Another invaluable source of information on legal matters is the experience of other franchise dealers. APRO allows members to network with other people in the industry in order to share experiences and lessons learned. Joining the APRO family not only enables its members to learn about rent to own contracts, but also to learn operating tips, advertising and customer retention tips, as well as making contact with vendors. Additionally, members also make life-long friendships. Members affirm that the opportunities for networking, including the annual convention and legislative conference, state association meetings, and APRO hospitality suites at trade shows, are among the most valuable assets of APRO membership. Besides meetings, there are APRO online forums which share and diseminate information among fellow dealers. The E-Communities, begun in 2006, give both dealers and vendors a place in which they can share their ideas, post questions for other members to answer, and learn how other people in the industry manage their businesses and adjust to new legal issues.
Specific information on the legal issues of the rent to own contract for each state are available as free downloads from the APRO website. These pdf files are state by state RTO regulations and rules, shown in a set of easy-to-reference charts. These charts are organized in different ways: by in-store price tag disclosures, by rent to own contract disclosures, by advertising disclosures, by specification of fees and payments, and by reinstatement rights. Additionally, APROs specialized legal consultants provide free limited hour and wage consultation to all members. Besides legal help, APRO members enjoy special rates for processing credit and debit cards and well as electronic checks, as part of an APRO-affiliated credit card program specially tailored for the needs of the rent to own industry. APRO members can also participate in group liability, property, auto, and workers insurance, all customized to the needs of rent to own dealers. APRO also makes available to all members an exclusive health insurance program which offers group buying power and discounted rates, and which draws upon over forty participating doctors networks. Member companies can choose from a wide variety of plans, with deductibles from $500 to $2000. Besides its work on legal and economic issues affecting the RTO industry, APRO sponsors industry research and surveys which are invaluable tools for all members. APROs many customer and potential-customer research and industry surveys are available to all members, and allow them to access up to the minute market data and research. This research enables even small rent to own companies to make wise business decisions. Moreover, such studies help convince bankers of the financial credibility of the RTO business.
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