The F&I office is the last step in the car buying process – but F&I products should be seeded at every step of the customer’s journey. Effective F&I strategies are critical to increasing sales and customer retention. The more you alert customers to F&I products that can help protect their vehicle investment, the more likely they are to buy.

Informing car buyers about F&I products is especially important today, with the average care payment at a record-high $700 for new vehicles and $525 for used. Also, the average loan term is nearly 70 months for both new ones and used cars. Having products to shield customers’ wallets in the event of repairs or a total loss is critical when consumers are paying top dollar for vehicles and holding onto them longer.

4 F&I Strategies to Create a Path for F&I Before the Vehicle Sale

The following F&I strategies introduce products and build value. So, when customers sit in front of the F&I manager, they are more receptive to a conversation.

1. Ask about a service contract.

Ask every customer with a trade-in if the vehicle is covered by a service contract. Any repairs needed may be covered, so the customer will get more for the trade. If repairs aren’t needed, the customer can cancel the contract and use those funds for a more significant down payment. A customer with a service contract will immediately see the value and most likely want the same coverage on the new vehicle. Customers who do not have coverage will also understand the value once you explain the benefits. It’s a win-win to get customers thinking about future repair bills and how to cover them.

2. Focus on the trade.

The condition of a trade-in vehicle is also fertile ground for protection products. During a walk-around, focus on problems like paint damage and/or torn and dirty upholstery. Explain that you offer appearance products that can protect the new vehicle from wear and tear and even weather-induced fading and cracking. Protection throughout the vehicle lifecycle equals more money in trade when it’s time for the next new vehicle.

3. Visit the service department.

Many dealerships have a retention process where sales takes new-vehicle owners to the service department, introduces the service advisor, and explains the benefits of servicing with the dealership. There’s another benefit to this process.

Customers will see numerous vehicles up on lifts – with many likely the same brand they just purchased – undergoing repairs. Psychologically they’ll understand that cars do break, and at some point in the future, they will need to pay for repairs. The value of a service contract or prepaid maintenance is on full display.

4. Include “freebies” for one year.

Giving away short-term versions of F&I products is an effective way to differentiate your dealership and up-sell longer-term contracts. For example, a vehicle with two oil changes and tire and wheel damage coverage for one year is more attractive than a vehicle down the street without any add-ons. Freebies also provide the F&I manager an opportunity to offer extended coverage at a lower price since the dealer paid for the first year. This strategy is most effective when freebies are promoted prominently on the vehicle and VDP pages.

F&I Training

Note that the F&I manager will not always have the time to interact with customers and discuss products before the sale. In this case, sales associates must receive training on bringing F&I products into conversations at appropriate times. They don’t need to be product experts – but a working knowledge of the products sold should be required. One way to encourage learning and customer conversations around F&I is to spiff sales $5 to $10 when they discuss products with customers.

The entire dealership should understand the benefits of selling F&I Products. It’s not just about profit per vehicle sold but also connecting car buyers back to the dealership for long-term gains.

For example, according to internal APCO data, 70% of customers who purchase a service contract will return to the selling dealership for service. That number jumps to 80%when a customer has tire and wheel protection and 92% for covered oil changes. What should excite sales is that customers who service their vehicles at a dealership are 86 times more likely to buy their cars from that dealership.

Build Value to Sell More F&I Products & Earn Repeat Business

F&I products are an effective way to build value with the customer, retain service business, and prime the pump for more vehicle sales. Build awareness and value at every step of the customers’ journey to sell more products now and earn customer business far into the future.