 APRO: The Official Voice of the Rent to Own Industry
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Monthly Catalog of Rent to Own News Articles
Rent-to-own News Archives from February 2012 Consumers to save money this tax season [February 22, 2012]
Retailers hoping to see a boost in sales this tax season may be out of luck as more Americans this year plan to save their refunds, according to Retailing Today.
The National Retail Federation's tax returns consumer survey, conducted by BIGinsight, found that 43.8% of those expecting refunds will save some of that money, up from 42.l% ...
Five cents of every retail dollar spent online in 2011 [February 20, 2012]
It’s no secret that more Americans are shopping online, but the speed at which sales are moving to the Web is striking.
According to a recent report from the Commerce Department, $61.8 billion of retail sales were transacted on the Internet in the fourth quarter of last year, according to the Wall Street Journal.
That represented a ...
Hotel deadline for Kentucky RDA meeting tomorrow [February 20, 2012]
The Kentucky Rental Dealers Association is holding its annual membership meeting March 8 at the Belterra Casino Resort and Spa in Florence, Indiana.
The the board of directors meeting kicks off at 4:30 March 7 after which all association members are invited to Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse for a welcome dinner at 6:30.
The membership meeting opens Thursday March 8 ...
Flat panel manufacturers scale back [February 16, 2012]
The flat-panel display industry is in for a sustained recession in 2012 as manufacturers freeze further plant expansions and better control output, according to a new NPD DisplaySearch quarterly flat-panel display market report released Tuesday.
However, the firm notes that necessary supply tweaking in the year ahead should reduce glut volumes to new lows and the industry begins to ...
TRIB Group convention kicks off in less than two weeks [February 15, 2012]
The 2012 TRIB Group Annual Convention & Buy Fair begins in less than two weeks, February 27-29, 2012 at the beautiful Marriott World Center in Orlando, Florida. A vast majority of the 153 members will be attending representing 31 states and the Caribbean islands.
This year’s theme urges members and vendors alike to ACHIEVE UNIVERSAL GOALS of the ...
TARA swaps annual convention for legislative conference [February 14, 2012]
The TARA Board of Directors recently adopted a new plan designed to focus TARA resources primarily on state legislative, regulatory, and legal issues affecting RTO operations.
The plan includes replacing the association's traditional annual convention and buying show with a new TARA Legislative Conference, significantly increasing dues for the largest members of the association, and totally revamping the vendor ...
Retail sales rise in January, with and without auto sales [February 14, 2012]
Americans rebounded from a weak holiday season and increased spending on retail goods in January, an encouraging sign for the strengthening economy.
The overall January figure was an improvement from December, which was downwardly revised to show a flat reading. And when excluding autos and gasoline station sales, retail spending jumped 0.6% — best showing in three months, ...
Rent One lets regions choose community outreach programs [February 13, 2012]
Rent One Regional Manager Dusty Ray.
St. Louis-based Rent One is taking another step toward making sure its employees feel invested in future community outreach projects.
Company owner Larry Carrico this year, is allowing each of Rent One's seven regions to champion the causes they see as most beneficial to the communities they serve. Each year company employees are ...
Magic Wheel & Tire expands in Alabama [February 13, 2012]
Magic Wheel & Tire LLC has opened its fourth RimTyme, a custom-wheels-and-tires franchise. Expanding RimTyme’s presence in Alabama, the store opened on Feb. 9 at 2809 E. South Blvd.
“We really wanted to move into a larger market this time, and the denser population and demographics were just right in this area,” said David Deignan, RimTyme ...
RTO Vet opens Premier in Torrington, Connecticut [February 10, 2012]
Premier Dealer Rich Barton.
His entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to customer service are some of the factors which helped Rich Barton make the decision to open his own rent-to-own business.
After being in the rent-to-own industry for 20 years, Rich discovered The Premier Companies through industry publications and networking with rent-to-own store owners in Connecticut. He researched other franchise ...
Loudermilk considers selling Aaron's shares [February 10, 2012]
Chairman R. Charles Loudermilk Sr. accepting APRO's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008.
Aaron’s Chairman R. Charles Loudermilk Sr., who founded the rent-to-own furniture chain in 1955, said he is considering selling his shares and would support a sale of the company at the right price.
There have been queries from interested buyers and such overtures have been increasing ...
Aaron's same-store revenue increases 3.7% [February 10, 2012]
Aaron's Thursday, announced results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2011.
For the fourth quarter of 2011, revenues increased 8% to $523.5 million compared to $484.4 million for the fourth quarter in 2010. Net earnings decreased 1% to $30.5 million versus $30.8 million last year. Diluted earnings per share were $.40 ...
Bad economy means life altering changes for young adults [February 9, 2012]
Most Americans have felt the pinch of a tough economy, but for young adults, these unstable times mean long-lasting, life-altering changes, a Pew Research Center survey suggests today.
Kettering University students make plans to talk with representatives of companies they would like to work during the Kettering job fair. Overall, Pew found that 41% believe young adults, rather than ...
APRO Scholarship Winners make the grade [February 9, 2012]
Two additional RTO industry scholarship checks are headed to APRO Scholarship recipients, Tyler Heck and Robert Sonnenfelt who finished the fall semester with a 3.0 grade point average or better.
College bound rental industry family members were awarded $30,000 from the APRO Education Foundation last year. Recipients earned half of their scholarships immediately with the second half ...
High Touch and Asset Protection Products launch joint venture [February 6, 2012]
High Touch Technologies and Asset Protection Products, LLC today announced a joint venture that will be called Product Assurance Management (PAM).
PAM was formed to address the urgent need of operators and franchisees in the rent-to-own market to track, geo-locate, disable, restore, and update computing devices of all types, including smart phones, tablets, net books, laptops, and desktops running ...
Aaron's conference call set for Friday [February 6, 2012]
Aaron’s will hold a conference call this Friday to discuss the company's Q4 2011 annual report at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time.
There will be opening remarks and then questions and answers with Chairman Charlie Loudermilk, interim President/CEO Ron Allen, COO Ken Butler, and Executive Vice President/CFO Gil Danielson.
Dial 1-800-357-0498 a few minutes before the scheduled ...
Serta launches Nickelodeon collection [February 3, 2012]
Serta is pleased to announce the launch of the Nickelodeon mattress collection designed for kids to the Rent to Own Industry. All Serta mattresses sold in America are Made in America in Serta plants across the U.S., Puerto Rico and Hawaii.
Nickelodeon and Serta have teamed up to create mattresses that will make going to bed fun for ...
ColorTyme hires Michael Landry as Vice President of Franchise Sales [February 3, 2012]
Michael Landry, new ColorTyme VP of franchise sales.
Chain adds new VP-level position as part of aggressive growth plan
Michael Landry has joined the ColorTyme organization as vice president of franchise sales. During the 2012 ColorTyme National Convention last week, CEO Cathy Skula announced an aggressive new growth plan and the company’s search to fill a brand new ...
High Touch continues to acquire out-of-state technology companies [February 3, 2012]
Wichita-based High Touch recently closed on the acquisitions of sister businesses in Dallas, UniComData and Dallas Data Center. That followed the Jan. 1 purchase of NewBase LLC, a small web-development company in Wichita.
The acquisitions help High Touch further expand its regional presence and its services.
In 2011, High Touch bought Attain Technologies LLC in Denver. That followed a ...
ColorTyme's Coelho raises money, awareness for Boston Children's Hospital [February 2, 2012]
Nathaniel Giannandrea
For a third year in a row, Providence ColorTyme franchisee Al Coelho is partnering with a patient at Children’s Hospital Boston to raise money and awareness for the hospital.
Going the extra mile on April 16, Coelho will dedicate his 26-mile run of the Boston Marathon to the family of Nathaniel Giannandrea, a patient of Children’...
D&H to RTO dealers: Leverage Super Bowl/March Madness for TV, appliance and gaming rentals [February 1, 2012]
Computer and consumer electronics distributor D&H Distributing would like to remind its rent-to-own store owners and dealers to take advantage of upcoming sporting events to gain incremental rental sales.
D&H’s RTO customers can market big ticket items such as large-screen, Internet-connected televisions with supporting merchandise such as 1,000-watt surround sound home theaters and gaming consoles.
...
TARA announces new server-based email system to improve member communications [February 1, 2012]
The Texas Association of Rental Agencies (TARA) today announced it launched a new member communication system - TARA UPDATE. This new system uses the latest server-based technology to provide a powerful email information service designed to keep members continuously updated on the latest association and industry news.
Through this new system, the association can now forward important news and ...
Vegas Market: RTO dealers turn out for annual LVM gathering [February 1, 2012]
Rental dealers and vendors at the APRO/Ashley reception in Las Vegas Tuesday.
More than a dozen rent-to-own professionals and vendors turned out Tuesday for the annual RTO reception at Las Vegas Winter Market at the Ashley Furniture Suite.
The event was hosted by the Association of Progressive Rental Organizations and sponsored by Ashley Furniture.
More than 150 first-time exhibiting ...
Rent-to-own News Archives from January 2012 Vegas Market: Zero Gravity chairs hover at core of Inner Balance line [January 31, 2012]
Bob Whip, president of Inner Balance Wellness shows off one of his Zero Gravity Chairs at Las Vegas Market Tuesday.
Inner Balance is offering the sensation and benefits of "weightlessness" with it's Zero Gravity chair, which utilizes NASA research to promote the body's natural resting position -- the exact position the human body assumes when suspended in zero-gravity ...
Vegas Market: Coaster's 'Phoenix Collection' an RTO hit [January 31, 2012]
Countryside's Mike Tissot and APRO's Cindy Ferguson showing off Coaster's Phoenix Collection.
Countryside R2O owner Mike Tissot knows what his customers like: A whole lot of practicality wrapped in style.
"Our customers and our salespeople love the functionality of Coaster's Phoenix Collection," Tissot says. "Whenever you add bells and whistles onto a functional product we love ...
Vegas Market: 'Rental Specialty' program new at Fraenkel [January 31, 2012]
Brian Akchin, president and CEO of Englander
Fraenkel, a 'Made in America' furniture supplier that carries Englander and Advantage bedding and upholstery lines, will roll out its new 'Rental Specialty' program at the Tupelo Furniture Market later this month.
The program is designed to allow dealers to custom design their orders allowing dealers to mix and match fabrics and ...
Vegas Market: "Quickship" is standard at American Furniture Manufacturing [January 31, 2012]
American Furniture Manufacturing President Lyle Harris with APRO Marketing Director Cindy Ferguson at Las Vegas 2012 Winter Market.
American Furniture Manufacturing is a newly approve TRIB Group vendor and APRO exhibitor that specializes in reclining furniture, motion and stationary upholstery with a decided advantage.
"At American Furniture Manufacturing, we have a competitive advantage because we don't have a ...
Rent-A-Center backs children's shelter [January 31, 2012]
Rent-A-Center Tuesday, delivered $5,000 worth of gift cards to Pendleton Place Children’s Shelter.
Tied to a philanthropic initiative dubbed "Random Acts of Caring," the unexpected gesture included gift cards to retailers such as Wal-mart, TJ Maxx, Target, Marshalls, Kohl’s and Old Navy.
"Pendleton Place stood out as a particularly deserving community resource," ...
First Maryland Premier Rental-Purchase Opens [January 31, 2012]
Premier Dealer Tim Strachan
Tim Strachan has come full circle in the Rent to Own industry over the past twenty two years.
In 1990 Tim went to work for a Rent-To-Own company that, at the time, was owned by The Premier Companies’ President and CEO Trooper Earle. The store was located in LaVale, Maryland which is located outside of ...
Bestway names $5,000 fill A house winner [January 31, 2012]
L to R: Kris Swift, Bestway Regional Vice President, David Kraemer, Bestway CEO/President, winner Nakeisha Carter, Chris Nicoulin, Bestway District Manager and Store Manager C.D. Bell
Bestway Rent To Own recently gave away $5000 in furniture with its "Fill A House" promotion, October 1 – December 31, 2011.
The winner, Nakeisha Carter is from Brandon, Mississippi. Carter ...
