One Out of Every Four TVs Sold In 2004 Will Be An HDTV
DTV sales during the first half of 2004 are up 80 percent compared to 1.5 million units sold in the same time period last year...more

Über Ernie; Audio Interview With UHR Rents Owner Ernie Lewallen
"It is clear now...that Rent to Own is part of the American Fabric"-Ernie Lewallen...more

Hoss Power & Eagle Distributors Debut Traveling Showroom…Coming Soon To A Town Near You!
"Rent to Own dealers and employees will be able to conveniently view the Hoss Power line of quality stereo, home electronic, car audio, and DJ systems while meeting their Hoss Power & Eagle sales reps face-to-face"...more

Rentcash Closes $2.5 Million Deal To Finance Expansion
The company's current store count stands at 159, comprised of 116 Cash Stores and 43 Insta-rent outlets...more

RTO Entrepreneur Brenda McKenzie Appointed To NuMarkets Board of Directors
McKenzie's entrepreneurship began in 1980 when she was part of a team that developed and operated Rental World, a rent-to-own business in the southeastern United States. Rental World started with one store and grew to 45 stores before being sold to a competitor in 1987...more

Amscot Payday Advance Aids Charley Victims; Extends Repayment Dates For All Outstanding Advances To October 15
Our local branches are prepared to help the victims of Hurricane Charley.-Ian MacKechnie, President and CEO of Amscot Financial...more

Department of Labor’s New Overtime Security Rules In Effect
La Nueva Reglamentación de Seguridad de Horas-extra entra En Efecto Noy
"The new rule expands the number of workers eligible for overtime by nearly tripling the salary threshold...more

PR Exec Rob Allyn Named To Ace Cash Express Board
"[Rob Allyn] is an expert in his field and will be instrumental in assisting our team at ACE as we progress to the next level in public relations"-Raymond C. Hemmig, Chairman of the Board...more

RTO Vet Steve Glucksman Named CEO Of Nationwide Mattress and Furniture Warehouse; New Management Team Named
Glucksman has held executive positions at Rent Rite, Crazy George’s (U.K.) and Rent-A-Center...more

Aaron's Rents Franchisee Adds 600 Customers With "Christmas In July" Promotion; Breaks Net Revenue Record
The company credits the success to their "Christmas In July" promotion. Dave Edwards, SEI Aaron's president and chief operating officer, said in the companies August newsletter "July finished with a bang! Christmas should be as often as Festivus...more

Aaron Rents Moves To Quarterly Dividends; Doubles Annual Payout
"Based upon the current outstanding performance of the Company and our future outlook, the Board of Directors decided to substantially increase the dividend-R. Charles Loudermilk, Sr., Chairman and CEO...more

DMI Acquisition Buoys Flexsteel Results; Execs See Consumer Caution As Concern
"It appears that consumers are facing uncertainties causing them to postpone purchases of durable goods, including furniture" - From Flexsteel's fiscal year end report...more

Forum for Women Entrepreneurs Names New CEO
The Forum for Women Entrepreneurs (FWE), the premier organization for women building and leading high-growth companies, announced the appointment of Amy D. Love as its newest CEO...more

La-Z-Boy Branded Products President, John J. Case Resigns To Peruse Unnamed Opportunities
"I will miss all the friends I've made, but I'm also very excited about the future and what it holds for me and my family"-John J. Case, president La-Z-Boy Branded Products...more

Salt Lake Computer Retailer To Offer Rent to Own Plans
To accommodate what the company calls "growing trends in Salt Lake City market", PC Laptops, a reseller of custom-built notebook computers with 5 locations in Salt Lake, today announced a "rent-to-own" financing option for all laptop purchases...more

RTO Online Achieves Number 1 Ranking; Announces Expanded Coverage Of Payday Loan Industry
"Our first email newsletter was sent to 75 subscribers. Today, 1 in 10 people** associated with the rent to own industry subscribe to RTO Magazine"-Roy Griffaw, founder and president of RTO Online, Inc...more

Hooker Furniture to Close N.C. Plant; Company Blames Cheap Imports
"...there has been a major shift in where wood furniture is produced in this industry"-Paul B. Toms Jr., chairman and chief executive officer...more

Survey Of CEOs Reveal Concerns Differ By Region
"CEOs say that the ability of an organization to learn and move smartly and quickly is more critical than ever to competitive advantage”- Richard E. Cavanagh, President and CEO of The Conference Board...more

Carolina Rent to Own's Danny And Meg Ziegler; On the Fast Track
The Zieglers, owners of Carolina Rent to Own have been on a rocket ride since 1995. Danny, like so many other owners, began his RTO career as an account manager with Rent a Center at the tender age of 18. By 23 he founded Carolina Rent to Own and opened his first store. Now 27 years old, he and his wife Meg operate three locations and plan at least one new store every 12 months for the next decade...more

