Offer a Vendor Leasing Program to Enhance Sales and Profits

Equipment vendors who offer a properly structuredattractive to buy from you. If a vendor uses multiple
leasing program are not only giving the customer acompanies and shops deals, they will not usually get
viable financing option, they are taking a major stepthe best rates.o Using one leasing company results in
to increase sales, market share, and profits. Yet it'sbetter pricing because of increased volume. Leasing
surprising how many companies will not provide acompanies make more money when deals come
leasing program. Some say it's because theirthrough referrals, rather than expensive marketing.
customers have their own sources. Others say theirThe referral business is more profitable because it
customers pay cash. This mindset can be costly in aprovides a steady stream of deals from clients who
variety of ways. The biggest problem is that it canare looking to acquire equipment now and need
drive the customer to the arms of your competition.financing.o Because maintaining the relationship with
Some equipment suppliers do offer a leasing program,the equipment supplier is critical to profitability, they
but give the customer a choice between severalwill do everything in their power to keep the approval
leasing companies for them to use. That may soundrate high and the lease rates low. These savings are
practical, but "shopping" deals with a multitude ofpassed on to the client.o The leasing company will
leasing companies can actually lower the chance ofalso be more motivated and go the extra mile to
approval. If the customer chooses one of the leasingfund the most challenging credits.o Because of
companies, and is subsequently declined, twoeconomies of scale involved with large volume
negative actions may result. First, the credit inquirydirected to the leasing company, the supplier is often
lowers the customer's credit score. Second, it will beentitled to referral fees of 1% to 2%, thus providing
clear this is a shopped transaction, and will make itan additional income stream.
more difficult to get the credit approved. If it isProviding a lease option to your customers has
approved, the lower credit score will cause the ratetremendous advantages to everyone involved. Both
to be higher.the leasing company and equipment supplier will likely
Establishing a sound relationship with one reputableenjoy increased profits and the customer can acquire
leasing company is the best course of action for bothmuch needed equipment without a large down
your company and your customers for severalpayment. Another advantage to the customer is that
reasons:o The relationship (allowing one leasingleasing allows them to easily upgrade their equipment
company to be involved) should result in lower ratespackage to a state of the art level.
for your customers, thereby making it more