Rent-A-Center Q4 same store sales up 2.7 percent [January 30, 2012]
Rent-A-Center Monday, announced revenues and earnings for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2011.
Total revenues for the quarter ended December 31, 2011, were $737.5 million, an increase of $60.4 million from total revenues of $677.1 million for the same period in the prior year.
This 8.9% growth in total revenues was primarily due ...
Twin Star-Classic Flame Party kicks off Vegas Winter Market [January 30, 2012]
More than 300 turned out for Twin Star-Classic Flame's fifth annual "Customer Appreciation Party" at the Wynn Resort and Casino kicking off the Winter 2012 Las Vegas Furniture Market Jan. 30-Feb. 3.
"We throw this party every year to show our appreciation for all our customers and associates," said Jeff Colletto, Twin Star West Coast Sales ...
Buddy's franchise group steps up for local food banks [January 30, 2012]
Chuck Haver and Travis Johnson, Manager Buddy's Fort Smith, Oklahoma.
Beginning in November 2011 the Buddy’s Home Furnishings Franchise Team BREG Group operating 10 locations in Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma decided to act on the continuing shortage of food in the local food banks of their communities.
Buddy’s offered their customers free weeks on new agreements if ...
U.S. Economy picks up speed [January 27, 2012]
The United States economy picked up speed at the end of 2011 as businesses substantially built up their inventories and consumers increased their spending.
Gross domestic product, the broadest measure of the nation's economic health, grew at a 2.8% annual rate in the last three months of the year, the Commerce Department said.
While that's a major improvement ...
The Premier Companies announce 2012 training seminars [January 27, 2012]
John Darden, The Premier Companies Dealer/Vendor Liaison
During their recent convention in Key West, The Premier Companies, franchisor of four Rent-to-Own brands, released their 2012 Training Seminar schedule to their franchisees.
The aggressive schedule includes workshops and seminars focused on key operational elements of the franchisee’s business.
The Premier Companies have five Financial Workshops on the calendar for ...
RTOHQ: The Magazine digital-only bonus compilation available [January 26, 2012]
APRO is proud to present a special bonus issue of RTOHQ: The Magazine—a digital-only compilation of some of the feature articles we published in 2011.
We hope you have already had a chance to peruse a digital version of our magazine, which we introduced in October to complement our print edition. If not, this special issue will give ...
RNR Vegas helps customer stay young at heart [January 26, 2012]
RNR Las Vegas Customer Leo Mazer (center) with RNR Manager Kelly Pierce (L) and wife Tammy Pierce.
At 87, decorated veteran Leo Mazer of Las Vegas may not seem like the typical custom wheel and tire rental customer.
Then again, Mazer isn't your typical anything.
A veteran of World War II (Philippines), Vietnam and Korea, Mazer spent 20 years ...
Walter Clark and Associates serving RTO Industry insurance needs for 24 years [January 26, 2012]
Jeanette Beardsley first met Barry Gambini in 1981 when the APRO co-founder and past president sold his RTO stores. They've worked together to serve the insurance needs of rental dealers ever since.
"As the APRO endorsed insurance agent for the rent to own industry, we know what rent to own store needs are and we have the confidence ...
Application for unemployment benefits rise along with durable goods orders [January 26, 2012]
The number of people seeking unemployment benefits rose last week to a seasonally adjusted 377,000, after a nearly four-year low the previous week. The long-term trend is pointing to a healthier job market.
Applications for unemployment benefits have been trending downward the past few months. Just two week ago, applications had plummeted to their lowest level since April ...
Childers named ColorTyme's 2011 Franchisee of the Year [January 25, 2012]
ColorTyme's 2011 Franchisee of the Year, Mark Childers (R) interviewed by APRO Reporter Murlin Evans at ColorTymes annual convention Tuesday.
Rent-to-own franchisor, ColorTyme, honored its top performers and recognized exceptional owner accomplishments yesterday at the 2012 National Convention.
Mark and Tracy Childers received ColorTyme’s Franchisee of the Year Eagle Award, the highest honor bestowed by the company.
“...
ColorTyme kicks off 2012 National Convention with new vision, lower fees [January 23, 2012]
New ColorTyme CEO Cathy Skula.
New ColorTyme CEO Cathy Skula delivered shock-and-awe punch to the kick off of the ColorTyme 2012 National Convention by rolling out a new strategic plan for growth that included lower fees.
A crowd of approximately 300 franchisees, operators and vendors listened silently and intensely, erupting periodically with bursts of applause and shouts of approval ...
RNR Convention recognizes outstanding operators [January 23, 2012]
Former APRO President, Larry Carrico, is awarded RNR's Mike Kent Pioneer Award at RNR's recent convention.
RNR Custom Wheels and Performance Tires just wrapped its 8th annual franchise meeting this past Thursday, Jan. 19, hosting more than 100 wheel and tire rental franchisees at the Reunion Resort in Orlando.
Attendees gathered at the resort for the fun and festivities. ...
Congresswoman visits ABC Rental Purchase [January 23, 2012]
L to R: Shaun Rush, Rep. Lynn Jenkens, Jim Brown, Rick Rineberg
Jim Brown of ABC Rental Purchase, last week, hosted Congresswoman Lynn Jenkens of Kansas' Second Congressional District.
Jenkens is on of 98 co-sponsors of H.R. 1588 "The Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act"....
Bonnie Nitzsche funeral arrangements [January 19, 2012]
Visitation:
Friday, Jan. 20
5pm-8pm
Hodapp Funeral Home
8815 Cincinnati-Columbus Rd
West Chester, Ohio 45069
Funeral:
Saturday
11am Hodapp Funeral Home
Then a procession to the Arlington Memorial Cemetery on Compton ...
Franchisee opens first ColorTyme in Ashland, Kentucky [January 19, 2012]
Mike Courts is a rent-to-own professional who has, for years, wanted to own his own ColorTyme stores. After years of managing four stores for a competitor, Courts made his move at the beginning of this year. He opened his first ColorTyme at 5850 Route 60, Summit Plaza in Ashland, Ky.
“For quite some time I’ve known I ...
Premier Rental-Purchase opens new store in Snellville, Georgia [January 19, 2012]
Coe Ecker and David Quinn
Coe Ecker and David Quinn have partnered up to open a Premier Rental-Purchase location in Snellville, Georgia.
They celebrated their Grand Opening last week with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Food and refreshments were provided for their current and soon-to-be new customers.
“We look forward to serving our community and providing them with quality ...
Central File celebrates 20 years in RTO [January 18, 2012]
In an age of electronic media, the success of Central File Marketing and it's relentless focus on powerful direct mail marketing campaigns is a testament to the power of the visceral over the American consumer.
"Where do unsolicited emails end up? They go straight in the trash. People don't even open them," said Dan Chaudoir, Central File ...
DSI Systems re-organizes [January 18, 2012]
DSI Systems has reorganized its sales team into separate groups for CE and DirecTV/WildBlue.
DSI has formed the Consumer Electronics Group and the DirecTV and WildBlue Group, with Jerry Satoren, senior VP/consumer electronics, being named to run the CE Group, according to a report in Twice Magazine.
He will continue to report to Doug Robison, DSI's president, and will ...
Web Piracy Bill faces opponents [January 18, 2012]
Supporters of controversial antipiracy legislation face a struggle to regain momentum after the White House sided with irate Internet companies and users over the weekend and complained that the proposal could hurt innocent companies and undermine cybersecurity.
On Saturday, the White House outlined its opposition to two similar bills pending in the House and Senate that would crack down ...
Bonnie Nitzsche dies today at her home [January 17, 2012]
Long time rent to own vendor and advocate Bonnie Nitzsche "The Flyer Specialist" died Tuesday at her home in Cincinnati after a 14-year battle with Myeloma cancer
A former Mary Kay consultant, Nitzsche is largely credited with introducing the industry to four-color print advertising in 1988. She was a fierce supporter of the industry and her clients -- ...
RES, Buddy's come to aid of colleague [January 17, 2012]
L to R: James and Brittany Compton, Michael Gerwe Jr., Jeff Robinson from Buddy's Home Furnishings.
When RES Accessories CEO Michael Gerwe Jr. learned a long-time Tampa business associate Brittany Compton's home burned to the ground just before Christmas, he knew he had to help.
Gerwe tapped long-time client Buddy's Home Furnishings, specifically Jeff Robinson, and the two worked ...
"Try before you buy" option could reduce returns [January 17, 2012]
In 2011, many shoppers opted to avoid the frenetic crowds and do their holiday shopping from the comfort of their computer. Sales at online retailers gained by more than 15%, making it the biggest season ever. But people are also returning those purchases at record rates, up 8% from last year.
What went wrong? Is the lingering shadow of ...
Aaron's names Jeannie Cave VP of real estate [January 16, 2012]
Aaron's today announced Jeannie M. Cave is the company's new vice president of real estate and construction.
In her new role reporting to Gil Danielson, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Cave will be responsible for a number of activities including the development of strategies that support Aaron's real estate goals and the management of the Company's real ...
Rep. Hurt visits local Aaron's [January 16, 2012]
(L to R): Aaron's Franchise Field Consultant Mike Sofge, Franchise Principal Derek Mitchell, Aaron's General Manager at F946 Marcy Muncy, US Congressman Robert Hurt, Franchise Principal Bobbie Floyd, and Franchise Principal Chad Mitchell.
US Congressman Robert Hurt of Virginia's 5th Congressional District, visited Aaron's location F946 in Danville last week for a first hand look at the rental purchase ...
US Exporters hit by global slowdown [January 13, 2012]
American exporters are starting to face more headwinds from a decelerating global economy.
After four straight months of narrowing, the U.S. trade deficit widened in November, the Commerce Department reported Friday. The United States imported $47.8 billion more goods and services than it exported during the month, up from a $43.3 billion gap in October.
10 ...
Rent-A-Center Q4 2011 conference call broadcasted live via the Web [January 12, 2012]
Rent-A-Center will broadcast its quarterly earnings conference call on Tuesday, January 31, 2012, at 10:45 a.m. 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, January 30, 2012. Audio of the conference call will broadcast live and be available on the ...
Jim Forker is Premier's 2011 Dealer of the Year [January 12, 2012]
Premier's 2011 Dealer of the Year, Jim Forker.
The Premier Companies ended their 2012 National Convention in tropical Key West Wednesday evening by naming Jim Forker the Premier Rental Purchase Dealer of the Year.
Hard work, motivation and the desire to succeed are some of the traits that helped Forker win the prestigious award.
“I had a vision ...
Mark and Dawn Martin open new store in Raleigh [January 11, 2012]
ColorTyme Franchisees Dawn and Mark Martin.
Four years after opening their first North Carolina rent-to-own store in Goldsboro, Mark and Dawn Martin have added another ColorTyme, this time in Raleigh.
Located at 3673 New Bern Ave, the new store will offer rent-to-own appliances, electronics and furniture to residents in the city’s central and eastern neighborhoods.
“We are ...
APRO Savings Plan makes it easy to attend convention [January 10, 2012]
APRO's first-ever savings plan option gives rent to own dealers a manageable way to attend the rent to own event of the year -- APRO's 2012 Annual Convention and Trade Show in Memphis this July.
The APRO Board approved option breaks registration and hotel fees into smaller, monthly payments.
The six month plan allows interested dealers the option of ...
Making the grade: Seven additional scholarship recipients earn award installment [January 10, 2012]
A new round of APRO Education Foundation scholarship checks are headed to seven students who finished the fall semester with a 3.0 grade point average or better.
College bound rental industry family members were awarded $30,000 in collective scholarships from the APRO Education Foundation last summer. Recipients earned half of their scholarships with the second half pending ...
IRS doles out less dough in 2011 [January 10, 2012]
The IRS not only doled out fewer tax refunds last year, but it also cut smaller checks with the average refund slipping by nearly $100.
Taxpayers received tax refunds averaging $2,913 in 2011, down 3% from the average refund of $3,003 in the prior year, according to the latest filing statistics released by the IRS and reported ...
Motivational speaker addresses The Premier Companies Convention [January 10, 2012]
Motivational speaker and auther Mark Gow.
