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| Trade portal for companies who rent to own furniture, electronics, appliances, custom wheels, jewelry and other home goods. |
Archive
easyhome
Names Chris Fregren VP And CFO
"His background and personal qualities are ideally suited to easyhome."
- David Ingram, easyhome's President and Chief Executive
Officer...more
Justice Clears Whirlpool Maytag Merger; Maytag Stock Jumps 26%
"We are pleased with the Department of Justice's decision
and look forward to closing the transaction, and begin the
integration of our businesses." - Jeff M. Fettig,
Whirlpool's chairman and CEO...more
The Future Of TV; Audio Podcasts From CEA's Technology
Summit
"We're excited to make these sessions available for download
so that industry leaders and consumers alike can stay
informed on these issues, the outcome of which will have a
large and lasting impact on our industry and our culture" -
Gary Shapiro, CEA President and CEO...more
Convention Coverage
Bryan Dodge Keynotes TARA Convention; Says
Never Stop Asking Why?; Tradeshow Begins
"Those who
know the how in life always end up working for those who know
the why." - Bryan Dodge...more
Convention Coverage
Texas Rental Dealers Meet Attorney General Greg Abbott;
Association Focused On Compliance
"Members shall promote the purpose and effectiveness of the
rental industry by any and all means consistent with the
public interest." - From the TARA Code of Ethics...more
Convention Coverage
Freesman, Gay, Goodman, Julson Win TARA Golf Classic
The foursome of Mark Freesman, Ken Gay, Kevin Goodman and Don Julson won the TARA Golf
Classic at the Avery Ranch Golf Club Sunday
with a seven under par 65...more
Convention Coverage
Rental Pros Gather In Austin For 23rd Annual TARA Convention
TARA's self-policing on compliance issues aids in
maintaining a strong working relationship with state
officials...more
World Acceptance
Replaces CEO Doug Jones; Names A.
Alexander McLean III As Chief Executive Officer
"The Company continues to perform well in all areas, with
delinquencies approaching historical lows and charge-offs
well within operating norms." - James R. Gilreath, Chairman
of the Compensation Committee of the Board...more
Ohio Rental Dealers Association Sets Spring Meeting For
April 19; Midwest Expo Set For August
This year's Midwest RTO Expo is scheduled for August 8-9,
2006...more
Company Stores Represent 70% Of Bassett Shipments; Sales Up
8%
"Actions taken over the past three years to restructure our
wholesale business have resulted in better returns." -
Robert H. Spilman Jr., President and CEO...more
Bravo’s “Queer Eye” To Film At World Market Center’s Design
Center
Bravo’s Emmy Award-winning “Queer Eye” is coming to Vegas to
“make-better” the sloppiest straight guys on the strip, and
World Market Center’s staff has been working with the show
producers to make sure they hit The Design Center at World
Market Center...more
Lower Laptop Prices Fail to Entice Laggards; Study Finds
Most Laptop Purchases Are Replacements
The data may show an opportunity for the rental sector to
market desktop/laptop "office bundles."...more
BREAKING
Texas Attorney General To Attend Texas
Association of Rental Agencies Convention; TARA Show Kicks Off
This Weekend
"The message we are sending is 'we are policing ourselves.'
