyme Easter Egg Hunt Lisa Neyhart, Easter egg hunt winner and Tom Neyhart. Tom Neyhart stood at the front of his ColorTyme store with arms folded, surveying his place of business with a sly smile. The store was clean and perfect, and everything was in place as usual – the electronics section was ... Aaron's reports record Q1 revenues Aaron’s, Inc. Monday, announced revenues and earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2009. For the first quarter of 2009, revenues rose 15% to $474.0 million compared to $412.7 million for the same quarter a year ago. Net earnings from continuing operations were $35.4 ... Rent-A-Center reports first quarter 2009 Results Rent-A-Center today announced revenues and earnings for the quarter ended March 31, 2009. First Quarter 2009 Results Total revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 were $728.2 million, a decrease of $28.4 million from total revenues of $756.6 million for the same period in the ... DiLeo opens third ColorTyme in Kentucky Shawn DiLeo last Friday, opened his third ColorTyme in the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Georgetown, Kentucky. A ColorTyme franchisee since September 2008, DiLeo's two other stores, also in Kentucky, comprise the first phase of DiLeo's six store plan. "This is a great time to be in rent-to-own," DiLeo ... Buddy's car earns pole award at Talladega Tom Hessert and the Andy Belmont Racing Team accept the Menards Pole Award. Tom Hessert, in the Andy Belmont Racing owned Buddy’s Home Furnishings #1 Ford Fusion, earned his 1st career Menards Pole Award for the ARCA RE/MAX 250 race on Friday, April 24th at Talladega Superspeedway in ... Aaron's Q1 conference call tomorrow Aaron's Inc. will hold it's first quarter 2009 earnings conference call live tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. ET. Featured speakers include: Ken Butler, COO, Gilbert Danielson, EVP & CFO, Charlie Loudermilk, Chairman and Robin Loudermilk, President & CEO. The Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership division has 983 company-owned stores ... Fleet management systems key to RTO success In today’s business world, maintaining a strong competitive advantage is critical to achieving long term sustainable growth. In the past, RTO growth has been associated with effective marketing programs, improved customer service, and maintaining a great product margin. However during these difficult economic conditions, business owners and managers ... Sen. Bunning joins as co-sponsor Kentucky Sen. Jim Bunning. The office of RTO bill sponsor Sen. Mary Landrieu announced late Friday Kentucky Sen. Jim Bunning, a member of the powerful Senate Banking Committee, has agreed to co-sponsor S. 738, the Senate version of the Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act. The addition of Bunning brings ... New Senate co-sponsors announced Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe. Two new Senate co-sponsors today agreed to co-sponsor the Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act, raising total co-sponsorship of S. 738 to eight. Angélique Roché, legislative correspondent to bill sponsor Sen. Mary Landrieu, confirmed this morning that North Carolina Senator Richard Burr and Oklahoma Senator ... Five new co-sponsors added, House total now at 71 RTO supporter Rep. Bob Etheridge of North Carolina. The Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act continues to gain momentum adding five new House co-sponsors today on the heels of a two week rally by rent-to-own dealers on Capitol Hill. The new Congress members officially joined the Congressional Record this morning ... Legislative momentum strong at APRO Conference Shannon Strunk and Cynthia Baber-Strunk with Sen. Roger Wicker. Wicker agreed to sign on as an RTO co-sponsor today. Rent-to-own dealers and industry representatives headed to Capitol Hill en masse today for the second of a two day barrage of meetings with Congressional leaders in support of the Consumer ... Clay, Cleek announce 13 new co-sponsors at APRO reception dinner RNR founder Larry Sutton extends a hand of appreciation to Rep. William Lacy Clay at the APRO reception dinner Wednesday. More than 100 rent-to-own dealers, vendors and their families tonight packed the historic O'Byrne Gallery at the Daughters of the American Revolution National Headquarters in Washington, D.C. to ... Industry hits Capitol Hill Bob Lawrence, Ernie Lewallen, Joel Ehrlich and Scott Kinnear at the Longworth House Office Building Wednesday. Rent-to-own industry representatives from across the country this morning kicked off the first of a two day mission to send a message to the nation's lawmakers: rent to own legislation is good for ... RTO synergy at APRO Legislative Conference opener Frank Davis, senior policy analyst to RTO bill sponsor Rep. William Lacy Clay, praises the industry Tuesday night. More than 150 rent-to-own industry representatives from across the country packed the grand ballroom of the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel in Washington, D.C. today to learn more about the intricacies of ... Son joins father at Rent One Rent One owner Larry Carrico welcomes son Steven Carrico as the company's new property development manager. Steven Carrico this week joined his father, Rent One owner Larry Carrico, on the Rent One team as the company's property development manager. For the past two and a half years, Steven, 24, ... Premier in Dayton Awards High School Student with Computer Scott Kinnear with new laptop winner Austin Reid. Dayton Premier Rental-Purchase, in conjunction with WRCX-TV 40 and The Ohio Lottery Commission, awarded Vandalia Butler High School Senior Austin Reid with a brand new Acer Lap Top Computer. The computer was part of the Student Achiever Initiative, an award given ... ColorTyme backs industry at APRO Legislative Conference ColorTyme, America’s oldest rental-purchase franchisor, has turned out in force for the Association of Progressive Rental Organizations’ (APRO) 2009 Dave Egan Legislative Conference scheduled for April 21 - 23 in Washington, D.C. More than 150 attendees representing close to 50 rent-to-own companies will convene this week at ... Home Express expands with first licensee location Rent-to-own newcomer Home Express celebrated the grand opening of its first licensee location in Jeffersonville, Indiana Friday. With the strong performance of the six company owned locations, Penny Neace will head up Home Express' first licensee store and kick off a new development phase for the company, now only ... Rent One donates van to Danny Davis Computer Training Center Rent One's Trent Agin and Larry Carrico with Lowry Taylor. Mt. Vernon Illinois-based Rent One yesterday donated a fully reconditioned van to an innovative Chicago based training program, named after rent-to-own bill co-sponsor Rep. Danny K. Davis. The Danny K. Davis Job Training Program (DKDJTP) is a "hands ... Rent-A-Center helps boost Literacy program in Oswego County Xavier Dominicis (center), vice president public affairs for Rent-A-Center with Sen. Neil Breslin (l) and Jane Murphy, executive director for LIteracy Volunteers of Oswego County at the presentation of the new learning center for Literacy Volunteers at the YMCA in Oswego. Rent-A-Center’s most recent Random Act of Caring ... Countryside bowlers raise money for family fighting cancer Beulah, Brittney and Don Riffle at Countryside Rent-2-Own's "Bowling 4 Brittney" fundraiser. Countless times Ben Davis has gotten sweaty and knocked down some wood at Trio Lanes in Wellston, Ohio. But never had hurling his ball down the alley had more meaning or impact than earlier this week, ... Ohio RTO rivalry enters round three Mike Tissot and Gary Ferriman compete for Ohio RTO bragging rights this week. Ohio rent-to-own company owners Mike Tissot of Countryside Rentals and Gary Ferriman of Showplace Rent To Own this week are furthering their legendary rivalry this week, pursuing a no holds barred rally to gain customers. The ... RTO House bill gains five, ups total to 53 Georgia Rep. Tom Price is the 14th member of the House Committee on Financial Services to support H.R. 1744. Industry congressional leaders learned today five new House co-sponsors committed to support the Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act, marking the largest show of support prior to APRO's Annual Legislative ... Bestway acquires F.A.N. stores Dallas-based Bestway Rent To Own, today announced the acquisition of four F.A.N. Rent To Own stores, raising the company's total store count to 77. The four purchased stores are located in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Conway and Russellville, Arkansas. The acquisition leaves F.A.N. owner ... Best: Briley, Sayre tie for top Aaron's franchise Kelly Sayre, owner of Alliance Rental, tied for Aaron's top franchise Tuesday. Aaron's wrapped up its annual managers meeting Tuesday night, with a star studded awards banquet honoring the best performing franchises, company stores and managers at the Gaylord National Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. APRO Vice President ... Aaron's guides massive community outreach in DC Aaron's emcee Michael Blair fires up runners before Aaron's first ever Wounded Warrior 5K at the company's annual managers meeting in Maryland. More than 1,000 Aaron's franchise owners, managers and employees braved drizzly rain Tuesday morning to take part in the company's largest ever community outreach campaign involving ... Aaron Rents becomes Aaron's, Inc. Effective April 20, Aaron Rents, will change its name to Aaron's, Inc. according to Robin Loudermilk Jr., Aaron's president and CEO, who officially unveiled the new name Monday evening to 2,000 associates in attendance at Aaron's National Managers Meeting held in Washington, D.C. "Aaron's is creating ... Aaron's launches managers meeting, historic community projects top agenda Aaron's Dream Team dancers kick off the company's national meeting at the Gaylord Convention Center in Maryland. Close to 2,000 franchise owners, managers and divisional vice presidents from Aaron's 1,560 store rent-to-own chain opened the company's annual managers meeting Monday at National Harbor, Maryland, with a high ... Easyhome 2008 annual report details new initiatives, growth opportunities Canadian-based rent-to-own company easyhome, today released it's 2008 annual report detailing the company's performance last year and growth opportunities for its franchise division, easygates, which is poised to open 10-15 new locations this year. In the past five years, easyhome has expanded the number of stores from 131 to ... TARA Convention and Buying Show exhibitor contracts available online Today, the Texas Association of Rental Agencies announced the dates for its 26th Annual Convention & Southwest Buying Trade Show will be October 11-12, 2009, at the Hotel InterContinental-Dallas, a few blocks from the Galleria shopping area. "And this is only one of the many improvements your TARA ... ORDA elects Kinnear president, moves Midwest Expo dates New ORDA officers: (l to r) Joel Elrich, treasurer, Scott Kinnear, president, Mark Kohler, vp, Tony Craig, secretary (not pictured).. Around 18 rent-to-own dealers from 11 companies turned out today for the Ohio Rental Dealers Association spring business meeting in Columbus where they elected a new president and set ... Conference sponsors support RTO legislative agenda APRO's 16th Annual Legislative Conference comes to Washington, D.C. April 21-23 and hundreds of rent-to-own dealers, vendors and employees will head to Capitol Hill to put a human face on the industry and urge passage of the Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act -- a bill that would regulate ... ColorTyme store manager supports child in need of heart transplant Maria Brooks, ColorTyme store manager in Hanover, Pennsylvania. Maria Brooks, ColorTyme store manager in Hanover, Pennsylvania, likes getting to know her customers. She says over time she gets to hear their life stories and she feels lucky to be in a position to ‘hear and serve’. Her philosophy ... BlackBox GPS, TruckSkin partnership delivers strong ROI BlackBox GPS, a leading provider of GPS Monitoring Solutions for Delivery and Service Vehicles, today announced TruckSkin -- maker of interchangeable banners, decals, and adhesive wraps for fleet vehicles -- has become a Licensed BlackBox GPS Authorized Dealer. The Authorized Dealer Agreement between BlackBox GPS and TruckSkin will provide ... RAC 2008 annual report: acquisitions, community intitiatives lead agenda Rent-A-Center, the nation's largest rent-to-own company, today released it's 2008 annual report on the company's investor relations Web page. Download Rent-A-Center annual report here. The 87-page report contains a forecast for future growth that details the opportunities for expansion both nationally and internationally through further acquisitions and consoladations. "... RAC lends hand to Pennsylvania fire victims With help from the Rent-A-Center Random Act of Caring initiative, citizens of Coatesville, Pennsylvania, continue to piece together homes and communities destroyed by arson in dozens of fires in and around this struggling steel town. Nearly 50 fires have been set in Coatesville since February 2008 and 20 nearby. ... Almo adds Fujifilm digital cameras, accessories Almo Corporation today announced that Fujifilm's line of digital cameras and accessories is now available to their customers. As the nation’s largest consumer electronics and appliance distributor, Almo offers an extensive lineup of consumer-friendly digital imaging products from the industry’s top brands, which now encompasses Fujifilm. Almo ... Rent-to-Own stores saw furniture fly out the door in Q1 Furniture rentals were up for a number of franchise and independent rent-to-own dealers in the first three months of 2009, according to industry announcements and informal interviews. ColorTyme, the nation's oldest rent-to-own franchise, announced today its franchisees reported an increase in furniture rentals in Q1 2009, even though traditional ... Rent-A-Center seeks $150 million redemption Rent-A-Center, the nation's largest rent-to-own operator, today announced that it has provided notice to The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, the indenture trustee, of its election to redeem $150,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of its 7½% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2010 (the "Redeemed ... Easygates announces new franchise stores in Texas and Arkansas Bud Gates, Chairman and CEO of easygates, today announced two more franchises are opening stores in the U.S. Both stores will open on April 4, one on South Congress in Austin, Texas and the other in the Geyer Springs Shopping Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. "We are ... Aaron's commits to historic community outreach in D.C. In two weeks, Aaron Rents will embark on a massive community outreach agenda in Washington, D.C. that will coincide with the company's national manager's meeting and first ever legislative conference. Close to 2,000 franchise owners, managers and divisional vice presidents from Aaron's 1,560 store rent-to-own chain ... Epic Ventures sponsors senior essay competition Epic Ventures, a ColorTyme franchise company announced today it is sponsoring an essay competition for 2009 seniors graduating from high schools in the areas surrounding their Maryland stores. Epic Ventures, ColorTyme will donate a laptop computer to the top two senior essays in this judged competition. Essay Topic: With ... Zagar opens Premier store in Jacksonville, Florida New Premier Franchisee Mike Zagar. Mike Zagar opened his Premier Rental-Purchase store in Jacksonville, Florida last month, armed with 14 years of industry experience. As a former Rainbow and RAC market manager, he was ready to take the next step and own his own business, turn a profit for ... Aaron Rents Q1 2009 Earnings Conference Call April 28 Aaron Rents will hold its live Q1 2009 Earnings Conference Call on April 28 at 10:30 a.m. ET. Featured speakers include: Ken Butler, COO, Gilbert Danielson, EVP & CFO, Charlie Loudermilk, Chairman and Robin Loudermilk, President & CEO. More details. mevans@rtohq.... Seven new co-sponsors join RTO House bill Rep. Roy Blunt of Missouri is one of seven new co-sponsors to sign on to progressive rent-to-own legislation in the U.S. House. Seven new co-sponsors today signed on to a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives that would define the rent-to-own transaction as a lease and ... Oneida Rent-A-Center helps local family Oneida County Habitat for Humanity of New York state received a little help from the local Rent-A-Center store in Oneida, New York for one of the organization's most recent home building projects. The Clark family of four began moving into their new Deansboro home in early March and was ... Credit-card reform bill edges out of committee Credit card reform legislation narrowly edged out of the U.S. Senate Banking Committee Tuesday on a 12 to 11 vote that has bolstered consumer groups and drawn the ire of financial firms who say the legislation will make it even more difficult to extend credit. Passage of the ... March consumer confidence flat The Conference Board, which tracks an index on consumer confidence, said the index, which had declined sharply in February, was flat in March. The Consumer Confidence Index now stands at 26.0 (1985=100), up from 25.3 in February. The Board's Present Situation Index declined to 21.5 from ... Sen. Isakson supports RTO bill Georgia Sen. John Hardy "Johnny" Isakson Georgia Sen. John Hardy "Johnny" Isakson this morning, signed on as the sixth co-sponsor of S. 738 -- The Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act -- according to an aide with bill sponsor Sen. Mary Landrieu's office. New co-sponsors typically appear in ... Bird elected new vice president of NERDA NERDA Vice President Ray Bird. The New England Rental Dealers Association (NERDA) this morning, elected ColorTyme Franchisee Ray Bird Jr. as the association's vice president. Bird, who owns one store in Providence, Rhode Island, was elected at the association's first official meeting at the Mohegan Sun Casino, in Uncasville, ... Sen. Landrieu introduces RTO companion bill U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) today, introduced the Senate version of the Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act -- S. 738 -- on the floor of the Senate with five original co-sponsors who have agreed to support the bill, which would define the no-debt ... Economy gives rise to increasing theft, insurance rates Jeanette Beardsley, CPIW, AIS with Walter L. Clark and Associates, an APRO endorsed insurance provider. Rent-to-own store break ins are on the rise. The industry has noticed an increase in store thefts, "smash and grabs" and vehicular "smash and grabs" especially in cases where jewelry cases or ... New York Assemblyman Camara introduces price control bill New York Assemblyman Karim Camara introduced Assembly bill 7180 that would impose price controls on rent-to-own agreements. Assembly bill 7180 is now the seventh negative bill introduced in the New York legislature this session. Assembly bill 7180 has been referred to the Consumer Affairs and Protection Committee chaired by ... New York dealers rally for uphill legislative battle, commit to Special Olympics From left: NYSRDA secretary/treasurer Greg Heck, president Dave Edwards, vice president Cathy Skula and Dwight Dumler, senior vice president of government affairs for Rent-A-Center. New York rental dealers from across the state turned out Thursday to assess a gloomy state legislative climate that has already seen the introduction of ... UPDATED: Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act introduced with record 41 original co-sponsors U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay. U.S. Congressman William Lacy Clay (D-MO) today introduced HR 1744, The Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act, on the House floor with a record 41 original co-sponsors already signed on in support of the legislation that would define the debt-free rent-to-own transaction in ... Delaware/New Jersey Rental Dealers Association formed Joe Romano, newly elected president of the Delaware/New Jersey Rental Dealers Association. Over one dozen rent-to-own professionals representing six companies met yesterday to form the Delaware/New Jersey Rental Dealers Association at the Marriott Trenton in Trenton, New Jersey. Attendees elected Joe Romano, regional director for Rent-A-Center, was elected the ... No fooling, High Touch is 25 Pioneering rent-to-own software company High Touch will celebrate 25 years of fine-tuning business software on April Fool's Day next week. In a recent interview in the Wichita Eagle, High Touch co-founders Mark Lenz and David Glover said April 1 will mark the quarter century anniversary of the software company ... Grace Family Soup Kitchen calls RNR home Volunteers from the Grace Family Soup Kitchen feeds the community from an RNR parking lot in Tampa, Florida. If you’re ever ridden down E. Fletcher Avenue in Tampa, Florida, on a Monday or Tuesday evening, you can’t miss the crowd of people in front of RNR Custom ... TRIB Group President Lewallen elected to third term Re-elected TRIB Group President Ernie Lewallen. In its final order of business Wednesday, the TRIB Group Board of Directors wrapped up the group's annual convention and buying show in Dallas by electing officers. Current board president Ernie Lewallen, of UHR Rents, will retain his position after winning re-election by ... Rent-A-Center outfits new Big Brothers Big Sisters office With help from the Rent-A-Center Random Act of Caring initiative, Gulf Coast Big Brothers Big Sisters of Galveston will be able to better serve local youth and families from a fully furnished new office. Their previous location was destroyed six months ago when Hurricane Ike slammed ashore. Big Brothers ... New RTOHQ: The Magazine celebrates ColorTyme Introduction by APRO Executive Director Bill Keese: Thirty years is a long time—and the world has changed considerably since 1979. That year, the price of a first-class postage stamp was 15 cents; today, it is 42 cents (and, in May, will increase to 44 cents). The median household ... CEA-CNET: Consumer confidence highest in 13 months Consumer confidence in the overall economy increased in March to its highest level in more than a year, according to figures released today by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and CNET (www.CNET.com). Although consumers reported improved expectations for the broader economy, the CEA-CNET Indexes also show that ... Beville honored with top TRIB award, members purchase $23 million at tradeshow TRIB Executive Director Dennis Shields, "Slats" Award Winner Terry Beville and TRIB President Ernie Lewallen. Long-time TRIB board member Terry Beville of Buddy's Home Furnishings was honored Tuesday night with the Norman W. "Slats" Slatton Sr. President's Award -- TRIB Group's most prestigious honor. The award -- ... VENDOR PODCAST: Ray Oribello, BriteLite Ray Oribello senior vice president of BriteLite. Listen to podcast. Ray Oribello is the senior vice president of BriteLite a 14-year-old company that offers a line of DJ audio rack systems for home and professional use. Kits start in the low $600's to the $1,200. BriteLite is a ... NEW PODCAST: Ernie Lewallen, TRIB Group president TRIB Group President Ernie Lewallen. Listen to podcast. Ernie Lewallen, a 28-year rent-to-own veteran, has served as TRIB Group's president for the past two years. He also owns 10 UHR Rents stores and three customer wheel and tire rental stores. Lewallen is a past APRO president who has been ... NEW PODCAST: Kevin Quinn, Quality Rentals Kevin Quinn of Quality Rentals. Listen to podcast. Kevin Quinn is the owner of 20 Quality Rentals rent-to-own stores and two RNR Custom Wheels and Tires stores, all in Washington. Kevin, a past president of the Association of Progressive Rental Organizations, has been a TRIB Group member since the ... VENDOR PODCAST: Tony Farrell, PTS Financial Services Tony Farrell of PTS Financial Services. Listen to podcast. Tony Farrell is the owner of PTS Financial Services, one of the largest and oldest successful independent tax service providers in the country since 1988. PTS Financial Services provides "in-store" tax services for rent-to-own dealers and was one of ... TRIB Show rates a "win" for dealers, vendors Dick Klein of Steve Silver Company, shows off dinning room sets. The TRIB Group wrapped up its 2009 Buying Show today with high ratings from both dealers and vendors who set up camp for the last two days at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas, where a record 85 ... NEW PODCAST: Dan Fisher, Majik Rent-To-Own Dan Fisher of Majic Rent-To-Own of Pennsylvania. Listen to podcast. Dan Fisher is the owner of four Majik Rent-To-Own stores in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg Pennsylvania. Fisher got his start in rent-to-own in 1984 when his father -- who owned a video rental store -- started allowing customers to ... NEW PODCAST: David Moore, Marketing Director Countryside Rent-To-Own David Moore, marketing director, Countryside Rent-To-Own. Listen to podcast. David Moore is the Marketing Director for Countryside Rent-To-Own, one of the most active and dynamic rent-to-own companies in the country. In this exclusive APRO Podcast, Moore, who has previously worked in newspaper and radio advertising before putting in his ... NEW PODCAST: Lyn Leach, TRIB Group Vice President TRIB Group Vice President Lyn Leach of Ace Rent-To-Own. Listen to podcast. Lyn Leach is the vice president of TRIB Group a past president of the Association of Progressive Rental Organizations and owner of 14 Ace Rent-To-Own stores in Nebraska and Iowa. Leach started in the rent-to-own industry in ... TRIB elects board members, readies for new challenges Attendees at TRIB Group's annual membership meeting in Dallas. TRIB Group members carried the momentum of last night's Hot Show -- in which rent-to-own dealers bought $3.6 million in special priced merchandise -- into their annual membership meeting in Dallas Monday morning, electing three new directors to their ... TRIB Hot Show posts $3.6 million, vendors honored Bidding frenzy at the TRIB Hot Show Sunday. TRIB Group, the rent-to-own industry's seminal buying group, jump started its convention and buying show in Dallas Sunday, by racking up $3.6 million worth of purchase orders during the group's annual "Hot Show" auction. Around 400 rent-to-own dealers and ... NYSRDA to stay legislatively responsive, active in community NYSRDA President Dave Edwards at the association meeting last year in Verona, New York. The New York State Rental Dealers Association hopes to have a repeat performance of last year's highly attended meeting when it reconvenes next week at the Turning Stone Casino in Verono, New York March 26. ... Franchising Times: Premier is 5th fastest growing young company Franchise Times today named Premier Rental Purchase the fifth fastest growing young franchise in its annual Fast 55 survey of franchise companies. To make the list companies must be five years old or younger and must exhibit positive franchise unit growth for each year during this period. Premier Rental ... TRIB Appliance Focus: GE GE Appliances is behind a quiet revolution of the laundry business. “Our newest top load washers using GE’s patented HydroWave Wash System are so technologically advanced that they not only do a better job of washing the clothes, but they do it in a very, very quiet ... TRIB Appliance Focus: Speed Queen Speed Queen has begun its second century in the laundry business by giving its commercial quality washer and dryers for the home a control makeover and new knobs. “We’ve put quite a bit of time and thought into the newly designed graphics and control knobs. Our goal ... TRIB Appliance Focus: Whirlpool High-efficiency. Top-load. Hot new color – Lunar Silver. Put these three features together and you’ve got an idea of the Whirlpool brand Cabrio laundry pair’s unique position in the fabric care industry. THE TOP-LOAD THAT SAVES LIKE A FRONT LOAD Inside, innovations like the unique wash plate ... Premier's Trooper Earle on RTO and the current economy Premier's Trooper Earle Most people, including me, had no idea just how bad the economy is and how terribly close to an economic meltdown – like the Great Depression – we came. Seriously, it was a matter of days before life as we know it was about to change ... TRIB Computers/Software Focus: CybertronPC As one of the premier computer vendors in the RTO Industry, CybertronPC, at the upcoming TRIB convention, introduces the newest edition to their gaming/desktop line-up: The “Ferrari Red” Formula 430 Model. In the spirit of cutting-edge race car design, this sexy model is rendered in high gloss metallic ... TRIB Special Products/Services Focus: D&H Distributing D&H Distributing, the national computer products and consumer electronics distributor, will feature Lenovo’s ThinkPad and IdeaPad Series notebooks and netbooks; plus the Aspire One netbook from Acer at booths T327 & T329 at the TRIB Group Show. Both Lenovo and Acer offer high performance mobile units at ... TRIB Computers/Software Focus: High Touch Helping its clients achieve a higher level of success is High Touch, Inc.’s continued service mission. The company’s software and solutions provided for Showplace, Inc., is an example of how the Internet is becoming a necessary business tool for increasing store revenues, says John Rogers, High ... TRIB Computers/Software Focus: PCRental Agent PCRental Agent this week announced the addition of a Rental PC Backup and Restore feature designed specifically for rent-to-own dealers. The feature - now part of the standard PCRental Agent software package - can restore used computers to rent-ready condition in thirty minutes. PCRental Agent® is the most powerful ... TRIB Computers/Software Focus: RSSS For over 25 years, RSSS has been a leading innovator of technological solutions for the rent-to-own industry. To continue that tradition, RSSS is proud to announce some exciting new items for the TRIB show including those that address online web payments. Side effects of online web payments have been ... Almo 2009 expos kickoff in May Almo brings new product lines and incredible buying deals to dealers nationwide through their 2009 Consumer Electronics & Appliance Expos. Almo Corporation, a leading U.S. distributor of consumer electronics