Leadership, motivation and productivity was the topic of Mark Gow’s message to The Premier Companies Dealers and convention attendees today during the Opening General Session of their 2012 National Convention at the Casa Marina Resort in Key West today.
“It’s very important for us to help keep our dealers motivated ...
Last week for TRIB discount [January 10, 2012]
The 2012 TRIB Group Annual Convention & Buy Fair is fast approaching and the $100 early bird registration discount deadline is Sunday January 15.
TRIB Group's 2012 Convention and Buy Fair is set for Feb. 27-29, 2012 at the beautiful Marriott World Center in Orlando, Florida.
This year’s theme urges members and vendors alike to "Achieve Universal ...
Branding 101 for 2012 [January 9, 2012]
What can we expect to see in 2012?
Expect to see names get more abstract in 2012. There are more than one million names, taglines, and logos registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Finding a name that is unique, memorable, and-very important-ownable has become increasingly challenging. Names that are coined, abstract, or arbitrary stand the greatest ...
New RTOHQ: The Magazine explores "Marketing Matters" [January 9, 2012]
This year marks the launch of a marketing campaign initiated by APRO to build the rent-to-own customer base. It will be a multi-year endeavor employing multiple strategies. In this and upcoming issues of our magazine, we will address the many facets of marketing that affect our industry.
Striving for an A with the BBB
by William E. Freeland
Consumers ...
Premier Companies Convention opens to record attendance [January 9, 2012]
The Premier Companies 2012 National Convention January 9-11 in Key West kicked off Monday with golf tournament and deep sea fishing events at the Casa Marina Resort where organizers anticipate attendance to break all previous records.
Premier franchisees, vendors and special guests will enjoy an ocean view and swaying palm trees at the opening events, setting the stage for ...
CES: Global tech device spending could reach $1 trillion [January 9, 2012]
Fueled by growth in emerging markets, global tech device spending is estimated to hit $1 trillion for the first time in 2012.
As people around the world buy more tech gadgets, the industry is entering the second phase of the digital revolution, according to a LA Times report. Consumers should expect the newest devices to become even more seamless ...
December jobs report: Hiring up, unemployment down [January 6, 2012]
American employers stepped up their hiring in December, bringing the unemployment rate down again.
The economy added 200,000 jobs in the month, the Labor Department reported Friday, closing out the year with 1.6 million jobs gained in 2011. Only 940,000 jobs were added the year before, according to CNN Money.
Meanwhile, the unemployment rate fell to ...
Congressman Canseco visits local Aaron's [January 6, 2012]
Rep. Francisco "Quico" Canseco (second from left) with staff at Ft. Stockton Aaron's Thursday.
Congressman Francisco "Quico" Canseco Thursday, lead sponsor of pending rental purchase legislation in the U.S. House, paid a visit to a local Aaron's Sales and Lease store in Ft. Stockton to meet managers and store personal and get a hands on look ...
Grand opening for Jacksonville Premier Rental-Purchase [January 5, 2012]
Location… Location… Location!
That was the idea when Mike Zagar, Premier Rental-Purchase franchisee in Jacksonville, Florida, decided to relocate his store after two years.
Mike was in search of a shopping center that would provide him the traffic he felt he needed. With the assistance of The Premier Companies Lease Negotiation support system, he was able to find that ...
Is 3D living up to the hype? [January 5, 2012]
3D television was heralded as the breakthrough technology of the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show. Hot on the heels of James Cameron’s eye-opening Avatar, 3D HDTVs were everywhere on the show floor.
One year later, Wired reports, at CES 2011, 3D was back again — this time iterating. We saw bigger 3D HDTVs, 3D displays that didn’t require ...
Private sector hiring ramps up [January 5, 2012]
Private-sector companies significantly ramped up their hiring in December, according to a report issued Thursday.
The private sector added a seasonally adjusted 325,000 jobs during the month, up from 204,000 in November, payroll-processing firm ADP said.
It marked the biggest monthly gain since December 2010, and was stronger than expected. Economists surveyed by Briefing.com were forecasting ...
Obama appoints first CFPB director [January 4, 2012]
In a move that has angered Republicans, President Obama on Wednesday announced he's making a recess appointment of Richard Cordray to be the first director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, sidestepping the Senate confirmation process, according to CNN Money.
Last month, the Senate failed to muster enough votes to take up confirmation of Cordray to run the consumer ...
Making the grade: second round of industry scholarships awarded [January 4, 2012]
A new round of RTO industry scholarship checks are headed to eight students who finished the fall semester with a 3.0 grade point average or better.
College bound rental industry family members were awarded $35,000 in collective scholarships from both the APRO Education Foundation and the newly established RNR Faye Sutton Scholarship Fund last summer. Recipients earned ...
Premier Convention: New schedule time for vendor exhibits, sunset sail [January 3, 2012]
The vendor exhibits for The Premier Companies National Convention will be held on Tuesday, January 10th from 12:30 - 4:15pm.
This change is due to the timing of the Sunset Sail at 5:00pm. The change will allow attendees to visit with vendors right after lunch and provide enough time for everyone to get to the dock for our evening ...
Will Shoppers Save the Economy? [January 3, 2012]
The U.S. consumer is back, but how long can that keep the economy going?
One of the growing bright spots in the economy recently has been Americans’ willingness to hit the mall. In the third quarter alone, higher consumer spending accounted for 73% of the rise in the GDP, according to Time.
Holiday shopping looks like it will ...
'Ultrabooks" offer quick booting, slim computing at lower cost [January 3, 2012]
Intel Corp.'s crusade to redefine the personal computer is entering a crucial phase, as a new breed of sleek skinny laptops jostle with tablet-style devices and smartphones for consumer attention.
PC makers are turning out at next weeks Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to show off entries in a new category called Ultrabooks, a term the chip ...
Bonnie Nitzsche recovering in Cincinnati hospital [January 2, 2012]
Tom and Bonnie Nitzsche at an APRO Convention.
Long time rent to own vendor and advocate Bonnie Nitzsche "The Flyer Specialist" was hospitalized at Christ's Hospital in Cincinnati December 21 and entered into the intensive care unit to stabilize her blood pressure.
She is out of ICU after undergoing several procedures and is recovering in room 4064.
Nitzsche ...
Rent One store turns quilt into toys for area children [January 2, 2012]
Patricia Gibson, Salem Assistant Manager with Salem Manager Joe O'Neill at Rent Christmas Toy Donation.
This year Rent One's Salem, Illinois Assistant Manager Patricia Gibson found a creative way to raise the funds for the company's holiday toy drive this Christmas with a little help from her mother.
Earlier in the year, BeverlyRennier, Gibson's mother, donated a queen size ...
Rent-to-own News Archives from December 2011 RENT-2-OWN Stores balance success, conscience [December 28, 2011]
It happened a week later than usual. But the number was 25 percent greater than what the boss, Mike Tissot, expected. And when he’s surprised, you know that’s a big number.
For the past several years, Bainbridge, Ohio-based Countryside Rentals’ RENT-2-OWN stores have selected a week in December during which a percentage of deliveries or growth in ...
ColorTyme Names Cathy Skula CEO [December 23, 2011]
Colortyme, America's oldest franchisor of independently owned-and-operated rent-to-own stores, announced the appointment of Cathy Skula to president and CEO, effective January 1, 2012.
Reporting to Rent-A-Center President and Chief Operating Officer Mitch Fadel, Skula succeeds Bob Bloom who left Colortyme in October of this year. "Cathy brings a wealth of experience to a very important position," said ...
Rent-A-Center supports eight army garrisons [December 23, 2011]
Rent-A-Center today announced its support of eight Army garrisons. The aid came in the form of furniture, electronics, computers and appliances.
Valued at $200,000, the Rent-A-Center-supplied merchandise was delivered in coordination with the Army’s Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command. It builds on an initiative launched in 2010 through the office of the Secretary of the ...
New credit score to include rent-to-own payments [December 23, 2011]
CoreLogic debuted a new credit report in November that incorporates data from sources that traditional credit scoring models have previously overlooked.
Rent-to-own payments will be included among the many non-traditional scoring instruments such as lease applications, mortgages with lenders that don’t report to the major credit bureaus and homes owned without any credit obligation, such as those paid ...
Premier Companies expect record attendance at upcoming convention [December 20, 2011]
Record attendance is expected for The Premier Companies 2012 National Convention January 9-11 at the Casa Marina Resort in Key West.
Attendees will have the option of participating in a Golf Tournament or Deep Sea Fishing adventure on Monday, the day of the opening evening reception.
Premier franchisees, vendors and special guests are sure to enjoy the ocean view ...
Arona Corp. makes Inc. Magazine's top 5,000 fastest growing list for 5th year [December 16, 2011]
Des Moines, Iowa-based Arona Corp. -- an Aaron's franchisee -- recently made Inc. Magazine's Top 5,000 fastest growing companies list for the fifth year in a row, clocking in at 1,925.
The company, with Mark Connelly as chief operating officer, earned the position based on brisk revenue growth over the past three-years of 134 percent and 2010 ...
Rent One's "Fitnessgram" push featured in local news segment [December 15, 2011]
Rent One's Larry Carrico presents an Illinois student with a "Fitnessgram" achievement coin. Click to play video.
Rent One's Larry Carrico is on a mission.
He's out to give Illinois students the opportunity to improve their mental fitness, by first improving their physical fitness. His efforts were recently featured on an Illinois news program.
The program, developed in ...
Aaron's buys Southern Home Rentals [December 15, 2011]
Aaron’s HomeSmart bought eight Southern Home Rentals stores in Georgia and Alabama for an undisclosed amount, according to a report today in the Atlanta Business Chronicle.
Atlanta-based HomeSmart launched in 2010 and has 68 stores in 10 states. The acquisition of Southern Home rentals marks its entry into Alabama.
Like Aaron’s, HomeSmart rents furniture, appliances, and electronics. ...
RNR Holds 8th Annual Conference and Expo in Orlando [December 14, 2011]
Watch out Orlando, Florida based RNR Custom Wheels & Tires gears up for the 8th Annual Conference & Expo, January 16-19, 2012 at the Reunion Resort and Club in Orlando, FL.
More than 100 attendees are planning to attend the conference along with industry leaders and suppliers including American Tire Distributors, Benefit Marketing Solutions, Myers Tire Supply and Velocity ...
Aaron's partners with top universities across the nation [December 14, 2011]
Aaron's, Inc.,today announced it entered into a multi-year agreement with IMG College to sponsor athletic programs at 30 top universities across the nation.
The sponsorship commitment is one of the most significant national partnerships in college sports and considerably expands the company's reach to universities and the fans that support them.
The agreement includes Aaron's signage at football ...
NRF Survey: half of all holiday shoppers will shop online over the next two weeks [December 14, 2011]
It’s the final countdown. Over the next few weeks, millions of Americans will visit stores and websites in droves – some for the first time all holiday season – to complete their holiday shopping lists.
According to the National Retail Federation’s 2011 Consumer Intentions and Actions survey conducted by BIGresearch, as of the second week in December, ...
The Premier Companies Convention registration deadline this week [December 12, 2011]
The hotel reservation deadline for The Premier Companies National Convention in Key West, Florida is Friday December 16th.
The convention, January 9-11 at the Casa Marina Resort in Key West, is set to be Premier's largest yet, with the event set to break all previous attendance records. Register for the convention here.
Attendees can enjoy a series of recreational ...
Retailers move with lightning speed to create mobile apps [December 12, 2011]
Mobile phone apps are starting to become a key shopping tool — as important to some bargain-hunters as clipped or printed coupons.
Download and launch the Shopkick application onto an iPhone or Android smartphone, for example.
Then walk into an American Eagle Outfitters store, stand still at the entrance for a few seconds and collect 35 points, or "...
APRO offers convention savings plan [December 9, 2011]
The APRO Board of Directors recently approved a first-ever savings plan option for rent to own dealers who want to attend the association's annual convention and break registration and hotel fees into smaller, monthly payments.
The idea, pitched by new board member Sandi Frye, a single-store Premier dealer in Altoona Pennsylvania, provides the perfect option for smaller dealers who ...