We are educating our membership and strictly enforcing the
regulations set down by the state of Texas." - Mamie
Salazar-Harper, Owner of Fiesta Rentals and former TARA
Chair...more
Furniture Row Racing To Redesign Website
The new site will take #78 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup fans through
the inner workings of the Furniture Row Racing program...more
Consumer Electronics Study; Adults Spend More Time Gaming
Than Teens; Adults Will Purchase 19 Million Next Generation
Consoles In The First Year
"A huge opportunity exists for retailers...Not only are
gamers buying traditional gaming accessories, but they're
also buying or at least expressing strong interest in major
purchases like audio components, speaker and high-definition
displays." - Steve Koenig, Senior Manager, CEA's Industry
Analysis...more
California Payday Loan Company Targets High-Income Consumers
In High-Growth Markets
"We're finding that our average payday loan customer earns
just over $50,000 a year" - Sean Reynolds, CEO of SMR
Financial...more
Waltrip's Aaron’s Dream Machine To Wear University of Texas
Paint Scheme
"It doesn’t get any better than driving the Longhorns
National Championship Dream Machine in their home state of
Texas." - Michael Waltrip...more
Kelly Rentals' Sheri Campbell Takes Top Spot In February dPi
Teleconnect Greed Is Good Promo
"We encourage every Store Manager and Associate to
register." - Wendy
Bruno, dPi Teleconnect’s Product Manager...more
Inventor Of LCD Among Electronics Hall of Fame Inductees
"The accomplishments of the individuals who are entering the
Hall of Fame this year are simply amazing. Their inventions
and leadership laid the groundwork for today's digital
products and technologies, enhancing the way consumers
around the world work, live and play" - Gary Shapiro,
President and CEO, CEA...more
Philips Recalls 11,800 Plasma Flat Panel Televisions
The recall involves only certain 42 and 50 inch, 2005 model
Philips branded Plasma Flat Panel Televisions with Ambilight
technology...more
Damrow And Krouskos Join SED International
"The Consumer Electronics business at SED is rapidly growing
and will continue to grow in volume as well as vendor and
product offerings. " - Rob Damrow, Director of Purchasing,
Consumer Electronics, SED International...more
Innovex To Display New Lineup At TARA; Texas Association of
Rental Agencies Convention and Buying Show
"Innovex 40 and 60 inch stands are made to hold up to 250
pounds, which makes them a perfect match for all LCD
televisions out there on the market." - Louis Quant, Sales
Manager, Innovex...more
Rent-N-Roll
To Reach 60 Locations By End Of 2006
"We are
getting off to a great start in 2006. Our plans call for a
minimum of twenty new locations this year." - Larry Sutton, President, RENT-n-ROLL, LLC...more
La-Z-Boy CFO Retires; Riccio To Succeed Risley
"I would like to extend my gratitude to David, who played a
pivotal role in reshaping and setting La-Z-Boy on a new
course during his tenure." - Kurt Darrow, President and CEO,
La-Z-Boy...more
Rent A Center; New Jersey Ruling Not Expected To Affect
Other States
"New Jersey is one of only three states that does not have
rental purchase legislation, and we do not believe this
decision will impact our operations in any other state" -
Mark Speese, Rent A Center, Chairman of the Board CEO...more
New Jersey Supreme Court Reverses Perez v.
Rent-A-Center; Says Rent to Own Agreements "Similar" to Retail
Sales
"Unquestionably, the ruling will limit consumer choices for
people who would rather not incur large amounts of debt for
the purchase of furniture, appliances, computers or other
electronic products -- people for whom renting these
products makes better financial or economic sense than
buying them." - Christopher A. Korst, Senior Vice President
and General Counsel, Rent-A-Center...more
NASCAR SURPRISE; Darrell “D.W.” Waltrip To
Drive Aaron’s Dream Machine At Martinsville
"The Aaron’s ad campaign has been a lot of fun for me over
the years, but I seriously thought I would never get to race
that car." - Darrell Waltrip...more
Canada Clears Whirlpool Maytag Merger; Still No Word From US
DOJ
"We believe the Bureau's decision recognizes that the global
home-appliance industry is open and competitive" - Jeff M.