and appliances, today announced their 2009 Almo Consumer Electronics & Appliance Expo schedule. These regional expositions feature more than ... Rent-A-Center opens first Better Living Store, donates $3,000 Customers in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia and surrounding communities now have a new choice available when it comes to leasing or buying brand-name furniture, appliances, electronics and computers. Featuring approximately 3,800 square feet of high-quality merchandise, the store is located at 650 Portland Street in Dartmouth. Better Living will ... TRIB Furniture Focus: Ashley Furniture As the nation's top-selling furniture brand, Ashley Furniture Industries continues to dominate the industry and differentiate its offerings by working directly with rent-to-own companies as a complete business partner. "What some other companies might call ‘sales reps' our company calls ‘marketing specialists'," said Jim Williams, ... TRIB Furniture Focus: Home Line Industries Home Line Industries headquartered in Philadelphia, PA, strives daily to be the most reliable supplier of home furnishings in the industry. With over 40 years experience, Home Line has evolved from a furniture store, to a wholesale distributor, to an international furniture source that caters to retailers throughout the ... TRIB Furniture Focus: Serta Serta Mattress will be offering tremendous savings on its popular mattress collections as well as a one-time only advertising offer to RTO partners at the upcoming Buying Show in Dallas. The bedding brand leader is offering a show exclusive of $50 off any Queen or King Perfect Sleeper set ... TRIB Furniture Focus: Welton USA Welton USA has designed, assembled and distributed high quality furniture for over 25 years. Welton provides exceptional furnishings for the furniture industry. Our exacting standards have earned the trust of furniture customers throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Welton USA's 552,000 square foot distribution center is ... TRIB Games Focus: Florida State Games Florida State Games offers gaming expertise to dealers and merchandise for a growing $19 billion industry. There’s no denying that video games are an extremely profitable and expanding RTO category now reaching every age demographic and economic level. Retail sales in the video game industry approached $19 billion ... TRIB Special Products/Services Focus: Central File Marketing Central File Marketing has long been the industry leader specializing in direct mail marketing. Since 1994 Central File has been developing and producing successful direct mail campaigns that get "trackable results"! "We do one thing and we do it better" says Al Benson, sales director, since ... DSI announces electronic expos DSI Systems is proud to announce their 2009 Electronic Expos coming to Dallas on April 8th, Phoenix on April 29th, Columbus on May 6th, Atlanta on May 13th and Des Moines on May 20th. Each Electronic Expo will feature a tradeshow style environment where dealers will be able to ... TRIB Special Products/Services Focus: Blackbox GPS BlackBox GPS, a new APRO associate member, announces the release of a remarkable, yet easy-to-use, GPS monitoring application specifically designed for tracking and monitoring RTO delivery vehicles at an exceptionally low cost. In partnership with TRIB Group, BlackBox GPS offers their members GPS fleet monitoring solutions which provide the ... TRIB Special Products/Services Focus: Benefit Marketing Solutions Economic times are difficult. The jobless rate is the highest it’s been in the past 25 years. Over seven percent of Americans are out of work. Customers are being laid-off. Companies are downsizing or closing, Jobs are being terminated. This affects your business because when this happens to ... TRIB Special Products/Services Focus: DATATrue It’s a fact of life that not everyone is as honest as we’d like them to be. While some omissions of fact may be innocent enough (such as inadvertently switching digits in a phone number) others are not (falsifying a social security number). Regardless of which occurs ... TRIB Special Products/Services Focus: Imagery Marketing Group Known by many as the premier advertising agency of the RTO industry, Imagery Marketing Group supports its substantial rent-to-own client base with a multimedia marketing approach that empowers clients to reach their audience through TV, radio, web, and print advertising. “We encourage our clients to increase brand awareness ... TRIB Special Products/Services Focus: O'Rourke Sales Company O’Rourke Sales Company is the leader in distribution for the RTO industry, being a preferred supplier for over 40 years. Adding Kenmore, America’s most recognized appliance brand, delivers rental customers affordability without sacrificing quality and reliability. The addition of Kenmore’s complete lineup of refrigeration, ranges and ... TRIB Special Products/Services Focus: SED SED International announced it will be exhibiting at the TRIB Brandsource Summit in Dallas, March 22-25, 2009. A leading distributor in the rent-to-own market, SED has been a long-time partner with the TRIB group, exhibiting at past events and providing its members with custom product and program solutions. SED ... TRIB Specialty Products/Services Focus: Silko Radio Silko Radio has been in business for over 40 years specializing in refurbished consumer electronics with an emphasis on Sony laptops, digital cameras, and small electronics including several brands of GPS devices and LCD TV's and home theatre systems. Silko Radio has four warehouse distribution centers in the U.... Keller's to Aaron's conversion finalized A second Missouri rent-to-own chain today, finalized an agreement with Aaron Rents to convert four of its five stores to Aaron's Sales and Lease Ownership franchise stores. John and Barb Keller, owners of five Keller's Rental Place Stores in five separate cities will sell their St. Roberts store to ... TRIB Group rallies for annual buying show blitz TRIB Group, America's oldest and most respected rent-to-own buying group, will again co-locate with the nation's largest retail buying group, AVB-BrandSource, for TRIB's annual buying show and membership meeting March 22-25 at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas, next week where more than 80 rent-to-own exhibitors will show their ... Florida dealers to team with state AG against cybercrime, meet 19 legislators FRDA members meet with Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum. The Florida Rental Dealers Association (FRDA) marked it's 10th annual state legislative conference with a meeting with Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum March 11 in Tallahassee. Florida dealers had an informal "sit-down" with McCollum to discuss the rent-to-own industry ... Credit Limits and Credit Scores Continue to Shrink The Federal Reserve reported 45% of of U.S. banks reduced credit limits for new or existing credit card customers in the fourth quarter of 2008. Add to the fact that financial analysts predict that up to $2 trillion in credit card lines will be eliminated in the next ... RAC donates $2,000 to new home Colorado Springs Starting tomorrow, customers in Colorado Springs and surrounding communities have a new choice available when it comes to renting or buying brand-name furniture, appliances, electronics and computers. Rent-A-Center is celebrating the opening of its newest store at 10 a.m. Friday, March 13. Featuring 3,744 square feet of ... Sen. Schumer supports creating Consumer Protection Commission U.S. Sen. Charles E. Schumer. U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) announced today he is co-sponsoring legislation by U.S. Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) to create a Financial Product Safety Commission, a single government agency in charge of ensuring consumer protections regarding financial products. The proposed commission ... Big Brothers Big Sisters Benefits from Rent-A-Center Fund-Raiser From March 13 through April 11, customers and area residents can visit their neighboring Rent-A-Center to donate one dollar and sign a colorful spring egg to raise funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters. Rent-A-Center's more than 3,000 stores in the United States and Puerto Rico participate in the ... Rent-to-own tips for consumers in tough economic times In tough economic times, rent-to-own can be a viable means for millions of American consumers to acquire appliances, furniture, electronics and computers, according to a recent article on MSNBC. Especially at a time when consumer credit is scarce and when existing credit lines are being cut, the rent to ... Easyhome Q4 report caps "challenging and disappointing year" easyhome, today announced its fourth quarter earning results for the year ended December 31, 2008. Revenue for the quarter ended December 31, 2008 was $44.1 million, an increase of $5.3 million or 13.5% compared with the same period a year ago. Operating income decreased to $3.... Kniesly takes reigns of GRDA New GRDA President Dan Kniesly of Easy Rentals. The Georgia Rental Dealers Association (GRDA) Board of Directors, unanimously affirmed Dan Kniesly of Easy Rentals as the new GRDA president during a conference call yesterday . Dan replaces former GRDA president Andrea Bozeman, who resigned recently due to personal reasons. Bozeman ... Florida Dealers head to capital next week Members of the Florida Rental Dealers Association head to Tallahassee, Florida, next week for their annual state legislative conference March 10-12. This marks the 10th year Florida dealers have made an appearance on the state house steps and the effort has paid off in the eyes of FRDA President ... Dodd, Schumer aim to strengthen consumer protections Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd. Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd, D-Conn., said Tuesday a new emphasis on consumer protections would accompany the coming overhaul of the nation’s financial regulations, according to Congressional Quarterly. According to the article, Dodd cites a failure to adequately protect consumers and ... Premier's Serina opens computer repair service in Newberry Bob Serina family. Premier Rental-Purchase owner Bob Serina announced today he will will expand his furniture, appliance and computer rental business in Newberry, South Carolina, to include computer repair. According to Serina, the service has been long awaited in Newberry County, the closest alternative being 35 miles away. He ... Buddy's grows legacy with licensing expansion Buddy's Home Furnishings -- one of the premier independent rent-to-own companies -- is continuing its tradition of innovation and customer service through an aggressive licensing campaign that has expanded the company by 16 stores and five states in just under two years. Under the direction of seasoned RTO veteran ... Whirlpool awarded 10th Energy Star Award Whirlpool, the world’s leading home appliance manufacturer, has been recognized with the 2009 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence award by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The award recognizes the company’s leadership in offering consumers appliance energy and water ... Americans saving more, January spending at two year high U.S. households saved most of the extra income they got in January from annual cost-of-living raises, boosting personal savings rates to the highest they've been since 1994 according to the U.S. Commerce Department. Annual pay raises and cost-of-living increases sent disposable real incomes higher in January and ... Rentastic '09: Self-evaluation, work-life balance top meeting Rent One management team at annual membership meeting in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Rent One senior and store managers from across the company's 42 store network suited up this week for Rentastic '09 -- Rent One's annual managers meeting in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, where the company celebrated it's successes and ... RimTyme makes tracks in Ohio, opens first store in Whitehall Fast-growing custom-wheels-and-tires retailer RimTyme has opened its first Ohio store at 310 E. Main Street at Robinwood Avenue in Whitehall, the company has announced. RimTyme stores specialize in quality wheels and tires from major manufacturers and offer immediate while-you-wait installation. RimTyme said its huge inventory and wide range of ... Leadership changes mark high energy Kentucky meeting KYRDA Board of Directors. The Kentucky Rental Dealers Association (KYRDA) yesterday showed just what a difference a year can make. More than 30 dealers representing 15 rental companies turned out for KYRDA's annual membership meeting in Louisville -- an impressive show of strength for an organization that was only ... American Rental, Colorama acquire Zion's Rental Purchase stores David P. David, American Rental. Bloomington, Indiana, based American Rental recently acquired four of five Zion's Rental Purchase stores in a deal finalized late yesterday that will raise the company's total store count to 54. David P. David, owner of American Rental, said part of the arrangement, which originally ... SEI/Aaron's celebrates excellent 2008 performance on cruise Top SEI performers: John Saladin (District Manager Western Mass stores), Manny Correia (GM F600) Meriden, CT), Julio Velazquez (GM F262 Lawrence, MA), Patrick Courtney (GM F328 Springfield, MA ) and Rob Stevenson (GM F116 Springfield, MA). SEI/Aaron’s, Aaron’s largest franchisee with seventy one stores in the northeast, ... Can RTO fit Obama's call for new regulation? In his bicameral address Tuesday, President Barrack Obama outlined a blizzard of programs and reform efforts including an overhaul of financial regulations, tax relief provisions and stimulus spending aimed at increasing consumer lending and creating jobs. The president's foremost message and mission -- that of market regulation and job ... Consumer confidence plummets to all time low in February The consumer confidence index, which had decreased moderately in January, declined in February, reaching yet another all-time low, according to data released today by The Conference Board. The Index now stands at 25.0 (1985=100), down from 37.4 in January. The Present Situation Index declined to 21.2 ... Economy transforming rent-to-own's public image Positive news coverage of the rent-to-own transaction and its value in a declining economy continues as the financial outlook for millions of Americans remains uncertain. Two recent stories in Georgia and Colorado illustrate this trend as news reporters clamor for fresh stories to contrast against the bleak retail, business ... New "invisible asset management" products could help RTO industry reduce collections Collecting has always been the obvious, though arguably less enjoyable dynamic of renting, taking up as much as 16 percent of a rental operation's time and earning variable degrees of results. Today, new APRO Associate member IContain says it will transform the business of collections with it's new "... DSI Systems and Wilson Electronics partner for better cell connections Wilson Electronics, the leading provider of quality amplifiers and antennas for cellular phones and data cards, today announced its partnership with DSI Systems, the largest national distributor of television, DIRECTV, and accessories. The partnership provides Wilson Electronics’ superior line of in-building cellular amplifiers and antennas to DSI Systems’ customers ... Stealth Security rolls out wireless surveillance technology Next Friday, Stealth Security will take the next leap forward in cutting edge video surveillance technology. That's when the company will unveil it's Smartvue S8 -- the latest in surveillance and security product development -- a line of state of art wireless security cameras and digital video recorders. Stealth ... Rent One, Carricos honored at United Way function United Way President Lane Harvey and Campaign Chairman Brett Hall present Rent One Owners Larry and Sharon Carrico and Rent One Manager Donna Fally with special awards Friday night. The United Way of South Central Illinois honored Rent-One owners Larry and Sharon Carrico and the entire company last night ... UPDATED: Bolin elected to APRO Board Click to play video. The Association of Progressive Rental Organizations Board of Directors Friday, elected Chris Bolin of Bolin Rental Purchase as its newest board member. Bolin, who was elected during a tele-conference board meeting, will fill a vacancy left by Larry Goad, who recently resigned his board seat ... Analysis: Rent-A-Center settlement in West Virginia By APRO Legal Counsel Ed Winn III APRO Legal Counsel Ed Winn III. Rent-A-Center recently settled a class action lawsuit over RTO pricing issues that had been pending against the company in West Virginia federal district court since October of 2006. In the settlement, RAC agreed to pay $3.... Countryside Rent-2-Own honors company best Top performers sport special awarded Rent-2-Own leather. Identification below. Tax refund money was flowing in the marketplace last week, but all 23 Rent-2-Own stores in Ohio and Kentucky were closed and no one was answering the phones. Yet Countryside Rentals’ President Mike Tissot was still smiling at more than ... Rent-A-Center teams with Magic Johnson for all-star ad campaign Earvin “Magic” Johnson Rent-A-Center announced today the launch of an integrated advertising campaign featuring basketball hall-of-famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson. Touching upon themes of respect and the achievement of goals, the ads spotlight Rent-A-Center’s exclusive Worry-Free Guarantee, introduced in last year’s advertising campaign. Created by Dallas ... Indiana to become first state to prohibit reserve accounts A bill that passed the Indiana House of Representatives last night could make Indiana the first state in the country to prohibit reserve accounts. The bill is a compromise of sorts, one reached through negotiations with the Indiana Rental Dealers Association over the past several weeks. The bill language ... Vendor training to highlight Heartland Show Re-elected MRDA Officers l to r: vice president J.C. Cox, secretary-treasurer Trent Agin, president John Cleek Jr. Missouri Rental Dealers Association officials topped a day's worth of legislative updates, leadership training and networking Tuesday by electing two new board members and adding a vendor training day to the ... NEW PODCAST: John Cleek Jr., president MRDA John Cleek Jr., MRDA president and Aaron's franchisee. Listen to podcast. John Cleek Jr., an Aaron's franchisee, is serving his third year as president of the Missouri Rental Dealers Association. In this exclusive podcast, Cleek discusses his take on the MRDA board's recent decision to add "vendor" training ... NEW PODCAST: Gary Romine, Show Me Rent To Own Gary Romine of Show Me Rent To Own. Listen to podcast. Gary Romine is a past president of the Association of Progressive Rental Organizations and a current board member of the Missouri Rental Dealers Association. Romine opened his first Show Me Rent-To-Own in 1988 and now runs nine stores ... NEW PODCAST: Dan Cole, National Rent To Own Dan Cole, National Rent-To-Own. Listen to podcast. Dan Cole is an MRDA Board Member and its political action committee chairman who opened his first National Rent To Own -- now a 33-store chain located mostly in metropolitan St. Louis -- in 1984. MRDA's decision to incorporate a training program ... Missouri bill defines leased property theft The Missouri Legislature has introduced a bill that will more clearly define the crime of leased property theft. The bill H.B. 741, introduced Tuesday by Republican James Viebrock, introduces a number of definitions that specifically relate to the failure to return rental property as stipulated or to pay ... Whirlpool wins prestigious education award Whirlpool Corporation recently became the first appliance manufacturer to be honored with the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) Continuing Education System (CES) Award for Excellence. “Whirlpool Corporation's heavy involvement in the architecture community enables it to create significant and inspiring educational tools for today's architects," said Thom ... MRDA to shake up Heartland Show format The Missouri Rental Dealers Association (MRDA) Board of Directors will vote Wednesday on a number of issues including election of officers and potential changes to the association's annual Heartland of America Trade Show. Over 100 Missouri dealer's from across the state will head to Columbia, Missouri for MRDA's annual ... Aaron's Q4: Same store revenues up 6.2 percent Aaron Rents today announced revenues and earnings for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2008. As previously announced, on November 6, 2008 the Company consummated the sale of substantially all of the assets of its Aaron's Corporate Furnishings division. The Company no longer includes the revenues ... TRIB Group's Wicker honored for five years service TRIB Group Executive Director Dennis Shields presents services coordinator Karl Wicker with his five year service pin. TRIB Group, the nation's oldest and most respected rent-to-own buying group recently honored services coordinator Karl Wicker with his five year anniversary pin. Wicker, who provides communication support between vendors and dealers ... Tom Bailey opens ColorTyme in Wilmington New ColorTyme franchisee Tom Bailey. When Tom Bailey decided to open his own rent-to-own franchise store after 21 years on the corporate side of the RTO business, he began a very deliberate search for just the right franchise brand and just the right store location. “I knew that ... Shuler, Peters put Premier footprint on Nebraska Mike Shuler and Heath Peters. Until recently, Kearney, Nebraska offered only one place to shop for rental-purchase customers. But industry veterans Mike Shuler and Heath Peters brought new life and some welcome changes in their town upon opening their Premier Rental-Purchase store late last year. The first and hardest ... Illinois rental dealers push for training program in St. Louis Representatives from St. Louis-based Metropolitan Education Center, IRDA, Rent One, Rep. William Lacy Clay's office and Chicago-based Danny Davis Training Program met in St. Louis Thursday. An innovative Chicago-based job training program may soon expand to St. Louis thanks to the efforts of Rent One and the Illinois Rental ... Retail sales rebound mildly in January January sales of consumer electronics and major appliances rose 2.6 percent from December to $8.7 billion but decreased 7.8 percent year over year, according to figures released today by the U.S. Commerce Department. According to the National Retail Federation, retail industry sales on the whole ... Pioneer exits TV business, will cut 6,000 jobs; Vizio drops plasmas Pioneer Electronics, the world's fourth-largest maker of plasma televisions, today announced it was exiting the flat-panel TV business and will shed 6,000 full time workers and 4,000 temporary workers by March 2010, according to Business Week. The company will end in-house development immediately. The news comes on ... LG Electronics supports DTV delay When President Obama signed legislation setting June 12 as the date for the final phase of the nation's transition from analog to digital television (DTV) broadcasting, Michael Ahn, president and CEO of LG Electronics North America, applauded the action and pledged his company's full ongoing support: "LG Electronics ... Dealers give high marks to Vegas Market at special reception Rent-to-own dealers at the APRO and Ashley hosted reception in Las Vegas Tuesday night. More than 20 rent-to-own professionals representing companies from around the country made their way to the Ashley Furniture Suite Tuesday evening after a hectic day of pricing and shopping at the Las Vegas Winter Market. ... Vegas Market attendance down, but higher than expected Quality Rentals buying team at Las Vegas Market. Owners Kevin and Angela Quinn, center. Buyers and designers from around the world are driving attendance at the 2009 Winter Las Vegas Market higher than anticipated, with overall attendance slipping a mere two percent compared to last January's market. The first ... TruckSkin unveils "see-through" store signage Joe Lapekas displays TruckSkin's latest transparent marketing product -- "Window View Through". TruckSkin, maker of interchangeable banners, decals and adhesive wraps for fleet vehicles, introduces its latest advertising innovation with "Window View Through" decals at the 2009 Winter Las Vegas Market. TruckSkin President Joe Lapekas designed the ... Twin Star "Plug N' Play" products offer elegant practicality Jim Gaffey, senior vice president of business development for Twin Star, shows off Tresanti's "Waverley" line. Twin Star's track record of innovation continues at the Winter Las Vegas Market where, in a special reception Monday, the company unveiled new innovations to its Tresanti brand that will change the ... RimTyme opens new stores in Houston RimTyme District Manager Johnny Clark. RimTyme today announced the opening of two new locations in Houston bringing the company's total corporate owned store locations to nine. The new stores -- on Jones Road and Veterans Memorial Drive -- join the current RimTyme store on Bissonnet in southwest Houston that ... Las Vegas Market promises dealers tools to thrive in down economy This week’s Las Vegas Market, held Feb. 9 – 13, will present retailers, rent-to-own dealers and design professionals new tools, resources and business strategies to not only survive, but to thrive in a challenging home furnishings industry in 2009. APRO will host a hospitality suite, generously sponsored by ... Pennsylvania dealers raise $12,500 for Special Olympics Torch icons cover the front counter at Dan Fisher's Majic Rent To Own store. The Pennsylvania Association of Rental Dealers (PARD) raised nearly $12,500 this January, for the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania 2009 Winter Games in Johnston. PARD will present the check at the games where more than ... NRF says stimulus bill falls short for consumers, urges sales tax holiday The National Retail Federation today told the Senate that economic stimulus legislation under consideration fails to do enough for consumers, and repeated its call for a series of national sales tax holidays intended to jumpstart spending. “We are extremely concerned that it (economic stimulus package) does not do ... DiLeo opens second ColorTyme ColorTyme's Shawn DiLeo. Shawn DiLeo is wasting little time expanding his ColorTyme franchise with the opening of his second store just four months after his first. DiLeo opened his second ColorTyme store this Monday in Somerset, Kentucky and will hold a community-wide grand opening on March 21. The 4,... Buddy's Home Furnishings to sponsor Tom Hessert at Daytona Tom Hessert's Ford Fusion with Buddy's logo. Buddy’s Home Furnishings recently signed on as the primary sponsor for Andy Belmont Racing’s No. 1 Ford Fusion driven by Tom Hessert for the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 ARCA RE/MAX Series race at Daytona International Speedway. “It is ... RTO Dealers defrost after ice storm Ice encrusted spigot in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Rent-to-own dealers across the South and Midwest continue to recover this week after a massive ice storm snapped power lines and left millions without electricity and blanketed under a thick sheet of ice in late January. Jerry Pinkley operations manager for Missouri-based ... Higher income customers discover RTO option The consumer credit crunch may be turning some higher-income buyers into renters, according to a report in the Dallas Morning News. Rent-A-Center officials say the recession is leading more customers with higher incomes into the company's stores, which rent and sell appliances, consumer electronics and furniture to customers who ... DTV delay headed to White House The House of Representatives approved legislation Wednesday, 264-158, to delay the analog cutoff TV date 115 days to June 12, 2009, according to Twice. The measure, which was identical to a bill passed unanimously by the Senate for a second time, will now be sent to President Barrack Obama, ... Desert states unite: SW Rental Dealers Association created SW Rental Dealers Association President Ernie Lewallen (UHR Rents) and vice president Mark McDougal (Discover Rental Purchase). Close to a dozen rent-to-own dealers from Arizona, Nevada and Utah turned out Wednesday in Las Vegas to form a tri-state association that aims to unify the industry in the west and ... Vote due on negative RTO bill The Indiana House Financial Institutions Committee will vote next Wednesday on bill that would make a variety of changes to laws affecting a number of financial institutions and transactions including rental purchase agreements. Today, the committee heard testimony from Ron DeMoss, Rent-A-Center executive vice president, in a scheduled hearing ... RTO friend Rep. Putnam will not seek re-election U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam (R-Fla.) will not seek re-election in 2010. U.S. Congressman and RTO bill co-sponsor Adam Putnam (R-Fla.) will not seek reelection in 2010 in favor of a bid for Florida Agriculture Commissioner, a move one GOP official said is a precursor to ... Illinois man wins ColorTyme $10,000 grand prize giveaway From left: ColorTyme Asst. Manager Brian North, prize winner Patrick Zabel, Store Manager Jose Hernandez, Patricia Zabel and Chris Tatro, Bolingbrook franchise owner. ColorTyme announced Patrick Zabel of Bolingbrook, Illinois is the winner of the $10,000 grand prize in the company's 2008 “ColorTyme BigTyme $10,000 Giveaway” ... RAC Q4: Fewer stores drop revenues $17 million; same store sales flat Rent-A-Center, the world's largest rent-to-own company, today announced revenues and earnings for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2008. Fourth Quarter 2008 Results Total revenues for the quarter ended December 31, 2008 were $699.8 million, a decrease of $17.2 million from the total revenues of $717.... New entrepreneurs shine in latest RTOHQ: The Magazine The latest issue of RTOHQ: The Magazine focuses on The New Entrepreneurs -- rent-to-own employees turned owners whose heart and dedication continually infuses the industry with new vitality. The new edition also features an in-depth vendor profile of Imagery Marketing Group and the company's leader, Sharon Carrico. The magazine ... Arizona, Nevada