Kinnear celebrates store anniversary [December 9, 2011]
Scott Kinnear, owner of two Premier Rental-Purchase locations in Dayton Ohio, is celebrating the third anniversary of his second store.
Scott first discovered The Premier Companies while on vacation in Williamsburg, Virginia where he saw a Premier Rental-Purchase truck on the road. Then an advertisement in an industry publication caught his attention. Scott’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to ...
KHF Holdings partners with program to provide beds for children [December 8, 2011]
KHF Holdings, LLC proudly announces its partnership with A Hope to Dream program founded in 2010 by Ashley Furniture HomeStore as one of the company’s philanthropic efforts. A Hope to Dream seeks to provide less fortunate children with comfortable mattresses for a good night’s sleep. For every mattress purchased at participating locations, $5 will be donated to ...
Senate blocks consumer bureau chief [December 8, 2011]
The Senate on Thursday failed to muster the 60 votes needed to confirm President Obama's pick to run the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which has become the symbol of the administration's efforts to rein in Wall Street excess.
But Obama said after the vote that he was considering sidestepping Congress with a recess appointment.
The Senate voted 53-45, along ...
Jobless claims at 9-month low [December 8, 2011]
The number of people applying for unemployment benefits fell last week to the lowest level in nine months, that latest evidence that the job market is improving.
The Labor Department said Thursday that weekly applications dropped by 23,000 to a seasonally adjusted 381,000. That's the lowest number of applications since late February.
The four-week average, a less ...
Blue Ribbon wins Ohio's "Battle for the Bell", all companies see gains [December 6, 2011]
Bill Wendell and George Schorsten at Blue Ribbon Rental will retain Ohio's coveted "RTO Victory Bell" for a second year after dominating the country's only inter-company rent to own sales competition for the second year in a row, beating out three fellow Ohio indies for bragging rights.
The "Battle for the Bell" is an annual competition that ...
TARA announces new communication service [December 5, 2011]
The Texas Association of Rental Agencies (TARA) today launched a new member communication system - TARA UPDATE that uses the latest server-based technology to provide a powerful email information service designed to keep members continuously up-to-date on the latest association and industry news.
Through this new system, the association can now forward important news and information to all members ...
Parents can rent toys at new Website [December 5, 2011]
When you are a kid on Christmas morning, it’s all about volume. But when you are a parent, cruising the aisles of the toy-store in December, it’s about trying to balance a happy holiday with a reasonable budget.
Paul Reinsmith of Boston has found a great way to have plenty of toys under the tree, and all ...
Aspen Way raises more than $20,000 for American Cancer Society [December 2, 2011]
Jeff Hafer, Aspen Way COO, American Cancer Society District Executive Director Hugh Severs, Aspen Way President Rohnn Lampi, the Aaron's Lucky Dog, David Qualls the GM of F258 in Spokane, WA (in white shirt) and Josh Ruddell, the GM of one of our other Spokane, WA, stores, F696
Aspen Way Enterprises, Inc dba Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership recently ...
November jobs report: Hiring up, unemployment down [December 2, 2011]
Hiring accelerated in November, and the unemployment rate unexpectedly plummeted to its lowest rate in nearly three years.
Employers added 120,000 jobs in November, the Labor Department reported Friday, marking a pick-up in hiring from October.
Meanwhile, the unemployment rate fell to 8.6%, the lowest rate since March 2009 and a significant decline from 9% just a ...
ContactPoint unveils sales call optimization software [December 2, 2011]
ContactPoint LLC announced today the immediate availability of a public beta version of LogMyCalls.com, ‘the smarter call’ for companies seeking optimized performance management in their sales and marketing efforts. ContactPoint is making the beta available to current LogMyCalls customers, partners, affiliates, resellers and the public.
With market-leading features including call searching, tagging, commenting and scoring, LogMyCalls Call ...
TRIB Group releases 2012 convention details [December 1, 2011]
The 2012 TRIB Group Annual Convention & Buy Fair will be held February 27-29, 2012 at the beautiful Marriott World Center in Orlando, Florida. This year’s theme urges members and vendors alike to "Achieve Universal Goals" by working towards common objectives and ambitions in the industry.
The three-day event, held Monday through Wednesday, includes the annual business ...
Rent-to-own News Archives from November 2011 APRO Scholarship Winner Jennifer DeBouse makes the grade [November 30, 2011]
Jennifer DeBouse, one of 17 APRO Education Foundation Scholarship Winners this year, earned the second installment on her $2,500 scholarship award with a 3.0 grade point average on her fall coursework at Capella University in Menatta, Georgia.
DeBouse has worked for Aarons' for the past three years. She manages the Aaron’s University database, schedules training sessions ...
Consumers continue to unload debt [November 29, 2011]
Consumer borrowing fell slightly in the third quarter as Americans continued to shed their debt burdens in the face of a struggling economy.
Household debt totaled $11.66 trillion in the three months ending in September, down $60 billion from the previous quarter, according to a report released Monday by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
"The ...
Tablets are the season's must-have [November 29, 2011]
Despite the gloomy economy, shoppers are expected to shell out for tablet computers this December.
The glossy-screened gadgets are the most-desired electronic devices this holiday season -- second only to clothing, according to the Consumer Electronics Association.
The industry group expects U.S. consumers to spend an average of $246 on electronic gifts, including tablets.
The iPad is still ...
Consumer confidence highest since July [November 29, 2011]
Americans' confidence in the economy in November rose to its highest level since July, accord to a report by a private research group.
The Conference Board says Tuesday its Consumer Confidence Index rose 15 points to 56.0, up from a revised 40.9 in October. The October number was the lowest level since the recession.
The November reading ...
Black Friday weekend shatters sales records [November 28, 2011]
Early hours, freebies and hyped promotions seem to have offset any consumer concerns about the economy this past weekend, according to a National Retail Federation survey over the weekend. Traffic and spending were up both online and in stores, reaching historic highs.
According to the survey of 3,826 consumers from Nov. 24 to Nov. 26 conducted by BIGresearch:
...
Serta announces first quarter 2012 "National Mattress Event" [November 22, 2011]
Past national marketing efforts were so successful for Serta RTO Dealers we’re doing it again in the 1st quarter of 2012. Serta continues to lead the mattress industry with events like this that give RTO dealers the opportunity to capitalize on a nationally advertised event in the Mattress Category.
Serta customers who rent a NEW or Previously Leased ...
Aaron's surprises 85-year old Georgia man with housefull of furniture [November 22, 2011]
Aaron's this week, surprised Jessie Farmer, the grand prize winner of Aaron's National Lucky Dog Days Sweepstakes, on Friday morning at her home in Wrens, Georgia, with a houseful of furniture, name-brand appliances and electronics valued at nearly $11,000. Ms. Farmer is 85 years old and has eight children and 47 grandchildren.
Ms. Farmer's prize package included an ...
Subcommittee vote on RTO Bill available for replay [November 18, 2011]
H.R. 1588 sponsor Rep. Francisco "Quico" Canseco (R-TX 23) at Thursday's hearing. Watch hearing replay.
The U.S. House Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit Subcommittee passed the APRO-supported bill H.R. 1588 yesterday.
For replay of the hearing and vote, go here.
For a full list of amendments considered during the hearing, go here....
Online Registration Opens for PrimeTime! at the Gaylord Palms in Florida [November 18, 2011]
Nationwide Marketing Group announced open registration for PrimeTime! by Nationwide, their biannual buying show and strategic member conference, taking place at the Gaylord Palms Hotel and Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on February 26-29, 2012.
The theme for the upcoming event is IMPACT your business, your marketplace, your life.
“For four decades, Nationwide along with our vendor partners, ...
Mike's Rent To Own helps raise 3,600 pounds of food for local food banks [November 17, 2011]
Mike's Rent To Own of Newton, Kansas partnered with a local radio station, car dealership and Wal Mart Saturday, for the "Stuff the Trucks" campaign to raise food for the Reno County Food Bank.
Volunteers handed out lists of food items needed by the food bank to customers entering the Wal Mart so they could pick up a ...
Cleek's/Aaron's raises food donations for local schoolchildren [November 15, 2011]
L to R: Tony Trimble (Sales Manager), Paul Olson (Product Tech), John Nissen (General Manager), Tiffanie Nichter (Customer Service Rep), Ciera Cheatum (Manager Trainee), and Amanda Cloud (Customer Account Manager).
Cleek's/Aaron's during the months of September and October promoted a "peanut butter drive" in its seven stores and encouraged customers, employees, and the community to participate.
The stores ...
Discounts drive consumers to Like a retailer on Facebook [November 14, 2011]
The prospect of a deal or discount drives 63% of consumers to Like the Facebook page of a retailer or manufacturer, according to a new report by The E-tailing Group Inc. that was sponsored by consumer review platform vendor PowerReviews Inc.
Other reasons cited by consumers for pressing the Like button on those Facebook pages were sharing a specific ...
RTO "Victory Bell Contest" returns [November 14, 2011]
Ohio's four largest independent rent to own companies are setting their teeth today for week one of the annual "Victory Bell Contest" -- an annual competition that turns comrades into fierce competitors for two weeks in November as each company fights for a bigger share of the state's $285 million RTO pie.
This is the second year the ...
Bestway raises $45,000 for "Sisters for a Cure" [November 11, 2011]
Bestway Employees and Customers donate $11,250 to the Sisters For A Cure 3-Day Walk.
Dallas-based Bestway Rent To Own, Sisters For A Cure, Bestway customers and a few generous vendors together raised $45,000 during the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure Walk, held the weekend of Nov. 4 through Nov. 6, 2011.
Bestway emloyees and customers ...
Buddy's makes donation to rebuild Joplin [November 11, 2011]
L to R: Greg Crawford Joplin Rotary Club President, Chuck Haver, Mark Norton (Will’s Father).
In September, Buddy’s Home Furnishings of Tampa held a fundraising event to help the rebuilding and support efforts in Joplin, Missouri, which was devastated by an EF5 tornado on May 22, 2011.
The fundraising event collected $3,500 and was sent to ...
Benefit Marketing Solutions rallies for "Sisters", Susan B. Komen Foundation [November 10, 2011]
Benefit Marketing Solutions’ Norman, OK staff model their Sisters for A Cure shirts and check to Susan G. Komen.
For the fourth straight year Benefit Marketing Solutions’ co-workers kicked their support into full gear by working with Beth Durrett of Bestway to help raise over $1,800 for Susan G Komen and Sisters for a Cure Breast Cancer 3-Day ...
Rent-A-Center donates $20,000 to St. Mary's Food Bank [November 10, 2011]
Rent-A-Center Wednesday, donated $20,000 to St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance. The food bank is one of eleven across the nation sharing in $250,000 worth of Rent-a-Center funding for hunger relief this year.
The donation is in addition to the recent hunger-relief initiative staged across Rent-A-Center's 3000-plus stores. Dubbed "Soup to Nuts," this campaign took place ...
Kennett delivery techs win Rent One's 2011 'DT Rodeo' [November 9, 2011]
Rent One 2011 DT Rodeo winners Chad and Randy Howard (center) surrounded by company personnel.
For the second year, Rent One owner Larry Carrico, let his employees strut their stuff in a friendly competition he calls the "Delivery Technician Rodeo" -- a company tournament of RTO delivery skills he hopes will catch on industry wide.
Some 150 delivery ...
Google platform is "social networking for business" [November 8, 2011]
Google is getting ready for businesses to start jumping aboard its Google+ social network.
The social network Monday began to roll out Google+ Pages to help businesses create a presence on the social network platform for connecting with their users locally and worldwide. Vic Gundotra, Google senior vice president of engineering, wrote in a blog post that users can ...
DSI Systems launches dealer app [November 8, 2011]
Click here to download app.
DSI Systems today launched a mobile application for dealers on the Android platform. The app, for both phones and tablets, allows dealers to easily access pricing, availability, and product details.
“Our new app will make DSI Systems more accessible at any time of day for our dealers, who may be planning their purchases ...
