Originally Posted by
JonathanIT
Even if the parts & service dept's are separate from sales, I don't think a sales dept. would risk losing the ability to take credit cards (MC/Visa). In these credit obsessed times too many people use them for down payments, deposits, partial payments etc. (like if they don't have enough cash for the down on their already jacked up dealer financing). They wouldn't be able to do business.
I have a close friend that worked as a finance manager for a handful of dealerships for well over a decade. He said that accepting partial payments on CCs wasn't about placating the credit-obsessed society, but rather to ensure a sale by someone who forgot their checkbook for the down payment. So many deals go bad when a customer is allowed to leave the dealership to go home and get their checkbook.
Also, if a customer has to put a partial payment on a credit card and is extended for credit, they'll likely need dealer financing from the finance manager. A poor credit report more often than not will show and the finance manger may not be able to offer an affordable loan which means no sale anyway.
Taking CC payments helps the sales department close in certain situations, but is not critical.
Regards,
Chris