and Utah to organize Wednesday Around 20 rent-to-own dealers from three states are expected Wednesday for the flagship meeting of the Arizona, Nevada, Utah Rental Dealers Association at the Boulder Station Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. APRO's State Association Coordinating Committee Chair Dave Edwards will lead the meeting and former Ohio Rental Dealers ... CEA: Super Bowl will drive 2.6 million in HDTV Sales Super Bowl XLIII is expected to drive the purchase of some 2.6 million high-definition television (HDTV) units, according to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). For the fourth year in a row, the Super Bowl retains the title of top driver for HDTV purchases. The season has historically been ... House Votes down DTV Delay Despite a unanimous vote by the U.S. Senate to delay the Feb. 17 deadline to transition to digital television, the changeover will proceed as planned after a vote Wednesday by the House of Representatives. The bill, which had passed the Senate by unanimous vote on Monday, failed to ... Negative RTO state bills at 11; two new price control bills in NY Scarcely one month into 2009, and almost one dozen negative rent-to-own bills are looming over state legislatures from Indiana to New Jersey. New York state senators this week introduced two more rent-to-own price control bills which now raises total negative RTO bills in that state to six, including three ... Son's wisdom guides Premier's Bob Serina at one year anniversary Bob Serina and family. As a manager for a national rent-to-own store in Cleveland, Robert Serina had a successful career for over a decade. But one day on the way home from work with his six-year-old son in the car, things were put into a perspective that has never ... Circuit City Liquidation hits $450 Million Circuit City’s liquidators have already sold $450 million of the company's inventory in the first two weeks of clearance sales, according to Twice. They expect to conclude the liquidation weeks ahead of schedule due to “record shopper turnout." According to Great American Group, one of four ... APRO Board votes not to co-locate in 2010 The Association of Progressive Rental Organizations (APRO) Board of Directors today, at a special called meeting in Dallas, voted not to co-locate the association's 2010 buying show. Last May the board voted in a first ever decision to co-locate it's 2009 Buying Show with mega buying group AVB/BrandSource on ... Rent-to-own laws offer model for regulation-friendly Congress President Barack Obama and the U.S. Congress are promising quick action to rewrite a slew of consumer financial regulations and impose stricter federal rules for everything from credit reporting agencies to mortgage brokers. With lawmakers' sites set on regulation, rent-to-own industry officials note how rent-to-own laws enacted in ... Consumer confidence continues downward spiral Consumer confidence in the overall economy continues to slide downward in January, according to figures released today by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and CNET. The CEA-CNET Indexes also show consumers are less likely to spend money on consumer electronics (CE) and technology products. The CEA-CNET Index of Consumer ... APRO Board meets in Dallas The APRO Board of Directors meets today in Dallas for a special called meeting at the Grand Hyatt Hotel DFW Airport. Board members will discuss and potentially act upon a number of issues including board membership policy amendments, bylaws amendments and sites for future APRO Conventions. In addition the ... Aaron's plans massive Canadian expansion Aaron’s Sales & Lease Ownership, a division of Aaron Rents, announced today it is targeting Canada for a major franchise expansion. There are currently 23 Aaron’s locations in Canada and the company calls for a major expansion across Canada over the next several years with plans to ... Buddy's to make Super Bowl appearance Jamie Slatton, Buddy's owner, and Joe Gazo, Buddy's president, show off the Buddy's logo at Raymond James Stadium. This weekend's Super Bowl contest between the Pittsburg Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals will not only determine the NFL's best team, but the game will also put one of rent-to-own's seminal ... New Jersey state association meeting rescheduled The Jan 28th New Jersey/Delaware state association meeting has been canceled due to icy weather conditions. The meeting was to re-organize the New Jersey and Delaware state associations and to discuss the two legislative bills - Assembly Bill 695 and Senate Bill 1703 - currently pending in the New ... New York City Council hearing calls for rent-to-own regulation A number of New York City and state officials called on state lawmakers to impose stiffer regulations on the rent-to-own industry in a hearing Monday morning at New York City Hall, according to The New York Daily News. City officials are calling on more oversight of the industry which ... APRO Executive Advisory Board named APRO President "Tiger" John Cleek. APRO President "Tiger" John Cleek announced today the appointment of a new five-member executive advisory board that will provide insight and advice to the APRO Board of Directors. All five appointees -- Wayne Chambers, Kevin Quinn, Gary McDougal, Gary Romine and Lyn ... Pheffer introduces fourth RTO bill in New York New York Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer (D) late last week introduced a companion bill to rent-to-own price legislation introduced in the New York Senate. The bill -- A3083 in the Assembly; S557 in the Senate -- introduced Jan. 7 in the New York Senate by Sen. Eric Adams (D-20), is ... Home Express Sales and Lease enters franchising; Caprio replaces Milby Home Express Sales and Lease President and CEO Chris Caprio. Home Express Sales and Lease -- a Louisville, Kentucky-based company -- announced today it acquired its first franchise partners. With strong performance at the six company-owned locations, this rent-to-own newcomer is ready for franchise opportunities after only 18 months ... Gutiérrez to chair House Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit Rep. Louis V. Gutiérrez. House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank (D-MA), Thursday announced the committee's six subcommittee chairs including one replacement that could shake up the Rent-To-Own industry's attempts at passing progressive federal legislation. Of chief concern among Frank's appointments is the naming of Louis V. Gutié... Negative RTO bills loom over state legislatures New York Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow has introduced RTO price control legislation. In the first three weeks of 2009, five bills have already been introduced that would have a negative impact on the rent-to-own business. Three New York bills would negatively impact the industry. Two of the New York ... TomTom cuts jobs to adjust to market TomTom -- a leading provider of portable GPS technology -- yesterday announced it will cut 115 jobs, reducing its global workforce by seven percent, excluding Tele Atlas, as a result of the current economy, according to Twice. The job cuts are part of a “cost cutting program aimed ... Rent-A-Center makes $2,000 donation to new Maryland home The world's largest rent-to-own company -- Rent-A-Center -- today will contribute $2,000 worth of grants to a local library and school in Cockeysville, Maryland in conjunction with the opening of a new 6,000 square foot store that will offer customers a new choice available when it comes ... RNR names record 22 stores to million dollar club, franchisee, manager of the year Chris Raffo and Ken Mashburn (center) accept the RNR 2008 Franchisee of the Year Award for Tony Raffo, RIMS USA. RNR CEO Larry Sutton, far left, RNR VP of Franchising Vince Ficarotta, far right. Photo courtesy RedLetterStudios.com RNR Custom Wheels and Tires Wednesday night celebrated the best of ... RNR Convention takes Tampa Vendor mingle at RNR Convention in Tampa. Photo courtesy of RedLetterStudios.com Over 100 RNR Custom Wheels and Tires franchisees, store managers and vendors headed to the "Sunshine State" Jan. 19 - 22 for the company's 5th annual Franchise Meeting at the Tampa Florida Hilton. Though the chilly ... 6.5 million homes still unprepared for the digital transition More than 6.5 million U.S. households – or 5.7 percent of all homes -- are not ready for the upcoming transition to all-digital broadcasting and would be unable to receive any television programming at all if the transition occurred today, The Nielsen Company reported today. This ... Rent-A-Center opens two new locations, contributes $4,000 to local communities Customers in Morris, Illinois, and Fremont, Michigan, have a new choice available when it comes to renting or buying brand-name furniture, appliances, electronics and computers. Rent-A-Center is celebrating the grand opening of its two newest stores today in Morris at 217 E US Route 6 and in Fremont at ... Premier dealers recognized for industry leadership APRO Board Member John Darden. The Premier Companies recognized a group of Premier dealers, including two APRO board members, who have gone above and beyond the call of duty representing the RTO industry through their state associations and national involvement at Premier's annual meeting in New Orleans on January ... Updated: ColorTyme names Childers 2008 franchisee of the year Mark Childers accepts his award for ColorTyme Franchisee of the year 2008. ColorTyme on Tuesday, handed out its two most prestigious awards at its 30 year anniversary convention in Frisco, Texas, honoring top performing franchisees who best exemplify ColorTyme values and those of the rent-to-own industry. ColorTyme's franchisee of ... Rent-a-Center and Aaron's featured stock on CNN.Money A January 20th Fortune Investor Daily article featured Aaron's and Rent-a-Center as "Two retail stocks for a recession." The recent article featuring rent-to-own as a valued consumer option in tough economic times is another in a recent series of television and news articles. "As the recession ... Indie RTO phenom, Premier, convenes in New Orleans Premier CEO Trooper Earle. The independent franchise company, Premier, continues to turn the heads of RTO industry leaders and analysts with its growth and penetration. Premier's growth and penetration is the highlighted theme of the company's January 19-21 annual meeting held in New Orleans. The annual meeting this year ... ColorTyme Kicks off Birthday Bash with awards, state of the art trade show ColorTyme CEO Bob Bloom addresses franchisees Monday. ColorTyme -- the granddaddy of rent-to-own franchising -- officially launched its 30-year anniversary party Monday in the grand ballroom of the Embassy Suites Hotel in Frisco, Texas with recognition of the company's highest achievers and a trade show boasting the latest in ... New Get It Now opens in Wisconsin, $3,000 in community grants awarded Customers in West Bend and surrounding communities have a new choice available when it comes to buying brand-name furniture, appliances, electronics and computers. Get It Now! will celebrate the opening of its newest store today at 10 a.m. with a ribbon cutting with the West Bend Area Chamber ... Circuit City to axe up to 30,000 in liquidation After a failed bid to secure financing from creditors and lenders, bankrupt electronics chain Circuit City announced Friday it will liquidate, joining the list of retailers like Tweeter and Linens 'n Things that are closing up shop due to tough economic times, according to MarketWatch. The move will affect ... RNR celebrates gains, eyes new opportunities at annual franchise meeting RNR Customer Wheels and Tires franchisees from across the country will huddle up for the 5th annual company meeting next week at the Hilton Airport Westshore Hotel in Tampa, Florida. The meeting, scheduled for Jan. 19 - 22, will be as much about celebrating the company's successful past year ... RentAll helps revitalize former Wal Mart property RentAll yesterday, became the first business to open at a redeveloped Wal Mart site in Carroll, Iowa. The Sioux Falls, South Dakota-based regional home furnishings, electronics and rental chain is the first occupant of the redeveloping former Wal-Mart property in Carroll's central business district, according to the Carroll Times ... Economy leads non-traditional RTO franchisees to ColorTyme Jim Deering, director of franchise development for ColorTyme, says calls to his department are usually from rent-to-own (RTO) industry insiders who’ve been in the business for years and are now eager to open a ColorTyme store of their own. But since the dramatic economic downturn, Deering says, rent-to-own ... Premier Convention heads for "Big Easy" The Premier Companies, one of the fastest growing RTO franchises in the United States, will hold its annual convention Jan.19 - 22 at the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel in New Orleans. Premier Companies -- which includes the divisions of Premier Rental Purchase, Home Furnishings, Rent N' Ride, Wheel ... Indiana Premier dealer chips in for unemployed Beginning this Sunday, Premier Rental-Purchase Dealer Duane Fugante is opening his store and booting up six computers to allow residents to file for unemployment benefits, according to local news station WSBT 22. Watching the growing lines outside the Elkhart WorkOne office and talking to his customers who struggle to ... New FICO scoring formula takes effect Fair Isaac and Co. is introducing FICO 08, an improved scoring model designed to help lenders make a more accurate assessment of risk when accessing applicants. Even though rental dealers do not, as a rule, run credit checks on their rental customers before renting to them, there are some ... Annual Midwest Expo dates set The Ohio Rental Dealers Association's (ORDA) sixth annual midwest training Expo will take place Sept. 8 - 9 at the Concourse Hotel and Conference Center in Columbus, Ohio. Vendors who want to reserve one of the limited training rooms should contact ORDA President Mike Tissot at 937/402-1622. Last September ... CEA opposes delays to DTV transition date After already publicly opposing changes to the scheduled DTV transition date in comments last week and at CES over the weekend, Consumer Electronics Association President/CEO Gary Shapiro Monday sent a formal letter to the chief of President-Elect Barrack Obama's transition reiterating his position the delay would cause "skepticism, ... New Price Control bill hits New York Senate New York State Senator Eric Adams. A new rent-to-own bill that would establish price controls in the state of New York is heading for the state's Judiciary Committee, though a time and date for that hearing had not yet been set Monday morning The bill, S557, introduced Jan. 7 ... Technology aims to lead economic recovery at CES More than 2,700 global companies, including 300 new exhibitors, unveiled an estimated 20,000 new technology products across 1.7 million net square feet of exhibit space this week at the world’s largest consumer technology tradeshow, electrifying the technology industry and helping lead the way to economic ... Rent One's Calhoun wins Dale Carnegie award Rent One Duquoin, Illinois Store Manager Rich Calhoun recently won the Dale Carnegie Institute "Breakthrough" Award. Rent One Store Manager Rich Calhoun, was recently presented the coveted Dale Carnegie “Breakthrough” Award at his weekly training class last week. Calhoun's recognition marks the second time a Rent One ... NEW PODCAST: Public relations expert Xavier Dominicis of Rent-A-Center Xavier Dominicis, Rent-A-Center vice president of public affairs. Listen to podcast. Xavier Dominicis, 44, is the new vice president of public affairs for the world's largest rent-to-own company, Rent-A-Center. With more than 27 years experience in public relations, most recently as head of public affairs in field operations for ... Obama calls for DTV transition delay, CEA disagrees President-elect Barack Obama Thursday, sided with the Consumers Union -- publisher of Consumer Reports -- in calling for a delay on the Feb. 17 transition to digital broadcasting, claiming the country, particularly the poor and elderly, are not prepared for the cutoff of analog TV signals so soon after ... Rent-A-Center Q4 conference call set Rent-A-Center will broadcast its Fourth Quarter earnings conference call Tuesday, February 3 at 10:45 a.m. ET over the Internet. The call will be held to discuss the earnings release to be issued after the close of the market on Feb. 2. Audio of the call will be broadcast ... Aaron's laptops awarded to CBC essay contest winners First place CBC essay contest winner, Maurice Hunt (center), accepts his laptop from Aaron's and CBC representatives. Three essay contest winners recently took home RTO industry donated laptops as part of prize packages awarded at the annual Congressional Black Caucus Spouses "Essay Contest and Issues Forum" in Washington, ... Consumers Union asks Congress to delay digital TV switch Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports magazine, is urging Congress to delay the Feb. 17 transition from analog to digital TV broadcasts. In letters to members of Congress, President Bush, and President-elect Obama, Consumers Union pointed to the fact that the government program that subsidizes crucial TV ... "Smash and grab" wave hits St. Louis RTO store St. Louis police are searching for two men who crashed an SUV through a rent-to-own store, then stole televisions at around 5 a.m. this morning. Smash and grab robberies are on the rise in the area and have been keeping local police very busy, according to local news ... ColorTyme celebrates 30 years of RTO franchising at annual convention The longest running rent-to-own franchise, ColorTyme, will host its national convention Jan. 19-21 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Frisco, Texas, where the iconic company will celebrate three decades of growth, innovation and entrepreneurship. More than 288 franchise owners, partners and managers representing 52 of ColorTyme's franchise groups will ... Digital converter coupon program broke, new applicants join waiting list The Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) today announced that starting Sunday, January 4, consumers requesting coupons from the agency’s TV Converter Box Coupon Program will be placed on a waiting list and coupons will be mailed on a first-come-first-served basis, as funds from expired ... 111th Congress goes to work: Where does RTO fit in? A new session of the U.S. Congress with strengthened Democratic majorities convenes today with the overriding goal of quickly passing an economic stimulus package aimed at jump starting the worst economy since the Great Depression. As the White House and Congress continue to grapple with the symptoms of ... UK's BrightHouse focuses on customers in credit starved economy BrightHouse CEO Leo McKee and BrightHouse Business Developer Hamish Paton at a meeting this summer with APRO officials in Austin, Texas. The United Kingdom's largest rent-to-own company, BrightHouse, is planning to open 21 new stores this year as part of its overall campaign to reach new customers impacted by ... LG broadband friendly TV's directly stream Netflix movies LG Electronics today extended its groundbreaking partnership with Netflix, as the two companies announced the first broadband-enabled HDTVs with Netflix streaming software embedded directly in the TV, requiring no external device. LG’s new LCD and plasma “Broadband HDTVs” will display the growing library of movies, TV episodes ... SEI/Aaron's names Barnes, Phillips new directors Newly promoted directors David Phillips and Robert Barnes of SEI/Aaron's. SEI/Aaron’s, Aaron’s largest franchisee with 68 stores, today announced the promotion of Robert Barnes and David Phillips. Robert Barnes, currently the director of western operations, accepted the new responsibility of director of eastern operations. Barnes will increase ... TCF Inventory Finance assumes Textron financing programs TCF Inventory Finance (TCFIF), a subsidiary of TCF Financial Corporation announced this week an agreement with Textron Financial Corporation to continue existing programs of originating certain floorplan financing receivables for retailers of consumer electronics and appliances, according to a TCF statement. Textron, which provided inventory financing for rent-to-own dealers, ... Premier's "big boys" combine holiday fun, goodwill Premier dealers Mitch Rhodes and Mike Gordon at their in-store holiday food drive. Known as the “big boys” of RTO, with 32 years of experience and 750 pounds between them, Mike Gordon and Mitch Rhodes are quickly gaining a reputation in their community for their generosity and public ... ColorTyme and RimTyme welcome troops with new "VetFran" Program ColorTyme blazed new RTO franchising territory recently with its announcement of a new incentive program that grants American military veterans a substantial discount on their initial fees when they open a new ColorTyme or RimTyme franchise store. "Many military men and women are entrepreneurs at heart and would ... Consumer confidence tanks in December Consumer confidence hit a record low in December, according to the monthly Conference Board and reported by MarketWatch Tuesday, as worries increased about current labor-market and business conditions. The December consumer confidence index fell to 38 from a downwardly revised 44.7 in November. Economists surveyed by MarketWatch had ... ColorTyme expands financing options for franchisees ColorTyme today announced today it will add SBA loans to its growing portfolio of finance options for franchisees. “No other rent-to-own (RTO) franchisor has such a broad spectrum of capital and inventory financing programs in its arsenal,” said Jim Deering, director of franchise development for ColorTyme and ... Retail: 73,000 stores could close in first half of 2009 Store closings, bankruptcies and takeovers starting next month will continue to mar the U.S. retail industry as holiday sales are panning out to be the worst in 40 years, according to industry reports. Rent-to-own dealers by contrast appear to be holding steady and in some cases even thriving ... Donation furnishes six hospital rooms in Dayton, Ohio Today Rent-A-Center will present furnishings for six private patient rooms at the Miami Valley Hospital Oncology Center in Dayton, Ohio, the company's tenth gift in its statewide "Random Acts of Caring" initiative. The company's donation includes matching rocker/recliners, large chair/twin sleeper sets and TV/DVD combos. Miami Valley Hospital’... Easy 2 Own destroyed in fire A severe fire believed caused by a faulty surge protector, gutted the showroom of South Carolina-based Easy 2 Own Dec. 23, melting plasma TV's and laptops in a disaster that claimed close to $100,000 worth of damage. No one was injured in the blaze. Easy 2 Own Furnishings ... Loudermilk on Bloomberg: RTO flexibility wins new customers in recession Aaron Rents CEO Robin Loudermilk Jr. on Bloomberg TV. Watch interview. Aaron Rents CEO Robin Loudermilk Jr. appeared yesterday on Bloomberg TV to field questions about his company's impressive performance in an economy that is forcing traditional retail to its knees. Aaron's posted a 16 percent growth in revenue ... Unstable markets force Textron to exit finance units Textron, a provider of inventory financing for the rent-to-own industry, plunged 20 percent in stock exchange trading this week following an announcement the company will exit most of its finance businesses and avoid a breakup, according to Bloomberg.com. The Providence, Rhode Island-based company announced it has approved a ... Rent-A-Center honored in special ceremony Representatives of Miami Valley Hospital and Rent-A-Center will participate in a special ceremony next Tuesday celebrating the rent-to-own company's recent furnishing of six private patient rooms. The ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. Rent-A-Center is donating recliner and chair/sleeper sets ... Stern, Ph.D., joins Rent-A-Center Board of Directors New Rent-A-Center board member Paula Stern. Rent-A-Center today announced that Paula Stern, Ph.D. has been named to its Board of Directors. The Honorable Paula Stern is Chairwoman of The Stern Group an international advisory firm with 20 years of experience in areas of business and government strategy established ... ColorTyme provides "free heat" for Providence customer From L: ColorTyme Providence GM Al Coella, winning customer Salome Rojas, and assistant manager Louie Padilla. As fuel prices skyrocketed and the economy plummeted last fall, ColorTyme franchisee Ray Bird overheard his customers fretting about the coming winter heating bills. “When I heard one customer say, 'Do we ... Premier vendor breakout session open to all vendors Trooper Earle, Premier Companies CEO, today announced the Vendor Breakout Session, a highlight of the Premier Annual Dealer Convention is open to all vendors. An informal table-top style event designed to forge and reinforce strategic vendor-dealer assocations, the Vendor Breakout Session encourages vendors to bring show specials. “This ... Rent One, Globetrotters team up for local families Globetrotter “Moo Moo” Evans with a local fan at Rent One's recent meet and greet event in Herrin, Illinois. Rent One and the Harlem Globetrotters are teaming up to offer two families a once in a lifetime opportunity to watch the world famous basketball team court side. The ... RNR moves up in dealership rankings Florida based RNR Custom Wheels & Tires (a.k.a. Rent-N-Roll) is one of the top 25 dealerships in America, as ranked by Tire Business, a leading tire industry publication. In the October 2008 issue, “Top Retail Dealership of 2008", RNR Custom Wheels moved from 21 to 16 ... Fire claims home of Rent One employee, company rallies to help A fire gutted the home of Rent One Employee Johnny Little this Saturday. Rent One is coordinating an inner-company relief drive for the Little family. When a devastating fire claimed the home of a Rent One delivery technician and his family this weekend, the company stepped in to ease ... SEI/Aarons surprises customers in New York Tonawanda store managers Ryan Fleming and Jack Mack with customers Joshua Standard and Melissa Hines. SEI/Aaron's, the nation's largest Aaron's franchise, recently made the holidays a little brighter for families in the New York area. Brenda and Paul Ero lost their home to a fire on Thanksgiving Day. When ... Aaron's ups earnings expectations on strong Q4 showing Aaron Rents today announced that business trends continue to be quite positive and that it was raising its 2009 earnings guidance. "Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership results continue to be strong with growing same store revenues and customer counts," said Robert C. Loudermilk Jr., president and CEO ... Premier convention room rates dropped Dealers, vendors and guests planning to attend Premier Companies' annual convention next month at the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel in New Orleans are urged to book their rooms today to take advantage of a rate reduction from $199 per night to $159 per night. All registrants previously booked in ... National TV helps brighten holidays for injured troops From left: Martha Smith, Dan Kopsas, Bob Fisher (employees of National TV Rental), Tracy McCord (Mid Missouri Credit Union), Michelle Jackson, Aaron Windsor (employees of National TV), and Kathy and Mark Windsor (owner’s of National TV Sales and Rental). The employees of National TV Sales and Rental in ... RTO wraps week of positive news coverage At least four more news stories patterned off the "rent to own thrives in a bad economy" theme continued to scrawl across the Internet yesterday, raising the total number of such RTO stories published this week to 14. The spiked interest in the industry by the media appears ... Rent-A-Center donates $20,000 in home furnishings to assisted living organization In its most recent Random Act of Caring, Rent-A-Center co-workers from metropolitan New York helped make residents of two special needs homes in the Bronx feel like the holidays had arrived early. In early December, the Association for Helping Retarded Children (AHRC) was contacted by Rent-A-Center and asked to ... Pennsylvania Dealers host Special Olympics fundraiser The Pennsylvania Rental Dealers Association (PARD), public companies and independent operators, are gearing up to promote and support local Special Olympics athletes at the upcoming Winter Games in Boise, Idaho. Some 133 store fronts will participate when the fundraiser kicks off next month, by allowing customers the option of ... New credit card regs could increase RTO appeal Federal regulators today approved sweeping regulations for the credit card industry intended to shield consumers from interest rate increases on existing account balances. However, experts note the new regulations could further reduce credit availability, especially for consumers with lower credit scores and those who fit the rent-to-own demographic. The ... RTO bill fits Congress' goals: regulation, economic stimulus As the White House and Congress continue to grapple with the symptoms of recession, the rent-to-own industry is proposing legislation that would meet legislators two highest priorities: economic stimulus and financial regulation. President-elect Barack Obama is calling on the new Congress to act quickly to pass an estimated one ... Rent-A-Center Chairman Emeritus Barton added to Hall of Fame The late W. Frank Barton, chairman emeritus of Rent-A-Center, was recently inducted into the Kansas Business Hall of Fame. The late W. Frank Barton of Wichita, Kansas, chairman emeritus of rent-to-own giant Rent-A-Center, is one of two entrepreneurs recently announced as inductees into the Kansas Business Hall of Fame ... Countryside holiday challenge raises over $7,000 for charity A Countryside Santa Stack: (from bottom) Lisa Taylor (Asst. Mgr), Amy Pontius (Mgr), Stacey Hines (Customer Sales Rep) all from the Circleville Countryside store. A traditional Countryside Rentals holiday competition raised $7,000 last week for four local charities. Mike Tissot, president of Countryside Rentals, is known for challenging ... RTO news coverage continues The news theme "how RTO businesses are doing well in the current economy" continues to take hold of television news stations across the country today. As a consequence, the rent-to-own industry and transaction again generated attention from the media Wendesday after