Hispanics shaping TV viewer revolution [November 7, 2011]
A consumer entertainment usage and consumption tracking study, released by the Cable and Telecommunications Association forMarketing(CTAM), examined the bourgeoningHispanicpopulation, revealing thatHispanicsare emerging as major consumers of video games, technology and video services.
The August/September CTAM Pulse, "Tracking How Entertainment, Demographics and Technology Have Changed in the U.S.," paints a picture ofHispanicsas a new wave of technophiles, ...
"Robin" Loudermilk Jr. resigns as Aaron's CEO [November 4, 2011]
Aaron's Inc. today announced the departure of Robert C. ("Robin") Loudermilk Jr., who resigned his position as president and CEO of the company due to personal health reasons.
Loudermilk Jr. informed the Board he plans to concentrate his time and attention on his health and on personal and family real estate interests. Loudermilk Jr. also resigned from ...
Premier announces motivational guest speaker Mark Gow [November 3, 2011]
Motivational speaker Mark Gow.
The Premier Companies, franchisor of four Rent to Own brands, announced today that Mark Gow, nationally known speaker, will headline The Premier Companies General Session at the 2012 Premier National Convention Jan. 9-11 in Key West, Florida.
Mark is a practicing HR executive with an impressive resume currently working in an organization within multiple international ...
Show-Me hosts annual company picnic [November 3, 2011]
Show-Me Rent To Own employees ponder the options at the company's annual employee picnic.
Show-Me Rent-to-Own in Farmington Missouri held its annual employee picnic on Sunday September 11, 2011 at the home of owners Gary and Kathy Romine.
The beautiful country setting allowed for many activities including horseshoes, washers, vollyball, hillbilly golf, fishing and swimming in a spacious inground ...
Rent-A-Center donates $20K to LA food bank [November 3, 2011]
Rent-A-Center today donated $20,000 to Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. The food bank is one of eleven across the nation sharing in $250,000 worth of Rent-A-Center funding for hunger relief this year.
The donation is in addition to the recent hunger-relief initiative staged across Rent-A-Center's 3000-plus stores. Dubbed "Soup to Nuts," this campaign took place ...
New York Dealers approve incentives for national participation [November 2, 2011]
The New York Rental Dealers Association (NYSRDA) at its annual meeting last month approved a measure to increase dealer participation in the industry at the national level by approving a $1,000 lodging and travel reimbursement per event for each of its members who attend APRO's 2012 Legislative Conference and National Convention.
"We have so many federal legislators ...
Rent-to-own News Archives from October 2011 Rent One honors veterans in local flyer [October 31, 2011]
Rent One Veterans honored in latest company flyer.
St. Louis-based Rent One this month is honoring veterans within its organization on it's "Salute to Veterans" in its Veteran's Day themed flier.
The flier, and accompanying poster, were distributed Oct. 26-29 and feature the following Rent One team members and relatives.
Charles Klingenberg (father of Centralia, IL Store Manager ...
Reddy opens new Aaron's in Rantoul, Illinois [October 31, 2011]
L-R: Greg Smock (District Manager),Gopal Reddy (President & CEO), KevinMilliron (VP of Operations),Tulasi Reddy (VP of Finance), SeanLowder, Senator Larry Bomke, Joan Dykstra (District Director for Congressman Tim Johnson).
Action Development Corporation -- an Aaron's franchise owned by Gopal Reddy -- soft-opened a new Aaron's Sales and Lease location Thursday in Rantoul, Illinois at an event attended ...
RTOHQ: The Magazine now "mobile ready" [October 31, 2011]
APRO’s new, mobile-ready version of RTOHQ: The Magazine is now available in addition to its print edition counterpart.
The digital format provides the same informative content as APRO'sprinted magazine, but also offers tools to make the reading experience more enriching.
Access the table of contents page with a click or tap.
Getadditional information from advertisers by clicking on ...
Rent One delivery tech regional finals wrap, championship Nov. 8 [October 28, 2011]
Rent One 5 and 6 winners -- Chad and George Howard and Nathan Tolvert and Wayne Wicker (center) -- with Rent One company officials.
The second and third rounds of Rent One's annual delivery technician (DT) rodeo wrapped Oct. 25 and 26 across four company regions with first place teams moving on to the company championship Nov. 8.
Region ...
MRDA pitches in computer equipment for Joplin non-profits [October 28, 2011]
The Missouri Rental Dealers Association is reaching out to victims of the F-5 tornado that decimated Joplin, Missouri this spring by donating 24 computers to two area non-profits as part of MRDA's "Computers 4 Kidz" program.
In coordination with Information Technology Disaster Resource Center (ITDRC) -- a non-profit organization of IT professionals who assist communities with technology continuity ...
Georgia Premier dealer celebrates four years [October 27, 2011]
Matt Baker
Many grey hairs ago Matt Baker opened his Premier Rental-Purchase store in Covington, Georgia. He’s now celebrating his 4th year of being in business for himself.
Baker reached out to Trooper Earle, president and CEO of The Premier Companies, four years prior to opening his store and did his research on other rent to own franchise ...
Rent-A-Center donates to Learning Lab [October 27, 2011]
Rent-A-Center Wednesday, donated electronics, including 12 laptops and two large-screen TVs to the Learning Lab of Boise, Idaho. The donation is tied to a philanthropic initiative dubbed "Random Acts of Caring," launched by Rent-A-Center in 2008.
"Our programs' success is built on three key factors: professional educators, caring volunteer tutors and software technology that provides the ...
Countryside named to Inc. Magazine Top 5000 [October 26, 2011]
Countryside Rent-2-Own President Mike Tissot.
Countryside Rentals (dba Rent-2-Own), a 28 store chain of rentals stores in Ohio and Kentucky, was recently recognized by Inc. Magazine in their annual ranking of the fastest growing companies in America.
This ranking is based on the three year revenue growth of the organization.
"When I send our information in a few ...
Robin Wood joins Benefit Marketing Solutions [October 26, 2011]
Robin Wood
Benefit Marketing Solutions, the premier provider of innovative Club programs to the Rental Industry, is proud to announce the addition of Robin Wood to their staff as AVP of Training & Sales Support.
"We are excited that Robin has joined our team," said Susan Matthews, president of BMS. "She is well known and respected ...
Rent-A-Center Q3 revenues up 6% [October 24, 2011]
Rent-A-Center today, announced revenues and earnings for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 including a six percent increase in total revenues driven primarily by the RAC Acceptance business.
Third Quarter 2011 Results
Total revenues for the quarter were $704.3 million, an increase of $39.7 million from total revenues of $664.6 million for the same period in ...
Aaron's Q3 revenues up 7%, same store up 5.3% [October 24, 2011]
Aaron's today, announced revenues and earnings ending September 30, 2011, including a third quarter revenue increase of 7% to $485.2 million compared to $452.2 million for the same period of last year.
Net earnings were $28.0 million versus $26.2 million in 2010. Diluted earnings per share were $.36 compared to $.32 per share ...
Premier announces 2012 convention "Hot Topics" [October 21, 2011]
The Premier Companies head to Key West, Florida January 9-11 for their Annual National Convention. The agenda and schedule were recently announced to The Premier Companies dealers.
A combination of golf, serious breakout session topics, deep sea fishing and a cooking class will set the stage for an enjoyable and beneficial learning experience for the attendees.
Educational session topics ...
National TV sponsors fundraiser for local domestic violence program [October 20, 2011]
Kathy Windsor presents a check for $5,000 to Ellen Martin, COPE representative.
National TV Sales and Rental is pitching in as corporate sponsor for a local non-profit group, COPE, that provides resources, programs and temporary housing to victims of domestic violence.
COPE, which provides comprehensive domestic violence services for the cities of Lebanon and Laclede, Missouri is hosting ...
Keen elected new IRDA president [October 20, 2011]
New IRDA President David Keen
The Illinois Rental-Purchase Dealers Association held its Annual Meeting at the Springfield Illinois Hilton Hotel this week electing Rent One's David Keen to a two-year term as president and hearing a number of presentations on state, federal and legal issues.
The IRDA 2012 Slate of Officers were presented and elected:
President - David Keen
...
Rent-A-Center donates $20,000 to New Orleans food bank [October 20, 2011]
Rent-A-Center today donated $20,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana. The food bank is one of eleven across the nation sharing in $250,000 worth of Rent-A-Center funding for hunger relief this year.
The donation is in addition to the recent hunger-relief initiative staged across Rent-A-Center's 3000-plus stores. Dubbed "Soup to Nuts,...
Rent One DT Rodeo wraps first round [October 19, 2011]
The first round of Rent One's delivery tech rodeo winners.
The first round of Rent One's annual delivery technician (DT) rodeo wrapped Tuesday with 21 RTO pros emerging from a field of 68 competitors across three company regions taking first through third place.
The competition took place in Mt. Vernon, Illinois.
Winners for the first three-region semi-finals include:
Region ...
Majap shipments up 3.1% in September [October 19, 2011]
Factory shipments of major appliances rose 3.1 percent in September, to some 5.5 million units.
Driving the increase was a 96.5 percent surge in dehumidifiers, a 28.2 percent spike in chest-style freezers and a 10.8 percent gain in gas cooktops, according to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM), which compiles vendor volume.
Refrigerators ...
Reddy opens new Aaron's [October 18, 2011]
Gopal Reddy
Action Development Corporation -- an Aaron's franchise owned by Gopal Reddy -- will soft-open a new Aaron's Sales and Lease location Thursday in Rantoul, Illinois.
The six thousand square foot store located near the local Wal Mart will hold it's grand opening October 29 when the store will hold a sweepstakes raffling off a number of items ...
RO Store 154 is chamber business of the month [October 18, 2011]
Manager Antoine Luster and Assistant Manager LJ Jarrett in front of their business of the month sign.
Rent One Store 154 in Malden, Missouri is the Malden Chamber of Commerce’s Business of the Month for October.
As part of the honor, store manager Antoine Luster gets to display the "Business of the Month" sign in front of ...
DSI releases new catalog [October 17, 2011]
The 2011 edition of the DSI Catalog is now available and is full of the latest models of consumer electronics, accessories and virtually any product needed to complete an installation to fully “connect” a consumer’s home. Major brands included are DIRECTV, Toshiba, Sony, Mitsubishi, Sharp, LG, Pioneer, Elite, WildBlue and Monster Cable.
New additions this year include ...
Buddy's continues growth in North Carolina [October 17, 2011]
Current and future Synergy managers: Gareth Leeds,Derrick Matthews, Chastity Byrd, Kevin Byrd, Heath Guy, Ted Brooks, Bert Keinert, Marty Labus, James Marougas, Jim Ison, DeHan Jefferson
"Our people make the difference!" is a motto that rings true with Buddy’s largest franchise group, Synergy Sales and Leasing LLC, led by owner Marty Beuk, whose team recently opened ...
YouTube positioning as "brand builder" [October 14, 2011]
Despite online video and commercial-free DVRs, companies still spend 38 percent of their advertising budgets on television ads and just 1 percent on online video.
YouTube is trying to change that.
In a bid to lure TV ad dollars, YouTube is making the case to brands that online video is the best way to reach customers, according to the ...
Nationwide promotes new VP of furniture [October 14, 2011]
Nationwide VP of Furniture Bill Bazemore
Nationwide Marketing Group, one of the largest buying and marketing organizations for independent retailers in the US, announced the promotion of Bill Bazemore to Vice President of Furniture.
“To provide the level of service that we do today, we must understand how a retailer operates. The kind of experience Bill brings to ...
Tessa Hall is new marketing specialist at RentDirect Nationwide [October 14, 2011]
Nationwide Marketing Group (NMG) this week, welcomed Tessa Hall as the new marketing specialist for its RentDirect division.
Hall will take on responsibilities formerly handled by Amanda Lynch, who recentlyleft (NMG) to pursue other interests.
Hall is a 2010 graduate of Greensboro College with a B.A. in Business Administration. She has been working with Nationwide for six months, ...
Mountain Home ColorTyme celebrates grand re-opening [October 13, 2011]
Mountain Home ColorTyme ribbon cutting.
