First, what exactly is a tablet? Tablets are handheld computer devices that usually range from 5 to 10 inches in screen size. They include features similar to a full-size personal computer including an operating system like Windows or Linux and Internet capability. Tablets have intuitive touch screens that allow users to do many things like view websites, play games, watch movies, listen to music, and read e-books.

When it comes to entertainment on-the-go, tablets have a big advantage. With the increasing number of free wifi hotspots and a wireless connection at home, tablets can give you instant access to online games, movies, music, books, photos, e-mail and your favorite websites. And, unlike a smartphone, you won’t have to pay an extra fee added to your phone bill each month in order to get Internet.

Also, carrying around a tablet means having constant access to your personal schedule, to-do list, calendar of events, shopping list, and other organizational tools. It’s even the perfect size for traveling – just stash in a purse, briefcase or any piece of luggage. On a plane, the tablet is a great device to read e-mails, create business presentations, set-up meetings, and catch up on headlines before you land. Or, if you are traveling with kids, you can use a tablet to keep them busy with games, movies and music.

But, beware of a couple of things: Tablets do not come with keyboards and have limited software support compared to full-size computers. So, if you have trouble viewing a smaller screen or do not like working on a touch screen, then a tablet might not be for you.

These are only a few of the advantages and disadvantages to tablets. To find out more, visit your local ColorTyme and talk to a store associate. They will be able to help you figure out if a tablet is right for you, or if there are other computers and laptops at the store that might better fit your lifestyle.

Custom built with wider-than-standard doorways, the new home is adapted to accommodate special needs for wheelchair-bound Jim White, whose legs were amputated due to peripheral artery disease. ColorTyme furnished the home with an easily accessible washer/dryer unit and a bunk bed for Jim’s sons – a donation totaling $2,842.16. In addition, the ColorTyme truck collected and delivered other donations including mattresses, tables, chairs, frames and a couch.

Karuna McMurtry, Wasilla ColorTyme store manager, is happy to have been a part of the giving effort.

“Every family deserves a safe and secure place to live, and it was encouraging to see our community come together to provide that,” she said. “I’m glad we were able to fulfill a dream for the White family and give them the items they need for their new home. It feels like we really made a difference.”

Mark Childers, owner of the ColorTyme franchise, said the project was an opportunity to extend his store’s values and be part of a greater good.

“The Jim White House Project shows first hand that when a group of people each give a little assistance, the outcome is overwhelming. The outpouring of community support has made it a very positive and memorable experience for everyone,” he said. “At ColorTyme, helping others is essential in our business; it’s what our stores are all about. We are always willing to support people in times of need and help create a better future for them. ”

Kathryn Flores claims her prize at her Hometown ColorTyme in El Campo, TX

It is a dream come true for Kathryn Flores of Wharton, Texas to be announced winner of the ColorTyme Big Tyme Big Game Giveaway. Flores, whose name was drawn randomly from hundreds of entries, wins a trip for two to the biggest football event of the year held on Feb. 6 in Arlington, Texas.

ColorTyme, a rent-to-own franchise featuring popular appliances, furniture and electronics, will provide Flores and her guest with tickets, transportation, hotel accommodation, as well as money for food and entertainment. Planning to take her husband to the game, Flores said she was shocked to learn her name was drawn.

“I could not believe it at first, and then I became very excited because I never won anything like this before. It is still unbelievable!” she exclaimed. “My husband is a true sports fan and can’t wait until game day. We are so excited to go!”

Flores has been a loyal customer at the El Campo, Texas ColorTyme since 1997 and is impressed with the level of service and attention from employees.

“I love buying at ColorTyme, and I recommend it to my family and friends all the time. I like the service I get when I visit the store, and they stand behind their merchandise,” she said. “The best part is that you can get what you need now and pay as you go. If the store doesn’t have what you want, they sure can get it.”
Manager Martha Vasquez is thrilled that the prize was given to a most deserving and long-time friend of the store.

“We had so many entries in El Campo alone that Kathryn’s win was just as big of a surprise to us as it was to her,” she said. “I think this giveaway served as a big ‘thank you’ to customers and a reminder of how much we value them. For Kathryn and her husband, it’ll be a moment they’ll never forget.”

PLANO, Texas – March 5, 2010 – Thirty ColorTyme customers recently cashed in as names were drawn for the $30K Giveaway, and countless others won in-store prizes.
Held in celebration of the company’s 30th birthday, ColorTyme’s $30K Giveaway gave customers a chance to win $1,000 along with instant prizes in local stores. Rent-to-own customers registered for the grand-prize drawings Sept. 1 to Oct. 31 at their hometown ColorTyme store.
Out of 30 winners from 14 states across the U.S., four of them registered in Texas stores owned by TLH Enterprises. Vice President of South Texas Region for TLH Enterprises, Donald Salais, was very happy to see long-time customers win in Beeville, Corpus Christi, Rosenberg and Cuero.
“Many of our customers didn’t think they had a chance at winning, so it was refreshing to see the smiles on their faces when they did,” said Salais. “I think the Giveaway really encouraged our customers and showed how much we value their business.”