receiving positive coverage from four television news ... RAC opens 32nd West Virginia store, donates $2,000 to community Rent-A-Center is celebrating the opening of its 32nd West Virginia store in Hurricane, where it will donate $2,000 to local community groups at the news store's ribbon cutting ceremony at 9:30 a.m. December 17. “From bedroom sets to washers and dryers, we’re going to help ... Aaron's corporate acquires 35 store franchisee Aaron Rents today announced it has acquired in a cash transaction all the stores of Rosey Rentals, Aaron's second largest franchisee in business since 2003. Rosey Rentals, owned by Brian Kahn, operated 35 Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership franchised stores in six southeastern states with total annual revenues of ... RTO in the news: Are you ready for your close up? News correspondents and journalists from across the country are tripping over themselves to report on the rent-to-own industry as a recession-proof anomaly, thriving in a sea of economic uncertainty that is crushing traditional retail. A spate of stories from television news stations in Arkansas, Tennessee, Minnesota and Florida today ... RTOHQ: The Magazine salutes "The Dedicated" The October-November issue of RTOHQ: The Magazine is dedicated to “The Dedicated.” There are countless professionals in our industry who have committed themselves to making a big difference in their own lives and in the lives of others. They exhibit the profound sense of self and giving ... Forker opens third Premier, aims for two per year pace Premier dealer Jim Forker recently opened his third rental purchase store in Niles, Michegan. After 26 years in the industry working for such luminary RTO companies as Curtis Mathis and Rent-A-Center, Premier dealer Jim Forker is making up time. He recently opened his third Premier Rental Purchase in Niles, ... Marcone's Souers Appointed to Ronald McDonald House Charities Board Jim Souers, president of Marcone Supply is the newly appointed board member of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis. Jim Souers, president of Marcone Supply was recently appointed to the board of directors of the St. Louis Chapter of the Ronald McDonald House . Souers was chosen out ... Rent-A-Center Contributes $6,000 to communities, opens three stores Rent-A-Center recently coupled new store openings in South Carolina, West Virginia and Texas with substantial donations to local community organizations. The nation's largest rent-to-own company will make donations of $2,000 to community organizations in the towns where the new stores are located in Charlestown, West Virginia, Myrtle Beach, ... NEW PODCAST: Mark Key, secretary/treasurer New England Rental Dealers Association Mark Key of SEI Aaron's and newly elected secretary/treasurer of the New England Rental Dealers Association. Listen to Podcast. Mark Key, manager with SEI Aaron's, is the new secretary/treasurer for the newly created New England Rental Dealers Association December 11. Key is a native Texan who's spent all his ... NEW PODCAST: Mark Anderson, president New England Rental Dealers Association Mark Anderson, new president of the New England Rental Dealers Association. Listen to podcast. Mark Anderson owner of FastTrack Rent To Own in New Britain, Connecticut, is the new president of a new rental dealers association in the northeast representing Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Anderson began his rent ... New England RTO dealers step up for industry New England Rental Dealers Association President Mark Anderson and secretary/treasurer Mark Key. Around a dozen rent-to-own dealers from three states braved drizzling Connecticut rain Thursday, to create a tri-state dealers association that will focus on communication and protecting and furthering industry interests at both the state and federal level. ... Massachusetts Supreme Court to test state RTO law A Springfield, Massachusetts federal district court Wednesday ruled on a motion by Rent-A-Center to dismiss a $5 million class action lawsuit that claims the state's decades old consumer lease act does not regulate rent-to-own transactions. Rather than dismiss the case, the court held it was an issue for the ... Report: Audio vital to lives of consumers A majority of consumers view music and other audio content as a vital component of their daily lives, according to a new study by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). The study, The Evolution of Audio: Is Anyone Listening?, found that 67 percent of consumers believe audio is an important ... CNN: Aaron Rents bucks sales slump Aaron Rents made CNNMoney.com's recent list of companies that are still profiting despite the current recession. Today's online article mentions the rent-to-own home furnishings and appliance company alongside four specialty stores that have foiled bleak holiday shopping forecasts. The company, which reports same-store sales on a quarterly basis, ... APRO, NRC assist reorganization in key New England states Rental dealers across three New England states will meet on Thursday to form a regional rental dealers association aimed at unifying the industry in states where powerful legislators hold sway over rent-to-own in the U.S. Congress. Dealers from Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island will meet from 10 a.... New Premier dealers combine thirty years of RTO wisdom New Premier Dealers Ron Manzoori and Scott Craig. Scott Craig and Ron Manzoori recently held the grand opening of their Premier Rental-Purchase store in Naugatuck, Connecticut. Their combined 30 years of RTO experience includes a string of successes that, according to Manzoori, will serve them well as they spring ... A Rent-to-own journey: Evans takes ColorTyme to Augusta New ColorTyme franchisee, Bud Evans. Bud Evans has worn many hats through the years: Realtor, general manager of a major car dealership, successful entrepreneur. But in the current economy, nothing made more sense than returning to his rent-to-own roots. That's why beginning in early 2009, he plans to open ... Former Aarons, RentWay manager joins Premier family Gerald and Kim Jacobs will join the family of Premier franchisees with the planned opening of their Premier Rental Purchase in Lynchburg, Virginia on February 1, 2009. Gerald Jacobs has nine years of experience in the rent-to-own business most recently as a general manager at Aaron’s and store ... Hawaii dealer shares Thanksgiving with community Waipahu ColorTyme employees join treat locals to a community Thanksgiving feast. Thanksgiving is a true community event for one Waipahu Hawaii ColorTyme dealer. Even though his store was closed, most of Mark Shaw’s employees showed up at 10 a.m. sharp on Thanksgiving morning to continue the tradition ... Rent-A-Center helps local tornado victim Rent-A-Center store managers from Wilson, Rocky Mount and Tarboro present Guillen (center) with roses, a card and a $100 gift certificate from Wal-Mart. The company also supplied her with a homes worth of furniture and appliances. When a tornado destroyed the North Carolina home of Shelly Guillen, grandmother of ... RTO theft trends: Is your store secure? Economic trends always have an effect on both retail and rent-to-own sales and profits, but with the holidays around the corner, massive layoffs and employer cut backs, theft, both internal and external, is on the rise, according to a leading industry surveillance company. “With all the financial strain ... Desert states unite for new dealers association Rental dealers across three states are invited to attend an organizational meeting in February that will bring together the states of Arizona, Nevada and Utah for the purpose of furthering legislative and educational opportunities for members. Ernie Lewallen, former president of the Ohio Rental Dealers Association and owner of ... Registration open for TARA Legislative Conference Registration is now open for the TARA 2009 Legislative Conference, Jan. 26-27, 2009, at the Omni Austin Hotel Downtown, down the street from the Texas State Capitol. Registration for this conference is free to all TARA members who register before Jan. 15. To register, simply reply click here to ... RTO friend Chambliss wins runoff Re-elected RTO Co-Sponsor Sen. Saxby Chabliss. Georgia Republican Saxby Chambliss, the self-proclaimed "firewall" to the Democrats prized 60-seat filibuster proof voting majority in the U.S. Senate, claimed a second term Tuesday, after handily defeating challenger Jim Martin in a high stakes runoff that could have heavily tipped ... Delaware, New Jersey to reorganize Come next month, Delaware and New Jersey rental dealers will have a new voice in their business, community and political affairs. Joe Romano, Rent-A-Center regional director, will join APRO to lead the charge to reorganize the states' rental dealers associations under one banner -- the Delaware-New Jersey Rental Dealers ... Internet Study: How fast is your state? In an Internet dependent world, slow connection speeds have real-time business implications. A recent study by PCMag.com found that Nevada, Virginia, and Pennsylvania are home to the fastest surf speeds—the full state ranking is below. PCMag.com’s “Best ISPs in America” list hits PCMag.com ... Rent One helps brighten holiday for troops overseas Rent One Vice President Murray Beck (top left), President Trent Agin (top right), Mark Williams (bottom left) and David Keen (bottom right) with members of the JCOIF Committee. Members of the Jefferson County Operation Iraqi Freedom Committee (JCOIF) stopped by the Rent One Corporate office this weekend to thank ... Kinnear opens second Premier store in Dayton APRO Board member Scott Kinnear opens second Premier store in Dayton. New APRO board member Scott Kinnear recently held a grand opening for his second Premier Rental-Purchase store in Dayton, Ohio. Kinnear, a seasoned RTO "fixer upper" said the success of his first location combined with the demand ... New tri-state RDA takes flight Dec. 11 Rental dealers across the northeast will meet this month to form a multi-state rental dealers association aimed at initiating and unifying the efforts of three states that are currently inactive. Dealers from Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island will meet from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the ... LG Electronics Blu-Ray player to receive high-def streaming LG Electronics confirmed today that the popular LG BD300 Network Blu-ray Disc Player will offer the Netflix High-Definition (HD) Instant Streaming capability. This upgrade will be free-of-charge to consumers via an automatic firmware update in early December. The LG BD300, the world’s first Blu-ray Disc Player to offer ... Premier Invites Vendors to 2009 New Orleans Convention The Premier Companies will hold its annual convention at the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel in New Orleans from January 18 –22. With its growing number of franchisees and preferred vendor affiliations, Premier is anticipating this to be its biggest event to date and is inviting those who are ... Rent-to-own goes green in Hawaii, state finds its hero Rent-to-own bicycle entrepreneur Anthony Austin (center) with Alicia L. Feliciano (left) and Toni Gates (right). In his own way, Hawaii rent-to-own dealer Anthony Austin is out to save the planet. He's not tying himself to trees or charging the coast guard in an inflatable boat. He's an environmentalist, but ... CEA-CNET: Consumer confidence up in November Consumer confidence in the overall economy increased slightly in November following a record low October level, according to figures released today by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and CNET. The CEA-CNET Indexes also showed consumers are slightly more likely to spend on consumer electronics (CE) and technology products. The ... Ohio dealers clash for bragging rights Countryside Rentals owner Mike Tissot and Showplace Rent-To-Own owner Gary Ferriman at the September Midwest Expo. Any other day of the year, Ohio Rent-To-Own barons Mike Tissot of Countryside Rentals and Gary Ferriman of Showplace Rent-To-Own are cooperative colleagues. Their relationship is one forged through years of personal and ... Rent-A-Center ads speak to credit crunch Rent-A-Center CEO Mark Speese in new ad campaign explaining the value of rent-to-own in an economy where credit is becoming harder to come by. Rent-A-Center today launched a multi-media campaign in which chief executive officer Mark Speese reaches out to legions of consumers burdened by the current cash and ... ColorTyme names Kohut VP of Operations Albert Kohut, ColorTyme's new vice president of operations. ColorTyme, America’s oldest rent-to-own franchising company, today named RTO industry veteran Albert A. Kohut vice president of operations. Kohut replaces Tim Hogan, who moved from the ColorTyme operations VP position in September to become the Vice President of Operations for ... Gates opens first U.S. easyhome Bud Gates, Chairman and CEO of easygates, LLC today announced the opening of the company's first easyhome store in the U.S. in Olathe, Kansas. A Grand Opening event has been planned for November 22, 2008 at the store in the West Market Shopping Center at 113 S. Parker ... CAL-APRO jumpstarts community outreach plans with $1,000 donation CAL-APRO President Paul Davis. The newly assembled board of the California Association of Progressive Rental Agencies recently approved a $1,000 donation to the Arlington Temporary Assistance Program, a United Way funded program. The donation, along with having a full board of directors, is a first for the association, ... Marcone Supply raises over $10,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities Marcone Supply raised over $10,000 in just under three days for Ronald McDonald House Charities. Marcone Supply raised over $10,000 in just under three days for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMH) during the company's recent servicer's association convention in Las Vegas. The donation will help RMH provide ... Trustmark makes push to insure rent-to-own dealers Trustmark Affinity Markets, a division of Trustmark Life Insurance Company, today began an aggressive lead generation telephone campaign to educate dealers about its policies, provide quotes and enroll more APRO member rent-to-own companies in the health insurance program. The health insurance program, which is a benefit for APRO members ... Rent-A-Center outfits Ohio family services center Representatives of Rent-A-Center and Trillium Family Solutions in Canton, Ohio, gathered this week, to celebrate Rent-A-Center’s donation of 20 computer monitors, a refrigerator, two microwaves and three TV/DVD combos to the family services organization. Rent-A-Center’s ninth gift in its statewide community initiative – entitled Random Acts of ... Long time Mississippi dealer expands with Premier Wheel Workz New Premiere Wheel Workz Franchisee Pam Hulsey. An RTO dealer for almost three decades, Pam Hulsey recently expanded her market by opening a new Premier Wheel Workz store in Horn Lake, Mississippi on November 7. She has converted half of her large E-Z Rental showroom to create a free-standing ... New House leadership team includes RTO supporters House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) announced the new leadership team elected by House Republicans Wednesday, according to the Republican Leader Press Office. Boehner was recently re-elected to his party's top post in the House during House Republican Conference organizational meetings for the 111th Congress and will now face ... Rent-A-Center treats 150 families to Thanksgiving dinner The community welcomes Rent-A-Center’s random act of caring – helping 150 families in Olean, N.Y. In the spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday and to continue the Company’s Random Act of Caring community initiative, Rent-A-Center, based in Plano, Texas, teamed-up with Olean Mayor David Carucci today to ... RimTyme opens Plano store with salute to Iraq Veteran Former U.S. Marine and Iraq War Veteran Adam Earls (center) with RimTyme Plano Store Manager Cain Maxwell (left) and RimTyme VP of Operations Tim Hogan (right). It takes vision, intelligence and a healthy dose of moxie to succeed in the highly competitive wheel and tire game. This Saturday, ... Democrats reach 58 in Senate, early voting begins in Chambliss race Sen. Ted Stevens, the longest serving Republican in Senate history, narrowly lost his re-election bid Tuesday, according to the AP. His defeat by Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich moves Senate Democrats one step closer to a filibuster-proof 60-seat majority in Congress. A recount is possible, but should Begich hold on ... Norm Smith funeral arrangements set Funeral arrangements for Norm Smith, 81, former head of rental market sales for Zenith, were released today. Smith, a leader in the industry and APRO's first vendor of the year, died Tuesday morning at Glenbrook Hospital in Glenview, Illinois. Visitation is scheduled for Thursday 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 ... Cleek's makes Aaron's conversion Cleek's Lease or Own President "Tiger" John Cleek. "Tiger" John Cleek today announced an agreement with Aaron Rents to convert his Cleek's Lease or Own stores to Aaron's Sales and Lease stores beginning December 1. The Nov. 17 deal will impact as many as six stores in ... Visionary rent-to-own vendor Norm Smith dies APRO's first vendor of the year, Norm Smith, died Tuesday in Illinois. APRO's first vendor of the year, Norm Smith, 81, former head of rental market sales for Zenith, died Tuesday morning at Glenbrook Hospital in Glenview, Illinois, due to complications arising from his recent open-heart surgery. To say ... Rent-A-Center's 12th Random Act helps military families in need Rent-A-Center representatives donate 120 Hannaford Supermarket gift cards to military families in need at Fort Drum. In the spirit of Thanksgiving through the Random Act of Caring initiative, Rent-A-Center has donated 120 Hannaford Supermarket $50 gift cards to military families in need to make their next trip to purchase ... DSI partners with Chief Manufacturing and Sanus Systems DSI Systems, the largest national distributor of LCD, Plasma and DLP TVs, satellite equipment and accessories, announces new lines now available with Chief Manufacturing & Sanus Systems. Dave Robison, CEO of DSI Systems, stated, “We are thrilled to add Chief and Sanus to our product line-up at DSI. ... Welch, Prater named easygates co-presidents Bud Gates at the March 2008 Nationwide Buying Show. Bud Gates, Chairman and CEO of easygates, LLC today announced the promotion of Ladd Welch and Chris Prater to Co-Presidents of easygates. Welch and Prater will share the office of the president with Welch as President of Operations and Prater ... Whirlpool, Habitat for Humanity, begin five day building blitz in Dallas Home for the holidays takes on a whole new meaning this year for nine families in Dallas. Starting today, Whirlpool brand, Habitat for Humanity International, Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity, and volunteers from across the country will build nine new homes by Friday as part of the third annual ... RTO ally Danny Davis rallies for Obama seat Illinois Rep. Danny Davis announced today he wants consideration as President-Elect Barack Obama's successor in the Senate. Rent-to-own bill co-sponsor Rep. Danny Davis [IL-7] today formally announced his interest in filling President-Elect Barack Obama's unfinished Senate term after Obama officially vacated the position Sunday. Over 100 people rallied to ... Alliance HealthCard acquires Access Plans USA Alliance HealthCard -- parent company of Benefit Marketing Solutions -- today announced the signing of an agreement for acquisition of Access Plans USA. Based in Norman, Oklahoma, Alliance HealthCard is a leading provider of consumer membership plans offering access to consumer discounts on a variety of products and services ... October sales take record plunge, RTO gains Consumers, taking a beating from the global credit crisis, declining home values, rising unemployment and suffering record low confidence cut back sharply on their spending in October, pushing retail sales down by a record amount, according to the AP. The Commerce Department reported Friday that retail sales fell by ... Georgia Dealers begin membership drive, pledge Chambliss support GRDA Board Members at their first meeting Wednesday. The Georgia Rental Dealers Association Board of Directors made membership and education a top priority yesterday at the board's first meeting since local dealers re-organized the association last month. Nine board members attended the meeting which was sponsored by the the ... For Paul Davis, politics is a family affair The Davis Family: (L to R) May, Tyler, Paul and Triston at the 2008 APRO Legislative Conference. Every other year for the past seven or so, Paul Davis of Nation's Rent To Own has gladly employed a secret weapon in his effort to secure federal rent-to-own legislation. That weapon ... Luxury homebuilder expands RTO program A move by the nation's largest luxury builder, Toll Brothers, to expand its rent-to-own program indicates the transaction is broadening its demographic ground as the economy continues to flounder and credit strapped consumers seek alternative avenues toward ownership not only of merchandise, but of real estate as well. Toll ... NEW PODCAST: David Kraemer president, CEO Bestway Rental APRO Board Member David Kraemer. Listen to podcast. APRO Board Member David Kraemer is president and CEO of Bestway Rental -- a 74 store rental company based in Dallas, Texas. Elected to the board in 2007, Kraemer currently serves on APRO's government affairs committee. He spoke with RTO Today ... Two notices now required to meet Pennsylvania Theft Statute Effective October 8, 2008, the bar for meeting Pennsylvania's Theft of Rental Property Statute went up. The new amendment to the Pennsylvania Theft of Rental Property Statute (Purdon’s Pennsylvania Statutes, Title 18, Ch. 39, sec. 3932(b)(2)) provides that written demand to return the property must be sent to ... Easyhome Q3: Same store growth down, execution issues noted Easyhome today released its third quarter results ended September 30, 2008, noting the acquisition of Insta-Rent and the implementation of a new, system-wide information technology system as factors contributing to "depressed" results for the rent-to-own company's second and third quarters. Third Quarter Results Revenue for the three-month period ... National TV Sales and Rental salutes American heroes National TV Sales and Rental salutes local heroes at the company's Lebanon, Missouri store. A crowd of close to 750 recently gathered in Lebanon, Missouri to honor heroes at home and abroad at National TV Sales and Rental's "Salute to American Heroes" event. The idea for the event, ... Circuit City files for bankruptcy Circuit City today announced it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, but the chain will continue to operate the business with the help of a $1.1 billion debtor-in-possession revolving credit facility from its current lenders. The company’s Canadian operations will also seek bankruptcy protection under the ... Aaron's Corporate Furnishings sale to CORT complete Aaron Rents today announced it has completed the sale of substantially all of the assets of its Aaron's Corporate Furnishings division to CORT Business Services Corporation. The sale of the assets, which was previously announced on September 12, 2008, was closed for cash proceeds of approximately $76.4 million ... Panasonic and Sanyo push forward with merger A move by Panasonic's Board of Directors last Friday to make Sanyo Electronics a subsidiary will create the world's second largest electronics firm. Boards of both companies agreed to start discussions for a "capital and business alliance" between Panasonic and SANYO that will capitalize on both companies strengths, ... Circuit City, Tweeter turmoil signals shift in consumer demand Faced with a high unemployment rate, lack of credit options and volatile financial markets, consumer confidence plunged to its lowest level on record in October and weak retail sales numbers are taking a heavy toll on the heretofore resilient consumer electronics market. Earlier this week, Circuit City announced it ... NEW PODCAST: Dave Edwards, president SEI Aaron's APRO State Associations Coordinating Committee Chairman Dave Edwards. Listen to podcast. APRO Board member Dave Edwards is president and COO of SEI Aaron's, the largest Aaron's franchise in the country. Edwards, who is also the president of the New York State Rental Dealers Association, recently took the helm as ... La-Z-Boy to cut 850 jobs as furniture sales plummet According to Furniture Today, La-Z-Boy will lay off about 10 percent of its work force and close up to 20 of its Furniture Galleries stores as part of a series of cost savings moves in response to slumping furniture sales and tightened credit markets. In addition to immediately reducing ... Congressional power shift hits small business Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd. Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd announced Thursday he will stay on as head of that panel and not seek chairmanship of the Senate Foreign Relations committee -- a position left vacant with Sen. Joseph Biden's election to the White House. The Senate ... Democrats now at 57, Chambliss in runoff Former RTO co-sponsor Republican Gordon Smith conceded defeat earlier today. Democrats Thursday continued to build on their historic election day showing, claiming victory in a tight Oregon race that will put the party one closer to securing a "filibuster-proof" majority in the Senate. Oregon Sen. and former rent-to-own ... Democrat's 60-seat majority goal fading New York Sen. Charles Schumer. Democrats goal of a 60-seat "filibuster proof" Democratic majority in the U.S. Senate now hinges on four "too close to call" races that will likely be decided by either recount or runoff. Democrats gained a decisive majority in the Senate Tuesday, ... Aaron's raises quarterly dividend rate Aaron Rents Board of Directors today raised the company's quarterly dividend rate by $.017 per share as a reward to loyal shareholders. The Board of Directors of Aaron Rents today declared a quarterly cash dividend of $.017 per share on Common Stock and $.017 per share ... Landrieu re-elected, five co-sponsors out Re-elected RTO bill sponsor Sen. Mary Landrieu. Rent-to-own sponsor Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) will return to Capitol Hill next session after handily winning her third term Tuesday, defeating Republican challenger John Kennedy. Polls this summer, showed Landrieu trailing Kennedy however, more recent polls showed she had closed the gap ... APRO backs computer donation program, vows to fight cybercrime APRO Board members at their fall meeting in Austin, Texas. The APRO Board of Directors unanimously approved an initiative to help put computers in the hands of students and bridge the digital divide in under resourced schools across the country. Board members approved the "Computers For Kidz" program ... Struggling Circuit City closing 155 stores New credit and payment terms imposed by vendors are becoming “unmanageable” for Circuit City, making it difficult for the CE dealer to buy holiday inventory and the company announced it will close 155 underperforming stores and exit 12 markets in an effort to save cash, according to Twice ... DeMoss resigns from APRO board, Dumler elected Rent-A-Center's Ron DeMoss resigns from the APRO Board this morning. His replacement, Dwight Dumler sits to his left as John Raines looks on. Ron DeMoss, executive vice president for Rent-A-Center, formally resigned from the APRO Board of Directors this morning at the board's fall meeting in Austin, Texas. DeMoss ... Lewis heads up Premier Wheel Workz training program Mike Lewis, will head up new Premier training program. Dale Ingram, President of Premier Wheel Workz announced this week Premier will offer expanded operational training and a dealer checkout program to Premier Wheel Workz dealers. The program will be headed up by Mike Lewis, vice president of Operations for ... Windsors welcome Missouri Rep. Skelton National TV Sales and Rental owners and staff welcome Congressman Ike Skelton to their Versailles, Missouri store Friday. U.S. Rep. Ike Skelton (D-MO) dropped by National TV Sales and Rentals' Versailles, Missouri store on Friday to get a first hand view of rent-to-own from company owners Mark and ... APRO Board meets November 3-5 APRO President "Tiger" John Cleek. Around 18 members of the 19 member APRO Board of Directors made their way to Austin, Texas today for the fall 2008 board meeting and to review the status and goals of all 11 committees that fall under the board's jurisdiction. Board members ... ColorTyme sponsors teen video game tournament ColorTyme store manager Derek Higgins (far left) and Boys & Girls Club Unit Director David Uribe (far right) with club members after ColorTyme's recent donation of flat-screen TV's to a video game tournament. When the Boys & Girls Club of Charlottesville/Albemarle, Virginia, needed some big-screen TV's for their week-long ... Showplace opens new store in Findlay Findlay store staff l to r: Mike Rodriuez (delivery), Kim Hall (sales), Joe Adams (district manager), Ron Routson (GM), Holly Gerdeman (accounting). Not pictured: Jerome Kenner (delivery). Showplace Rent-To-Own welcomed a new addition to its growing family of Ohio stores with the "soft" opening of store number 14 ... Louisiana dealers rally for Landrieu LRDA Members at the association's annual meeting this April. Louisiana Rental Dealers Association President Jeff White admits it's not easy campaigning for a Democrat in a primarily Republican leaning state. But the Democrat in question happens to be Sen. Mary Landrieu, sponsor of the Senate version of the Consumer ... APRO election endorsement list available Register for APRO's 2009 Legislative Conference. All 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are up for re-election November 4 and those who are current co-sponsors of industry supported federal legislation should be of particular interest to rent-to-own dealers. 