ColorTyme of Mountain Home recently held a special Grand Re-Opening to celebrate its move to a new and larger location at 270 E. Jackson St. The Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce joined the owner, Jennifer Corrao, and store staff to commemorate the event with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“Our Grand Re-Opening was very successful ...
Illionois, New York dealers gear up for meetings next week [October 13, 2011]
The Illinois and New York Rental Dealers Associations each hold annual meetings next week that include a host of legislative and legal updates, vendor presentations and officer elections.
Illinois dealers kick off their meeting October 19 at the Hilton Springfield Hotel where IRDA President Kevin Milliron will welcome dealers and lead the association's business meeting and election of officers.
...
Study: Connection between Hispanic marketing, revenue growth [October 13, 2011]
The Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies released its 2010 Report on Hispanic Advertising Spending, which revealed that there is a connection between consistent and significant investment allocations of more than 14.2 percent in Hispanic marketing and high levels of overall topline revenue growth.
Rent-A-Center is named as one of the "best-in-class" companies that exhibit a strong correlation ...
Mike's Rent To Own raffle benefits injured Marine [October 12, 2011]
Mike Strong with daughter, Angela McCool of Mike's Rent To Own with the recently raffled 2012 Mustang.
Mike’s Rent-To-Own of Hutchinson, Kansas recently partnered with Mel Hambelton Ford and a local radio station, to giveaway a 2012 Ford Mustang in a raffle event that raised more than $14,000 for a local U.S. Marine injured in Afghanistan.
...
PTS Financial Services donates $7,500 to three charities [October 11, 2011]
PTS Financial Services employees presenting a $5,000 check to local Boys and Girls Club officials.
PTS Financial Services today announced the donation of seventy-five hundred dollars ($7,500) to four charitable causes – The Children’s Hospital of Atlanta, The Challenger Sports program of Rome-Floyd County, the Ashworth Middle School (Calhoun, Ga.) football team, and the Boys ...
Texas dealers review marketing plan, open buying show [October 11, 2011]
Katrina Elkins (l) of Dallas-based Noah's Manufacturing, shows off her company's catalog to Pam Bowers and Kent Clark of Bestway.
The Texas Association of Rental Dealers Monday, continued their professional development with an information packed sessions that began with a review of the rental industry's first ever RTO Marketing Plan led by marketing expert Jill McDonough.
McDonough reviewed the ...
Aaron's founder presented prestigious Four Pillar Award [October 10, 2011]
Charlie Loudermilk Sr.
Aaron's today announced that The Council for Quality Growth honored R. Charles "Charlie" Loudermilk, Sr., founder and chairman of the board of Aaron's, with its 22nd annual Four Pillar Tribute last Thursday at the Georgia World Congress Center.
Paying tribute to Loudermilk and the "Four Pillars" of leadership and success -- Quality,Responsibility, Vision ...
TARA membership elects Sharff [October 9, 2011]
Newly elected TARA President Daniel Sharff and vice president Brian Clussman.
Daniel Sharff of Home Store Rent To Own, The Texas Association of Rental Agencies' acting-president, was elected to a full term Sunday as the first order of business of TARA's annual membership meeting at the Marriott Quorum in Dallas.
Members elected Brian Clussman, a Premier dealer, as vice ...
TARA Annual meeting kicks off today with legal, marketing insights [October 8, 2011]
TARA's Southwest Buying Show
The Texas Association of Rental Agencies' (TARA) 28th Annual meeting and Southwest Buying Show kicks off today, Oct. 9, at the Marriott Quorum by the Galleria, a few blocks from the Galleria shopping area in Dallas.
The show is being held in conjunction with the TARA 28th Annual Convention over the same dates.
The meeting ...
Bestway Rent To Own opens 91st location [October 7, 2011]
Bestway Rent To Own, based in Dallas, has opened its newest location in Clarksville, Tennessee. The store is considered its flagship store.
“This opening showcases our most innovative store yet, featuring our new interior package with a dynamic paint scheme and new signage," said Kent Clark, CMO of Bestway. "We’re excited to be in the ...
Premier Dealer Jim Ratner joins APRO board [October 6, 2011]
Jim Ratner
The Association of Progressive Rental Organizations Board of Directors last month, elected Jim Ratner, a three-store Premier franchisee, to the board after accepting the resignation of William McCrae, former president of Buzz's Lease Purchase Sales.
Ratner will complete McCrae's two-year term on the board of the national trade association for the rental industry to which he was ...
Childers elected as Alaska Rental Dealer president [October 6, 2011]
ColorTyme Alaska's Mark Childers
There’s no rest for accomplished ColorTyme franchisee Mark Childers who just wrapped up four years of service on the Franchise Advisory Council (FAC).
Just as he completes his second and final year as FAC chairman, he accpeted the position of president of the Alaska Rental Dealers Association (ARDA), a state-wide nonprofit trade organization.
“...
Rent-A-Center Donates $20,000 to Harvesters Community Food Network [October 5, 2011]
Rent-A-Center today donated $20,000 to Harvesters Community Food Network. The Kansas City, Missouri food bank is one of eleven food banks across the nation sharing in $250,000 worth of Rent-A-Center funding for hunger relief this year.
The donation is in addition to the recent hunger-relief initiative staged across Rent-A-Center's 3,000-plus stores. Dubbed "Soup to Nuts,...
Aaron's inks $15 million deal for British RTO interest [October 5, 2011]
Aaron’s -- the country's second largest rent to own company -- today announced it has reached an agreement to purchase 11.5 percent of Perfect Home Holdings Limited, a privately-held U.K. rent-to-own company, in a move that will allow that company to grow stores and provide Aaron's with inside market information that could accelerate "future expansion" ...
Rent-A-Center Q3 conference broadcasted live via the web [October 5, 2011]
Rent-A-Center will broadcast its quarterly earnings conference call on Tues., Oct. 25, 2011, 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, October 24, 2011. Audio of the conference call will broadcast live and be available on the Investor ...
Wilson exits Whirlpool, joins Rent-A-Center [October 4, 2011]
Glenn C. Averill (top) replaces Don Wilson as Whirlpool's sales manager for the RTO division.
Former Whirlpool RTO Sales Representative Don Wilson this month, began the next stage of his career as Rent-A-Center's new vice president of merchandising.
Wilson officially took the reigns at the country's largest rent to own company Oct. 1, according to a company spokesperson.
Whirlpool's ...
Rent One's Delivery Tech Rodeo competition kicks off this month [October 4, 2011]
Rent One VP Sales and Marketing Mark Williams, DT Rodeo winners Wade Clonigner and Jacob Palmer, Rent One President Trent Agin, VP of Operations Murray Beck.
Rent One is once again calling out delivery technicians company-wide to participate in the company's second annual 'Delivery Tech Rodeo'.
Regional competition begins Oct. 18 with regions 1, 2 and 4 and continues ...
National TV Sales leads food drive [October 4, 2011]
All of National TV Sales & Rental's 17 stores throughout Missouri are filling up their food pantries in each of the towns where they do business as part of their “Families helping Families" campaign.
Though company donations have been made to the Lebanon, Missouri food pantry -- home base for National TV Sales and Rental -- owner Kathy ...
Oklahoma dealers elect officers, hear industry, vendor updates [October 3, 2011]
Oklahoma RDA President Chuck Haver (r) with secretary/treasurer Craig Stanley.
The Oklahoma Rental Dealers Association held its annual meeting September 27th and 28th at the Renaissance Hotel in Tulsa Oklahoma.
The event kicked off Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. with a cocktail reception hosted by Nationwide Southwest. The reception gave member dealers and vendors an opportunity to discuss ...
Aaron's converts Crusader, Buzz's to Homesmart [October 3, 2011]
Homesmart -- Aaron's weekly rent-to-own brand -- announced today the completed conversion of 29 stores to the Homesmart model. The stores were acquired in July from Crusader Rent to Own.
Eight additional stores acquired from Buzz's Lease Purchase & Sales will also be converted in the next few weeks.
Homesmart is a new concept launched by Aaron's in late ...
Rent-to-own News Archives from September 2011 2011 Bestway Annual Meeting highlights 25 years of success [September 30, 2011]
Bestway Rent To Own Associates
Bestway Rent To Own held its 2011 Annual Meeting at the Omni Hotel and Resort at Champions Gate recently where more than 100 company managers attended.
The four-day meeting included presentations by the executive team, a motivational speaker, breakout seminars by various vendors, and an award ceremony.
During the General Session on Monday, CEO ...
Franchisees Jeff and Jill Tepper open third ColorTyme in Virginia [September 30, 2011]
With success from their Lynchburg and Danville locations, Jeff and Jill Tepper recently opened the doors to their latest ColorTyme store in South Boston, Va. The new store offers a wide selection of appliances, furniture, computers and other electronics while promising customers the best rent-to-own experience in Halifax County.
“We are so excited to be able to serve ...
Premier Home Furnishings store opens in Gallup, New Mexico [September 30, 2011]
Danny and Justina Sapien recently opened their second Premier store in the state of New Mexico.
The Sapiens discovered The Premier Companies back in 2009 and opened their first Premier Rental-Purchase store in November of the same year in Los Lunas, New Mexico.
“We always wanted more than one store. We want to take advantage of all that ...
Newlyweds win National TV Sales shopping spree [September 29, 2011]
L to R: National TV Sales and Rental District Manager Rick Windsor and Store Manager John Nashan stand with contest winners Justin and Jessica Ownby, and the couple's account manager Abbey Milligan, far right. In front, Keyara Jamison, 7, Alexis Jamison, 4 and Cayden Jamison, 6 hold the check.
Just a week before their wedding Jessica and Justin Ownby ...
Elkton ColorTyme announces car show winner [September 29, 2011]
Elkton store manager Angelo Lee, with prizewinner Stanley Baldwin.
ColorTyme of Elkton recently awarded one lucky winner with giveaway prizes from a drawing held at the Downtown Elkton Classic Car Show.
Stanley Baldwin was randomly picked as the winner of a new 60-inch DLP 3D-capable TV and XBOX 360 package.
“I feel great about winning the prizes. I ...
The Premier Companies wrap marketing workshop [September 28, 2011]
Scott Kinnear, led marketing budget workshop at recent Premier meeting.
The Premier Companies last week, held their second annual marketing workshop in which dealer-led seminars guided participating dealers through successful marketing strategies to help them draw more customers and rental agreements.
The workshop was also broadcasted live to the Premier organization.
Scott Kinnear, Premier Marketing Board Chairman and the ...
FRDA names employee of the year, concludes annual meeting [September 28, 2011]
FRDA President Chris Kale, FRDA 2011 Employee of the Year Matt King and RNR President Larry Sutton.
The Florida Rental Dealers Association (FRDA) Tuesday concluded day two of its annual meeting with its popular vendor mingle where dealers from 15 different rental companies spent face-time with around 31 participating vendors at the Westshore Marriott in Tampa.
"Seeing this ...
FRDA welcomes meeting attendees [September 26, 2011]
FRDA President Chris Kale with son and Happy's Home Center co-owner, Chris Kale.
The Florida Rental Dealers Association (FRDA) Monday welcomed participating rental dealers and vendors to its annual meeting at the Westshore Marriott in Tampa with its annual Texas Hold E'm/Casino Night.
The event held its first event, the 9th annual "Slats" Golf Memorial Golf Tournament, earlier ...
Childers expands rent-to-own services in Anchorage [September 26, 2011]
Customers on the east side of Anchorage now have access to rent-to-own electronics, furniture, appliances, and other unique items right in their neighborhood thanks to Mark Childers, a franchisee who has been a part of the ColorTyme system for more than 25 years.
In addition to expanding services in the area, Childers also promoted former Store Manager Ryan Michaelsen ...
FRDA kicks off annual meeting with "Slats" tourney [September 26, 2011]
FRDA 2010 gofters: (l to r) Danny Swafford, Robert Swafford, Jamie Slatton and Kenny Roop.
The Florida Rental Dealers Association (FRDA) kicks off its annual meeting today at the Westshore Marriot in Tampa with it's annual "Slats" Golf Memorial Tournament golf tournament that ushers in a jam packed agenda of social events that lead up to FRDA's membership ...
