Alastair Shephard

Content Writer

Congratulations to Snows Vauxhall and Citroen Basingstoke for becoming the latest Bumper partner to be crowned Dealership of the Month. 

The site uses Bumper’s PayLater product to split aftersales customers’ bills into interest-free monthly payments. Increased payment flexibility at the checkout leads to a higher number of drivers taking recommended repair work. 

Since taking a proactive approach to offering PayLater, the site has seen a huge 36% increase in their red work conversion. 

Excellent customer service and digitalisation is at the heart of everything this site does with PayLaters processed on-site by the service team and through Bumper’s CitNOW integration. 

Ewan Greening works on the service team at Bumper. He said, ‘Having Bumper as a payment option has honestly eased any sort of painful phone call when a customer needs a big repair. 

‘When customers come in for a small job, such as an MOT, they don’t necessarily expect to spend a lot of money. 

‘But when their MOT fails and they need a lot of work doing, having Bumper as an option just makes it all little bit easier’. 

Mutual Snows and Bumper customers praised the flexible instalment option and the team’s excellent customer service. 

‘I had my Vauxhall Astra in for an MOT and service at Snows Basingstoke today, and I couldn't be more pleased with the experience. The service was absolutely fabulous - professional, efficient, and friendly from start to finish’, said one customer. 

Another driver commented, ‘Very quick, simple, uncomplicated form and process, I was delighted to find such a great service. Thank you Bumper, you’re awesome.’ 

Congratulations to Tony Wilson, Ewan Greening, Alexanda Locke, Emma Edmunds, and the whole team at Snows Vauxhall and Citroen Basingstoke.

Snows Vauxhall & Citroen Basingstoke earns Dealership of the Month title 

In today’s competitive automotive market, value-added products (VAPs) offer car dealers a fantastic opportunity to enhance the ownership experience. 

From extended warranties, insurance products and paint protection to stylish accessories and interior upgrades, these products do more than just add to the sale—they provide customers with peace of mind, comfort, and a sense of pride in their purchase. 

In many cases, they can positively impact the residual value of the customer’s vehicle. 

To truly make the most of this potential, dealers need to adopt a thoughtful and strategic approach to their VAP offerings. 

Having worked with various dealership groups and OEMs across the UK and Europe, I’ve identified some essential principles for a successful VAP strategy. 

This guide explores the importance of focusing on value, investing in staff training, ensuring inclusivity, maintaining clear communication, and offering flexible payment options. Together, these elements create a solid foundation for VAP success. 

A trusted Bumper partner recently demonstrated these points to deliver a significant increase in their product performance. They saw the average profit per unit increase by £87. Following these steps could have a significant impact on your business’s overall profitability. 

The first step in developing an effective VAP strategy is to remember that sometimes, less is more. A wide array of products can be overwhelming for customers, leading to confusion and indecision. 

Instead, dealers should concentrate on a select few offerings that genuinely enhance the customer experience and provide real benefits. It’s about identifying those key products that resonate with buyers and add meaningful value. 

Your sales team plays a crucial role in promoting value-added products. If they don’t believe in the benefits these products provide, customers won’t either. Regular training sessions should go beyond the features of VAPs and focus on their value propositions. When staff understand how these products can improve the customer’s experience, they’re better equipped to engage with buyers and foster trust. 

Every customer should have the opportunity to explore products that meet their specific needs and requirements. It’s essential to avoid making assumptions about who might be interested in what. 

By adopting a culture of inclusivity and compliance, dealers can ensure that all products are presented consistently and fairly. Digital tools can help streamline this process, providing tailored recommendations while reducing the chance of human error. 

It’s all too easy to make assumptions about people. However, this can lead to missed opportunities. Training your team to approach every customer without bias creates an environment where individuals feel valued and informed. Empowering customers with knowledge allows them to make decisions that suit their needs, helping them recognise the true value of VAPs. 

Clear and consistent communication is vital for building trust with customers. Inconsistent messaging at various stages of the customer journey can erode confidence and lower conversion rates. Regularly reviewing all customer touchpoints—from initial inquiries to post-sale follow-ups—ensures a uniform brand voice that highlights the value of VAPs across different platforms, whether in person or online.

How products are paid for can greatly influence a customer’s decision. Providing various payment methods, including split payments and flexible financing options, can significantly boost conversion rates. 

By accommodating different customer preferences—such as credit cards, digital wallets, or payment plans—dealers can make the purchasing process more accessible. This flexibility not only drives VAP sales but also encourages long-term customer loyalty. 

Successfully selling value-added products involves more than just offering a range of options. It requires a customer-centric approach that communicates value, empowers staff, prioritises compliance, and simplifies payment processes. 