Bestway Rent To Own Beefs Up For Expansion
"We believe there are great opportunities to expand our presence in the rent-to-own industry"- David A. Kraemer, President and Chief Executive Officer...more

RTO Plus.Net Expands Features
RTO Plus.net, the first commercially available Windows® based rent to own store management software, today announced improvements to its latest .Net version...more

Whirlpool and Reba McEntire Help Build Momentum and Raise Awareness of Habitat for Humanity
Advertising Age Magazine has ranked the Whirlpool/Habitat TV ad starring Reba No. 7 on its "Most Likable" scale...more

ACE Cash Express Announces Fourth Quarter and Year-End Conference Call
Hosting the call will be Jay B. Shipowitz, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Operating Officer and William S. McCalmont, EVP and Chief Financial Officer...more

Inform Print and Promotions Phone Service Temporarily Disabled By Hurricane Charley
Inform Business Printing and Promotions, the largest supplier of customized printing and promotional goods to the rent to own industry, today announced that phone service has been temporarily disabled due to hurricane Charley...more

Segway HT Now Available Rent-to-Own
“The cost of a new Segway runs in the thousands of dollars and can be prohibitive for first timers. By renting them out, we’re giving people the chance to try before buying.” - Darren Romar of Slide4less...more

Retailers Criticize Commerce Department's Expansion of China Wooden Bedroom Furniture Tax
Some retailers and importers have already been hit with 198% duties on Chinese wooden bedroom furniture...more

America Online To Retail $299 AOL Optimized PC
For bilingual households, the AOL Optimized PC will switch between a language preference - either English or Spanish...more

Bryce Company Announces Expanded Marketing Support For Rent to Own Dealers
Bryce Co., the leader in results for Rent to Own Jewelry Programs, has expanded the free marketing support offered to dealers. In addition to the seasonal postcards, new full color door hangers are now available...more

Ideal Software Systems Payday Advance Software "Hit Of The Show"
Probably 8 out of 10 rent to own dealers we questioned were considering entering the Payday Advance industry including some very big players...more

Survey Finds 80% of Consumers Prepared to Change Service Providers After Just One Negative Experience
Survey findings: Over three quarters of consumers prefer for their query to be handled by a mature woman. Over 80% insist that they would spread the word to friends and family following a poor customer service experience...more

SBA & MBDA Honor Minority-Owned Small Businesses During Minority Enterprise Development Week
One of the 10 regional award winners will be named the National Minority Small Business Person of the Year. The awards for the Minority Small Business Person of the Year will be presented during the 22nd Anniversary celebration of the National Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week...more

2004 Association of Progressive Rental Organizations (APRO) Complete Convention Photo Album
RTO Online recorded over 2,000 photographs during the 2004 Association of Progressive Rental Organizations Annual buying show in Tampa, Florida. To ease navigation, we chose our favorite 500 images and organized them by event...more

Simmons Bedding Net Sales Up 1.3%; Cautiously Optimistic About Remainder of '04
"...there is some concern about the impact of rising raw material costs and fuel prices. We remain cautiously optimistic about the balance of 2004." - Charlie Eitel, Simmons CEO...more

EZCORP Announces Opening of 100th EZMONEY Payday Loan Store
"In July 2003, we opened out first two EZMONEY Payday Loan stores in Austin, Texas. Today, barely a year later, we are celebrating the opening of our 100th payday loan location" - CEO Joe Rotunda...more

La-Z-Boy Reports 3.3% Sales Increase; Net Loss
"Now that the preliminary antidumping tariffs have been determined, it is clear that the near-term competitive landscape of domestic casegoods manufacturing is at risk" CEO Kurt L. Darrow...more

Reykdal's Rentcash Announces $2.5 Million Private Placement Financing
1,250,000 Rentcash common shares will be issued on a private placement basis at a price of $2.00 per common share for gross proceeds of $2,500,000. The net proceeds from the offering will be used for new store expansion...more

Lyn Leach Says Farewell As President Of APRO
"I leave this stage one last time after having served as your president and I say, thank you...more
Lyn Leach, Outgoing president, Association of Progressive Rental Organizations

APRO Tradeshow PO's Surpass $10  $13 Million
Chet Pensak, president of Inform Printing and Promotions (RTO Forms), said, "We've written more orders at this show than the last 3 combined." Dealers are upbeat and excited about the show specials being offered. The new format is a big hit...more

Premier Rental Purchase Opens 12th Location
"A lot of design work has gone into it to define the Premier image...the store is gorgeous, with a far different look than that of any competitor in the [rent to own] industry"...more
Trooper Earle, President and CEO

Rental Purchase Association Political Action Committee Raises $106,000; Awards Presented (43 photos)
APRO's political action committee (PAC) raised $106,000, surpassing the groups goal of $100,000...more