Buddy's raises money for Joplin tornado victims [September 23, 2011]
L to R: Charlie Buff, Buddy's Division Manager - Mike Alstott, former TB Buccaneers fullback - Jody Katz, Buddy's Store Manager - Joe Gazzo, Buddy's President
In an effort to continue helping the residents of Joplin, Missouri whose community was devastated by the EF5 tornado back on May 22, 2011, Buddy’s Home Furnishings helped sponsor a recent fundraising ...
Wilmington welcomes new ColorTyme [September 23, 2011]
After more than seven years of success as a ColorTyme franchising partner, Cort Hill recently launched his own store in Wilmington with hopes of opening more in the area. The new ColorTyme offers a better sales-and-lease option featuring name-brand appliances, furniture, electronics as well as onsite assistance from the owner himself.
“Wilmington is a great place for ColorTyme, ...
'In the Hive' creates a buzz for customer of the year [September 23, 2011]
Vivian Saunders recognized at APRO's 2011 Convention in Little Rock. Watch.
Robert Townsend presented his new film “In The Hive” this week to a captivated audience of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference.
The movie tells the real-life story of APRO's 2011 Customer of the Year, Vivian Saunders, and her mission to use education and ...
Consumer electronics tops in customer satisfaction [September 20, 2011]
Consumer electronics scored highest in customer satisfaction for the second consecutive year among 47 industries tracked by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) and reported by Twice Magazine.
CE, specifically TVs and Blu-ray Disc players, scored a chart-topping 85 on the index's 0- to 100-point scale, unchanged from last year, thanks to consumer perceptions of high-quality and price cuts ...
Oklahoma RTO dealers gear up for annual meeting [September 19, 2011]
The Oklahoma Rental Dealers Association is holding it's annual meeting hosting guest speakers and electing officers at the Renaissance Tulsa Hotel and Convention Center Sept. 27-28.
Nationwide Southwest Marketing and Buying Group is covering the cost of all dealers hotel rooms and meals and will sponsor a cocktail reception Sept. 27.
"I'd like to create some excitement this ...
MRDA fall training focus on legal issues begins tomorrow [September 19, 2011]
APRO Legal Counsel Ed Winn III
The 2011 Missouri Rental Dealers Association (MRDA) fall training seminar on legal issues in RTO is set for this week September 20 and 21 and is free to all MRDA members.
The seminars will be conducted by APRO Legal Counsel Ed Winn III on general RTO Legal Topics and collections.
The dates for ...
Forker opens fourth Premier [September 16, 2011]
Premier's Jim Forker
After 25 years in the Rent to Own industry working for someone else, Jim Forker has now opened his4th Premier Rental Purchase location and is now making money for himself.
Jim opened his newest location over the busy Labor Day weekend with an aggressive marketing campaign. Promoting the Grand Opening included great food, beverages and special ...
Midwest Expo wraps with training, training, training [September 15, 2011]
Dave Bradlaw of Sears, goes over energy-saving details of a washer/dryer set with Tammy Hays of UHR Rents.
Around 100 dealers from some 20 rental companies across the Midwest wrapped the Ohio Rental Dealers Association's Eighth Annual RTO Expo Wednesday at the Roberts Hotel and Conference Center in Wilmington, Ohio.
Over the two day event rental dealers took advantage ...
Wasilla ColorTyme helps create home for family in need [September 13, 2011]
The White family with ColorTyme store manager, Karuna McMurtry at right.
After learning that local resident Jim White and his family of four were living in a trailer on the verge of collapse, a community-wide effort began to improve their living conditions through the Jim White House Project.
Thanks to the help of ColorTyme, Mat-Su Home Builders Association, United ...
Smiles abound at Expo's first annual 'RTO Olympics' [September 13, 2011]
Teresa Myer, manager of a Rent2Own in Grayson, Kentucky, lassos a mechanical calf on her first try. See all Expo photos here.
More than 100 dealers from multiple states turned out Tuesday for the opening of the eighth annual Midwest RTO Training Expo -- the annual event of the Ohio Rental Dealers Association (ORDA) -- in Wilmington, Ohio where ...
Almo launches CE sales training webinar series [September 13, 2011]
Almo Corporation, the major national consumer electronics and appliance distributor, today announced an online expansion of their popular Almo Expo training sessions as Sales Training Webinars.
The free and informative product training webinars will help educate dealers and their sales teams on the hottest products, key features and hidden benefits that help sell products.
“With the current economic ...
Right Choice's Tony Craig joins Showplace [September 12, 2011]
Tony and wife Tammy Craig.
Tony Craig, president of Choice Today, a unique corporation bringing business and ministry together, today announced his plans to step down as president of the company, as well as its two brands Measuring Up and CLAY Team Sports Ministry, accepting a position with Showplace, an Ohio-based rent-to-own ("RTO") company with nearly 20 ...
Iowa dealers stay vigilant at annual meeting [September 9, 2011]
Iowa State Rep. Chris Hagenow
Close to 20 Iowa rental dealers representing a dozen companies turned out Thursday for the Association of Iowa Rental Dealers Annual Meeting at the Hilton Garden Inn in Johnston, Iowa where they heard state and federal legislative updates held roundtable discussions and elected board members.
"It was a great get together and an ...
Ashley Furniture HomeStore offers support to Hurricane Irene Victims [September 7, 2011]
Hurricane Irene left its mark across the North East and many residents are eager to return their homes to normal.
Despite the warning and advance preparation, many home owners were surprised with the after effects of the hurricane. Jesse Jeramczak, of Ledgewood, New Jersey, awoke to a rescue boat in his front yard and over five feet of water ...
Midwest Expo kicks off next week [September 7, 2011]
The eighth annual Midwest RTO Training Expo -- hosted by the Ohio Rental Dealers Association (ORDA) -- kicks off next week Sept. 13 - 14, providing a key regional training opportunity for rent to own managers and sales representatives who will put their newfound knowledge to use in their stores immediately.
This year the Expo changes venues and will ...
RimTyme stores roll out car shows for charity [September 7, 2011]
Shawn DiLeo
Supporting local charities is more than a yearly plan for RimTyme owner Shawn DiLeo; it’s a promise.
DiLeo and his staff are staying committed to their giving efforts by hosting a series of car shows in September with all proceeds from the events going toward local charities.
Event dates and charities are as follows:
1. Indianapolis, ...
Rent-A-Center donates to non-profits at grand opening ceremony [September 2, 2011]
Rent-A-Center Manager Jeffery Churchfield and his five-person sales team are pleased to offer Fenton customers an additional option when it comes to acquiring ownership of high-quality furniture, appliances, electronics and computers.
"We are happy to be a part of the community and look forward to servicing the needs of our customers," said Churchfield. The new Rent-A-Center is ...
Buddy's hosts first annual company picnic Sunday [September 2, 2011]
Tampa-based Buddy's Home Furnishings is hosting its first annual company picnic this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the YMCA Camp Cristina in Riverview, Florida where participants will choose from a variety of activities including paintball, canoing, zip lines and a rock wall and a catered picnic.
Important Information:
YMCA Camp Cristina is located just ...
Nationwide introduces new private electronics label [September 2, 2011]
Nationwide Marketing Group (NMG) introduced its new private label electronics brand, Allegra, at the PrimeTime! buying show and strategic member conference in the Gaylord Texan Hotel and Convention Center in Dallas, Texas last week.
“An entry level private label brand that can’t be shopped through big box retailers will give our dealers a tremendous competitive advantage in ...
Premier elects marketing board [September 2, 2011]
Seven Premier dealers were elected last week at the Premier 2011 Dealer Retreat in Dallas to the company's marketing board.
The new marketing board members are as follows:
Scott Kinnear - Chairman
Brian Clussman - Vice Chair
Dave Jones - Secretary/Treasurer
Matt Baker - Member
Chad Moody - Member
Mike Shuler - Member
Rick Vadnais - ...
Rent-to-own News Archives from August 2011 BrandSource unveils mobile sales app [August 31, 2011]
BrandSource -- strategic partner with TRIB Group -- this week introduced its own app available through the app store of iTunes, during its national convention at Caesar's Palace on Tuesday.
The BrandSource app is free; compatible with the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad and iPad2; and requires a minimum iPhone OS of 4.1 or later. Wi-Fi, Edge or 3G ...
NEW VIDEOS: TRIB Group buying show enters final day [August 31, 2011]
TRIB Group President Lyn Leach interviewed Tuesday by APRO's Murlin Evans. Watch video.
The rent to own industry's longest standing buying group -- TRIB Group -- entered the first day of the buying show portion of its annual "Meeting of the Minds" event Tuesday at Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas, after a candid day of roundtable discussions legislative updates ...
TRIB Meeting of the Minds HotShow clocks $6.6 million [August 30, 2011]
TRIB Members Kevin Quinn, Mike Tissot and Shannon Strunk turn in orders at TRIB's biannual HotShow Monday.
The opening buying event of TRIB Group's annual "Meeting of the Minds" kicked off Monday with representatives from 84 rental companies purchasing $6.6 million at the TRIB Group Hotshow at Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas. The number surpasses TRIB Group's HotShow ...
Buddy's franchisees open five new fronts across the south [August 29, 2011]
Tampa, FL (August 24, 2011) Buddy's Home Furnishings is proud to announce the recent August openings of 5 new stores within existing franchisees. The new openings include the following:
1. Sallisaw, Oklahoma - the 8th store in our BREG Group, LLC franchise operated by Chuck Haver.
1. Fort Smith, Arkansas - the 9th store in our BREG Group, LLC ...
TRIB preps for MOM record buster [August 29, 2011]
The TRIB Group, the rent to own industry's only member-owned and member run rent to own buying group, is scrambling to accommodate unexpectedly large numbers of RTO pros to the group's "Meeting of the Minds" event -- a pow wow of RTO pros who provide an unvarnished view of the day to day realities of the rental channel ...
RAC Acceptance to enter electronics realm with Best Buy [August 26, 2011]
Best Buy is preparing a pilot program to offer electronics through a division of Rent-A-Center known as the RAC Acceptance program, which offers the rent to own option in traditional retail stores to customers not approved for in-house financing.
Rent-A-Center plans to set up kiosks in Best Buy stores to provide products to customers who don't meet Best Buy's ...
Aaron's Freedom Ride commemorating 9/11 begins today [August 26, 2011]
Rent-to-own merchant Aaron's is sponsoring the Aaron's Freedom Ride, in which 20-plus Georgia firefighters and public safety officials will ride bicycles from Atlanta to New York to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
The event will pay tribute to those who lost their lives as first responders during the attacks, Aaron's said.
The Aaron's Freedom ...
APRO's Richard May honored for moving Austin's "live music" to forefront [August 25, 2011]
Richard May accepting APRO's President's Award in 2010.
It's not that Austin, Texas' live music scene was not alive and well 20 years ago.
But the explicit connection between Austin's place as "The Live Music Capital of the World" and its correlative economic impact on the city was only a vague conception driven more by emotion than hard ...
TRIB Group Meeting of the Minds draws 'mind blowing' attendance [August 25, 2011]
TRIB Group's signature Meeting of the Minds event next week is drawing a record number of rent to own's independent dealers to Las Vegas for frank discussions on key topics ranging from broadening customer base to improving presentation to human resources to club programs and driving core product sales.
Close to 250 dealers representing 84 rental companies are checking ...
PrimeTime wraps 40th anniversary show in Dallas [August 24, 2011]
APRO's Ricahrd May interviews Dan Cole of National Rent To Own at the PrimeTime! Show this week. Click to Watch video.
Nationwide Marketing Group (NMG) -- parent organization of RentDirect Nationwide -- wrapped day two of the organization's 40th anniversary celebration with a packed show floor at the PrimeTime! Buying Show and Member Conference Tuesday.
According to NMG CEO ...
New RTOHQ: The Magazine continues focus on the family [August 24, 2011]
Rent-to-Own Families, Part IV
by Kristen Card
APRO’s “Family Reunion” in Little Rock was a big hit—a real kinship ofcolleagues from across the country. We continue in the kindred spiritwith profiles of three family-run rent-to-own businesses: The Brileysof Abilene, Texas; the Fishers of Arkansas City, Kansas; and RonZimmerman and Reta Bailey of north Texas, brother-and-sister businesspartners ...
