New Mexico Rental Dealers look forward to developing relationships with legislators and other state associations.

Photo RTO Online

Rico Amador, General Manager of Casa TV Rentals and Payless Rent-to-own at Tuesday's meeting of new Mexico Rental Dealers in Albuquerque.

Rent-to-own dealers and vendors serving New Mexico met in Albuquerque Tuesday to plan the formation of the New Mexico Rental Dealers Association and plan a political agenda for 2009. Nationwide Rental Coalition (NRC), a group supporting rent-to-own legislative efforts at all levels of government, planned and sponsored the event. At a separate event in Albuquerque Tuesday, NRC legislative liaison Mamie Salazar-Harper met briefly with New Mexico Senator Pete Domenici and Congresswoman Heather Wilson.

See a complete photo gallery of the event here.

Salazar-Harper encouraged New Mexico dealers to consider a state-level legislative conference as one of their first official actions. She explained the success that neighboring Texas (TARA - Texas Association of Rental Agencies) has had including increasing allowable late fees for the first time in 20 years and the ability to sell LDW (liability damage waiver) on RTO contracts.

Salazar-Harper said rent-to-own dealers shouldn't fear being open with legislators about their business. She explained that educating elected officials about the consumer benefits of the RTO transaction has been the cornerstone of legislative success nationwide. "I'm encouraged by New Mexico rental dealers' efforts to get politically organized. This is where the association can provide real concrete value for its members." Salazar-Harper said the NRC was committed to provide all necessary support for new Mexico rental dealers to maintain a positive political environment and improve the bottom line.

Dennis Willich, CEO of Nationwide Southwest said, "What is happening in this room today is a tremendous step that can result in great things for the rent to own industry in New Mexico. We are honored to part of this organization."

Dwight Dumler, Rent-A-Center's Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, believes every state should have an active association. "Our legislators need to know who we are and have a connection to our industry," Dumler said Tuesday. "It's important that [legislators] know what we do and what we do for customers."

Cesar Bueno, Rent-A-Center's Regional Director for New Mexico, is looking forward to the same successes that other states have had through active associations. Bueno directs operations at 24 stores in new Mexico and 19 stores in Texas. "I see the impact that the Texas association (TARA) has had and I see tremendous opportunities for us here in New Mexico." Bueno says that communications and being proactive are the biggest benefits of state associations. "Together, we can attack issues that affect every dealer, not just Rent-A-Center."

Rico Amador, General Manager for Casa TV Rentals and Payless Rent-to-own, owned by Charlie Gorman with stores in New Mexico and Texas, has been in the rent-to-own business for 20 years and is excited to see New Mexico dealers organizing. Amador was one of several New Mexico RTO pros that volunteered to serve on the group's board. Elections will be held at a later date once legal documents are in place.

Amador began his career with Amigo Rentals in 1985. Amigo Rentals was acquired by Action Rent to Own; Action was acquired by Home-Choice; Home Choice was acquired by Rent Way and finally, Rent Way was acquired by Rent-A-Center. Amador left Rent Way for Casa TV Rentals in 2005.

Amador said that after a "soft summer" business is picking up and he expects tightening consumer credit to expand the industry's customer base in 2009.