What is APRO? - Membership Benefits

What Can Membership in APRO Do for You?

• 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.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) has introduced Senate bills to basically legislate the rent-to-own business out of existence. Sen. Charles Schumer is one of the most powerful members of Congress and APRO's grassroots and government relations efforts have saved the industry each congressional attack. Your membership helps guarantee your right to do business. Join APRO dealers across the nation in Washington, D.C. for APRO's annual Legislative Conference where you and hundreds of your colleagues meet with your U.S. House of Representatives and Senators to protect and promote the rent-to-own industry.
  
  
• APRO monitors every state legislature to protect your rent-to-own from state legislative attacks. There are an average of 25 bills introduced each session year throughout the country that affect your business. Most are negative. APRO is there to make sure your business continues its legal right to thrive and serve customers.

• The most valuable way to save money or become more profitable is learning the lessons from others. Join APRO's family and learn the best operating tips, vendor contacts, customer retention tips, advertising techniques, etc. You will also make lifelong friends as well. Every APRO member will testify that networking is one of the most valuable assets to your APRO membership. Join APRO and join us at one of meeting events at our annual convention, legislative conference, state association meetings or one of the many hospitality suites APRO co-sponsors at product trade shows.
   
• Experience APRO’s Online University and enjoy discounted membership rates.
  
  
• APRO offers various opportunities to attend educational seminars designed for owners and employees. 
   

Stay on Top of Emerging Trends and Industry News

• APRO’s RTO Today delivers daily industry trends and news straight to your inbox.
  
  

• RTOHQ: The Magazine delivers competitive insight to all levels of employees 

   

Increase Customers through Improved Image, the Media and Community Relations

• Join APRO for the most powerful marketing research studies to keep your customers satisfied and to reach new customers. APRO' s media relations also helps you navigate from negative media attacks that have crippled the industry for decades. Rent-to-own customer demographics show there are 37 million potential customers that rent-to-own is not reaching. 

• APRO's Educational Scholarship Fund, Computers for Kidz and the many other charitable efforts APRO members and state associations are involved help your business and the industry promote a positive image to the public.  

• APRO's annual Employee and Customer of the Year contest is also one of the most important events that generate positive press for your company and the industry. Find out how your company can get involved to help our communities and show that rent-to-own is an important contributor to our society. 

Expand Your Options with Members-Only Offers 

• APRO general counsel, Ed Winn III, provides limited free legal advice to members. Winn is the leading legal rent-to-own expert in the country with nearly 30 years experience. Your membership gives you the access to the most important legal expert and the legal issues affecting your business.
  
  
  
• Wage-and-hour consultation with Harry Weisbrod Associates Inc. provides limited free wage and hour consultation to members.
  
  
• Commercial insurance with RTO Systems Inc./Walter Clark & Associates, the commercial insurance agency endorsed by APRO, offers property, liability, auto and workers' compensation insurance programs customized to fit the needs of rent-to-own dealers. 
  
  
• E-Communities forums to enhance member communications. This APRO-member-only resource gives dealers and vendors a place where they can share ideas, post questions for fellow members, learn how others in the industry are managing their businesses and much more. 

• Research - statistical surveys, customer and potential customer surveys and investor relations are invaluable APRO member tools. The customer research, industry survey and potential customer research are the only studies of their kind that smaller rent-to-own companies that otherwise could not afford these kinds of studies can use for their marketing purposes. These studies help your bankers, and give financial credibility for your business to thrive and grow.

• Disaster Relief Fund assists APRO member employees to help them recover from natural disasters