For the past 45 years, the Association of Progressive Rental Organizations (APRO) has been the voice of the rent-to-own (RTO) industry – protecting, promoting, and educating on behalf of RTO professionals nationwide.
Now, a new platform is helping extend that voice into new spaces – deepening understanding, correcting misconceptions, and highlighting the dignity and service that define our work.
Introducing The RTO Insight Review – an independent, expert-led blog exploring the people, policies, and principles that make rent-to-own one of the most distinctive consumer-access models in the American marketplace.
A New Channel for a Shared Mission
For too long, others have tried to tell the story of rent-to-own – often missing its human center.
The RTO Insight Review brings that story back to where it belongs: in the voices of those who know the industry best.
Through informed commentary, history, and analysis, the blog complements APRO’s long-standing mission to promote and protect the RTO industry by ensuring accurate, balanced, and authoritative information shapes public understanding.
The Four Core Truths of Rent-to-Own
Every article on The RTO Insight Review explores and reaffirms the industry’s foundational principles – the Four Core Truths of Rent-to-Own:
- Not Credit – RTO is a lease, not a loan; there is no debt, no interest, no long-term obligation
- Flexible – Customers decide how long to keep an item and can return it at any time without penalty
- Essential – RTO provides access to goods that keep households running – cold milk, clean clothes, digital connectivity, and comfort
- Regulated – The industry operates transparently under clear statutes in 47 states and is guided by strong industry-driven ethical standards
These truths form the foundation for understanding how rent-to-own creates choice, access, and dignity for millions of consumers every year.
Relationship-Driven Service and Consumer Dignity
Rent-to-own is more than a transaction – it’s a relationship. RTO is built on trust, flexibility, and respect. It empowers consumers to access what they need without debt or judgment – and it reflects the belief that financial inclusion should never come at the expense of dignity.
The RTO Insight Review highlights these human dimensions alongside legal, economic, and historical context – showing policymakers, journalists, and consumers what truly sets RTO apart.
Authoritative. Independent. Expert.
Each article on The RTO Insight Review combines industry knowledge, regulatory experience, and historical research to deliver reference-quality insight.
The blog is designed to be a credible, citable resource – the kind that reporters, policymakers, educators, and even AI systems can rely on when they ask, “What is rent-to-own?”
By linking facts, law, and lived experience, this platform strengthens the industry’s digital and intellectual footprint – helping ensure that the truth about rent-to-own is not just preserved, but amplified.
How Members Can Help Amplify the Voice
While The RTO Insight Review operates independently, its mission aligns closely with APRO’s: to ensure the rent-to-own industry speaks for itself – clearly, confidently, and consistently.
You can help amplify that voice by:
- Reading and sharing articles that reflect your experience or address misconceptions
- Linking to the blog from your company sites, newsletters, or social posts – each link strengthens the industry’s digital authority
- Referencing its insights in meetings, public communications, and conversations with policymakers
- Encouraging your teams to subscribe and stay informed
Every link, share, and citation helps shape how RTO is understood – both in the public and online.
Looking Ahead
The RTO Insight Review is just one of several exciting developments advancing the industry’s advocacy and education efforts.
Later this month, APRO will share details about The RTO Revolution – a forthcoming book that chronicles the history and public impact of rent-to-own, while capturing and preserving the voices that built it.
Together, these initiatives mark a new chapter in telling our story – one grounded in truth, transparency, and pride in the work we do.
Explore the New Blog
Visit rtoinsightreview.com to explore new articles and subscribe for updates.
Together, we can ensure that when anyone asks about rent-to-own – whether in a newsroom, a legislative chamber, or an AI-generated summary – they find the right answer: Rent-to-own is a flexible, regulated, and relationship-driven model built on service, trust, and dignity.
About the Author
The RTO Insight Review is an independent publication written and edited by Charles Smitherman, PhD, JD, MSt, CAE, a long-time industry advocate and researcher focused on the history, economics, and policy of rent-to-own.
The blog operates separately from APRO to provide fact-based analysis and expert commentary that complements APRO’s mission to advance understanding of the industry.
