Let’s be honest – no one really wants to go to a dealership and spend a ton of money. But it happens, and it’s our job at myKaarma to make that process as smooth, quick, and secure as possible. That’s why flexible payment options are a game-changer for dealerships. From improving customer satisfaction to cutting operational costs, offering the right payment solutions can make a world of difference. Today, I’ll walk you through a few payment options that are making dealerships more efficient and helping customers pay with ease.
Customers want fast, easy, and secure transactions – and dealerships should want the same. No one enjoys standing in line or spending extra time figuring out how they can pay for an expensive repair or service. Dealerships that offer multiple payment methods, especially ones that minimize friction, create a much better customer experience. It’s simple: quick and reliable transactions mean happier customers. Plus, it reduces bottlenecks at the dealership. That’s a win for everyone.
One of the most convenient payment methods available today is the payment link. It’s exactly what it sounds like – a simple, secure way for customers to pay via a link sent through text or email. Customers can review their invoice, click the link, and pay instantly with a credit card, debit card, or even mobile options like Apple Pay or Google Pay.
The benefits? Well, first off, customers can pay from anywhere at any time using their smartphone, tablet, or computer. And once customers discover the convenience of payment links, they typically don’t want to go back to the old way. Not to mention, it speeds up the payment process, reduces wait times, and makes the dealership’s life easier by cutting down on manual processing.
For example, a customer can pay ahead of time, then show up at the dealership, grab their keys, and be on their way. No lines, no delays. It’s a faster, better experience for both the customer and the dealership.
Now, let’s talk about something we all dread – chargebacks.
A chargeback is a reversal of a payment initiated by the buyer’s bank or credit card issuer after completing a transaction. It typically occurs when the buyer disputes a charge on their account, claiming the transaction was unauthorized, fraudulent, or that the goods or services were not delivered as agreed.
Chargebacks can be a real headache, especially in parts departments, where fraud tends to be more common. Bad actors often use stolen credit cards to buy parts online and then dispute the charge later.
Luckily, with 3D Secure technology, we’ve found a way to protect dealerships from fraudulent transactions. 3D Secure runs in the background, analyzing hundreds of data points in real-time to determine whether a transaction is legitimate. If it’s approved and later disputed for fraud, the issuing bank assumes the liability, not the dealership.
3D Secure can save dealerships thousands of dollars in potential chargebacks. In fact, we recently saved a dealership from a large automotive group over $8,000 they would have lost to a fraudulent transaction. That’s the kind of protection dealerships need to stay secure.
We’ve all seen those clunky, old credit card terminals that sit in one spot, tethered to a computer or Ethernet cable. They’re outdated, inefficient, and physically limiting. With mobile, WiFi-based terminals, dealerships can completely change how payments are handled.
These terminals are lightweight and portable, allowing dealership employees to take payments anywhere in the building. Whether it’s at the service adviser’s desk, in the parts department, or into the customer waiting area, payments can be made on the spot. The flexibility doesn’t just improve the customer experience; it also cuts costs. Instead of needing to purchase multiple terminals, one mobile terminal can be shared between advisers or parts department employees.
And let’s not forget the added benefit of reducing manual entry errors. When a customer can insert, tap, or swipe their card directly, there’s less room for human error – and that’s good for both security and efficiency.
On top of payment links and mobile terminals, myKaarma offers even more advanced options to help dealerships streamline payments. For example, dealerships can use our terminals to accept mobile payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay. And coming soon is the M2 reader – a small, square- device that connects to phones or tablets via Bluetooth. This tool will make it easier for dealerships to accept payments on the go, even outside the dealership.
Whether you’re offering delivery services or just looking to simplify how customers pay, these tools bring flexibility to every corner of your dealership.
Flexible payment options are no longer just a “nice-to-have” feature – they’re essential for creating a smooth, efficient customer experience. Dealerships that embrace these modern payment methods can reduce costs, improve customer satisfaction, and protect themselves from fraud.
By adopting flexible payment solutions like myKaarma’s payment links and mobile terminals, dealerships can stay ahead of the curve. With myKaarma, customers can pay securely from anywhere outside the dealership using links sent via text or email, while mobile terminals allow payments to be made from anywhere within the dealership, creating a seamless experience. Plus, advanced features like 3D Secure ensure that dealerships are protected from fraudulent chargebacks, saving time and money.
Whether it’s reducing wait times, cutting down on manual tasks, or offering customers the convenience they expect, myKaarma’s payment options help streamline operations and enhance customer satisfaction across the board. It’s time to adopt flexible, secure payment methods and bring your dealership’s operations into the future.