Fettig, Whirlpool, Chairman and CEO...more
M&B Jewelry Releases New Spring Flyer
"Our Spring Flyer offers the latest in new designs for our RTO
customers." - Robby Tyson, Sr. Vice President, M&B Jewelry...more
RTO Online Will Hold a Vendor
Conference Call Thursday March 16th at 2:00pm Eastern For All Active Advertisers on RTOonline.com and
in RTO MAGAZINE
The call is open to all vendors
with active print or banner ads in RTO MAGAZINE or on www.rtoonline.com
as of March 1, 2006...more
March Issue Of RTO MAGAZINE; Alternative Revenue Sources -
From Dial Tone To Wheel And Tire
Alternative Revenue Sources...sounds a bit like alchemy. In
reality, these non-traditional revenue streams often make
the difference between profitability and
“for-sale-by-owner.”...more
Tony Rodriguez, Aaron's Top Company Store Manager, Takes
Delivery Of His
1955 Chevy Prize
"Tony Rodriguez is an example to all of us with his
unwavering dedication to teamwork, integrity,
accountability, trust, truth and overall excellence." - Ken
Butler, President, Aaron’s Sales & Lease Ownership...more
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Republican Jeff Stone Expertly Guides Debate That Ends In
Passage Of Wisconsin Rental Purchase Act
"We're
doing more to protect consumers with this legislation, than
anything that's on the books here, than anything that's on the
books anywhere in this nation." - Wisconsin Representative Jeff Stone during debate on passage
of rent to own legislation in Wisconsin Thursday night...more
Rental Purchase Act Passes Wisconsin
Assembly; Bill Goes To Governor
For
the first time, Wisconsin will have comprehensive
legislation governing rental purchase transactions...more
Canadian Rent To Own Pro's Gather
for easyhome Conference
easyhome’s corporate charity partner, the Boys & Girls
Club of Canada, were presented a check of over $28,000 for funds
raised in 2005...more
La-Z-Boy Board Member Helen O. Petrauskas Passes Away
"Helen was an extremely accomplished, talented and dynamic
woman who contributed greatly to our Board and Company" -
Patrick H. Norton, Chairman of La-Z-Boy...more
RTO Online Visitors Set To Break Traffic Record; Site serves
12 Million Hits In First 8 Weeks Of 06'
RTO Online served over 440,000 unique user sessions, 4.9
million page views and nearly 12 million hits in the first 8
weeks of 2006...more
W. S. Badcock Opens Second Home Now Rent to Own Pilot Store
In Tampa
"With our expansion plans, our new image upgrade, our Dealer
network and the addition of our new rental division, the
future at Badcock is very bright." - Albert Kohut, W.S. Badcock’s
VP of New Business Development...more
Rent-A-Center's IT Director David Oles Named "Best In Class"
By ComputerWorld
"What sets apart this year's honorees is their ability to
remain flexible as the role of the IT executive evolves and
changes." - Julia King, executive editor, events and
national correspondent, Computerworld...more
Aaron’s Franchise Manager of the Year Gives 1955 Chevy Prize
To Father As Payback For College
"To keep Alfonso in college, his father, 58-year old Enrique
Trevino of Eagle Pass, sold the family car to pay for
Alfonso’s tuition not just once, but twice"...more
Texas Association Of Rental Dealers Offer Discounts For New
Members; Members Wanted From Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico
"New members will receive one free night at the Austin
Renaissance Hotel, free convention registration, and have no
dues for the first year." - Vicky Hale, Executive Director,
TARA...more
easyhome
Reports Revenue Up 15% Over Last Year; Testing Small Loan
Centers; Strong Q4 Brings Units On Rent Up 21%
"Our outlook for 2006 is for continued expansion with 30 new
stores, a total revenue growth target of 15-20% and same
store revenue growth of 5-7%." - David Ingram, President and
CEO...more
BankWest Pulls Out; Advance America To Cease Payday Loan Ops
In Pennsylvania
"We would like to apologize to customers in Pennsylvania for
the inconvenience caused by this event and the reality that
they will be forced to choose more costly alternatives" -
Kenneth E. Compton, Advance America, CEO and President...more
Anti Business Bill On New York Judiciary Committee Agenda
Assembly Bill 592, a bill that, if passed, would define "lease charge" as the
equivalent of interest and legislate the cash price of rental
merchandise. This is the second attempt at approval. AB 592 died
in committee in January, 2005...more
First time ColorTyme Franchisee Puts Southern Hospitality
Back Into Business
Kraig Fussell offers rent to own custom wheels as well as a
variety of lawn tractors in his Alexandria ColorTyme...more
Rental Purchase Act Passes Wisconsin Senate
This marks the first time the state senate has passed
comprehensive legislation governing rental purchase
transactions...more
U.S. Senate Banking Committee Hearing On
Federal Rent To Own Law "As Expected"; Chairman wants action
soon as part of regulatory relief
Sources say they expect a markup session to be scheduled
soon...more
03-02-06
convention coverage
See a complete photo gallery of Wednesday's General Session and Vendor Fair, Wednesday night's cocktail reception, dinner and award ceremony, including photos of all award winners, here...more
convention coverage
Ken Butler; Keep It Simple And Do The Math
'I know beyond shadow of a doubt that we could put
5,000 stores out there' - Ken Butler, President, Aaron's
Sales and Lease Ownership...more
convention coverage
True Believer; Regional Manager Henri Rogers Says Team And
Program Are Key To Aaron's Growth
"I go home every night feeling good about what I do for a
living" - Henri Rogers, Regional Manager, Aaron's Sales and
Lease Ownership...more
convention coverage
Aaron's National Managers Meeting Kicks Off In Nashville;
Aaron's Dream Girls Help Celebrate Record 2005
Aaron's first Managers Meeting was held in 1990 with 25
managers in attendance. 16 years later, the company needs
the largest hotel in the country outside of Vegas to host
over 2,000 attendees...more
2,000 Head To Nashville For Aaron Rents Manager's Conference
"The conference begins tonight at 5:00pm with the "Aaron's
Nashville Jamfest"...more
"Serious Buying"; Vendors Describe Floor Traffic As
Phenomenal During Day One of PrimeTime!
