Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM FEBRUARY 2023 52 B randSource Financial (BSF), the member-owned, in-house flooring program developed by the AVB BrandSource buying group, offers independent dealers more than interest-free financing and annual cash distributions. The group's financing arm held a member drawing for a five-day "Tropical Escape" travel package at the recent BrandSource Leadership Conference in Las Vegas. Chris Moore, General Manager of BSF, was excited to conduct the drawing at the annual conference, where directors, staff and vendors, including BrandSource Financial, assess the preceding 12 months and set the group's goals for the new year. This year's lucky winner was Cullen Mills of Modern Appliance in Killeen, Texas. Although not in attendance at the event, Mills was ecstatic when Moore called to tell him he'd won the trip. The winner was given the choice of four destinations: the Bahamas, Hawaii, Puerto Rico or Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. In short order Mills and his wife Erin decided they would head south to the always warm city of Puerto Vallarta. Asked if a cold cerveza on a warm beach is in his future, Cullen replied, "That is absolutely a must!" The couple plan to shed their parkas and take the much-needed getaway as soon as they get caught up on business. "We were so excited to reward one of our valued members who support this program," noted Moore. "We value and appreciate all members who utilize the member-owned financing program. Cullen has been such a great supporter. This trip is a way to celebrate the support and give back to members like Modern Appliance." The "Tropical Escape" excursion is BSF's first travel giveaway since the pandemic sidelined the program in 2021. The raffle was last held in 2020, when BrandSource members Don and Shelley Frei of Howard Hughes Appliance in Moscow, Idaho, took the grand prize. This year's winner, Modern Appliance, serves the greater Central Texas area out of its store in Killeen, selling and servicing most major white-goods brands. The company celebrated five years as a BrandSource member in November. Mills was quick to point out that BSF is part of the reason his business has been doing so well recently. "There is no doubt that BSF has been instrumental to the success of our business," he said. "Chris Moore and her team have always been responsive to our needs and go out of their way to take care of us. They have made financing smooth and easy for us, which allows us to focus on what's most important to us – our customers." All active accounts were eligible to enter the drawing, and participating members who added a new supplier received an additional entry. "The fact that our supplier list continues to grow makes BSF even more appealing," Moore said. As BrandSource's member-owned finance company, BSF provides dealers with significant savings on their wholesale financing needs. All profits are returned to participating members in the form of annual cash distributions, and Moore is forecasting another fantastic year for the program. BRANDSOURCE FINANCIAL'S FRINGE BENEFIT Modern Appliance's Cullen Mills will soon be enjoying warmer climes, courtesy of BSF Andy Kriege Inventory Finance Andy Kriege is General Manager of Communications at AVB BrandSource, the nation's largest merchandising and marketing co-op for independent appliance, mattress, furniture and CE dealers. RO BrandSource member Cullen Mills of Modern Appliance has big plans for a drink in his hand and his toes in the sand after winning BrandSource Financial's Tropical Escape drawing.

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