92 of the current 100 House sponsors of ... RTO phone expertise boosts Ohio Congressman Cristel Exline, manager of Countryside Rentals Jackson,Ohio store making campaign calls with Countryside owner Mike Tissot. When Countryside Rentals Owner Mike Tissot learned Ohio Congressman Zachary Space needed some help in his phone bank, making outbound calls to urge support for Space's re-election bid, Tissot was more than ... Premier's executive team retreat a success The Premier Company’s annual Executive Team Retreat in Corolla, North Carolina last week proved to be the most successful yet. Premier Company Presidents joined with other members of the Executive Team to tackle a full agenda that included establishing a comprehensive strategy for supporting the success of the ... IRDA talks legislation, elects new board New IRDA Board Members. Around 50 rent-to-own dealers and vendors from across the state of Illinois turned out at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Springfield Wednesday, to help the Illinois Rental Purchase Dealers Association build on its status as APRO's 2008 "Most Improved State Association". Around a dozen ... Rent-A-Center donates more than $14,000 in furniture and equipment to NYC Fire Department Rent-A-Center Representatives with New York City Firefighters in Staten Island firehouse. In recognition of National Fire Prevention Month, Rent-A-Center teamed-up with the New York City Fire Department (FNDY) Tuesday to help promote the message of fire safety during Fire Prevention month through a charitable donation to the FDNY Foundation. ... Aaron's Q3 revenues up 16 percent; same store revenues up 5.7 percent The nation's second largest rent-to-own company, Aaron Rents, today announced revenues and earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, including a 16 percent growth in revenue this quarter over the same quarter last year. As previously announced, the Company has entered into an agreement to ... Consumer confidence plummets in October; how will RTO fare? A private research group said Tuesday that consumer confidence in the U.S. economy plunged in October to its lowest level on record, as stock markets dropped sharply, credit remained constrained and employees were laid off, according to the AP. The Conference Board said the consumer confidence index fell ... Whirlpool earnings down seven percent, job cuts, plant closures in store The global credit crisis, declining home values, rising unemployment and very low consumer confidence over the third quarter did little for the already sagging major appliance market, and industry giant Whirlpool will now take drastic steps to accommodate a seven percent earnings decline that will save the company an ... LG cleared of patent infringement claims A long running dispute between major appliance manufacturers LG Electronics and Whirlpool over alleged patent infringements was resolved by a federal court in LG's favor, according to news sources . The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upheld a U.S. District Court decision in a case ... RAC Q3 earnings report -- same store sales up 3.4 percent Rent-A-Center, the nation's largest rent-to-own operator, today announced revenues and earnings for the quarter ended September 30, 2008. Third Quarter 2008 Results Total revenues for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 were $708.8 million, a decrease of $0.9 million from the total revenues of $709.7 million ... Better and better -- IRDA ramps up for annual meeting IRDA President Steve Braning accepts APRO's "Most Improved State Association" award from "Tiger John Cleek. APRO's 2008 most improved state association -- the Illinois Rental Purchase Dealers Association -- will host close to 50 rent-to-own dealers, employees and vendors this Wednesday at its annual membership meeting at ... In Economic Meltdown, analysts bank on RAC and Aarons APRO Public Affairs Director Richard May is used to fielding calls from financial analysts curious about the viability of the rent-to-own industry. However, the combined dynamics of the subprime mortgage crisis, credit crunch and Wall Street's roller coaster ride over the last month have driven such calls from "... DSI expands by five states Electronics distributor DSI Systems announced today it added five states to its territory for distributing Sharp products, moving into Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington, according to Dealerscope. The move brings the company's Sharp product distributorship into 31 of the 50 U.S. states. “We are thrilled to ... NEW PODCAST: Mike Hickey and Aaron's storm the Hill Listen to podcast. Mike Hickey is the vice president of management development for Aaron Rents. He's a 15-year employee in charge of e-learning, field training and managers-in-training programs. On Thursday Aaron Rents announced it is dedicating a day from its annual managers meeting to send some 2,000 managers, ... Meeting of the Minds draws more RTO companies Rental dealers from around the country wrapped up the second and final day of TRIB Group's annual "Meeting of the Minds" at the Renaissance Concourse Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia, with continued discussions of rent-to-own hot topics, product reviews and operations and procedures. TRIB Group Executive Director Dennis Shields. ... Aaron's, APRO to bring 2,000 to Capitol Hill Bill Keese, Beth Gibbs, "Tiger" John Cleek, Mike Hickey and John Cleek Jr. at Aaron's Corporate headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, Thursday. Aaron Rents announced today it is getting behind APRO's grassroots legislative initiative in a big way. The world's second largest rent-to-own company is dedicating a day from ... Rent-A-Center opens new Arizona location Customers in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, and the surrounding area have a new choice available when it comes to renting or buying brand-name furniture, appliances, electronics and computers. Rent-A-Center is celebrating the opening of its newest store at 1641 N McCulloch Blvd. featuring approximately 4,200 square feet of ... RTO minds meet at annual TRIB event Meeting of the Minds Vendor Mingle. The best and brightest in the rent-to-own industry trekked to Atlanta, Georgia Wednesday to reflect and share insights on everything from successful product lines to employee and business management techniques at the annual TRIB Group "Meeting of the Minds". Over 100 registered ... NEW PODCASTS: Georgia Dealers jump start association GRDA treasurer Beth Gibbs, vice president Dan Kniesly and president Andrea Bozeman. Over 25 rental dealers representing some 200 storefronts in Georgia banned together to ensure the future of the state's rent-to-own industry by re-organizing their long dormant state association Wednesday at the Renaissance Concourse Hotel in Atlanta. Andrea ... Schumer seeks filibuster-proof majority: What does it mean for RTO? At a National Press Club briefing Tuesday, Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y, head of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, told reporters that the prospect of his party getting 60 seats was better than it was two weeks ago and keeps getting better, according to the latest Congressional Quarterly Newsletter. ... Georgia dealers re-organize October 22 Georgia rent-to-own dealers will join forces this week in Atlanta to re-organize their dormant state association and take a greater stake in the state's RTO future. The Georgia Rental Dealers Association Reorganization Meeting will take place October 22 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Renaissance ... Study predicts 3.5 percent growth in Q4 CE sales In a tough economy consumers will spend less overall, but allocate more to consumer electronics, a new study forecasts. Consumer electronics products continue to top the holiday wish lists of adults and teens, resulting in 3.5 percent projected growth in fourth quarter industry shipments over last year, according ... Almo launches new Web sites Major appliance and consumer electronics distributor Almo, today unveiled two new websites brimming with updated features meant to offer a more dynamic user-centric web experience. Both sites, the corporate site located at www.almo.com and the dealer-only B2B site located at www.access.almo.com, were debuted with ... Majap shipments down 15 percent Continuing a two year decline, factory shipments of major appliances fell nearly 15 percent in September. The tally, compiled by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) and reported by Twice Magazine, represents the industry’s worst monthly performance in more than a year and would have been even ... Will RTO outfox the Grinch this Christmas? A trio of recent economic indicators predict a tough holiday season for retailers, especially for consumer electronics dealers, according to a Twice Magazine report. First up, the United States Commerce Department’s retail sales estimates for September, which set off Wednesday's steep stock market sell-off. Total retail sales, unadjusted ... APRO leadership key to D.C. success Play Video. APRO’s 2009 Dave Egan Legislative Conference is scheduled for April 21-23 in Washington, D.C., at the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel. After 15 years of representing the rent-to-own industry through the annual legislative conference, 2009 looks to be pivotal, with one of the most anticipated elections in ... Kansas dealers host record turnout Nearly 40 rent-to-own dealers representing around 10 companies turned out for the Kansas Association of Rental Dealers (KARD) annual meeting October 14 and 15 at the Prairie Band Casino in Mayetta, Kansas. That's quite a turnaround from KARD's first re-organized meeting four years ago that drew scarcely a dozen ... Rent One Trumann store re-opens Rent One Trumann store staff with local Chamber of Commerce officials. Preparing to cut the Ribbon are Store Manager Angela Hunter and Assistant Store Manager Lahoma Beal. Rent One's Trumann, Arkansas store recently cut ribbon on its newly remodeled/rebranded location in a ceremony sponsored by the Trumann Chamber of ... NEW PODCAST: William McCrae, Buzz's Lease Purchase Listen to podcast. William McCrae is vice president for the Texas Association of Rental Agencies and president of Buzz's Lease Purchase and Sales -- a seven store rental chain with locations in Texas and Louisiana. He's worked in the rent-to-own industry since he joined a friend's budding company in ... RTO Pro adds e-mail functionality RTO Pro software now features integrated e-mail functionality to provide dealers with a key communications tool to send individual emails, invoices, collections notices and promotional material to customers with the click of a mouse. RTO Pro Software’s 800-plus users now can with the newest release of RTO Pro. ... NEW PODCAST: Dwight Dumler, RAC senior vice president of government affairs Click to listen to podcast. Dwight Dumler is Rent-A-Center's senior vice president of government affairs. With over 11 years of experience in the industry, Dumler has worked stints for both Rentway and Rent-A-Center before settling in for keeps with Rent-A-Center in 2002. Although he works for the largest rent-to-own ... Speakers light up TARA membership meeting L to R: TARA VP William McCrae, President Dan Matthews and Treasurer Dan Sharff cut the ribbon on the TARA Buying Show. The Texas Association of Rental Agencies' 25th Anniversary Convention and Buying Show kicked into high gear Monday in Irving with a cavalcade of guest speakers who addressed ... Regulatory focus puts RTO in Congressional spotlight, APRO leadership a must in D.C. The $700 billion federal bailout package was merely the opening salvo in what Congressional Democrats see as an opportunity to clean up the country's ailing financial structure, according to the latest Congressional Quarterly Newsletter. The focus on regulatory overhaul bills that will likely encompass consumer credit issues, will also ... It's no illusion: TARA is 25 TARA President Dan Matthews with 25th anniversary cake. Close to 100 rent-to-own professionals filled the Monterey Ballroom at the Sheraton Grand in Irving Sunday, for dinner, cake and magic in celebration of TARA's 25th anniversary Convention and Buying Show. The evening topped off two days of networking events including ... NEW PODCAST: TARA past president Kelly Sayre Listen to Kelly Sayre podcast. Kelly Sayre is the president of Alliance Rental Centers, an 8 store Aaron's franchise headquartered in Denton, Texas. Sayre, whose been a member of TARA since 1992, served a two year term as the association's president and another two year's as chairman of its ... TARA Convention off to the races L to R: Dan and Susan Matthews, Bob and Kathy Bloom, Dwight and Caron Dumler at Lone Star Park. Rent-to-own professionals from across the southwest convened in Irving last night to help kick off opening events and make history at the Texas Association of Rental Agencies' 25th annual Convention ... RAC donates $4,500 to baseball program for children with disabilities Rent-A-Center Officials dedicate $4,500 to the Miracle League of Muskingum Valley for a unique baseball facility. Rent-A-Center’s eighth gift in its statewide community initiative – entitled Random Acts of Caring – will help the Miracle League of Muskingum Valley complete a unique project in Zanesville, Ohio. The ... NYSRDA presents $26,000 to Special Olympics NYSRDA President Dave Edwards, NY Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito (4th from left), NYSRDA Treasurer Greg Heck, RAC Regional Director Cathy Skula and Susan MacBryde of SONY join Special Olympic athletes at check presentation. The New York State Rental Dealers Association members beat their own best estimate Thursday, turning over a ... A Call to Arms: State association presidents gear up for elections The presidents of 18 state associations held a conference call today to compare notes on the best strategies with which to rally their members to action this election cycle. This year's "Call to Arms" will prove crucial for the industry as it regroups and prepares to rally a ... LG Simplifies home theatre installation with online tools LG Electronics USA today announced a new service on its Web site -- www.LGusa.com -- to help consumers easily install various home theater components. Called Wirewize, the service is designed to simplify the process of connecting multiple consumer electronics, including flat panel HDTVs, DVD players and other ... Industry "Titans" diverge in latest RTOHQ: The Magazine The second edition of APRO's revamped publication -- RTOHQ: The Magazine -- hits post offices and office desks this week with an engaging look at similarities and differences between the two publicly traded RTO "Titans": Rent-A-Center and Aaron Rents. The new edition also features in-depth profiles of ... Aaron's Q3 conference call set Aaron Rents will hold a conference call to duscuss third quarter 2008 results at 10:30 a.m. EST October 29. Aaron's President Charlie Loudermilk, CEO Robin Loudermilk, Chief Operating Officer Ken Butler and Executive Vice President Gil Danielson will be on hand for opening remarks and to field questions. ... For Premier Wheel Workz, Ideal Software is "ideal" Ideal Software Systems today announced Premier Wheel Workz, a leader in tire and wheel applications, has selected the Ideal system to manage their rental operations. Ideal has also served as the exclusive software provider for Premier Rental Purchase’s 60 plus locations since 2004. “I think they are ... TARA's 25th welcomes Texas State Rep. District 65 State Representative Burt Solomons will speak at TARA membership meeting. The Texas Association of Rental Agencies welcomes Texas State Representative Burt Solomons as a guest speaker at it's historic 25th annual Convention and Southwest Buying Show which kicks off this Saturday in Irving. Solomons, chairman of the ... RSSS users get scoop on modernization RSSS Conference attendees aboard the USS Lexington. Rent-to-own dealers from around the country got the lowdown Tuesday, on new software enhancements, developments and upgrades headed their way at the RSSS "Silver Summit" Users Conference in Corpus Christi, Texas. RSSS -- now 25 years old -- serves around 1,... Pennsylvania dealers host Attorney General during state meeting The Pennsylvania Association of Rental Dealers (PARD) held their annual state association meeting in Harrisburg October 7 that featured honored guest and speaker, Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett. Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett with PARD President Sandi Frye. The state association meeting sponsored by TRIB began with an introduction ... RSSS silver conference tees off in Corpus RSSS kicked off its 25th anniversary users conference Monday in Corpus Christi, Texas, with a game of four man scramble at Newport Dunes -- a new Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course on the Texas Gulf Coast. The team of Jan Miller, Joe Hopkins, Mike Frawley and Mark Rettig won ... Rent One honors Vets in second medallion ceremony Rent One of Salem, Illinois, this weekend awarded over 80 special medallions to veterans at the Rent One/National Guard tent located in the town square as part of the city's 37th annual Little Egypt Festival. L to R: Salem Rent One Manager Patricia Gibson, three local veterans and SFC ... Moody Brothers open Premier store in Mississippi Brothers Chad and Jeffery Moody recently opened a Premier Rental-Purchase store in Columbus, Mississippi, and after their first two months, say they are way ahead of expectations. Eager to follow a family tradition as entrepreneurs, the Moodys are putting their RTO expertise to use and are excited about their ... Industry stats are best defense in down economy -- deadline October 31 The fiscal health and viability of the rent-to-own industry is best reflected in the statistical data accrued from its members and presented to the public. Especially in sour economic times, the more robust that financial data, the more clearly the rent-to-own story is told and the more bankable the ... Kansas dealers brush up on legal, legislative issues Collections and employment issues top the Kansas Association of Rental Dealers (KARD) annual meeting October 14 and 15 at the Prairie Band Casino in Mayetta, Kansas. Around 50 dealers representing 10 rent-to-own companies are expected at the event which begins with a cocktail reception October 14 and continues with ... New York Dealers welcome Assemblywoman, present Special Olympics check The New York State Rental Dealers Association has a full slate booked for their bi-annual meeting next week, including a visit from New York Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito and the formal presentation of fundraising proceeds to Special Olympics. New York Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito. Destito, who represents New York's 116th Assembly ... Unhappy holidays for CE? The consumer electronics industry is looking at its bleakest holiday season in memory thanks to the struggling economy, according to analysts and economists quoted by Reuters. The experts attribute the anticipated slowdown to a lack of cash in the pockets of consumers as well as other indicators including the ... RSSS celebrates 25th at users conference Users of Rental and Sales Software Systems -- better known as RSSS -- head to the Texas gulf coast next week for the company's semi-annual user's conference where RSSS will unveil a host of innovations to its rent-to-own software that now runs in over 1,000 stores. RSSS General ... Petra Industries annual golf charity raises $60,000 National CE distributor Petra Industries drew 117 participants to its 10th annual Charity Golf Tournament last week, generating over $60,000 for Mercy Ministries of America and Whiz Kids. This year’s festivities began on September 24 with a cocktail reception and a “Show your helping hand” Texas ... Pennsylvania dealers host attorney general Dealers from across Pennsylvania will join forces for a day of networking and education at the Pennsylvania Rental Dealer's Association annual meeting October 7 at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. PARD President Sandi Frye expects over 30 attendees representing 11 rent-to-own companies, 10 of which are independent ... RTO Bill reaches 100 mark, elections key to sustaining momentum Eight-term Republican Congressman Ed Royce today bridged a threshold of support for H.R. 1767, the Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act. Rep. Ed Royce Royce, who serves southern California's 40th Congressional District, Tuesday became the bill's 99th co-sponsor. Including lead sponsor Rep. William Lacy Clay, total U.S. House ... Economic meltdown demands flexibility of RTO As the U.S. Congress scrambles to approve a proposed $700 billion Wall Street bailout to absorb enough bad housing debt to shore up the markets and allow banks to resume lending again, it's unlikely little if any of that "dislodged" credit will flow into the hands of ... RTO Roundtable data now available Close to 200 rent-to-own dealers packed the Ferrara Theatre at the America's Center in downtown St. Louis August 12 for a rich and rapid-fire interactive session known as the All-Industry Roundtable where they shared information on a variety of topics from best hiring practices to legislative issues to community ... Freitag's welcome new addition Bob and Renee Freitag, of T.G.I. Freitags, welcomed daughter Emilie Dawn Freitag recently. Emilie Dawn was born September 23 at 9:23 a.m. measuring 19 inches weighing 8 pounds 3 ounces. The family resides in Dodge Center, Minnesota.... Brown delivers APRO PAC check to Kansas Congressman Jim Brown and wife Debbie, of Whichita, Kansas-based ABC Rent-To-Own recently deliver a $1,000 APRO PAC check to fifth term Congressman Dennis Moore, a co-sponsor of rent-to-own legislation and member of the powerful House Financial Services Committee. More, a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of ... Easyhome headed for central Texas Bud Gates, Chairman and CEO of easygates, LLC announced the signing of a new easyhome franchise to develop several markets in Central Texas. The franchise, easycompany, LLC will by headed up by CEO Trent McKenzie, who will develop at least 10 stores over the next 4 years. "Easyhome ... TRIB "Meeting of the Minds" hotel deadline September 29 Over 100 rent-to-own dealers from across the country are due in Atlanta October 22 and 23 to hone their management, operations and communications skills among colleagues at the annual TRIB Group "Meeting of the Minds". The event is scheduled for the Renaissance Concourse Hotel where a room rate ... Daughter's spirit lives on at Showplace RTO Long-time Showplace Rent-To-Own customer Jenna Gibson, 48, loves Halloween. It's her favorite holiday -- a passion she shared with her daughter, Kasi. Jenna Gibson, with grandson Conrad Richards and resident ghoul, at Showplace Rent-To-Own's "Halloween in September" in Bellefontaine, Ohio. After four-year-old Kasi was killed in a car ... Showplace customer wins new car Showplace Rent-To-Own topped off an extended customer appreciation celebration last night by delivering a new car to one lucky grand prize winner. This year the traditional one day celebration was extended a full week with Amanda Pauley of Huber Heights winning the grand prize 2008 Hyundai Accent. Keith Ferriman, ... CBC 2008 Essay Contest has RTO Sponsor Aaron Rents and the Association of Progressive Rental Organizations are proud sponsors of the 2008 Congressional Black Caucus Spouses "Essay Contest and Issues Forum" in which three high school essay contest winners will take home prizes at a special ceremony tomorrow in Washington, D.C. This year marks ... APRO's Disaster Relief Fund eases hurricane impact While the final cost of damages wrought by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike on the Gulf Coast is still being calculated, the direct impact on businesses and their employees was immediate. An unknown number of rent-to-own dealers sustained damage as a result of the September storms, which forced the evacuation ... RNR Virginia trains up to roll out Two new RNR Custom Wheels and Tires stores are headed for Virginia and managers and sales staff are gearing up. RNR of Virginia -- an affiliated RTO Inc. company and RNR franchisee -- plans to open its first store in Norfolk, Virginia, in October and the second this spring ... Baby May joins APRO staff APRO Public Affairs Director Richard May and wife Kelli, introduced their newest family member, Alaina Jill May, to APRO staff with a surprise visit Monday. Richard, Alaina and Kelli May outside APRO offices in Austin. Born August 15, 2008 -- a day after the 2008 APRO Convention -- and ... RNR sponsors car rally for missing children RNR teams up with Fireball Run to sponsor the 2008 Fireball Run Transcontinental Rally -- the anchor event of a nationwide recovery and awareness campaign to help in the search for abducted children. The campaign aims to educate the public and raise awareness about the over 2000 children reported ... Sam's teams with sports stars to help children in need Sam's Furniture and Appliance of Fort Worth is teaming up once again with Brandon Bass of the Dallas Mavericks and Adam "Pac-man" Jones of the Dallas Cowboys to raise money for under privileged children in impoverished communities. In partnership with Bass and Jones, Sam's will sponsor a team ... Aaron's employees restrain armed robber Employees in an Atlanta rent-to-own store overpowered an armed robber earlier this week and restrained him until police arrived, according to a Thursday story in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The suspect, Shawn Sjavaive Henderson, 21, of Jonesboro, and at least one employee were injured during the struggle at Aaron’s ... LG president, products on center stage at 60th primetime Emmy awards When Hollywood's brightest television stars shine at the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards, LG Electronics will be on center stage - literally. LG Electronics is the Official HDTV of the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards telecast, airing live from the NOKIA Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, September 21 on ABC. ... TARA booth discount expires tomorrow Tomorrow is the last day to purchase booths at a discount for the Texas Association of Rental Agencies' historic 25th anniversary Convention and Buying Show in Irving October 11-13 and spaces are going fast. Nearly three quarters of the 50 available booths have already been claimed and after September ... Florida dealers move forward with "skips" database Owners and managers from around a dozen Florida Rental Companies agreed Tuesday to move forward on a data system that would allow them to share whether prospective customers had accounts with other rent-to-own dealers where merchandise had been charged off or stolen. Florida dealers discuss options for developing a ... Korst urges industry unity at FRDA conference Industry updates and management training topped off the Florida Rental Dealers Association annual meeting in Tampa Tuesday where over 120 dealers turned out for the afternoon events that concluded the conference. FRDA Dealers wave goodbye to another successful conference. Prior to the meeting, some 29 vendors set up tabletops ... MRDA management training next week The Missouri Rental Dealers Association is offering rent-to-own managers a unique training opportunity next week as part of the association's "Traveling Roadshow" -- a training event that will take place in three cities across Missouri. Veteran RTO speaker Frank Matthews will present a seminar entitled "The Trip ... RTO bill adds four, breaks all-time co-sponsorship record with 98 Four more co-sponsors have submitted their names to the U.S. House of Representatives clerk for official co-sponsorship of H.R. 1767 - the Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act -- according to Rep. William Lacy Clay's office Tuesday. Reps. Nick Lampson (D-TX), John Linder (R-GA), Randy Forbes (R-VA) and ... ColorTyme's Tim Hogan tapped to head RimTyme operations ColorTyme Vice President of Operation Tim Hogan will now head the company's custom-wheel-and-tire brand, ColorTyme officials announced today. Hogan is now vice president of operations for RimTyme where he will manage and develop both corporate and franchised custom- wheel-and-tire stores for the company. He will however remain a member ... "Slats" Golf Memorial opens FRDA annual meeting Around 66 rent-to-own professionals turned out Monday, for the sixth annual Norman "Slats" Slatton Golf Memorial -- the kickoff event for the Florida Rental Dealers Association's annual meeting at the Crown Plaza at Sabal Park in Tampa, Florida. Some 115 dealers representing 18 companies are expected at the ... Aaron's sells corporate furnishings division Aaron Rents today announced it will sell its corporate furnishings division to CORT Business Services Corporation, an estimated $72 million deal that will allow Aaron's to better focus on its fast growing sales and lease ownership division. Aaron's Corporate Furnishings, the company's residential rent-to-rent business, recorded revenues of $99 ... NEW EXPO VIDEO: Chris Bolin, Bolin Rental Purchase It's hard not to call Chris Bolin the hardest working rent-to-own dealer in the business. Bolin, who owns two Bolin Rental Purchase stores in Kentucky and Tennessee, serves as both president and vice president of those two state's rental dealer association's respectively. Watch the video. The Association of Progressive ... Dwyer to open ColorTyme in Connecticut Steven Dwyer has owned companies his entire career, but he’s a novice at rent-to-own. New ColorTyme franchisee Steve Dwyer. But that's about to change with the grand-opening on his first ColorTyme store September 18 in Waterbury, Connecticut -- the first of three he plans to open within the ... Expo Wrap Up Over 300 Rent-To-Own professionals trekked to Columbus, Ohio this week to make the fifth annual Midwest RTO Training Expo the highest attended regional show in the country. Expo show floor. Some 233 rent-to-own owners, managers and employees representing 29 different companies made the trip from nine states including Kentucky, ... CEA hires new vice president The Consumer Electronics Association on Wednesday announced the hiring of a new vice president, as well as the promotions of two other executives, according to Dealerscope Magazine. The industry association has named James Hedlund its new vice president of regulatory affairs. Hedlund comes to CEA from Yahoo, where he ... NEW EXPO VIDEO: Josh Johnson, Out The Door Rent-To-Own Josh Johnson of Out the Door Rent-to-Own, is a one store dealer who brought all three of his managers to the 2008 Midwest