GE Money and Play It Again Sports Team up with Consumer Finance Program

GE Money and Play It Again Sports®, a retailer of new and used sporting goods with nearly 400 franchise locations nationwide, today announced a multi-year agreement to provide the GE Money Sport Finance Program to its U.S. customers. The private label credit program, managed by GE Money’s Sales Finance unit, enables sports and fitness enthusiasts to take advantage of advanced sales notifications and exclusive discounts with Play It Again Sports. The financing program also provides a fast, easy application process, online account management, flexible financing options and promotional credit terms. Accountholders can also select from five different card designs based on their area of interest. "Our stores are independently owned by people who understand the importance of stretching a dollar,” said Pat Quinn, director for Play It Again Sports. "We’re pleased to offer the GE Money Sport Finance Program as a payment option for sports enthusiasts and families to budget for their changing and growing interests.” For more than 25 years, Play It Again Sports has provided sports enthusiasts with new and used sporting and fitness equipment from leading brands, such as Callaway®, TaylorMade®, Nike®, Adidas®, Horizon Fitness®, Nike Bauer®, Easton® and more. In Fact, Play It Again Sports buys and sells more new and used hockey equipment than any other sporting goods retailer. Many sports enthusiasts seek gently used equipment, which can be considerably less expensive than brand new. According to the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA), used goods cost as much as 30 to 60 percent less than new items. According to 2006 research, a new golf club costs $129.04, compared to $46.01 for a used club. A new tennis racket can cost $60.66 versus $7.76 for a used racket. New downhill skis can run $304.71, with a used set costing approximately $125.82. Even with lower prices, many consumers look to financing to purchase high-end fitness equipment. "The GE Money Sport Card provides an easy and convenient way to make purchasing sporting goods more affordable,” said Quinn. "Sporting and fitness equipment purchases don’t have to break the bank,” said Dennis Murphy, vice president for the Sporting Goods industry, GE Money – Sales Finance. "The GE Money Sport Finance program enables people to get the most for their money when buying new or used equipment at Play It Again Sports.” About Play It Again Sports Play It Again Sports® leads the nation in the buying and selling of quality used sports and fitness equipment. There are nearly 400 franchised stores in the United States and Canada. Play It Again Sports buys, sells, and trades quality used and new brand name sports & fitness equipment. Play It Again Sports is franchised by Winmark Corporation®, which also franchises Once Upon A Child®, Plato’s Closet®, Music Go Round®, and Wirth Business Credit®. For more information, visit www.playitagainsports.com. About GE Money With more than $200 billion in assets, GE Money, a unit of General Electric Company, (NYSE: GE) is a leading provider of retail banking and credit services to consumers, auto dealers and retailers in more than 50 countries around the world. With more than 130 million global customers, GE Money, based in London, UK, offers a range of financial products, including private label credit cards, personal loans, bank cards, auto loans and leases, mortgages, corporate travel and purchasing cards, debt consolidation and home equity loans, and credit insurance. More information can be found at www.gemoney.com. GE Money’s Sales Finance unit, based in Kettering, Ohio, provides private label credit card programs, marketing, installment lending and financial services for national and regional retailers, dealers, manufacturers and service providers in more than 20 industries including: sporting goods, outdoor power equipment, home improvement, powersports, automotive, recreational vehicles, consumer electronics and appliances, home furnishings, floor covering, marine, music, jewelry, and health care. GE is Imagination at Work -- a diversified technology, media and financial services company focused on solving some of the world’s toughest problems. With products and services ranging from aircraft engines, power generation, water processing and security technology to medical imaging, business and consumer financing, media content and advanced materials, GE serves customers in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit www.ge.com. ©2008 General Electric Company, All rights reserved.