During these challenging times, there are some key areas of focus to help you drive success:

• Evolve Digital Capabilities
• Continue Education and Training
• Properly Structure Your F&I Program
• Understand and Leverage the RIGHT Dealer Participation Program

Incorporating F&I Into Digital Retailing

Incorporating more of the F&I conversation in the digital retailing process is important to future success. F&I managers have already had to sharpen their skills to address increased margin compression and rising prices on new inventory. Many times, the F&I managers are responsible for driving profitability of the transaction through value-added services such as F&I products. To compound the issue, they must now complete the same task without the benefit of an in-person meeting. While this is a new hurdle in the F&I process, many of the best practices remain the same.

1. Work with lenders to leverage online processes to secure financing and necessary forms, as well as approvals.
2. Build value for F&I product options using digital tools like videos.
3. Develop tools to present and promote protection products and maintenance programs. There are numerous options, and leading providers like Protective can assist with both pricing and coverage options.
4. In lieu of meeting in person to outline the F&I products, provide buyers with digital options up front, then use phone calls and videoconferencing to review.
5. Whether you’re selling face to face or digitally, the most common processes include identifying objections up front, explaining how the products meet the customer’s needs, soft close, and then a final close. Find (or create) a process that works for you and stick to it. In most cases, the process has been tested for success and could help you increase your numbers.

In addition to compliance with lender requirements and state regulations, the signature is the most critical part of the sales process because it solidifies the deal^*. There are some resources^** that may help your team handle this process digitally. But first, it is important to build rapport with your customer and make the transaction fit their expectations. Make it easy for them to do business with you. They will be more willing to take the extra steps to complete the process with you during these uncertain times.

Here are some highly (consumer) rated “digital signature” options that may be familiar to your customers:

DocuSign, InsureSign, SignEasy, SignNow and eSign Genie.

^* Please consult with legal counsel to ensure compliance with necessary signature processes.

^** Protective does not endorse any specific electronic signature vendors.

Contactless delivery

Even as local and state governments look at the safest ways to open businesses after COVID-19, providing a contactless delivery process can address customers concerns.

Consider promoting sanitizing measures as value-added services to heighten safety and customer satisfaction. Upon completion of the deal, dealers could offer delivery options that include a fully detailed and sanitized vehicle.

By investing in safety measures that add value to your customer’s experience, you’re building your brand for success and creating loyalty with each consumer. While these are great options to help facilitate the deal once the customer is in the store, we realize most dealerships are experiencing lower customer volume. A great way to keep the team engaged and on top of their game during these uncertain times is a robust training regimen.