Training Expo September 9 and 10 in Columbus, Ohio. Watch the video. Johnson -- a second year Expo attendee -- said he made the nine hour ... NEW EXPO VIDEO: ORDA Vice President Josef Burgan Josef Burgan is the vice president of the Ohio Rental Dealers Association. Burgan also co-owns First Place Rentals with partner Robert McKinney. He serves as chief operating officer of the Youngstown, Ohio based company. An ORDA board member for the last four years, Burgan was elected vice president at ... Whirlpool, LG reach partial agreement Today, Whirlpool Corporation and LG Electronics agreed to a partial resolution of the patent infringement action that Whirlpool brought against LG in the U.S. International Trade Commission in January 2008, according to Business Wire. The resolution relates to two of Whirlpool's patents directed to ice maker fill tubes ... NEW VIDEO: APRO President "Tiger" John Cleek Newly elected APRO President "Tiger" John Cleek was one of 233 rent-to-own dealers to attend the Midwest RTO Expo in Columbus, Ohio this week. In this exclusive APRO video, "Tiger" -- who, along with son John Jr. owns nine Cleek's Lease or Own stores in Missouri -- ... NEW VIDEO: ORDA President Mike Tissot In this exclusive APRO interview, Ohio Rental Dealers Association President and Countryside Rentals owner Mike Tissot discusses some of the history and factors that contributed to the record breaking attendance at the 2008 Midwest RTO Training Expo this week in Ohio. Click to play video. Excellent training and an ... NEW VIDEO: Regional Relevance: Expo readies dealers for Q4 Rent-to-own dealers from across nine states took full advantage Wednesday of a host of product specific training sessions offered at the fifth annual Midwest Training Expo -- the largest event of its kind in the country. Ohio State Representative Joe Uecker with ORDA President Mike Tissot at the Midwest ... APRO's Virtual Tradeshow is live The APRO 2008 Convention and Buying Show is long gone. But keeping in touch with the 86 vendors who attended the show is now easier than ever with APRO's Virtual Tradeshow link. Dealers will find specific details on all vendors who attended the show including product descriptions and contact ... Midwest Expo welcomes record breaking crowd If Tuesday's pre-show elbow-to-elbow reception was any indication, the fifth annual Midwest RTO Training Expo will be one for the record books. Colorama COO Bill Esenbock, Joe Allen and Austin Tanner -- three of 35 Colorama managers at the Expo. Rent-to-own dealers from companies large and small packed the ... EEO-1 Reports due September 30. The Employer Information Report EEO-1, otherwise known as the EEO-1 Report, is required to be filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's Joint Reporting Committee by September 30, 2008. The requirement applies to companies either doing business with the federal government with 50 or more employees or ... CEA lauds Wilmington, NC as digital pioneer As a successful harbinger of the nation’s upcoming transition to digital television, all full-power television broadcasting in Wilmington, North Carolina today switches to digital. Residents in Wilmington who watch over-the-air broadcasts on an analog TV have been informed of the need to purchase a digital TV or converter ... Midwest Expo tops 300 registrants, nine states to join The fifth annual Midwest RTO Training Expo September 9 and 10 is shaping up to be the largest regional tradeshow in the country with over 300 total attendees registered as of today. Of the 310 total registrants, 225 are rent-to-own owners, managers or employees representing 29 different companies across ... T.G.I. Freitags holds first company picnic Over 30 employees family and friends turned out yesterday for the first annual T.G.I. Freitags company picnic in Hayfield, Minnesota. The three-store company also named its first ever manager and employee of the year -- awards voted on by employees and staff. Freitags manager of the year ... Korst to headline FRDA Meeting Chris Korst, executive vice president of operations for Rent-A-Center, will address over 150 rent-to-own dealers and vendors as the keynote speaker at the Florida Rental Dealers Annual meeting next week in Tampa, Florida. Chris Korst, executive vice president of operations for Rent-A-Center is the keynote speaker for FRDA's annual ... Whirlpool again named to sustainability index Whirlpool Corporation announced today it was named to the 2008/2009 Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) for the fourth year in a row. The international stock portfolio evaluates corporate performance using economic, environmental, and social criteria. "We are proud to be recognized by one of the world's most comprehensive ... Rent-A-Center inks $34 million network deal with Verizon Rent-A-Center replaced around 700 different networking service contracts with a three-year agreement with Verizon Business to service its 3,000 rent-to-own stores in North America, according to a report today in Computerworld. The agreement, reached between the nation's largest rent-to-own company and Verizon earlier this year is valued at ... Central Rent to Own donates $33,000 in-kind to 2009 Special Olympics Central Rent to Own employees present Special Olympics athletes and organizers with a $33,000 check representing the company's recent donation to the Special Olympics World Games. The 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Boise, Idaho will be the largest event of its kind ever held in the ... Iowa dealers re-elect Luksetich Lyn Leach presents Brian Luksetich with APRO's Legislative Achievement Award today in Iowa. Some 18 rent-to-own dealers turned out for The Association of Iowa Rental Dealers' 21st annual business meeting today at the Hilton Garden Inn in Johnston, Iowa where they re-elected the association's current president and vice president. ... RTO Vet DiLeo to open new ColorTyme Shawn DiLeo began his rent-to-own career at 18, driving the delivery truck for a small RTO store. It wasn’t long before he was manager of the store, and soon after that he began working his way up in the industry. New ColorTyme Franchisee Shawn DiLeo. Today, DiLeo is ... Northwest Rental Dealers meet September 11 On the heels of its first ever membership meeting, the year-old Northwest Rental Dealers Association is due for it's first business meeting September 11 in Spokane, Washington. Around a dozen RTO dealers from the state of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana are expected and will discuss hiring an oversight ... NEW VIDEO: Kelly and Kinnear on APRO On August 13, APRO members elected two new faces to the association's board of directors. Watch Video. Members filled eight seats on the board at the APRO 2008 Convention and Buying Show in St. Louis last month, re-electing six incumbents and electing two new members, Bill Kelly and Scott ... Nationwide partners with top Internet Ad Firm Nationwide Marketing Group (NMG) recently announced a collaboration with ReachLocal, a leading national Internet advertising firm for local businesses. "ReachLocal understands what it takes to be successful online," said Executive Vice President Les Kirk of Nationwide Marketing Group. “Our members will now have access to search ... Iowa dealers get back to basics Brian Luksetich, president of the Association of Iowa Rental Dealers, knows trainings and trade shows are fundamental to the work of many state associations. While he recognizes the value in these offerings, Luksetich wants to keep AIRD's upcoming "Synergy in Iowa" meeting September 4 focused on one primary ... Home furnishings group introduces RTO option As a way to reach "credit challenged" customers in an uncertain economy, The National Home Furnishings Association is introducing a new financing program that would allow members to test the rent-to-own waters, according to a report in Furniture Today. The Lease/Purchase Alternative Finance Program is offered by 4Sales ... RTO swings into action for Clay scholarship benefit The rent-own-industry is once again pitching in to help deserving students find the financial support they need to attend college with its sponsorship of the 13th annual William L. Clay Scholarship and Research Golf Tournament September 8. In total, the industry -- including national representation by the Association of ... State Rep. Uecker to open Midwest Training Expo The fifth becomes the first next week at the Midwest RTO Training Expo. That's when the Ohio Rental Dealers Association's fifth annual Midwest RTO Training Expo will cement its legacy as the first "true" regional tradeshow September 9-10 with the help of a state representative and close to ... Former Aaron's RM opens ColorTyme John Fornero is no stranger to the rent-to-own industry, having been an Aaron’s Regional Manager for ten years. John and his new ColorTyme store, opening on September 11 in Tampa, is one of 10 new franchisees joining the ColorTyme brand this year. John Fornero, new ColorTyme franchisee. "... Briley presented flag by Congressman Congressman Randy Neugebauer of Texas' 19th district, presented Abilene City Councilman and Aaron's franchisee Robert Briley with an American flag flown over the U.S. Capitol Monday. Rep. Neugebauer, left, with Zach, Robert and Lou Briley. Neugebauer, a co-sponsor of rent-to-own bill H.R. 1767, wanted to recognize Briley ... NEW PODCAST: Bob Lawrence, CEO AVB - Brand Source Bob Lawrence is the CEO of AVB-Brand Source, the nation's largest buying group. Bob Lawrence, AVB-Brand Source CEO. Listen here. In an economic climate that seems awash in grim forecasts, Lawrence exudes an optimism that rests on his belief that "big" is out. His assessment, "the aggregation ... NEW PODCAST: Appliance analyst John White forecasts strong majap demand John White is the vice president of the appliance division at AVB-Brand Source. Though appliance sales for the industry as a whole are down nearly eight percent, White, a 20-year appliance industry veteran, notes Brand Source appliance sales are up 1.5 percent year-to-date. John White, Brand Source VP ... NEW PODCAST: CE analyst Jim Ristow Jim Ristow is the vice president of consumer electronics with AVB-Brand Source and has been with the buying group for 10 years. Jim Ristow, AVB-Brand Source VP of Consumer Electronics. Listen to podcast. In this exclusive podcast, Ristow gives a 50,000 foot view of the consumer electronics industry ... Study: Consumer confidence in technology rising The CEA-CNET Indexes increased for the month of August, according to figures released today by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and CNET. The Indexes are comprised of the CEA-CNET Index of Consumer Expectations (ICE) and the CEA-CNET Index of Consumer Technology Expectations (ICTE), the first-ever measure of consumer expectations ... Lawrence optimistic on economy, plight of independents AVB-Brand Source officially opened the doors on its Convention and Buying Fair this morning at the Paris Las Vegas Casino and Resort with an address by the buying group's CEO and keynote speaker. Bob Lawrence greets buy fair attendees Tuesday morning. Over 3,000 attendees are here for the ... Central File Sweeps Direct Mail in RAE Awards Central File Marketing of Brown Deer, Wisconsin, swept the direct mail category in the recent rent-to-own industry's longest running advertising awards contest, the Rental Advertising Excellence Awards, taking home gold, silver, and bronze. Central File owner Dan Chaudoir attributes the success to the company's over 15 years experience in ... Measuring Up expands with new office Erie-based customer satisfaction survey company, Measuring Up, announced the opening of an expansion office, also in Erie. The expansion will accommodate recent and expected growth according to company president Tony Craig. Tony and Tammy Craig of Measuring Up. “This additional office provides Measuring Up the workspace environment we ... AVB-Brand Source Convention lights up Vegas The nation's largest member-owned buying group, AVB-Brand Source, opens its fall convention this week at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas August 24-28, promising a flurry of fourth quarter buying activity coupled with inspiring speakers and a host of educational seminars aimed at giving indie dealers a one up ... Don Cecil of Don's E-Z Pay dies Longtime rent-to-own dealer and APRO member Don Cecil, of Don's E-Z Pay, died on August 23 surrounded by family and friends, according to his daughter, Rhonda Weatherford. "I feel I have been very blessed to have such a great Dad and teacher," Weatherford wrote in her e-mail ... Toshiba names Vance Baldwin Electronics Distributor of the Year Vance Baldwin Electronics was recently awarded the distributor of the year award by Toshiba America Consumer Products at the 2008 National Professional Service Convention. “Each year we recognize one of our authorized parts distributors for their outstanding performance and dedication to the service industry," said Robert Fisher, ... KLQ golfers fend off rain, raise money for scholarships Over 150 golfers from across the country braved soggy Washington weather today for the 4th annual Dan Quinn and James Webber Memorial Golf Tournament in Lacey, Washington -- the key fundraiser for a highly successful state scholarship program. Some of the over 150 golfers at the 4th annual Dan ... NEW PODCAST: Angela Quinn, KLQ Education Foundation president Listen to Angela Quinn podcast. Angela Quinn is president of KLQ Education Foundation. In this exclusive APRO Podcast, Quinn shares some of the history of the foundation and the annual Dan Quinn/James Weber Memorial Golf Outing and Auction that support it. To date, the KLQ Education Foundation has awarded ... Koens open new Premier in Colorado Matt and Cindy Koen have recently opened a Premier Rental-Purchase franchise in Pueblo, Colorado with Cindy’s parents Donna and Jim Singleton. Matt Koen, Donna Singleton, employees Oliver Singleton and John Hart In just the first few months since opening, the Koen's report BOR is already at 400 for ... IRDA helps give ex-offenders second chance in Chicago IRDA representatives with Rep. Danny K. Davis at recent job training computer donation in Chicago. The Illinois Rental-Purchase Dealers Association (IRDA) this week turned van-loads of used computers into keys of opportunity for students at an innovative job training program in Chicago. Rent One CEO Larry Carrico joined Congressman ... Rent-A-Center gifts New York nursing students with $12,000 in textbook credits Rent-A-Center coworkers from around New York and the company’s home office ensured each of the 120 local students with a declared nursing major at Clinton Community College in Plattsburgh received a $100 textbook credit for the upcoming fall semester -- a $12,000 total value. The company will ... RNR Custom Wheels and Tires wins nine APRO RAE Awards RNR Custom Wheels and Tires walked away with nine awards this year from APRO’s 2008 RAE (Rental Advertising Excellence) Awards including four golds, three silvers and two bronze. This year's RAE awards was a record breaker for RNR, as last year the company racked up four with two ... Easyhome picks up Canadian RTO competitor Canadian rent-to-own company Easyhome announced August 14, it has agreed to acquire Insta-Rent, which operates 44 RTO kiosks in The Brick stores and six freestanding stores in Canada, according to Furniture Today. The agreement will amount to 50 cents per Insta-Rent share. Easyhome said it expects the deal will ... Board votes "Tiger" in as new APRO President The APRO Board of Directors formally elected officers August 14, including the new president of the national rent-to-own trade association, "Tiger" John Cleek. New APRO President "Tiger" John Cleek. Cleek replaces outgoing two-term APRO President Larry Carrico. The election took place during the board's first full meeting ... APRO clears record $19.2 million in purchase orders Buoyed by competitive show specials and the highest attendance in two years, rent-to-own dealers shelled out over $19 million in purchase orders over the two day APRO Buying Show which concluded today in St. Louis. Opening day of the record setting APRO 2008 Buying Show. The total, which exceeds ... Loudermilk wins APRO lifetime achievement award Industry trailblazer and philanthropist Charles Loudermilk, founder of Atlanta-based Aaron Rents, took home the rent-to-own industry's highest prize Wednesday night at the Association of Progressive Rental Organizations 2008 Convention Awards Banquet in St. Louis, Missouri. APRO's 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Charles Loudermilk. Around 450 rent-to-own professionals were on ... Bolin is APRO's Rental Dealer of the Year, Matthews is Vendor of the Year Darrell Tissot and Larry Carrico present Mike Tissot with 2008 President's Award of Excellence. In a star studded awards banquet Wednesday night, APRO honored the best in the business with seven awards during the association's annual convention in St. Louis, Missouri. Mike Tissot of Countryside Rentals based in Bainbridge, ... NEW VIDEO: First APRO Scholarship winner Show-Me Rent-To-Own saleswoman Penny Wyatt is used to going the extra mile. She's a single mother raising a 14-year-old son, a full time award-winning employee and a full-time student on the Dean's list. Her commitment to both her career and education has earned notice from her employer, colleagues, customers ... Clay re-affirms vow to fight for RTO Legislative threats are never too far off in the the rent-to-own industry. Rep. Clay at the APRO General Session Wednesday. Whether from consumer groups, the IRS or Senator Charles Schumer, threats to rent-to-own are kept at bay only through the work of a vigilant trade association, an active membership ... Illinois is most improved state association The Illinois Rental Dealers Association was honored today at APRO's 2008 Convention General Session with the "Most Improved State Sssociation" award presented by "Tiger" John Cleek, chairman of APRO's state association coordination committee. Cleek recognized Illinois as an innovative state association, one of the first to set ... NEW VIDEO: Kim Royal named APRO Customer of the Year Kimberly Royal -- APRO's 2008 Customer of the year -- is a case manager at the Judge Dennis J. Boll Group and Shelter Home -- an "incarceration-to-home life" transition facility for local adolescents in the region -- where she has worked for the past 24 years. Play the ... NEW VIDEO: Bill Tennison named employee of the year Bill Tennison began as a delivery driver for Heartland Furniture and Appliance in 1998. He rapidly advanced within the family oriented company where he now manages the Doniphan, Missouri store. His ability to relate to his customers as people and rather than accounts has earned him a devoted customer ... New faces elected to APRO Board APRO members today filled eight available seats on the APRO Board of Directors, re-electing six and electing two new members to the board. New APRO board member Bill Kelly. Members voted by secret ballot during the general session of the APRO 2008 Convention and Buying Show underway at the ... NEW VIDEO: Welcome to APRO 2008 Convention and Buying Show APRO Legal Counsel Ed Winn III, Executive Director Bill Keese and President Larry Carrico, share their impressions thus far of the APRO 2008 Convention and Buying Show at the America's Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Over 750 rent-to-own dealers and vendors will be on hand for the general session ... RAE Award winners on display Some 66 winners in the longest running rent-to-own industry advertising award competition are now on display in the main hall of the America's Center at the APRO Convention and Buying Show. The winners represent the best advertising in the rent-to-own business. The 2008 Rental Advertising Excellence Award winners for ... All Industry Roundtable kicks off APRO Education Day 2008 Close to 200 rent-to-own dealers packed the Ferrara Theatre at the America's Center in downtown St. Louis Tuesday morning for a rich and rapid-fire interactive session known as the All-Industry Roundtable where they shared information on a variety of topics from best hiring practices to legislative issues to community ... New vendor advisory committee members elected Two new members joined the APRO Vendor Advisory Committee after winning election by APRO Associate Members Tuesday at the APRO 2008 Convention and Buying Show in St. Louis, Missouri. New committee members Bryan Collins of Bryce Jewelry and Bill French of O'Rourke Sales Company were elected to the committee. ... Butler named Chief Operating Officer of Aaron Rents The Aaron Rents board of directors Monday elected William K. Butler Jr. Chief Operating Officer of the company. Butler, 55, formerly was president of the company's sales and lease ownership division. Butler's election was announced by R. Charles Loudermilk Sr., chairman of the board of directors. "We are ... APRO Convention swings into St. Louis Over 70 golfers from across the rent-to-own spectrum -- dealers, vendors, employees and family members -- opened the APRO 2008 Convention and Buying Show with a game of four-man scramble at the lush Quail Creek Golf Course south of downtown St. Louis, Missouri. RTO federal bill sponsor Congressman William ... Hancook to head ColorTyme communications, PR ColorTyme today opened a new chapter in its public relations strategy with the hiring of PR veteran Mary Ann (M.A.) Hancook to head up its corporate communications and public relations initiatives for the ColorTyme and RimTyme brands. Hancook brings to the table more than 20 years of ... Florida rent-to-own scheme foiled Escambia County Sheriff’s Department officials this week cracked a major rent-to-own ripoff scam involving close to $25,000 worth of rented merchandise that was then hauled to pawn shops, according to the Pensacola News Journal. The items, mostly large screen televisions, were rented at several local rent-to-own stores ... "Fair Tax" Linder agrees to co-sponsor The seeds of APRO's Legislative Conference continue to bear fruit with another U.S. Congressman agreeing to co-sponsor the Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act. Republican Rep. John Elmer Linder, who represents Georgia's 7th Congressional District, will sign on to H.R. 1767 when the House returns to session in ... Ideal to unveil new RTO software at APRO show Ideal Software Systems announced today it will introduce a brand new Windows-based product at the APRO meeting in St. Louis next week. Ideal Software programmers started from scratch to design a completely new Windows-based system, using an SQL database. The system includes new features developed using customer requirements and ... Buddy's Home Furnishings kicks off expansion plans with nine new stores Buddy's Home Furnishings this week announced the opening of nine new stores across four states, an expansion that will bring total store count for the historic rent-to-own company to 70. “This is a very exciting time for all of us at Buddy’s Home Furnishings," said Buddy's ... High Touch wins health and wellness award The Health & Wellness Coalition of Wichita recently announced High Touch Technology Solutions as a co-winner of the organization's fourth annual Working Well award, presented to Wichita companies that exemplify the best in health and wellness programs. This year’s winners are NORDAM and High Touch which were selected ... APRO membership spikes ahead of convention The Association of Progressive Rental Organizations Thursday, reported more rent-to-own dealers were hearing its message of unity, education and advocacy noting its current membership total ranks as one of the highest in the association's 28-year history. As of August 2008, APRO has 371 dealer members representing over 5,900 ... APRO VENDOR FOCUS: Dynavox AcoustaBar makes surround sound easy and affordable Dynavox is one of 20 new vendors at the 2008 APRO Convention and Buying Show, and the audio products manufacturer is intent on staying on the "bleeding edge" of audio technology with its new AcoustaBar. The AcoustaBar is a 42 inch wide "all-in-one" home-theater system designed for ... APRO VENDOR FOCUS: A-America offers fashion forward looks at attractive prices High quality furniture at low prices, that's the philosophy that drives the 34-year old A-America company. A-America is a first year APRO vendor at the APRO 2008 Convention and Buying Show at the America's Center in St. Louis, Missouri August 11-14. The family owned company, is known for its ... APRO VENDOR FOCUS: Catnapper recliners combine form and function Jackson Furniture major accounts vice president Don Hunter hopes his Catnapper line of reclining furniture catches on with rent-to-own dealers as much for its durability as for it's comfort. Catnapper is one of 20 new vendors attending the APRO 2008 Convention and Buying Show at the America's Center in ... New Premier Wheel Workz opens in Murfreesboro, Tn. Eric Marlin and Mitch Robinson have combined their 40 years of rent-to-own experience and opened a Premier Wheel Workz wheel and tire rentals dealership in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The learning curve has been steep, but Marlin says they both feel Premier’s automotive training and franchising support has enabled them ... Rent-A-Center backs Clyburn golf outing The nation's largest rent-to-own company is backing a high profile golf tournament this weekend that provides thousands in need-based college scholarships for South Carolina students each year. Rent-A-Center will contribute nearly a dozen product prizes from XBOX 360's to digital camcorders to James Clyburn's annual Rudolph Canzater Memorial Golf ... TARA hires new management firm Today, the Texas Association of Rental Agencies announced the hiring of an association management firm to run the daily business operations of the largest state rental/purchase association in the nation. Association Management Professionals (AMP), an Austin based company, assumed full management of TARA August 1. TARA’s headquarters will ... Be a sport and win a prize at the APRO ESPY's In honor of St. Louis’ rich sports history, APRO’s 2008 Awards Banquet August 13 has a sports theme patterned after the prestigious ESPYs. Legendary St. Louis radio personality Guy Phillips will emcee the event and host a sports-trivia game show for banquet attendees. Six MVPs of the game ... IRDA commits computers to innovative training program Members of the Illinois Rental-Purchase Dealers Association are chipping in to help bridge the digital divide in Chicago. IRDA member companies Aaron's, National Rent-To-Own and Rent One will donate more than 30 used computers next month to the Danny K. Davis Training Program -- a "hands on" program ... LG teams with Netflix on first movie streaming Blu-ray player Building on a groundbreaking technology partnership announced earlier this year, LG Electronics and Netflix today announced plans for the first Blu-ray disc player that will have the added benefit of being able to instantly stream a growing library of movies and TV episodes from Netflix directly to the TV. ... Ashley's RTO mix-and-mingle a hit at Las Vegas Market Over 30 rental dealers from around the country convened Tuesday in the Ashley Furniture Showroom to kick off opening day of the Summer Las Vegas Market , July 28 - August 1. Some of the over 30 rental dealers at threcent the Ashley Furniture RTO reception in Las Vegas. Rent-to-own ... New York rental dealers rally for Special Olympics A fundraising initiative spearheaded by the New York State Rental Dealers Association (NYSRDA) takes root in two weeks with a program organizers hope will generate $27,000 for Special Olympics of New York. New York State Rental Dealers at their annual meeting this May. The "Sponsor and Athlete" ... Rent-A-Center jump starts Latino computer lab in Ohio Rent-A-Center’s sixth gift in its statewide community initiative in Ohio will brighten the lives of clients and staff at Adelante, The Latino Resource Center in Toledo. Through the program -- entitled Random Acts of Caring – Rent-A-Center is donating four desktop Compaq computers, one Toshiba laptop computer and ... LG aims for 52 percent boost in washing machine sales LG Electronics, the world's third-biggest washing machine maker in terms of revenue, said Tuesday it looks to increase washing machine sales by 52 percent this year to $3.5 billion, according to Reuters. The company reports sales of front-loader washing machines and those packaged with dryers have been strong, ... Rent-A-Center Q2 total revenues down $5.2 million Today Rent-A-Center, the nation's largest rent-to-own company, posted its earnings report for the second quarter of 2008 indicating total revenue is down compared to last year, a decrease attributed to fewer stores. Second Quarter 2008 Results Total revenues for the quarter ended June 30, 2008 were $719.0 million, ... APRO's Virtual Trade Show, floor maps now available The APRO 2008 Convention and Buying Show is just two weeks away. Rent-to-own dealers from around the country will travel to the Renaissance Grand Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri, August 11-14 to take advantage of unbeatable show specials, educational opportunities and networking events. But for those unable to attend ... KitchenAid introduces its quietest dishwasher ever Homeowners who believe nothing should interfere with good times and good conversation in the kitchen take note. KitchenAid -- a Whirlpool brand -- is now offering its quietest dishwasher ever, the new EQ Wash System and Whisper Quiet Ultima Sound Insulation System. This latest KitchenAid brand undercounter dishwasher is ... LG Electronics, cable operators reach agreement on interactive video services LG Electronics, Inc. today announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the top six U.S. cable operators, supporting the use of the Tru2way technology platform for delivering two-way interactive digital cable services without a set-top box. “This pro-consumer pact means that LG Tru2way HDTVs planned ... Rent-A-Center promotes five Rent-A-Center Chairman and CEO Mark Speese announced the promotion of five officers Thursday in a move officials say will help better support operations and future growth at the nation's largest rent-to-own company. “We are fortunate to have an extremely capable management team in place,” Speese said.