Desking is the process of agreeing on price, payment, and financing terms, and has mostly been frustrating for both buyers and sellers. But now, new technology is changing the game which makes this tedious task faster. Deals can now be done in just 10 seconds, which benefits both consumers and dealers. Read on to find the benefits of automotive desking software, five steps to desking a car deal, and software strategies that can transform your buying and selling experience!
What is Automotive Desking Software?
Automotive desking software is a tool used by car dealerships that helps simplify the process of creating and finalizing deals with buyers faster. It helps dealers quickly calculate different payment and finance options so that they can present the best choices to the buyers. This software brings all the important information together in one place which makes it easier to reach an agreement on price and terms. This saves time and improves the buying experience for the customers.
Top 4 Features of Automotive Desking Software
Automotive desking software is designed to make the vehicle sales process easier and faster for automotive dealerships. Here are the key features of this software:
Customization Options
The software lets dealerships customize their sales processes to fit their need and their customer’s preferences better. Some software allows users to create personalized deal proposals that show different options side by side. This makes it easier for the customer to understand their choices and for dealers to track what works best.
Integration with Other Software Platforms
The desking software has the ability to work well with other systems that dealerships use. Some software connects smoothly with automotive CRM tools and inventory systems. This integration makes operations easier for the sales team and lets them access important information without switching between different programs.
Automated Program Validation
This feature helps ensure all deals follow the rules set by lenders and manufacturers. This reduces mistakes and speeds up the approval process. It can automatically check credit reports and compliance requirements in real time so that salespeople can focus on selling rather than paperwork.
Multi-Scenario Deal Calculations
This feature allows dealerships to quickly calculate and compare different deal options for customers. It can show various financing and leasing options, which helps customers see which option works best for them. This helps customers make smart decisions and helps dealerships increase their profits by presenting the best deals.
Top 10 Benefits of Automotive Desking Software
Automotive desking software offers several benefits to auto dealerships and helps them with a smooth operation process and improving the automotive customer experience. Here are some key advantages:
1) Saves Time: The software handles calculations for payments and finance automatically so that salespeople don’t have to do them manually.
2) Reduces Mistakes: It helps keep things accurate by cutting down on errors in quotes and finance details.
3) Speeds Up Sales: The software makes it quicker to prepare quotes and paperwork so that the deals get done faster.
4) Keeps Data Organized: It stores customer data and deal info in one place, which makes it easy to find what you need.
5) Boosts Sales: It helps sales teams offer financing options and extras more effectively.
6) Customizable: The software can be adjusted to fit the dealership’s specific needs and works with other systems as well.
7) Improves Customer Service: It helps make communication smoother and speeds up responses which leads to happier customers.
8) Ensures Compliance: It helps follow regulations and creates reports to check performance.
9) Strengthen Teamwork: The software allows different teams (sales, finance, management) to work together better with shared information.
10) Cuts Costs: It reduces the need for paperwork and manual tasks, which helps dealerships save money.
Best Car Dealership Desking Tools
As an automotive dealership, automotive desking software will provide you with amazing tools to manage your dealership easily and efficiently, and help you provide better service and increase sales:
1) Compare Vehicles
This tool lets you easily compare the features and benefits of different vehicles available at your dealership. It’s perfect for showing customers how various options stack up.
2) Calendars
It helps your team keep track of their daily tasks and appointments with an easy-to-use scheduling feature.
3) Document Storage
It allows you to upload and attach electronic documents to specific vehicles, products, or customers, keeping everything organized.
4) Financing
This tool provides customers with financing options and calculations to help them purchase their chosen vehicle.
5) Leasing
Calculates lease options based on current factory incentives, making it easier for customers to choose a leasing plan.
6) Cash Deals
It quickly calculates the total cost of purchasing a vehicle outright, giving customers a clear cash price or amount due on delivery.
7) Customer Management
It can scan documents to quickly add new clients to the system. The CRM tool will then send automatic follow-ups and service reminders to keep customers engaged.
8) Control Inventory
The tool will manage your inventory with the latest mobile technology. You can add and update vehicle details, including VIN, make, model, and trim level, and attach notes and photos.
9) Products & Services
It easily adds and removes items from your billing list, including accessories, automotive F&I products, chemicals, warranties, and admin fees.
10) Stylized Deal Sheets
It can select from various templates to create professional deal sheets for customer proposals.
11) Retail Bill of Sale
It automatically generates an electronic retail bill of sale in PDF format for easy printing without extra fees.