The Premier Companies launches new online training tool [August 24, 2011]
The Premier Companies held its annual Premier Companies’ Dealer Retreat, August 19-21, at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, Texas. Trooper Earle, President and CEO of The Premier Companies, opened the meeting by sharing his commitment to helping Premier dealers grow their business.
On the final day of the Dealer Retreat, a new updated Premier University was released to the ...
PrimeTime! Buying Show launches in Dallas [August 22, 2011]
James MacAlpine reviews rent to own industry trends at the RentDirect meeting Monday.
Nationwide Marketing Group -- parent company to RentDirect Nationwide -- on Monday launched what organizers are calling the organization's most highly attended buying show in it's 40 year history.
More than 1000 vendor and member companies are present for the event which runs through Aug. 24. ...
Premier opens 2011 dealer retreat, announces 2012 convention location [August 21, 2011]
The Premier Companies always begins its dealer retreat with a fun and exciting event and this year was no exception.
Friday evening, more than 50 members of the Premier Family boarded a bus for the Mesquite Rodeo.
The group was treated to a Texas style barbecue dinner with all the trimmings from baked beans to barbecue ribs and brisket. ...
PrimeTime kicks off 40th Anniversary in Dallas [August 21, 2011]
Britt Beemer, consumer research expert. Click to watch PrimeTime! interview.
Nationwide Marketing Group (NMG), parent company of RentDirect Nationwide, kicked off its biannual PrimeTime! Buying Show and Member Conference at the Gaylord Texan Hotel in Dallas Sunday where the group is celebrating its 40th anniversary.
Some 900 vendor and member companies are expected at the event which runs through ...
KLQ golf tourney wraps another successful round [August 18, 2011]
Matthew Webber is a 2011 KLQ Scholarship recipient. He will attend Brigham Young University.
Close to 150 golfers from across the rent to own spectrum made their way to the Hawk's Prairie Golf Club in Tacoma, Washington Thursday, for the 7th annual KLQ Dan Quinn and James Webber Memorial Golf Tournament and Auction.
The event is the primary fundraiser ...
MRDA fall training series announced [August 17, 2011]
The 2011 Missouri Rental Dealers Association (MRDA) seminar on legal issues in RTO is set for September 20 and 21 and is free to all MRDA members.
The seminars to be contacted by APRO Legal Counsel Ed Winn III on general RTO Legal Topics and collections are set for Sept. 20 at the Holiday Inn North I-44 in Springfield, ...
Rent One helps bring Fitnessgram programs to three additional schools [August 17, 2011]
Rent One is helping to expand implementation of an innovative health and fitness program -- Fitnessgram -- aimed at elementary school children by funding the program in three additional schools this year.
The new participating Illinois schools are: West Plains Elementary School, Summersville Grade School Benton Elementary School.
Rent One owner Larry Carrico was honored earlier this year with ...
Nationwide expects strong turnout at PrimeTime! [August 16, 2011]
Nationwide Marketing Group (NMG), parent company to RentDirect Nationwide, announced that they are expecting nearly 900 vendor and member companies at their upcoming PrimeTime! buying show and strategic member conference to be held next week at the Gaylord Texan in Dallas, Texas on August 21-24.
“This will mark our largest summer showing,” said Robert Weisner, CEO. “...
D&H offers exclusive JVC displays through AmTran [August 15, 2011]
Computer and consumer electronics distributor D&H Distributing would like to invite RTO store owners and dealers to visit booth #304 at the TRIB Show in Las Vegas August 29 to 31.
Just in time for the show, the distributor is proud to announce it has signed with AmTRAN Video Corporation™ as the exclusive distributor of this vendor’s ...
Franchisees open second ColorTyme in Houston [August 15, 2011]
Just three months after opening their first rent-to-own store, owners Mike Do and David Rogers have added another ColorTyme to the Houston area. The new location will offer rent-to-own appliances, electronics and furniture to residents in the city’s southwest region.
“We are thrilled to open another ColorTyme in Houston. After the successful opening of our store on ...
National TV Sales and Rental holds company picnic [August 15, 2011]
Around 40 kids enjoy a fresh dip in the pool at the National TV Sales & Rental Company picnic Sunday.
National TV Sales & Rental held it's annual company barbecue and picnic Sunday, Aug. 14th, at Mark and Kathy Windsor's home in Lebanon, Missouri.
More than 100 employees, family members, and friends enjoyed an abundance of food, swimming, mingling, ...
The Premier Companies head to Texas [August 15, 2011]
The Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, Texas will be home to Rent to Own industry business owners this week. The Premier Companies’ Dealer Retreat will be conducted prior to Nationwide’s PrimeTime! Buying Show.
This year’s retreat theme will be “Partners in Profitability”.
“Our Dealer Retreat provides an opportunity for our dealers to come together with an ...
U.S. Court rules against healthcare mandate [August 12, 2011]
President Barack Obama's healthcare law suffered a setback Friday when a U.S. appeals court ruled that it was unconstitutional to require all Americans to buy insurance or face a penalty, according to Reuters.
The Appeals Court for the 11th Circuit, based in Atlanta, found that Congress exceeded its authority by requiring Americans to buy coverage, but also reversed ...
Nationwide: MacAlpine promoted to VP of Rental Division [August 12, 2011]
James MacAlpine, VP of Rental and Business Development for NMG.
Nationwide Marketing Group (NMG) today announced the recent promotions of several key executives including: James MacAlpine to Vice President of Rental Division & Business Development; Ed Knodle to Vice President of Member Development and Frank Sandtner to Vice President of Member Services – Operations.
“These recent promotions mark ...
ColorTyme's Childers featured in Franchise Times [August 12, 2011]
ColorTyme Alaska's Mark Childers with his team of sled dogs.
ColorTyme Alaska's Mark Childers is featured in this month's Franchise Times where the company's top franchisee comes clean on his sled dog "lifestyle" and how it has influenced and inspired his rent to own business management sense.
The full article can be found here.
Excerpts below:
"There’...
More compact, portable bed bug cooker released [August 11, 2011]
Mike Frye's latest invention, Bug Out Thermal Extermination System, has provided for many rental dealers that elusive cost-effective solution to bed bug infested merchandise.
The first version banked on its ability to super heat a delivery truck and the core temperature of mattresses contained within to 135 degrees Fahrenheit for at least an hour -- the only proven method ...
Iowa dealers gear up for annual meeting, RSVP Aug. 31 [August 11, 2011]
Members of the Association of Iowa Rental Dealers are heading to Johnston, Iowa Sept. 8, 2011 for the association's annual meeting at the Hilton Garden Inn.
The meeting will kick off with a state legislative review by AIRD lobbyist, George Appleby, of Carney Law Firm who will bring members up to date on politics in Iowa and a summary ...
Easy 2 Own re-opens after fire disaster number two [August 11, 2011]
Easy 2 Own recently re-opened after a second devastating fire.
Easy 2 Own of Bluffton South Carolina is back on its feet after a devastating fire.
Again.
The store re-opened recently after a robber firebombed the building after stealing around $750 worth of electronics in November 2010.
The rent to own store was one of five businesses torched in ...
High Touch announces 2nd MIS scholarship recipient [August 10, 2011]
L to R: Doug Hensler, Dean, WSU W. Frank Barton School of Business, WSU Mascott, James Gerlach, Wayne Chambers, president and CEO, High Touch.
A former Wichita State University graduate (’72, ’79) and President/CEO of High Touch Wayne Chambers, along with other leadership team members hosted a reception to honor Wichita State University senior, James Gerlach, as ...
Fall RTO events gear up this month [August 10, 2011]
Mark Windsor, Angela Quinn and Bill French at the Quinn's KLQ Golf Tournament welcome reception last year.
RTO professionals across the country are gearing up for a fall chalk full of buying shows, state association meetings, training expos and special events. August events kick off with the annual KLQ (Kevin L. Quinn) Golf Tournament and Auction.
KLQ Golf Tournament ...
Wary retailers put holiday shipping boost in doubt [August 10, 2011]
The struggling U.S. economy is beginning to take its toll on shipping companies which should be seeing a big boost from their peak season but instead find retailers delaying decisions about how much to import, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Retailers that had to discount sharply in 2008 because they had too much product on their shelves when ...
easyhome reports 2011 Q2 results, same store growth up 6.4% [August 4, 2011]
easyhome, Canada's largest rent-to-own company, today announced its results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2011.
easyhome continued to show strong revenue increases during the second quarter of 2011. Revenue for the quarter increased 8.0% to $46.3 million, driven primarily by the expansion of the easyfinancial Services business and the growth of its ...
ColorTyme returns to Fort Worth [August 2, 2011]
Justin Jordan, new Ft. Worth ColorTyme store’s manager and operating partner.
Fort Worth residents can enjoy ColorTyme once again thanks to Justin Jordan, the new store’s manager and operating partner.
With 10 years of industry experience and a former manager of rent-to-own stores in Lubbock, College Station, Comanche and Eastland, Texas, Jordan is thrilled to open the ...
Rent-to-own News Archives from July 2011 American Rental makes dream come true for Indiana family [July 30, 2011]
American Dream fulfilled: Dennis Adams, Devin and Tyria McKain and David P. David at the dedication of the McKain's home financed and built by American Rental and its employees.
What began as a vision for American Rental General Manager David P. David, became a brick and mortar reality for one Nashville, Indiana family Saturday with the dedication of a ...
Celebrating 30 Years and Beyond: The American Innovation Expo kicks off tomorrow [July 28, 2011]
Tori Hunt rides the mechanical bull at a past American Rental company picnic.
The Full-O-Pep/American Rental weekend of events kicks off tomorrow at the Seasons Resort Hotel in Nashville, Indiana with a vendor showcase where around 35 vendor companies will get up close and personal with American Rental managers and sales associates who will learn the ins and outs ...
Rent-A-Center donates to City Impact Foundation [July 28, 2011]
Rent-A-Center, today donated furniture and electronics, including three large-screen TVs, six laptops and two gaming consoles to the City Impact Foundation. The donation is tied to a philanthropic initiative dubbed "Random Acts of Caring," launched by Rent-A-Center in 2008.
"With this donation, Rent-A-Center is making a difference in the heart of the inner city of Las ...
CFA: Top 10 consumer complaints [July 27, 2011]
Shady auto dealers yet again took the number one spot on the Consumer Federation of America's list for the highest number of complaints in 2010, followed by credit card issuers and debt relief companies. The CFA compiles its list by surveying 31 consumer groups from 18 states across the United States about the complaints they received.
Altogether, the agencies ...
Hearing on Rent to Own Bill available for replay [July 26, 2011]
Premier Dealer Roy Soto at Tuesday's hearing on the Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act. Watch video.
A video replay of Tuesday's hearing on The Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act in the House Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit is available for replay here.
At just over two hours the committee heard statements from two panels including San Antonio ...
Subcommittee hearing on RTO Bill NOW [July 26, 2011]
The Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act by Rep. Quico Canseco (R-TX) is scheduled for a subcommittee hearing today, July 26th at 10 a.m. (EST).
The hearing is good news for APRO members as it represents the first step to passing legislation. This scheduled hearing is the product of the diligent work by APRO members for many years.
The ...
Aaron's reports Q2 results, conference call at 5 pm [July 25, 2011]
Aaron’s, Inc. (NYSE: AAN), the nation’s leader in the sales and lease ownership and specialty retailing of residential furniture, consumer electronics, home appliances and accessories, today announced revenues and earnings for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011.
For the second quarter of 2011, revenues increased 8% to $482.7 million compared to $445.0 ...
Rent-A-Center releases Q2 Report [July 25, 2011]
Rent-A-Center today announced revenues and earnings for the quarter ended June 30, 2011.
Total revenues for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, were $698.3 million, an increase of $26.8 million from total revenues of $671.5 million for the same period in the prior year. This 4.0% increase in total revenues was primarily due to an ...
NEW VIDEO: Vivian Saunders, APRO's 2011 Customer of the Year |