“... Royal named RTO Customer of the Year Kimberly Royal, APRO's 2008 Customer of the Year, with longtime friend Greg Martin, regional manager with Countryside Rentals. Kimberly Royal of Ironton, Ohio, isn't one who talks about herself easily. She's much more comfortable shining the spotlight on those around her than acknowledging her own contribution to bettering the ... KLQ Education Foundation gears up for golfing fundraiser Around 156 golfers will head to the scenic Hawks Prairie Golf Course in Lacey, Washington August 21 for the 4th annual Dan Quinn and James Webber Memorial Golf Tournament -- the key fundraiser for a highly successful state scholarship program. Todd Castary, store manager for the Bremerton Quality Rentals, ... Credit crunch boosts Aaron Rents Q2 revenues up 15 percent, same store revenues up 4.1 percent Aaron Rents the nation's second largest rent-to-own company, today announced revenues and earnings for the three months ended June 30, 2008. For the second quarter of 2008, revenues rose 15% to $411.2 million compared to $359.0 million for the second quarter of 2007. Net earnings were $23.... Whirlpool steam washer wins IDEA Award Whirlpool Corporation announced the Whirlpool brand Duet Steam Washer has won its fourth design accolade -- "The IDEA Silver Award" -- conferred by the Industrial Design Society of America (IDSA), and sponsored by BusinessWeek magazine. In past months, the Whirlpool brand Duet Steam Washer won three other awards: ... Radio "hall-of-famer" to host 2008 APRO Awards Banquet “Make the connection” is not just a catchphrase with Guy Phillips, it’s his philosophy. That makes Phillips the perfect choice for master of ceremonies at the 2008 APRO Awards Banquet, The ESPYs, in St. Louis August 13. Whether through his razor-sharp morning radio-show wit as chairman of ... Limited rooms still available for APRO Convention You can still get a room at St. Louis Renaissance Grand for APRO 2008 Convention & Buying Show, but only if you act now. APRO has added a few more rooms for our attendees, and the hotel will honor the APRO room rate of $159 until tomorrow, Wednesday, July ... Consumer electronics shipments to reach $173 billion in 2008, $183 billion in 2009 Driven by demand for digital televisions, gaming systems and smartphones, the consumer electronics industry appears vibrant and healthy despite a lagging overall U.S. economy, if shipping revenues are any indication. New statistics indicate the CE industry will see overall shipment revenues top $173 billion in the United States ... Petra partners with Atrend Petra Industries, a leading national wholesale distributor announced a new distribution relationship with Atrend. Petra notes Atrend's broad competitively priced selection and top quality materials and construction as reasons for the partnership. Atrend subwoofer enclosure. “At Petra, we are committed to staying on top of the latest in ... KitchenAid introduces first 72-inch counter-depth French Door refrigerator Adding another industry first to its distinctive collection of French-door refrigerators, KitchenAid -- a Whirlpool brand -- has introduced a new 72-inch counter-depth model that offers extra space on the inside and a sleek, built-in look on the outside. This latest configuration joins a line that already includes freestanding, ... Quinns become grandparents Angela and Kevin Quinn with new grandson, Keagan Roland Conder. Kevin and Angela Quinn, of Quality Rentals, became proud grandparents early Monday with the birth of Keagan Roland Conder at just after 2 a.m. The bouncing baby boy, son of Dustin and Courtney Conder (Kevin and Angela's daughter) ... LG earnings up 84 percent in Q2 LG Electronics boosted quarterly earnings by 84 percent led by strong sales of mobile phones and flat screen TV's as well as gains from its investment in LG Displays Co., but the South Korean firm faces a tougher second half amid a global economic downturn, according to Reuters. LG ... Employees, family, friends kick up heels at annual Full-O-Pep picnic by Murlin Evans Full-O-Pep/American Rental threw out all the stops Saturday for the company's 18th annual company "hog roast" picnic near scenic Brown County State Park in Nashville, Indiana. Samantha Willey, 8, shows the mechanical bull who's boss at the Full-O-Pep company picnic. Hundreds of employees from across ... NEW PODCASTS: Full-O-Pep trade show wraps, company picnic begins by Murlin Evans Store and regional mangers made their final rounds to vendor booths today at the annual Full-O-Pep/American Rental Trade Show Training Expo at the Seasons Hotel in Nashville, Indiana. Play podcast with Full-O-Pep General Manager David David, pictured here with Robert Saunders of United Furniture. Over 60 ... Full-O-Pep Show a win-win for store managers, vendors, customers by Murlin Evans Managers company-wide trekked to pastoral Nashville, Indiana Friday for day one of the 18th annual Full-O-Pep/American Rental Trade Show and Training Expo. Bill French of O'Rourke Sales Company, Don Julson of LG Electronics and Bob Saunders of United Furniture at the Full-O-Pep annual Trade Show. Over ... Imagery employees celebrate, don mascot costumes at Rent One Park Imagery employees celebrate, don mascot costumes, at Rent One Park Imagery Marketing Group recently traveled over 140 miles on a two and a half hour bus ride to see the Southern Illinois Miners battle the Traverse City Beach Bums at Rent One Park in Marion, Illinois. Some 26 Imagery ... CEA mourns loss of Mr. Color Television, Bill Boss The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) today mourns the loss of William E. Boss Jr., 86, Consumer Electronics Hall of Fame inductee and twice Chairman of the Consumer Electronics Group that later became CEA. Boss died Wednesday in Indianapolis. “Bill Boss is widely remembered for his public role in ... Milby, Caprio Take Reins at Ashley Furniture HomeStores Big changes are taking place at KHF Holdings and Home Express, with new leadership from Bill Milby as chief executive officer and Chris Caprio as president. Both of these new players have extensive experience in the rent-to-own furniture industry - experience they expect to parlay into a fresh perspective ... APRO board elections heat up APRO board elections heat up In just under four weeks, APRO members will decide who will fill half the seats on the APRO Board of Directors. This year, 10 candidates are vying for eight available positions on the board, each representing a two-year term. Board members serve staggered two-year ... Rent-to-Own cast in staging industry Around 150 home stagers from around the country convened in Bellevue, Washington this week for the sixth annual Accredited Staging Professionals Conference to network and meet home furnishing vendors and manufacturers who will supply the tools of their trade. Bill Keese, APRO Executive Director, Cindy Ferguson, APRO Marketing Director ... Don Wilson to head Whirlpool RTO Channel Whirlpool Corporation recently announce the appointment of Don Wilson to National Account Executive with responsibility for the Rent To Own Channel. Wilson replaces Brian Duke, who left Whirlpool last month. Duke recently joined the RTO Division of O’Rourke Sales Company where he works under Bill French. Wilson brings ... DeMoss backs new federal effort, not new trade group by Murlin Evans Rent-A-Center General Counsel Ron DeMoss was as surprised as anyone to learn of his support for an alleged new rent-to-own trade association Tuesday. "I had no intention of suggesting any support for a competing trade association." -- Ron DeMoss. DeMoss was quoted in a ... Lewin steps down from Illinois Rental Dealers Board Illinois Rental Dealers Association Boardmember Ben Lewin announced Monday he will step down from the board effective August 1. Lewin, a branch manager with DSI, said he was leaving his post after one year to take advantage of another career opportunity within the company. No immediate successor has been ... Customer Expectations: Ninth installment in book review series Editors Note: APRO is proud to present the ninth in a semi-regular series of articles by George M. Schorsten Jr., Operations Manager CEO of Blue Ribbon Rentals, reviewing the book, "Exceeding Customers Expectations, What Enterprise, America’s #1 Car Rental Company Can Teach you about Creating Lifetime Customers", ... Rent One salutes local military in medallion ceremony WW II Veteran Ebert Urfer is overcome with emotion as he is interviewed by local radio host Gail Yeager at Rent One's military honor ceremony. Rent One honored military personnel, both past and present Saturday in an emotionally charged medal presentation ceremony at the company's store in Olney, Illinois. ... It's official: Joining TRIB Group is priceless In an unprecedented move Monday, the nation's only non-profit, member-owned rent-to-own buying group, TRIB Group, announced it's throwing open the doors of membership by deferring its upfront initiation fee -- a $1,900 value. The "no risk guarantee" -- effective now through August 31, 2009 -- is one ... Rent-A-Center treats 50 New York boys and girls to baseball game Rent-A-Center co-workers from around New York and the company’s home office hosted 50 children from the Southwest Community Center in Syracuse for a picnic, Sky Chiefs baseball game and fireworks show at Alliance Bank Stadium on Saturday. The children also had the opportunity to meet some Sky Chiefs ... Grandaughter of RTO dealer named top cowgirl by Murlin Evans Hannah Haugen in the barrel racing competition at the WJHFR national competition. Courtesy NHSRA / David Jennings Photography. Hannah Haugen, 14-year-old grandaughter of ABC Lease, Purchase and Sales owner Jim Brown, last week earned top honors at the 4th Annual National Wrangler Junior High Finals Rodeo ... Analysts wise to RTO edge in down economy, rate Aaron's a buy By Murlin Evans According to an article in TradingMarkets.com, Aaron Rents stock was upgraded Friday to "overweight" from "equal-weight" at Stephens Inc., an investment banking firm that notes the company is moving beyond problems that hurt it in the prior year. "Overweight" is typically a ... Statistical Survey deadline extended to October 31! Turn your statistics into Gold! Financial analysts and investment bankers depend on APRO's annual statistical survey to gauge the value of the entire industry...and that survey depends on you! Extended deadline October 31! The value of your business is linked to the statistical economic story we have charted ... Congressmen Costello and Pickering join RTO bill The U.S. House version of the Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act gained two new co-sponsors Friday, with valuable support added from the states of Illinois and Mississippi. Rep. Jerry Costello. Congressmen Jerry Costello and Charles Pickering Jr. joined a growing list of bipartisan co-sponsors of H.R. 1767 ... Drew Summa opens latest Premier store in Florida Drew Summa, 20-year rent-to-own veteran, recently opened his Premier Rental-Purchase store in Oakland Park, Florida. Despite opening in the worst part of the year, Summa has been pleased that business is good and that his first month and a half has gone beyond his expectations. Drew Summa, new Premier ... TomTom gets green light for "live" traffic receivers TomTom recently received Federal Communications Commission authorization to sell advanced “live” HDTraffic navigation devices in the United States that both collect and transmit real-time traffic information, according to a report from consumer electronics publication Twice.com. TomTom currently only offers “live” HDTraffic devices only in Europe. The ... KLQ Education Foundation names 2008 scholarship winners by Murlin Evans Seven Washington college students will get a serious financial boost this year after winning four-year scholarships from the KLQ Education Foundation. Angie Quinn, left, KLQ Foundation president with new scholarship winner Erika Studman. Board members of the non-profit foundation named the winners this week after sorting ... Study: Global Consumer electronics industry will grow to $700 billion by 2009 Worldwide revenue for consumer electronics (CE) will grow nearly ten percent this year, hitting the $700 billion mark by 2009, according to new data from the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and the GfK Group. According to the report, CEA/GfK Worldwide Consumer Electronics Sales & Forecast, consumers around the world ... Aaron's, Rent-A-Center schedule live Q2 conference calls Aaron Rents Conference call information: Wednesday July 23, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. (Eastern Time) Scheduled speakers include Charlie Loudermilk, chairman/CEO Robin Loudermilk, President & COO, Ken Butler, president of the Aaron’s Sales & Lease Ownership division and Gilbert Danielson, EVP & CFO. Aaron Rents includes more than ... APRO Convention Spotlight: General session mixes political with practical APRO Convention Spotlight: General Session mixes political with practical Registration deadline July 11! A united industry: On June 4, the rent-to-own industry became keenly aware of the legislative threats that continue to loom on the horizon. VIDEO: Watch Rep. William Lacy Clay urge support for H.R. 1767. That ... Customer Expectations: Eighth installment in book review series Editors Note: APRO is proud to present the eighth in a semi-regular series of articles by George M. Schorsten Jr., Operations Manager CEO of Blue Ribbon Rentals, reviewing the book, "Exceeding Customers Expectations, What Enterprise, America’s #1 Car Rental Company Can Teach you about Creating Lifetime Customers", ... Home Express marks one year anniversary with major expansion by Murlin Evans Home Express Sales and Lease owner Bill Milby isn't letting dour economic forecasts color his thinking. By the end of August, Milby plans to open four new Home Express stores -- an expansion that will double his "stand alone" store count to eight and accommodate ... Petra Industries adds Famous Trails to inventory Petra Industries, a leading consumer electronics and appliance distributor, announced today the addition of Famous Trails outdoor products to its inventory of more than 17,000 products. Famous Trails metal detector. “We’re pleased to expand our outdoor products inventory with the addition of Famous Trails products,” ... Whirlpool Corporation names Szczupak head of Global Product Organization Whirlpool Corporation today announced David Szczupak will lead the company's newly named Global Product Organization effective immediately. Mr. Szczupak succeeds Mike Thieneman, who recently retired from the company. In his role as executive vice president, Global Product Organization, Szczupak will provide overall leadership to Whirlpool Corporation's global product businesses ... RTO First: American Rentals becomes authorized service center for Durabook laptops. GammaTech Computer Corporation recently certified American Rentals as an authorized service center for Durabook Ruggedized Laptops, allowing the company to repair damaged computers in house. Kelly Ireland, computer buyer and assistant IT tech with Bloomington, Indiana-based American Rentals, completed the two-day training at GammaTech Computers Fremont, CA Corporate Headquarters, ... Economic malaise, aggressive marketing convert retail customers to rent-to-own by Murlin Evans While tightened consumer lending, job cuts, ascending fuel costs, and other recession indicators are casting a dark cloud over the U.S. economy as a whole, in certain areas they are leading more traditional retail customers into rent-to-own stores. The trend is affording rent-to-own operators the ... New Age expands distribution of Sharp products New Age Electronics announced today it will distribute an expanded inventory of Sharp Electronics audio visual merchandise. Under the terms of the agreement, New Age will now distribute Sharp LCD televisions, Blu-ray disc players and audio/video components in the California and Florida markets. New Age was already responsible for ... 200 Kansas atheletes to compete in High Touch Special Olympics softball tourney More than 200 athletes from around Kansas will compete Saturday, July 12 in the third annual Kansas Special Olympics South Central Invitational Softball Tournament. High Touch, a 24-year old Wichita, Kansas technology solutions company will mark its third year as organizer and host of the event slated for West ... Industry "character" Ken Glasgow of ColorTyme remembered Long-time ColorTyme Field Representative Ken Glasgow, 56, of Fort Worth, Texas, died June 11, 2008 at John Peter Smith Hospital. APRO is proud to present this colorful commentary on Glasgow, by his friend and former ColorTyme collegue, Larry Wilson. Wilson, currently a staff development director with Tarrant County, first ... Industry stats due July 11 The fiscal health and viability of the rent-to-own industry is only as stable as the statistical data it is able to amass and present to the public. Click to take the survey. And there is no more authoritative document on the financial health and well-being of the rent-to-own industry ... Rent One's Fuwell honored with top Carnegie award Public speaking was never a favorite pastime of Rent One Store Manager Sheila Fuwell. But by the end of a 12-week Dale Carnegie Management Training Course, Fuwell's weekly presentations became a class favorite, earning the respect of her classmates who voted to award her the Dale Carnegie "Highest ... 2008 Employee and Customer of the Year nomination deadline July 11 The nomination deadline for APRO's eighth annual employee and customer of the year awards is only 10 days away. Help honor the industry's finest by submitting your nominations for the individuals you feel exemplify the best of the industry. Nomination deadlines for both competitions is July 11, 2008. Click ... Mike Neighbours joins SED International SED International, a leading consumer electronics distributor, today announced the hiring of industry veteran Mike Neighbours as Sales Manager for its rent-to-own division. Mike Neighbors. Neighbours was previously National Account Manager and Regional Sales Manager for Philips Consumer Electronics, where he was employed for 22 years. Prior experience includes ... Customer Expectations: Seventh installment in book review series Editors Note: APRO is proud to present the seventh in a semi-regular series of articles by George M. Schorsten Jr., Operations Manager CEO of Blue Ribbon Rentals, reviewing the book, "Exceeding Customers Expectations, What Enterprise, America’s #1 Car Rental Company Can Teach you about Creating Lifetime Customers", ... RAE Awards submission deadline today Today is the deadline for submitting your best ad campaign to the industry's most prestigious advertising awards competition -- the 2008 Rental Advertising Excellence Awards. (RAE). Watch the video! The RAE submission deadline is June 30, so click here to learn more and download an entry form. APRO is ... Petra Industries welcomes Dual Electronics to its product line Today, Petra Industries announced its partnership with leading electronics manufacturer, Dual Electronics. “The mobile audio/video industry is constantly developing newer and better technologies,” says Tate Morgan, Executive Vice President. “By continuing to develop relationships with new manufacturers as well as maintaining present relationships, we’re continually ... Vadnais and Carusone open Premier Rental-Purchase in Central Square, New York Seasoned RTO veterans Rick Vadnais and Dean Carusone opened a Premier Rental-Purchase store in Central Square, New York earlier this spring. It’s the second for Vadnais who, after two and a half years of big success with his Premier Rental-Purchase store in Syracuse, brought on Carusone as his ... British RTO company looks to U.S. for software, industry insight No matter how good you are, there's always room for improvement. APRO Legal Counsel Ed Winn III and Executive Director Bill Keese with UK visitors Hamish Paton and Leo McKee of BrightHouse. That's the philosophy that guided leaders of the United Kingdom's largest rent-to-own company, BrightHouse, to meet with ... Duke joins O'Rourke Sales Company RTO division Effective July 14, former Whirlpool Account Representative Brian Duke will join the RTO Division of O’Rourke Sales Company. Brian Duke. Duke brings over 21 years of results-oriented, professional experience from his previous position at Whirlpool. He has spent the past 5 years serving the RTO industry through excellent ... Customer Expectations: Sixth installment in book review series Editors Note: APRO is proud to present the sixth in a semi-regular series of articles by George M. Schorsten Jr., Operations Manager CEO of Blue Ribbon Rentals, reviewing the book, "Exceeding Customers Expectations, What Enterprise, America’s #1 Car Rental Company Can Teach you about Creating Lifetime Customers", ... Out with the old and in with RTOHQ: The Magazine APRO's flagship magazine Progressive Rentals ends an impressive 24-year run next month with the dawn of a new era, new magazine and new direction. RTOHQ: The Magazine will debut in early July, carrying on a tradition of printed RTO communications begun with the APROach newsletter published in 1981. As ... Rent-A-Center donates merchandise to Ohio high school Rent-A-Center’s fifth gift in its statewide community initiative – entitled Random Acts of Caring – will brighten the lives of students and faculty at Cleveland Catholic Central High School. Local Rent-A-Center coworkers join Cleveland Central Catholic High School students and staff on campus for a brief donation event. ... American Rentals Trade Expo, company picnic set for July Some 33 vendors representing the best in electronics, furniture, appliances and computers will headline the 18th annual American Rentals Training and Trade Expo at the Seasons Lodge and Conference Center in Nashville, Indiana July 18-19. American Rentals owner David P. David will host his company's 18th annual Trade Expo ... High Touch's Chambers in local news Former APRO President and current CEO of High Touch Technology, Wayne Chambers, spoke out today in a recent business series in the Wichita Eagle titled "Five Questions". In the piece, Chambers describes his early work with Chuck Sims, a protege of industry pioneer Ernest Talley, and his numerous ... BestWay Rent-to-Own profiled in local paper Bestway Rentals and rent-to-own flexibility were the recent focus of a news article in the Tidewater News of Franklin, Virginia. Taking a cue from the current economic climate where consumer credit is becoming more scarce, the article describes BestWay as "a place where people of any financial circumstance ... Kanjorski co-sponsors RTO bill, raises total support to 91 Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski. Pennsylvania Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski officially joined the Congressional Record today, in support of federal legislation that would define and regulate the rent-to-own transaction, protecting both consumers and the industry across all 50 states. Rep. Kanjorski (D-11th) is the sixth Pennsylvania Congressman to sign on ... APRO Convention Spotlight: Things to do in St. Lou! All work and no play? Ha! Not at APRO’s 2008 Convention and Buying Show, August 11–14 in St. Louis, Missouri! Come early - stay late...whatever you do, bring the whole family to experience what St. Louis has to offer! Six Flags Plan to come in a ... New York bill dead on the floor New York rental dealers breathed a sigh of relief Wednesday after learning a rent-to-own price control bill failed to come up for a vote in the New York Assembly, effectively eliminating the threat of its passage this session. The Assembly will reconvene in July to take up routine matters, ... Customer Expectations: Fifth installment in book review series Editors Note: APRO is proud to present the fifth in a semi-regular series of articles by George M. Schorsten Jr., Operations Manager CEO of Blue Ribbon Rentals, reviewing the book, "Exceeding Customers Expectations, What Enterprise, America’s #1 Car Rental Company Can Teach you about Creating Lifetime Customers", ... 2009 CES registration now open The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) announced registration for industry professionals is now open for the 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show -- the world’s largest tradeshow for consumer technology. Now in its 42nd year, the 2009 International CES will run January 8-11, 2009, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Attendees and ... Congressmen Forbes, Kanjorski to co-sponsor RTO bill Grassroots legislative efforts in Virginia have earned another co-sponsorship commitment for H.R. 1767 -- the Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act -- with Congressman Randy Forbes (R-4th) agreeing to join the bill, according to a legislative aide. In a recent e-mail forwarded by Chad Mitchell, owner of Kelly's Sales ... Industry wows at Congressional Black Caucus fundraiser Rent-to-own substantially increased its visibility both as a united industry and as one committed to the higher goal of improving educational opportunities for deserving students at a prestigious fundraising event this weekend. APRO was the exclusive sponsor of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) silent auction June 22 and ... Aaron's throws lifeline to flood victims in Cedar Rapids It didn't go down as planned, but it's unlikely you'll hear any complaints from staff or customers at the Aaron's in Cedar Rapids. That's where managers, cued by mother nature, turned a "customer appreciation" day into a "flood victim relief effort", gladly dishing out burgers, hot dogs ... Moneris podcast with ColorTyme's Tom Lacey Recently, electronic transaction processor Moneris Solutions spoke with Tom Lacey, who owns three ColorTyme rent-to-own stores in the San Diego, California area. Podcast interview with Tom Lacey of ColorTyme. Lacey has been a Moneris customer since April 2007 and says he has saved a significant amount of money over ... Petra Industries and Nikon team up Today, Petra Industries, a leading national wholesale distributor of consumer electronics, custom installation products, mobile audio/video accessories and appliance connection supplies, announced its distribution relationship with Nikon™ Sport Optics. “By introducing Nikon Sport Optics, we’re further expanding our already impressive outdoor products inventory,” says Tate Morgan, ... Gail Bower opens Colorado Premier store Gail Bower opened her Premier Rental-Purchase store in Arvada, Colorado. this month after 27 years in the rent-to-own industry. As a manager for a small RTO company with several stores in Colorado, Bowre chose to become a Premier franchisee after watching her colleague, Mike Gordon, achieve success with his ... Customer Expectations: Fourth installment in book review series Editors Note: APRO is proud to present the fourth in a semi-regular series of articles by George M. Schorsten Jr., Operations Manager CEO of Blue Ribbon Rentals, reviewing the book, "Exceeding Customers Expectations, What Enterprise, America’s #1 Car Rental Company Can Teach you about Creating Lifetime Customers", ... ArchBrook Laguna merges with I. Lehrhoff & Company ArchBrook Laguna, a key consumer electronics distributor announced today it will merge with I. Lehrhoff & Company, a privately-held small appliance and houseware distributor. Under the agreement, I. Lehrhoff & Company will continue operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of ArchBrook Laguna, under the leadership of the I. Lehrhoff executive ... Rent One "Day at the Diamond" a grand slam With an entire minor league baseball park at their disposal, over 100 vendors from 30 companies were honored at Rent One's annual vendor appreciation event today at Rent One Park in Marion, Illinois. Rent One Owner Larry Carrico presents a $10,000 check to Ronald McDonald House of St. ... RTO veteran Lindsey Semon dies The rent-to-own industry lost one of its most valiant supporters and beloved colleagues Wednesday night with the death of Lindsey Semon, 54, who most recently served as special projects manager at FlexiCompras. RTO Industry leader Lindsey Semon. Semon died in his sleep at his Dallas home after a prolonged ... RIMTYME OPENS FIRST TEXAS STORE With 12 successful custom wheel and tire franchise locations already under its belt, ColorTyme recently opened its first RimTyme store in the Lone Star state, at 2901 South General Bruce Drive at South 57th Avenue, in Temple. Featuring 2,000 square-feet of showroom space along with an updated service ... Heartland Trade Show clocks $1.2 million purchase record Guest Speaker Mike Frank. The Heartland of America Trade Show cemented its claim as one of the most influential regional trade shows in the country Wednesday with organizers reporting dealers turned in $1.2 million worth of purchase orders across the two day buying frenzy that drew dealers from ... Award ceremony wraps Heartland Buying Show MRDA President John Cleek Jr., Kentucky RDA President Chris Bolin, APRO Executive Director Bill Keese, APRO President Larry Carrico, Illinois RDA President Steve Braning and Kansas RDA President Jess Fisher. Rental professionals from seven states across the midwest packed the main ballroom of the Lodge of Four Seasons in ... NEW PODCAST: Herb Carlson and rent-to-own cookware Refrigerators, washing machines and big screen plasmas are some of the first items that come to mind when discussing rent-to-own inventory. Lawnmowers, wheels and tires, jewelry, computers and an assortment of high tech gismos have rapidly gained ground in the industry over the years, proving that no item is ... Work and play co-mingle at Heartland of America Show Rent to own professionals took full advantage of the recreational opportunities available at the fourth annual Heartland of America Regional Trade Show in Lake Ozark, Missouri, showing up en masse for golf and fishing tournaments Tuesday. Some 24 fishermen and women in 13 boats sped onto the Lake of ... NEW PODCAST: Heartland of America: dealer company attendance up 20 percent Rent-to-own dealers and vendors from over five states across the midwest trekked to the banks of The Lake of the Ozarks Monday for opening night of the fourth annual Heartland of America Regional Trade Show and Seminar in Lake Ozark, Missouri. Around 145 dealers representing 24 companies will peruse ... NEW PODCAST: HD Canvass Art; an RTO natural Kevin Van Kirk is the owner of three-year old company HD Canvas Art -- a company that specializes in high definition digital art on canvas. Click for podcast with Kevin Van Kirk, owner HD Canvass Art. The highly durable, indoor/outdoor art is "gallery edge wrapped" eliminating the need ... Robert Loudermilk Jr. promoted to president, CEO of Aaron's The Board of Directors of Aaron Rents, the nation's leader in the sales and lease ownership, specialty retailing and rental of residential and office furniture, consumer electronics and home appliances and accessories, today announced that Robert C. Loudermilk, Jr. has been elected President and Chief Executive Officer of Aaron ... Petra Industries expands product line with Lenmar Batteries Petra Industries, a leading national wholesale distributor of consumer electronics, custom installation products, mobile audio/video accessories and appliance connection supplies announced today the addition of Lenmar’s line of batteries to its extensive inventory of more than 17,000 products. