Moving high-value lawn and snow equipment off the showroom floor is challenging when premium pricing stops a sale before it starts. This sticker shock often leads to inventory imbalances and lost revenue to big-box competitors, leaving independent lawn tractor and snow blower retailers scrambling for a solution.
Implementing consumer financing as a strategic sales tool –– rather than just a payment option –– converts hesitant showroom browsers into immediate buyers. By partnering with United Consumer Financial Services, a national leader in outdoor power equipment financing, you can overcome price objections, streamline the purchase process, and increase your in-store sales starting now. Read on to learn more.
Roadblocks to In-Store Lawn and Snow Equipment Sales
Competing retailers and pricing, budget constraints, and more make in-store equipment sales a challenge even for established businesses carrying trusted brands. Below are the most common obstacles to increasing in-store lawn and snow equipment sales:
- The shock of high price tags: Quality outdoor equipment, including chainsaws, snow blowers, lawn mowers, and more, comes with high price tags that stop shoppers in their tracks. When consumers see a price they weren’t prepared for, they often downgrade to a cheaper model (with lower satisfaction) or leave the store entirely.
- Purchase hesitation: Most consumers consult with their spouse or partner before making high-value purchases like lawn or snow equipment. Once they leave the store to discuss the buy, the excitement fades, and they abandon the purchase or find a cheaper alternative. Consumer financing helps turn hesitant browsers into confident buyers.
- Limited consumer cash: If a shopper has a set budget, they might find a piece of equipment that fits within that budget, but they won’t have any margin to purchase accessories, add-ons, warranties, or service packages. Cash caps and strict budgets limit the consumer’s spending power and retailer upsells.
- The “showrooming” effect: Consumers visit a brick-and-mortar retailer for the in-store experience. They want to talk to an expert, handle the equipment, and learn the specs, but then pull out their phones to find lower prices from other retailers – or perhaps big box retailers like Loew’s or Home Depot. When this happens, sales teams work hard to win the customer, only for someone else to get the sale.
- Seasonal grudge purchases: Some outdoor power equipment falls into the “grudge purchase” category: it’s something consumers buy urgently out of necessity, like a snow blower after a heavy snowfall. If the weather’s mild, that inventory sits on the floor, tying up holding costs. If dealers don’t have the space or capital to stock inventory, they miss sales when a storm actually hits.
These obstacles –– and more –– create friction in the sales process and impede in-store sales. Implementing a consumer financing program with United Consumer Financial Services cuts purchase hesitation, increases affordability, and raises showroom ticket values to help you sell more snow and lawn equipment to shoppers the same day they visit your business.
How Consumer Financing with UCFS Strengthens In-Store Lawn and Snow Equipment Sales
Financing options address the consumer hesitations and financial roadblocks that prevent purchase. Accessible, affordable payment plans boost customer confidence from the moment shoppers walk into your store.
With straightforward financing options from UCFS, you can sell more in-store lawn and snow equipment by:
Turning sticker shock into affordable monthly payments
Consumer financing breaks down high price tags into manageable monthly payments, making premium equipment accessible to more customers.
For example, affordable payment plans allow homeowners to finance zero-turn mowers rather than settling for a standard push mower, improving their experience and your bottom line. Installment payment options provide flexibility and affordability and reduce financial friction during the buying process.
Financing turns sticker shock into affordable monthly payments that help customers choose the equipment they need, not only what they can afford that day.
Driving higher average order values for outdoor equipment
Financing encourages bundling, upgrades, and add-ons that boost customer satisfaction and revenue. Instead of just buying a piece of equipment, shoppers can add attachments, trailers, safety gear, or extended warranties for just a few dollars more per payment.
With financing options, customers are more likely to purchase
- Higher-end mowers or snow blowers
- Attachments and accessories
- Multi-season tool bundles
Retail installment payment options move the showroom conversation from “total cost” to “monthly budget,” a more appealing approach to value-conscious shoppers. Dealers who lead with financing options raise showroom ticket values by enabling customers to add accessories and upgrades without compromising their budgets.
Smoothing out seasonal volatility
Seasonal shifts often dictate consumer behavior, especially when it comes to urgent, time-sensitive purchases like snow equipment. Many customers panic during a storm or delay buying until it is too late, choosing to shovel by hand rather than face a large, upfront expense.
Offering financing changes that approach. By providing affordable payment plans, you make it easier for customers to justify investing in high-end machinery and equipment before the peak season or an urgent need. Affordable payment options from UCFS allow customers to invest in quality, durable equipment during the summer and fall months, helping retailers overcome seasonal slumps and boost snow-thrower uptake before the first flake hits the ground. This helps your business maintain steady sales volume year-round, even on out-of-season equipment.
Choosing the Right Financing Partner to Increase Snow and Lawn Equipment Sales
As you consider consumer financing providers for your outdoor equipment business, remember that resources, industry expertise, and client support make the difference between a lost sale and a long-term customer. Understanding the key factors to select a consumer financing company will help you find a partner that aligns with your business goals.
A Marmon company, a division of Berkshire-Hathaway, UCFS strengthens outdoor power equipment sales with consumer financing programs that deliver:
- Simple Application and Fast Approval: Partner with a firm offering a fast, user-friendly application and quick approvals. Less time on financing means faster equipment sales. Through UCFS’s online portal, customers can apply for financing and receive a decision in just minutes.
- Competitive Approval Rates: Choose a partner that supports a broad range of credit profiles to help more shoppers qualify. UCFS’s high approval rates expand your reach, driving more lawn and snow equipment sales year-round.
- Flexible Financing Plans: UCFS provides the flexibility you need with financing options customized to your specific goals. Increase sales volume and average order sizes through consumer-driven offers, including low monthly payments, competitive rates, and same-as-cash promotions.
- Reliable Support and Integration: UCFS optimizes your financing program with one-on-one training that takes less than an hour. We provide your business with resources, documentation, and guides to help your teams effectively present financing to accelerate financing adoption and raise showroom ticket values.
- Transparent Terms: Trust is built on transparency. With UCFS, you won’t find hidden fees or fine print, just consistent terms and an honest financing experience for you and your shoppers.
Whatever brand of power equipment you sell, such as Toro, Ariens, John Deere, EGO or Kobalt, offering monthly payment plans is vital for consumers – and home owners – serve more customers. As trends in the lawn and snow equipment industry continue to evolve, United Consumer Financial Services, a national leader in consumer financing, provides end-to-end loan management that helps you:
- Attract more snow and lawn equipment customers
- Increase product affordability and accessibility, and
- Boost equipment sales in-store and
Becoming a merchant with UCFS is simple, and once approved, you can start offering conversion-driving financing the same day. Contact our team today to explore how to implement financing in your snow and lawn equipment sales.