As part of the Giveaway event, ColorTyme also provided customers with a winning serial number that matched various prizes. Many customers automatically received big savings off a new rental or walked away with one of the store’s newest appliances, furniture, computers or electronics such as a name-brand TV.

“Our $30K Giveaway was a way for us to give back to our customers and thank them for all of their support over the years,” said ColorTyme Director of Marketing, Amy Woods. “Our customers are like family, so it was important that everyone who visited ColorTyme during the promotion came out a winner.”

Winners
Dorothy McKown – Opp, AL
Teri Pike – Woodland, AL
Lidia Abaloyan – San Diego, CA
Neille Logan-Underwood – San Diego, CA
Judith Ann Archer – Temecula, CA
Frank Welcome – Panama City, FL
Robert Higginbotham – Middleburg, FL
Christopher Cooper – Jacksonville, FL
Sacoya Proctor – Hephzibah, GA
Micky Jimison – Fairfield, ID
Danny Shannon – Hutchinson, KS
Carlos Heredia Liudres – Garden City, KS
Lee Jones – Oxford, KS
James Kelley – Lexington, KY
Lee Lyons – Raceland, LA
Susie Moore – Baltimore, MD
Denise Fletcher – Landover Hills, MD
David Rogers – Waterville, ME
Shaun Bennett – South Paris, ME
Sheila Hobbs – La Grange, NC
Beatrice Bennett – Roanoke Rapids, NC
Paula Ramos – Beeville, TX
Abram Mendoza – Corpus Christi, TX
Jackie Hahn – Cuero, TX
Bobby King Jr. – Richmond, TX
Katrina Trimiew – Richmond, VA
Carlton Davis – Norfolk, VA
Nikkia Clayton – Fredericksburg, VA
James Howard – Richmond, VA
Dennis Francis – Aberdeen, WA

However, Curtis Mathes wasn’t looking to compromise the quality of his product to meet ideal selling prices. When Curtis Mathes began manufacturing televisions he had one major goal in mind; to have the most well-built, reliable and expensive television on the market. He did. And, they were. The televisions were so well built that each set had a four year warranty, which was unheard of at the time – and today for that matter. But, if consumers wanted the best they were going to have to pay for it.

So, by the end of the 1970s Curtis Mathes had perhaps the finest color television set in the world, but because of its price tag most Americans couldn’t afford to purchase it. That’s when Willie Talley stepped in and partnered with Curtis Mathes. Willie had an ingenious concept, “ColorTyme.” Willie believed at the time that it was “tyme” for all households to have “color” television…hence ColorTyme. While he didn’t expect the name to become so quickly dated, it has stuck over the years.

Willie’s idea materialized in Athens, Texas in 1979, where the first ColorTyme rent-to-own store opened. With the store’s opening came the opportunity for every average American family to purchase the finest color television available. Curtis Mathes didn’t have to sacrifice quality, and any American household could now afford to move from the era of black and white into the time of color.

Today, ColorTyme is the nation’s oldest franchisor of independently owned and operated rent-to-own stores and offers not just TVs and electronics, but also appliances, computers and furniture. Thanks to the most expensive television set in America.

For larger ticket items like washers, dryers, flat screen TVs and home entertainment equipment, rent-to-own and layaway are both options that don’t require a large cash outlay up front. But, that is where the similarities stop. There are key differences between the two. First, with rent-to-own, you can take the item home the same day without any credit. With layaway, you may or may not need credit, but will definitely not be able to take the item home that day. With the holidays around the corner, this takes some of the fun out of putting money down on a gift.

Also, most layaway programs aren’t as flexible as rent-to-own. For instance, with most layaway programs there is typically a $5 non-refundable service fee on all contracts and a cancellation fee of around $10. Both the service fee and cancellation fee are usually collected up front and are not refunded if the merchandise is returned to stock due to missed payments. With most retailers, layaway merchandise will be returned to stock seven days after a missed payment.

Conversely, rent-to-own is much more flexible. Let’s take your local Hometown ColorTyme for example. If you’re looking for furniture, electronics, computers and/or appliances, ColorTyme will have it in stock and you can take it home the same day in most cases. With ColorTyme no credit is needed, and there are flexible low payment options, early purchase options and, of course, you can make an outright purchase the same day. ColorTyme also offers home delivery (same day option is available) and service repairs, if needed, at no extra cost. A full service loaner program is also included with every agreement to all customers. With layaway plans through retailers, once you finally get your product home, if it breaks you have to deal with the warranty plan, connected either to the brand name or the retailer. Many of these warranty plans must be purchased separately.

With ColorTyme, there are short and longer term rent-to-own plans available and professionals install, demonstrate and deliver everything at no additional cost. There are no penalties for returning merchandise and your investment doesn’t go away after you return the product. When you are ready, ColorTyme will set you up again with your product or a comparable product to the one you returned.

Although a layaway plan might seem like a good idea, it doesn’t compare to the flexibility or speed of delivery that ColorTyme rent-to-own plans offer. If you’re looking to bring home and enjoy a product right away, there is no comparison.

If you are looking for a way to get the things you want without ever having to worry about debt, watching this video is an excellent place to start. The video stars Bruce Emory, a ColorTyme franchisee in Atlanta (not a spokesperson). He generously volunteered to speak on behalf of all ColorTyme store owners.