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Lenmar ... Retailer Butler joins Premier Home Furnishings Premier Home Furnishings President Jim Schebler today announced Marc Butler, owner of Sofas 4 Less in Orlando, Florida, has become the first retailer to join the Premier Home Furnishings family, made up of dealers who are combining retail with lease-to-own options. Butler, a 16-year veteran of the retail industry, ... RAE Awards submission deadline June 30 The rent-to-own industry's most prestigious advertising competition is back. Watch the video! But if you want your ad or community relations program included in this year's Rental Advertising Excellence Awards (RAE) awards competition, you don't have time to waste. The RAE submission deadline is June 30, so click here ... Rent-A-Center makes Friday the 13th a lucky day for Brooklyn baseball fans In its latest Random Act of Caring, Rent-A-Center coworkers from around New York and the company’s home office handed out $11,000 in Cyclones baseball tickets to 1,000 individuals around Brooklyn today to ensure they had a lucky Friday the 13th. (L-R) A lucky Brooklynite gets a ... Barron's on Aaron's: Rent-to-own company praised in online investment rag A June 12 article in Barron's online trading magazine features Aaron Rents at the top of its investment news "Weekday Trader" section. The article titled, "In Tough Times Aaron Rates a Buy", focuses on the rent-to-own company's business model which focuses on customer options and heralds the ... Indiana RTO stores reel from floods; APRO disaster relief available Two rent-to-own dealers in Indiana are slowly getting back to business after floodwaters from two breached dams flooded their stores last weekend. Computers in David's flooded Columbus store. More photos. David P. David, owner of American Rentals, and Bob Whittle, an Aaron's franchisee, spent the last week replacing drywall, ... Industry rallies for education; raises record breaking $50,000 for silent auction, scholarship fund Bolstered by the support of state associations around the country, the rent-to-own industry will donate over $50,000 worth of cash and products to the cause of putting higher education opportunities in the hands of deserving students. APRO President Larry Carrico. The donation, which includes contributions from state associations, ... New York bill headed for floor vote A New York bill that would establish price controls and compromise rent-to-own dealers ability to conduct business in the state is scheduled for a floor vote by the New York Assembly possibly as early as Monday. The bill AB 66 -- sponsored by Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer (D) -- passed ... Gates announces 16-store easyhome franchise agreement Bud Gates, Chairman and CEO of easygates announced the signing of two franchises totaling 16 stores. It is anticipated that two to three of these stores will be opened by the end of 2008. Easygates CEO Bud Gates. Gates, former chairman and CEO of Rent-A-Center and THORN Americas, established ... NEW PODCAST: TRDA closes conference with education, networking Tennessee rental dealers from across the state rounded out a day's worth of motivational and educational presentations Tuesday to close the annual 2008 meeting of the Tennessee Rental Dealers Association in Nashville. PODCAST: Click here for podcast with TRDA Vice President Chris Bolin. Dr. Larry Helms, a nationally recognized ... NEW PODCAST: Stacy Davis of Option Rentals Stacy Davis is the vice president of store operations for Option Rentals, a 27-year-old rent-to-own company with three stores in the Nashville area. Davis was one of several Tennessee dealers who trekked to the Opryland Hotel and Resort in Nashville for the annual meeting of the Tennessee Rental Dealers ... New York price control bill edges closer to approval A New York bill that would set price controls on the rent-to-own transaction moved out of it's second committee Tuesday and one step closer to a floor vote in the in the New York Assembly. NYSRDA President Dave Edwards at the association's annual meeting last month in Verona, New ... NEW PODCAST: Tennessee dealers unite in Opryland Tennessee Rental Dealers Association President Larry Goad Monday night, welcomed dealers and vendors to TRDA's annual meeting at the sprawling Opryland Resort and Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. Click for Larry Goad podcast. Around 25 of the expected 50 attendees -- dealers and vendors -- helped kick off the two ... NEW VIDEO -- APRO Convention 2008 Make your rent-to-own connection at the industry event of the year -- the APRO 2008 Convention and Buying Show August 11-14. Click to watch the video. Visit APRO's Online Convention Information Page where you will find detailed information covering everything you need to know to make the most of ... Petra Industries to carry TEAC America products Petra Industries, a leading national wholesale distributor of consumer electronics, custom installation products, mobile audio/video accessories and appliance connection supplies, proudly announced the expansion of its product inventory to now include a selection of TEAC America products. “TEAC offers customers excellent quality without the high-end prices of other ... Whirlpool named to 'World's Most Ethical Companies' and 'Most Respected U.S. Companies' lists Whirlpool Corporation was recently named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute and one of the Top 25 Most Respected U.S. Companies by the Reputation Institute. "We are proud to be recognized by Ethisphere Institute as one of the world's most ethical companies ... New Jersey rent-to-own bill gains momentum A New Jersey bill that would effectively define the rent-to-own transaction as a lease, not a credit sale, establish a number of consumer protections and set price controls was approved by the Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee June 5. The bill will now move to the Assembly Judiciary Committee. A ... Duke leaves Whirlpool: TRIB Group vendor of the year heads for warmer climes Brian Duke, a Whirlpool national account representative to the rent-to-own industry, recently announced he is leaving the company effective June 27. Duke, who has spent the last five years working with the rent-to-own industry, says he and his wife are heading for warmer weather and moving to the Tampa, ... Tom Bunt of Lee Furniture dies Rent-to-own vendor Tom Bunt, 58, a sales representative with Lee Furniture, died recently of what is believed to be a rare immune system disorder, according to long-time friend Joe Finger. Finger has known and worked with Bunt for 18 years at Dixieland Furniture, Beshel Industries and most recently Lee ... 2008 Employee and Customer of the Year nomination deadline approaching The nomination deadline for APRO's eighth annual employee and customer of the year awards is only 10 days away. Help honor the industry's finest by submitting your nominations for the individuals you feel exemplify the best of the industry. Nomination deadlines for both competitions is July 11, 2008. Click ... New York dealers prepare to challenge price fixing bill A New York bill that would limit the flexibility dealers have in setting RTO cash prices, moved out of its first committee Tuesday and is now headed to another hearing. The bill -- New York A66 -- left the New York Consumer Affairs and Protection Committee on a unanimous ... APRO answers Schumer's RTO bashing in six news stories APRO Public Affairs Director Richard May fielded a flood of calls from news reporters Wednesday after Sen. Charles E. Schumer released his own study of the rent-to-industry, and a press release calling for a Federal Trade Commission investigation of what he calls a "renegade industry". Schumer's latest barrage ... Whirlpool's Mike Thieneman to retire Whirlpool Corporation today announced the retirement of executive vice president and chief technology officer Mike Thieneman, effective June 30. The company plans to name a successor at a later date. During his more than 31 years with the company, Thieneman has held leadership roles in many areas of the ... APRO, industry respond to Schumer's new anti-RTO campaign A press release issued today by U.S. Sen. Charles E. Schumer suggests he is preparing to push forward with federal rent-to-own legislation that would cripple the industry, and APRO is prepared to meet the campaign head on. In a vilifying statement, Schumer likens rent-to-own dealers to "highway ... American Rentals helps build, furnish homes in Bloomington American Rentals -- a 53 store chain headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana -- will join Habitat for Humanity Friday, in building and furnishing a number of affordable homes in the area. The Habitat "Builders Blitz" -- dubbed for its use of professional builders -- aims at constructing five homes ... Briley adds store in Lubbock Local businessman and recently elected Abilene city councilman Robert Briley expanded his Aaron's Sales and Lease Ownership store operations in West Texas after adding a new rental store location in Lubbock. Briley, who won a seat on the Abilene City Council last month and serves as treasurer on the ... Craig continues RTO career as vendor Tony Craig, long-time rent-to-own industry veteran and former member of the RentWay corporate staff, has successfully transitioned from dealer to vendor with the formation two companies. Measuring Up, whose primary function is to measure customer satisfaction, has already served rent-to-own clients with stores in 13 states. Craig’s wife, ... Furniture "godfather" Curtis Beavers dies Rent-to-own industry professionals were saddened to learn long-time rent-to-own vendor and industry pioneer Curtis Beavers, 68 -- a sales representative with Serta -- died of a massive heart attack May 30 on vacation with his family in Destin, Florida. Industry leader Curtis Beavers. Beavers -- a former baseball pitcher ... LG Electronics introduces new optical drives LG Electronics today launched its new line of optical disc drives, which feature one of the fastest Blu-ray reading and writing speed of 6x. The latest models – BE06, GBC-H20L and GBW-H20L – are available now through national retail stores as well as other leading online electronics retailers. Unique ... APRO vendors voice support for co-location decision All attending members of a vendors advisory committee conference call Monday, vowed support for APRO's decision to co-locate its August 2009 convention and buying show with AVB-Brandsource. The teleconference was called by Vendors Advisory Committee Vice-Chair Ellison Crider of RSSS, in order to better inform vendors of the intent ... New Age Electronics Now Distributing OmniMount Products New Age Electronics announced today that it is now distributing a full selection of OmniMount home theater products, including hundreds of innovative in-home entertainment mounting solutions. As a result of the recent New Age merger with SYNNEX Corporation, the company is now positioned to distribute OmniMount products to retailers ... Whirlpool Kicks Off Nationwide Search for Volunteers in Dallas Habitat for Humanity and Whirlpool are looking for a few good men and women for the third annual WhirlpoolBuilding Blocks program home-building blitz in Dallas. June 2-11, 2008, consumers can apply at www.whirlpool.com/buildingblocks to join the 2008 build team and help eliminate substandard housing in the United ... Petra Industries introduces Elite Screens to product inventory Petra Industries, a leading national wholesale distributor of consumer electronics, custom installation products, mobile audio/video accessories and appliance connection supplies, announced today their partnership with Elite Screens Inc. “Partnering with Elite Screens will bring even better service to our customers,” says Tate Morgan, Executive Vice President. “... Speed Queen: A perfect fit Over the last 100 years, the commercial quality of Speed Queen washers and dryers has appealed to consumers. Today, durability continues to be a selling point, but Speed Queen machines are also a hit with buyers because, well, they fit. “Appliance dealers increasingly are seeing problems with new ... Co-location 2009: FAQ's On May 29, the APRO Board of Directors voted to co-locate the APRO Convention and Buying Show with the 2009 AVB/Brandsource convention in Las Vegas. In an ongoing effort to address questions relating to the co-location agreement, APRO has compiled a series of frequently asked questions relating to the ... Queens Boys and Girls Club receives new merchandise donation The Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens unveiled thousands of dollars of new merchandise for the organization’s RAC, or Rent-A-Center, Room — a special space for teenagers. The merchandise was donated by Plano, TX-based Rent-A-Center, the largest rent-to-own company in the United States. Rent-A-Center is a national ... RTO "Flyer specialist" retires after 20-years Call it retirement if you want. But chances are, even after Bonnie "The Flyer Specialist" Nitzsche turns over the reins of her 20 year-old graphic design company, Let's Print, Ink., to her sons Monday, she's still going to have plenty to say about it. "I'm not retiring,... APRO scholarship winner gets straight A's, $1,000 APRO's first ever scholarship award winner, Penny Wyatt of Desloge, Missouri, turned in straight A's this semester, qualifying her for a second $1,000 scholarship check. "Anytime you want to further your education and have a company like APRO willing to help you meet your goals, there are ... Rochester Boys and Girls Club gets Rent-A-Center makeover The Boys and Girls Club of Rochester unveiled thousands of dollars of new merchandise for the organization’s RAC, or Rent-A-Center, Room — a special space for teenagers. The merchandise was donated by Plano, TX-based Rent-A-Center, the largest rent-to-own company in the United States. Rent-A-Center is a national partner ... APRO Board votes to co-locate The APRO Board of Directors ended months of negotiation and discussion Friday by voting to co-locate the APRO Convention and Buying Show with the 2009 AVB/Brandsource convention in Las Vegas in 2009. Board members noted their decision to co-locate the show on a one-time trial basis was driven in ... New Petra catalogue includes 6,000 new products Petra Industries announced today more than 100,000 copies of their spring 2008 catalog finished mailing to independent retailers and e-tailers nationwide last week. Petra’s 1,232-page catalog is the largest for the company to-date. Along with the increased size, Petra’s team completely redesigned the spring catalog ... Former APRO board member retires from rent-to-own Family and friends tonight will celebrate the career of long-time rent-to-own dealer and industry advocate Lindsey Semon, who is retiring after over 20 years in the industry due to health reasons. RTO Leader Lindsey Semon Semon currently serves as operations and special projects manager at FlexiCompras -- a 20-store ... Rebate checks: "Spend and save" replaced by "gas and groceries" A new study on economic stimulus check spending reflects the toll inflation and rising fuel costs are having on consumers who now say they plan to spend more of their rebate on essentials and less on furniture and electronics. Consumers still plan to spend about forty percent of their ... LG undecided on GE appliance bid As of Wednesday, LG Electronics remains undecided on a potential bid for General Electric's appliance unit, according to the Associated Press. "We're reviewing the possible impact of the sale of GE's appliances unit on our company, but we haven't decided anything yet," LG said in a regulatory ... Midwest Expo to become "true" regional show The Ohio Rental Dealers Association Board of Directors recently voted to make the fifth annual Midwest RTO Training Expo a “true” multi-state show by sharing revenue with participating state associations. Promoted as a first of its kind regional concept, ORDA will host and organize the show and then ... Dynamic Systems acquires EDP System Services Dynamic Systems, Inc. announced today it has agreed to acquire EDP System Services, a developer of turnkey and custom software solutions for bar code applications. The acquisition combines the barcode systems expertise of DSI with EDP’s software solutions. The combined company will bring over 50 years experience to ... Rent One's Carrico delivers inspiration, computers to area students Rent One President Larry Carrico sweetened his recent inspirational message to students at Mt. Vernon Christian School in Illinois, by committing eight computers to the school and graduates over the next four years. Rent One President Larry Carrico speaks to students at the Mt. Vernon Christian School, where he ... Rent-to-own claims exclusive sponsorship of prestigious auction This year the rent-to-own industry will mark a decade of support for the educational fundraising efforts of the non-profit Congressional Black Caucus Spouses Foundation (CBCSF) by claiming exclusive sponsorship of one of its premier events. Through merchandise and cash donations to the foundation's annual "silent auction" over the ... Is your ad good enough? RAE awards contest now accepting entries The rent-to-own industry's longest held advertising competition is back. APRO is once again honoring the best radio, television, print, direct market and Internet advertising campaigns created for rent-to-own businesses and companies over the past year. APRO is now accepting entries for its annual Rental Advertising Excellence Awards (RAE) through ... ArchBrook Laguna opens 200,000 square foot warehouse in Reno Consumer electronics supplier ArchBrook Laguna today, opened the company's newly-expanded warehouse facilities at 6650 Echo Drive in Reno, Nevada. The new ArchBrook Laguna warehouse totals 200,000 square feet with a cross dock, a pick, pack and ship, and a large LTL truckload operation. The technologically advanced facility provides ... Rent-A-Center outfits Boys and Girls Club of Buffalo The Boys and Girls Club of Buffalo today unveiled thousands of dollars of new merchandise for the organization’s RAC Room — a dedicated space for teenagers at the William C. Baird Club House located at 2061 Bailey Avenue in the city of Buffalo. Rent-A-Center coworkers join youth from ... RTO Funding offers RentDirect members longer financing terms RentDirect Nationwide and RTO Funding -- a national financing company -- announced an agreement that will provide RentDirect members with 12-24 month financing terms. “We have negotiated terms for our members that have been previously unavailable to the RTO industry,” said James MacAlpine Executive Director of RentDirect ... New Age Electronics now providing computers to rent-to-own dealers New Age Electronics announced Tuesday it is now distributing Acer desktop and notebook computers to rent-to-own retailers nationwide, including the popular Acer brand Gateway and eMachines models. As a result of New Age’s recent merger with SYNNEX Corporation, the company is now positioned to supply rental-purchase businesses with ... Fifth Pennsylvania Congressman joins RTO bill The hard work of Pennsylvania grassroots rent-to-own activists earned the support of another U.S. Congressman Wednesday, bringing total co-sponsorship of a pending federal definition bill to 90. Pennsylvania Rep. Charles Dent. Pennsylvania Congressman Charles Dent (R-15th) officially joined the Congressional Record May 21 as a co-sponsor of H.... ARDA elects new board members, seeks executive director The Arkansas Rental Dealers Association annual meeting went off without a hitch, but the association is still absent an executive director -- a void board members hope to fill in coming weeks. Around 35 attending dealers representing 10 companies attended the recent meeting at the Crown Plaza Hotel in ... APRO's 2008 online statistical survey is here Nothing tells the rent-to-own story as clearly as your business data. And there is no more authoritative document on the financial health and well-being of the rent-to-own industry than APRO's annual statistical survey. The final report -- a comprehensive financial analysis of participating APRO members -- is the economic ... Premier launches its mid-year business conference in Memphis The Premier Companies mid-year business conference kicked off Monday night at the downtown Marriot Hotel in Memphis, Tennessee at a welcome reception sponsored by RentDirect Nationwide. Premier dealers from around the country attended and all five of the Premier companies were represented, including Premier Rental Purchase, Home Furnishings, Premier ... Texas withdraws new bedding rules The Texas Department of State Health Services recently withdrew a slate of rules proposed for used bedding dealers that would have required individual rent-to-own stores to keep extensive transaction records for the lifespan of each mattress in stock and produce that paperwork within a 48 hour time frame. L ... Nationwide's "Masters Mentor Summit" hits a home run in Atlanta Nationwide Marketing Group members recently attended the Masters Mentor Summit, a three-day train-the-trainer seminar held at the Nationwide Prime Media! television production and learning facility near Atlanta. “We started a few years ago with small groups of 10 to 20 trainers and HR professionals but our registration for ... Bill Keese ties knot in Houston APRO Executive Director Bill Keese Saturday bid farewell to 20-plus years of bachelorhood when he exchanged wedding vows with Debby Haarup in an intimate ceremony at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Newlyweds Bill and Debby Keese. Long-time friends, Keese and Haarup -- who've known each other since junior ... CEA offers digital transition tips to seniors, "Rabbit ears" contest Over-the-air analog TV viewers now have a new, free, all-in-one resource at their fingertips to help prepare for February 17, 2009, when all full-power TV stations in the U.S. will broadcast exclusively in digital. The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) announced the publication of “Florence Henderson’s Digital ... Vance Baldwin acquisition boosts record revenue Encompass Group Affiliates, Inc. (formerly Advanced Communications Technologies, Inc.), an integrated reverse logistics holding company serving the consumer products industry, today announced financial results for the third fiscal quarter and the nine months ended March 31, 2008. For the three and nine month periods ended March 31, 2008, ... New York Dealers commit to grassroots politics, Special Olympics More than 50 rent-to-own dealers and vendors convened Thursday in Verona, New York for the twice annual New York State Rental Dealers Association Meeting -- the organization's third meeting since re-organizing last year -- asserting a new proactive attitude toward politics, public image and community involvement. NYSRDA President Dave ... NEW PODCAST: Bob Bloom, ColorTyme president and CEO Bob Bloom, president and CEO of ColorTyme was one of 50 attendees at the recent New York State Rental Dealers Association meeting in Verona, New York. Click here for podcast. Having made a career of expanding such companies as Rent-A-Center and saving struggling companies like EZCORP, Bloom took the ... NEW PODCAST: Charles Smithgall of SEI Aarons Charles Smithgall is the president and CEO of SEI Aaron's, the third largest rent-to-own company in the industry -- excluding Rent-A-Center owned ColoryTyme -- with 63 stores and annual revenue of over $80 million. Click here for podcast. He is also one of the most colorful personalities in the ... Alleged rental scam a heads up to RTO dealers APRO Legal Counsel Ed Winn III. Two rental store employees in Columbus, Indiana have been indicted on charges of defrauding the federal government in conjunction with an alleged scheme to rent merchandise to soldiers on temporary leave at a base and then have the soldiers apply for reimbursement from ... Colorado Congressman introduced to "New Image" of rent-to-own Chuck Green of New Image Rent-To-Own in Colorado hosted Congressman Doug Lamborn (R-5th) at his Fountain, Colorado store May 14, seizing the opportunity to educate the congressman about the modern rent-to-own store and transaction. Congressman Lamborn arrived at Green's store with four staff members including his business manager, district ... Rent-A-Center donates merchandise to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Rent-A-Center’s fourth gift in its statewide community initiative – Random Acts of Caring – will brighten the lives of patients at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. The company is donating 12 Sony laptops to ensure patients in the expanded Blood and Marrow Transplantation unit and their families ... Lewallen opens Las Vegas RNR Ernie Lewallen, owner of UHR Rents and Western Wheel Ventures, opened his third wheel and tire venture earlier this month when he opened his new RNR Custom Wheels and Performance Tires in Las Vegas. Owner Ernie Lewallen and Southwest Operations Manager Kelly Pierce outside the new RNR Las Vegas ... APRO Board member Briley wins city council seat APRO Executive committee member Robert Briley will now add city governance to his growing list of roles after winning a place on the Abilene, Texas City Council Saturday. New Abilene City Council member Robert Briley Briley, who serves as APRO board treasurer and runs 10 Aaron's franchises across west ... Rent One helps revamp Big Brothers Big Sisters Web site Thanks to Rent One and Imagery Marketing Group, Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Illinois has a new website to feature their services and provides information on becoming a “Big” or “Little” in the program. Big Brothers Big Sisters is an organization that seeks to make ... BestWay honors year's best Virginia's BestWay Rent-To-Own recently held its annual business meeting and awards celebration honoring top performers in key categories for its year-ending March 31. The event, which drew around 40 participants, was held at Paradock’s East Coast Grill in Chesapeake, Virginia. BestWay RTO Manager of the Year, Curtis Clifton. ... Petra Industries adds Chrysalis Acoustics to line-up Petra Industries, a leading national wholesale distributor of consumer electronics, custom installation products, mobile audio/video accessories and appliance connection supplies, today announced the addition of Chrysalis Acoustics, a Velodyne company, to its extensive inventory. Velodyne Acoustics, Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of powered subwoofers for home theater ... Registration for fall PrimeTime! begins May 15 On May 15, online registration will begin for the next big buying show, PrimeTime! by Nationwide Marketing Group at Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 17-20. “PrimeTime! in Vegas is a must see this year,” said Ed Kelly President of Nationwide Marketing Group, “... High Touch users give "high marks" to conference Rent-to-own dealers from around the globe are giving rave reviews to the 2008 High Touch Users Conference which concludes today in Wichita, Kansas. The conference was the company's biggest ever, drawing some 70 attendees -- dealers and employees -- from over 33 companies. Roberto Van Dams of UHR Rents. ... NEW PODCAST: Mike Tissot, High Touch guest presenter Mike Tissot, owner of Countryside Rentals, has been a High Touch user for over a decade. He's a hands on owner, and over the years has developed an in-depth understanding of various aspects of High Touch's software package. Tissot was one of around a half dozen High Touch Users ... NEW PODCAST: John Rogers, High Touch sales group director John Rogers is the sales group director for High Touch Technology Solutions and has been with the company for 13 years. Click here for podcast with John Rogers, High Touch sales group director. In this exclusive APRO podcast, Rogers describes the genesis behind new enhancements the company is rolling ... NEW PODCAST: High Touch User Gary Ferriman Gary Ferriman, owner of Showplace Rent-To-Own, is a long time user of High Touch software. He was a participant in a number of High Touch "vision castings" in which the company tapped its client base to develop new tools and features to help rent-to-own dealers do what they ... "Modernization", upgrades key to High Touch success Key software enhancements, streamlined communication tools and an overall move to modernize systems are just a few improvements High Touch officials shared with clients Thursday morning during the general session of the company's users conference in Wichita, Kansas. Over 70 rent-to-own and other industry professionals packed conference rooms at ... NEW PODCAST: High Touch Users Conference takes Wichita High Touch Senior Management High Touch Technology Solutions launched its biggest ever users conference Wednesday, hosting a cocktail reception for over 100 rent-to-own professionals at the company's new digs -- four floors of a 10 story office building in downtown Wichita, Kansas. PODCAST: Click here for Wayne Chambers Interview ... Rent-A-Center renovates nurses' lounges at Harlem Hospital Rent-A-Center coworkers from around New York and the company’s home office unveiled new furnishing makeovers of three nurses’ lounges at the Harlem Hospital Center and provided courtesy meals today in honor of Nurses’ Appreciation Week. Additionally, the company also funded the Hospital’s “Nurses Day Appreciation” meals ... Moneris Solutions to offer Discover Network card acceptance as part of new pact Moneris Solutions, one of North America's largest payment processors, today announced an agreement with Discover Financial Services in which Moneris will offer Discover Network card acceptance as part of an integrated service to small- and mid-sized merchants. Under this agreement, Moneris and their BIN-sponsored Independe |