A Night Of Convention Entertainment (9 photos)
Much hard work is done every year at the convention. Time is needed to unwind. To forget, if only for a few hours, what Friday's projected card close might be...more

APRO Buying Show Exceeds Expectations (72 photos)
An informal poll of vendors taken by RTO Online showed a dynamic shift from previous APRO tradeshows...dealers are buying...and big...more

Rental Industry Employee And Customer Of the Year Named In General Session (20 photos)
APRO named Jody Katz, store manager for Buddy's Home Furnishings, as Rental Purchase Employee of The Year during Thursday's general session...more

QC Holdings Net Income Increases 41% on Revenue Growth of 25%
"With our initial public offering behind us, we believe that we are positioned to capitalize on opportunities that are evident in the payday industry"
Don Early, CEO...more

Vendors Hustle to Prepare For Tomorrow's APRO Tradeshow (19 photos)
If you've never witnessed the raw horsepower of an APRO pre-show setup, you should. It is both organized and chaotic, frenzied yet carefully orchestrated...more

easyhome Smashes Revenue Records; Net Income Up 215%, Same Store Sales Up 10.4%
"The combination of a fresh retail look with highly targeted direct mail has attracted record growth in the number of new customers, which accounted for 63% of the rental revenue increase in the quarter"
David Ingram, easyhome CEO...more

Rain Rain Go-Away; Attendees Enjoy Golf Despite Weather (25 photos)
APRO members awoke Wednesday to cloudy skies and a forecast that included flood warnings. Not the best day for golf, but not the worst either...more

Gary Romine Fails To Win Bid For State Representative
Former APRO (Association for Progressive Rental Organizations) president and owner of Show Me Rent to Own Gary Romine (R) was defeated in the Missouri Republican primary for the 106th district Tuesday...more

Rent King Expanding; Looking For a Few Good RTO Pros
Director of Operations: Supervise all operational aspects of our business including direct supervision of 3 divisional managers and 1 auditor...more

Early Birds; APRO Members Arrive In Tampa
APRO members began arriving at the Tampa Marriott Waterside early Tuesday. This years convention and buying show, with a focus on buying, will begin...more

Whirlpool CFO Resigns Due to Family Circumstances; Roy Templin Named as Successor
"Whirlpool is a great company with bright prospects and a very talented global finance team," said Barrett. "My time with Whirlpool has been a real highlight in my professional career, and leaving is difficult...more

Oliver And Owens Rebuild First American Rental
"...some of our top management talent who served these markets under the First American brand before have decided to rejoin us"
Dave Oliver, CEO First American Rental...more

Former Rent Rite CFO Tom Mitchell Launches New Rent to Own Company; Wants 100 Locations In 4 Years
"When Rent-A-Center purchased Rent Rite this past May, I knew immediately that I would begin a new Rental Purchase endeavor"
Tom Mitchell, former Chief Financial Officer of Rent Rite...more

How To Gain Units and Control Collections
By: Brian Randall Mohamed
Simple but helpful tips on how to help control collections which will in turn allow for more time on sales and growth of your business....more

Rent-Way Reports Same Store Sales Up 3.4%
"This is the fourth quarter in a row that we have posted positive same store revenue increases. While we ended the quarter with fewer rental agreements than we had hoped, the fundamentals of our business are strong"...more
William Morgenstern, Rent-Way's Chairman and CEO

Sharp Introduces Integrated High-Definition AQUOS LCD TVs
To meet the growing consumer demand for cutting-edge home entertainment options, Sharp announced the availability of new widescreen AQUOS LCD HDTV models, the GD4U and GD6U series...more

Brueners Bankruptcy Hurts Furniture Brands International Q2 Earnings
Included in the 2004 second quarter net earnings was a charge $8.3 million (before income tax benefits) or $0.09 per diluted common share to reflect the loss of collectibility of the receivable due from Breuners Home Furnishings Corporation, which filed for bankruptcy protection shortly after the quarter ended...more

Aaron Rents Reports Record Second Quarter; Same Store Revenues up 14.7%; Raises Outlook for Year
Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership division increased its store count during the second quarter by 54 stores; 42 Company-operated stores and 12 franchised stores, bringing the total number of stores open at June 30 to 884...more

RTO Pro Offers Downloadable Demo
With features like laser printed contracts, on screen account management, Bar coding, Document Imaging and a built in WYSIWYG Word Processor, RTO Pro is the most advanced software for the Rental Industry...more

easyhome, Formerly RTO Enterprises, Announces Webcast
easyhome Ltd. is Canada's largest merchandise rental company and the fourth largest in North America...more

Former Rent a Center Chief Security Office Moves To Frontier Airlines
Rapp's professional career has been hallmarked by peer recognition and accolades including nominations for Computerworld's "100 Best Places to Work in IS" as well as winning CIO Magazine's "CIO Award for Customer Service" for three straight years...more