"We're opening accounts with rent to own companies and
traditional retailers we've never seen before" - Electronics
vendor at PrimeTime...more
Greenville Independent Converts to ColorTyme; Financing,
inventory help 20 year RTO vet expand business
"In just the few months since we’ve converted to ColorTyme,
business is thriving and our sales have shown significant
improvement because of the additional inventory we can offer
our customers" - Joe Huck, ColorTyme Franchisee...more
convention coverage
RentDirect
General Session Today; Nationwide Offers Free Websites To
Rent to Own Companies
At it's current rate of growth, RentDirect will be the
largest group of any kind representing the rental purchase
industry...more
convention coverage
RTO Dealers Pour Into Vegas For PrimeTime! Show Photo
gallery (33)
"RentDirect membership gives us an advantage over our
competitors" - Jeff White, Owner, Rent One - Shreveport
Louisiana...more
Innovex Home Products Welcomes
Nationwide RentDirect Dealers With Show Special
Since 1998 Innovex Home Products has offered
Rent to Own dealers
innovative ready-to-assemble (RTA) Home Office and Home Theater products...more
RTO Online
To Provide Daily Coverage From RentDirect Buying Show In Las
Vegas and Aaron Rents National Managers Meeting In Nashville
RTO Online will provide daily coverage from both the RentDirect
Primetime! buying show in Las Vegas, Nevada, and for the first
time, the Aaron Rents
National Managers Meeting in Nashville, Tennessee...more
Las Vegas Market Wrap; Record Attendance, Record Sales
"We had more people come to this market than any other
market ever. The second Las Vegas Market was even stronger.
Not only are we keeping our 20,000 square foot showroom in
the first building, but the new showroom in Building Two is
65,000 square feet" - Ron Wanek, Chairman of Ashley
Furniture...more
MP3 Players Continue popularity; Ownership Up 12% From 2004
One-fifth of Americans aged 12 and older now own a Portable
MP3 Player, up from 12% in December of 2004...more
Aaron Rents Reports Same Store Revenues Up 11.5%; Revenues
Up 19% for Year; Sets Goal Of 2000 Stores In Near Term
"Our intermediate term goal is to have 2,000 stores open, a
combination of Company- operated and franchised stores, and
feel we can achieve that in a few years." - R. Charles
Loudermilk, Sr., Chairman and CEO, Aaron Rents...more
Premier
Rimz Joins RentDirect Nationwide; Will Join 200 Other
Vendors At Upcoming Buying Show
"Premier Rimz offers our Rent Direct members an opportunity
to expand into the fastest growing segment of the industry
while removing many of the obstacles and expenses associated
with adding this new product line."
James MacAlpine, Executive Director, RentDirect Nationwide...more
Badcock
Opens Second Home Now Rent to Own Pilot Store; Plans for
third in the works
"We will continue to operate these pilot stores for two
years and then offer the concept at additional stores
throughout the Southeast." - Don Marks, Badcock’s CEO...more