By focusing on these key principles, dealerships can enhance their VAP sales while building lasting relationships with their customers—essential in an industry facing constant change. The potential for growth is significant, and it all begins with a commitment to value, understanding, and connection.

Jack Allman is the Co-Founder and CCO of Bumper, a digital payments provider built specifically for the automotive industry. Jack has over 10 years of experience working with some of Europe’s top dealership groups and OEMs, helping them to optimise their sales funnels with flexible payment options.

6 Steps to unlock the potential of value-added products with Bumper’s Jack Allman 

August’s Dealership of the Month award goes to Brindley Kia West Bromwich who had their best ever month using Bumper’s PayLater to split the cost of service and repair bills into monthly payments. 

The team at Brindley Kia West Bromwich took a proactive approach to offering Bumper to their customers throughout August. 

As a result, they saw a 5% increase in conversion of red and amber work, an increase of £36 in their average invoice value and a £10 per hour increase in their recovery rate. 

The team also use PayLayer through Bumper’s Pinewood integration where customers can set up payments following their VHC video. 

Carlie Churchill, Service Manager at Kia West Bromwich, said, 'Bumper is a fantastic tool to have at our disposal. Customers love the flexibility, and it allows them to say yes to recommended work they otherwise might have declined. 

‘Since our team has taken a proactive approach to offering Bumper, we’ve seen a big increase in customer satisfaction, conversion of red and amber work, and an increased recovery rate.’

Service advisor, Melania, enjoyed how Bumper increased her customers’ confidence in making their purchases. She said, "Bumper is easy to use for both us and the customer. It enables our customers to spread the cost, making unexpected repair bills more manageable. 

‘Customers are more confident in their purchasing decisions knowing that they have a flexible and convenient payment option available to them.’

Adrian, service advisor at the West-Brom site, praised how Bumper protects his customers’ savings. He said, 'does not matter about your circumstances, put it on Bumper anyway. 

‘That way you can budget and pay for it out of your day-to-day account rather than dip into your savings, always harder to build back up your savings once you start dipping into it.’

Congratulations to Carlie, Adrian, Melania, and the whole team at Brindley Kia West Bromwich. 

Brindley Kia West Bromwich Named Dealership of the Month

Congratulations to Brayleys Nissan Manchester, the latest site on the Bumper network to be named Dealership of the Month. 

Since joining the Bumper network in 2021, Brayleys have used Bumper’s PayLater to split the cost of their customers’ service and repair work. 

The team at Nissan Manchester also use PayLater via CitNOW, allowing customers to select their service work and flexible instalments within their eVHC and giving valuable time back to service advisors.

Chris Booth, Business Development Consultant for Bumper, is the site’s account manager. 

He said, “Congratulations to Brayleys Nissan Manchester. We've seen a big increase in conversion and customer retention with sites taking a proactive approach to offering Bumper, and Brayleys is no exception. 

“The team on site have put PayLater firmly into their everyday aftersales process and have now seen this reflected in their VHC stats and customer feedback.” 

A big well done to Tom, Billy-Jo, Jessica, and the whole team at Nissan Manchester on your win! 

Brayleys Nissan Manchester crowned Dealership of the Month 

Bumper and Keyloop have launched the next phase of their integration by adding all payment types and automatic payment reconciliation for dealers. 

Bumper’s suite of digital payment solutions is included in the enhanced integration. Pay by link, payments made on the customers’ device via SMS or email; Pay by bank, an account-to-account open banking payment method; PayLater, interest-free monthly payments; and PayPads, the all-in-one point-of-sale device bringing together all payment types in a familiar mobile terminal. 

Increased payment flexibility at the checkout improves customer satisfaction and retention. A survey of Bumper customers found 90% would return to the same dealership because Bumper was offered as a payment option and 89% said they felt less stressed. 

This new solution is a major leap forward for retailers with reconciled payments within the Keyloop platform. Designed specifically for Keyloop’s dealer management systems, automated payment reconciliation saves all areas of the business time, from the advisors in the workshop to accounts teams in the back office. 

Payments automatically reconciled across all systems mean advisors no longer need to switch between platforms, minimising the risk of miskeyed information and improving efficiency. Currently available in the UK, further payment enhancements will be rolled out across Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands in the coming months. 

Bumper Co-Founder and CCO, Jack Allman, said, "This integration marks a major milestone in our mission to simplify and enhance the payment process for automotive retailers. We're excited to bring these advanced capabilities to Keyloop's network, driving greater efficiency and customer satisfaction." 

Sebastien Fabri, Partner Director at Keyloop said, “The new enhancement to the Bumper-Keyloop integration marks a significant step towards full digitalisation of payments and reconciliation in the automotive space. Consumers today demand flexible options at the checkout and Bumper affords them this opportunity. Whether that’s Buy Now Pay Later, paying remotely via link, open banking, or instore on the PayPad, this integration is an essential tool for any customer-centric dealer.” 