12) Wholesale Bill of Sale
The tool also creates an electronic wholesale bill of sale in PDF format, also available for printing without additional costs.
13) Expensing & Accounting
It can track and monitor your dealership’s expenses with tools that help you stay on top of finances and boost profitability.
14) Matrix Pricing
It shows the cost of purchasing and leasing vehicles in a clear matrix format with multiple down payment options, improving the deal-making process.
15) Analytics
It creates custom reports to track profitability, sales performance, website traffic, closing ratios, and more.
16) VIN Decoding
This tool uses advanced VIN decoding software to provide accurate data for all vehicles added to your database.
17) Vehicle Description
It generates detailed vehicle descriptions based on VIN data, ensuring accurate information for all your listings.
18) Window Stickers
It can also download and print custom window stickers that show standard and optional equipment, crash test ratings, and fuel consumption details.
5 Steps to Desking a Car Deal in Less than 10 Seconds
Through this 5 step process, you as a dealer can desk a car deal in less than 10 seconds through automotive desking software, making the sales process faster, more efficient, and customer friendly:
Step 1: Select the Vehicle
Start by choosing the vehicle the customer is interested in. With the help of advanced desking software, you can pull up the specific make, model, trim, and any additional options. This step sets the foundation for the rest of the deal. The system makes sure you have the correct vehicle details at your fingertips, ready to go in just a few clicks.
Step 2: Customize Payment and Options
Next, customize the payment plan to fit the customer’s needs. The software allows you to instantly adjust down payments, loan terms, interest rates, and other financial options. You can also add or remove optional products like extended warranties or service plans. This step is about customizing the deal to what the customer is looking for, making it easier to finalize the sale and enhancing the automotive CRM.
Step 3: Complete the Credit Application
Once the payment options are set, it’s time to complete the credit application. The software can auto-fill much of the required information based on the customer’s previous interactions, saving time. It then quickly runs a credit check and provides instant feedback on approval status and terms, helping you move forward without delay.
Step 4: Get Signatures
With everything set up, you’re ready to capture the necessary signatures. The software allows for electronic signatures, making this process fast and straightforward. Whether you’re dealing with the purchase agreement, financing paperwork, or any other required documents, the system ensures all signatures are collected in seconds, either in-person or remotely.
Step 5: Submit Deal
Finally, submit the deal to finalize the transaction. The software automatically sends all necessary documents to the appropriate parties, including lenders and dealership management. It also updates your inventory and sales records, ensuring everything is in order. With just one click, the deal is complete, allowing you to move on to the next customer quickly.
Automotive Desking Software Strategies
Automotive desking software addresses challenges commonly faced by dealerships. Here are strategies for how desking software can help overcome these hurdles and improve the dealership’s operations:
1) The Trust Gap
There is a big difference in how dealers and customers view transparency, which leads to a trust gap. Customers want clear and straightforward information and dealers think they are being transparent but the customers don’t always agree. The trust gap is a big deal and the key to closing this gap is using desking software that provides clear and consistent information to both the parties, and making sure everyone is on the same page.
2) Meeting Customer Needs
Dealers struggle to meet customer expectations for transparency while also trying to run a profitable business. This balancing act is challenging. The desking software can help through its tools that give customers the information they want – like clear payment options and financing details, without making the sales process too complicated for the dealer.
3) Lenders’ Lack of Clarity
One of the biggest problems dealers face is getting clear information from lenders. Without detailed and accurate information on financing options, it’s tough to close deals smoothly. Desking software can bridge the gap by integrating lender information directly into the system which ensures that dealers have the clarity they need to move forward.
4) Dealers Making It Harder
Sometimes, dealers make the sales process more confusing for the customers unintentionally. For example, offering payment estimates before getting solid answers from lenders can lead to misunderstandings and frustration. This confusion often emerges from trying to move the process along too quickly without all the necessary information. Automotive desking software can prevent these issues by making sure that all the relevant details are in place before presenting payment options to the customers.
Conclusion
Cutting down desking time is a huge boost for dealerships. It means selling more cars, keeping customers happy, and letting salespeople help more people faster. Automotive desking software makes this process quick and simple, giving dealerships a big advantage in a market where customer experience is key. Everyone wins—dealers get more sales, salespeople assist more clients, and customers enjoy a faster, easier car-buying experience. This makes the whole process smoother and more enjoyable for everyone involved.
