timeline

APRO donates 100 stoves for the Habitat for Humanity Jimmy Carter build in Houston.

The FTC issues a request for proposal to conduct a study on RTO customers.

NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw features RTO in its “Fleecing of America” segment, generating minimal negative publicity.

ABC’s 20/20 airs its report. Negative publicity fallout is minimal.

APRO forges partnership with Habitat for Humanity International as a corporate sponsor.

ABC’s 20/20 and CBS’s Public Eye contact APRO simultaneously for exposé features on the industry.

The “Image” and “Couple” commercial spots are released to APRO members. They are the third professionally produced commercial addressing the number one image source – television commercials.

The Consumer Rental-Purchase Agreement Act by Rep. Walter Jones is introduced in the House after J.C. Watts moves off Banking Committee. The bill ends up with 27 co-sponsors.

PIRG releases a new report, Don’t Rent to Own. Media covers both sides of the issue.

1997 Taxpayers Relief Act passes; includes provision defining RTO as a lease for tax purposes. The law also declares 3-Year MACRs depreciation method for rent-to-own products.