For more information on how the Bumper Keyloop integration can transform your dealership contact 

Bumper and Keyloop launch major enhancement to DMS payment integration 

A big congratulations to our latest Dealership of the Month, Stephen James BMW Woolwich.

The site excelled in their use of Bumper's PayLater this month splitting the cost of customers' bills into interest-free monthly instalments.

BMW Woolwich noted how Bumper's digital payment options directly contributed towards the dealership's main objectives of increased conversion and customer satisfaction.

Steven Treais, Aftersales Manager at the Woolwich branch, said, “Bumper has dramatically increased our retail profit and the convenience of spreading the cost has also improved the customer experience.”

The team have embedded PayLater into their everyday aftersales process, using the flexible payment option to split the cost of customers' VHC service work, parts, and accessories. Similarly, the sales team use PayLater to enhance the customer experience by funding value-added products.

Samuel Manford (pictured holding the award above) said, “Bumper is a great way to pay for unexpected vehicle repairs. They offer easy and interest-free forms of payment to help customers get their vehicles back on the road. Whether it's £2,000 or £5,000, Bumper saves customers time and peace of mind."

Many customers at the site use PayLater via the CitNOW integration, which allows drivers to split the cost directly from their eVHC. 

Customers took to Trustpilot to praise the use of Bumper at Stephen James. One said, “Easy to set up payment plan. Very good service at a time when needed." Another driver said, “It’s more stress-free for customers to use.”

Congratulations to Steven and the team at Stephen James BMW Woolwich.

Dealership of the Month: Stephen James Woolwich

Thurlow Nunn Luton has been crowned Bumper’s Dealership of the Month for May 2024. 

The Vauxhall site had an incredible month in May helping lots of drivers to split the cost of their repairs into interest-free monthly instalments. 

Thurlow Nunn joined the Bumper network back in 2015 and has been a committed Bumper partner; empowering drivers with flexible payment options on their repairs for almost a decade. 

The Luton-based team have integrated Bumper into their everyday process by using the Bumper plug-in on their dealer management system, Pinewood, and introducing flexible payment options early in the customer journey via their bookings team at their contact centre. 

On Trustpilot, customers expressed their approval of the Thurlow Nunn and Bumper partnership. 

One Luton customer said, “It was very much appreciated when Thurlow Nunn offered to spread the cost of my service at no extra cost”. 

Another impressed customer said, “What can I say? A great way to spread the cost of service. Just give them your details and they do the rest. 

“The service team at Thurlow Nunn complete the process, take your payment details and it’s done. It was so easy I had to double-check it had been completed”. 

Bumper Business Development Consultant for East England, Darren Gloster, visited the site to hand over their award. 

Darren said, “Congratulations to the team at Thurlow Nunn Vauxhall Luton. They’re one of our longest-standing partners on the network and this shows in their approach to interest-free monthly payments; truly recognising the importance of accommodating every need of every customer.”

Well done on your much-deserved win, team Luton! 

Thurlow Nunn Luton Awarded Dealer of the Month 

We've all heard of Robin Hood and his adventures in Sherwood Forest, right? At Bumper we tried to recreate that amazing experience a week ago at our corporate retreat. 

This event was not only an opportunity to disconnect and enjoy nature but also to get to know each other a little better. Read on to hear about our incredible adventure. 

This year, we set out to do something special by bringing together our teams from across Europe in one place, and what better than Center Parcs in the heart of Sherwood Forest? With its rich history and breathtaking scenery, it was the perfect setting for our team-building activities. 

The day started with an outdoor problem-solving expedition through the forest where teams had to pass various tests, including tests of dexterity, riddle solving and physical challenges. Typical of our British weather, it rained from the outset! 

Throughout the stay, we also had the opportunity to enjoy other outdoor activities that helped us to disconnect from the day-to-day: 

This retreat was a unique opportunity for all of us who were able to attend. 

The team-building activities not only helped us to develop collaborative skills but also helped us to build trust and get to know each other a little better. 

We also shared laughs and experiences during dinner, where we had the opportunity to participate in a charity raffle. The generous contributions of colleagues, family and friends, raised a massive £1,400 for the Ukraine crisis appeal. 

The Bumper Awards celebration, where the work and efforts of colleagues were recognised, rounded off the evening.

In such a relaxed and natural environment, the conversations flowed easily and many creative ideas emerged that we hope to implement in our future projects. 

In a dynamic and ever-changing industry, these events are essential in encouraging colleague collaboration. 

Our retreat at Sherwood Forest was more than just a getaway. It was an experience that allowed us to grow as a team and as individuals. We all returned home with a renewed sense of energy. 

For Partners