For customers who prefer to pay remotely, secure payment links provide another convenient option. Portable payment terminals allow employees to accept payments wherever they meet customers. Regardless of where the transaction takes place, employees need access to accurate payment information and immediate confirmation. Service workflows should also allow customers to sign repair orders and receive receipts without returning to the dealership. Eliminate the Checkout Bottleneck A positive dealership experience shouldn’t end with a frustrating checkout process. According to Cox Automotive’s April 2026 research summary, 24% of dealership service customers who reported a frustration said their visit took too long. J.D. Power’s 2026 U.S. Customer Service Index Study also identifies vehicle pickup as the second-most-important factor among its five measures of service satisfaction, behind service quality. These findings highlight the importance of the final customer interaction. Even when service goes smoothly, waiting for an available cashier, traveling to another department or completing additional paperwork can add unnecessary friction. Mobile payment technology can help dealerships simplify checkout by allowing employees to complete transactions where customers are already located. For example, a service advisor equipped with a portable terminal can review the final invoice, collect payment and complete the transaction beside the customer’s vehicle. To deliver this experience consistently, dealerships should consider equipment reliability, battery life, connectivity and the ability to capture signatures and provide receipts. The objective On-the-Go Mobile Payments for Dealerships By Dealer Pay Dealership service is no longer confined to the service lane. From mobile service appointments and vehicle delivery to remote payments and contactless checkout, customers increasingly expect convenience at every stage of their dealership experience. But while dealerships have expanded where they serve customers, their payment processes haven’t always kept pace. A service advisor may close a repair order beside a customer’s vehicle. A driver may collect payment during delivery. A customer may want to settle a bill from home before returning to pick up their vehicle. Each scenario moves the transaction beyond the traditional cashier window. Without the right technology, however, these conveniences can create additional work for dealership staff, introduce reconciliation challenges and disconnect payments from the records accounting relies on. The opportunity isn’t simply to accept payments anywhere; it’s to complete the entire transaction wherever the customer is. Meet Customers Wherever They Are As dealerships expand their services beyond traditional locations, payment flexibility is becoming an increasingly important part of the customer experience. Ford reported in 2026 that approximately one in seven Ford service visits occurred at a customer’s home or office, based on its 2025 U.S. data. As off-site service becomes more common, requiring customers to visit the dealership separately to pay undermines the service’s convenience. Flexible payment options can support several dealership departments: • Service: Advisors can collect payment beside a customer’s vehicle, eliminating an additional stop at the cashier. • Pickup and Delivery: Drivers can accept payments at a customer’s home or workplace. • Parts: Employees can collect payments from wholesale customers away from the counter. • Sales and F&I: Dealership employees can collect agreed payments during vehicle delivery. Beyond the Cashier 21 ILLINOIS AUTOMOBILE DEALER NEWS
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