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The rent-to-own industry stands at a technological crossroads, and Atlog is blazing the trail with AI solutions custom-built for RTO businesses. In this revealing conversation, Shaun Karakkattu, Chief Operating Officer of Atlog, shares how their team is revolutionizing how rental dealers connect with customers through remarkably human-like AI voice agents.

Shaun explains how Atlog was born from recognizing a critical gap in the rent-to-own space – the challenge of consistently making timely collection calls when staff are busy with in-store customers or otherwise unavailable. Their solution? AI voice agents that sound so authentic that during demonstrations, people have mistaken them for actual employees. "We had it on speakerphone," Shaun recalls, "and there was a person walking distance and they're like, 'Is that Reggie from XYZ store?'"

What distinguishes Atlog from previous attempts to bring technology to the RTO space is their vertical approach – designing software specifically for rental dealers rather than adapting generic solutions. Their team combines deep technical expertise (all three co-founders have computer science backgrounds from Vanderbilt) with mentorship from tech industry leaders through the prestigious "Y Combinator" program, which has launched companies like Airbnb and DoorDash.

The conversation explores how Atlog's technology maintains the personal touch that's vital to rent-to-own while addressing practical challenges. Their system provides real-time dashboards showing call performance metrics, integrates with existing POS systems, and offers various voice options including different accents and languages. Future plans include expanding from collections to inbound customer service, delivery feedback calls, and eventually sales outreach.

For rental dealers interested in bringing this technology to their operations, Atlog offers "white glove" onboarding, where they visit stores personally to customize implementation. Their pricing is store-based, making the solution accessible to both single-location operators and multi-store enterprises.

Connect with Atlog at sean@atlog.ai or visit atlog.ai to schedule a demo and experience firsthand how AI can transform your rental business while preserving the relationships that make RTO special.

*Operating software currently being developed and not ready as of the recording of this podcast.

Sponsored by: APRO, Wow Brands, JLR America, and FlyWheel RTO

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Why do some rent-to-own stores convert 30% of their customers to new agreements while others struggle to break 20%? The answer lies not in last-minute sales tactics but in the entire customer experience journey. In this eye-opening conversation, Pete Shau and Jason Winters dive deep into the real factors that determine whether customers stick around after completing their agreements.

The modern rental customer has more options than ever before. With just a few taps on their phone, they can find comparable merchandise from countless competitors. What makes them choose to continue doing business with you? It starts with deserving their loyalty through exceptional service, clean stores, well-presented merchandise, and problem resolution that exceeds expectations.

We explore practical strategies for improving conversion rates, from the timing of customer outreach (60-90 days before agreement completion) to bundling complementary products that enhance their existing purchases. Learn why loyalty programs represent a massive untapped opportunity in the rental industry and how delivery personnel can dramatically impact customer retention through their service approach.

Most importantly, discover why the fundamental question every rental business should ask is simply: "Do you deserve their business?" As Pete emphasizes, "Your PIF conversion starts when you say 'Hi, how are you doing today?'" The entire customer relationship—not just the final sales pitch—determines whether they'll walk away or sign a new agreement.

Ready to transform your conversion rates? Email pete@thertoshowpodcast.com with your questions or connect with us on social media. Subscribe to our podcast for more industry insights that drive real-world results.

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Post-pandemic realities have forever altered the customer journey in rent-to-own, demanding fresh approaches from industry veterans and newcomers alike. Pete Shau and Jason Winters unpack this transformation with refreshing candor, highlighting how the traditional in-store sales model has been overwhelmed by digital-first shopping habits.

Most striking is their revelation about traffic patterns: "We're not 70-30 anymore. We're 80-20 or even 85-15," with online interactions dominating customer engagement. This shift requires sales professionals to develop entirely new skillsets for closing deals through text messages, emails, and automated systems rather than face-to-face conversations.

The episode introduces a compelling metaphor comparing successful sales teams to gardeners rather than hunters. Where traditional approaches focused on immediate conversions, today's environment demands patience and consistent nurturing. "No gardener plants just one carrot," Shau notes, emphasizing that multiple touchpoints across various channels must be maintained with potential customers. This gardening mentality recognizes that while customers initiate purchase decisions at their convenience (often during evening hours when scrolling through social media), conversion requires persistent follow-up.

Perhaps most valuable is their critique of the "Superman manager" syndrome plaguing many RTO operations—where one person attempts to handle everything themselves rather than developing team capabilities. This approach ultimately wastes resources as stores "pay for five salaries but only get what one person can physically do." Both hosts advocate for training environments where everyone contributes to sales, from delivery techs spotting additional needs in customers' homes to collection managers reconnecting with previous customers.

The conversation wraps with practical advice about following established processes rather than reinventing operational systems. As Winters puts it, "A chocolate chip cookie is delicious. You don't have to invent it every time you want one." This wisdom applies perfectly to RTO operations seeking to thrive in challenging retail environments.

Ready to transform your approach for today's digital-first customers? Subscribe now and join the conversation about evolving your RTO strategy for 2023 and beyond.

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