Bosch service credit card drives motorists to network shops

Late in 2011, Bosch launched an innovative credit card program that allows Bosch Car Service customers to pay for automotive parts and services with no interest on qualifying purchases if paid in full within six months. In a short period of time, this unique credit card program has become extremely successful:

• More than 1,100 Bosch Service credit cards have been issued to motorists in North America.
• This year, consumers are expected to charge $2 million in parts and services to these credit cards at Bosch Service network shops throughout North America.
• Largely as a result of this exclusive and powerful credit card program, more than 200 new service centers have joined the Bosch Service network in the U.S. and Canada this year, bringing the total up to 1,400.

“Our Bosch Service credit card, available only through our participating service centers, is a major draw for consumers,” said Michael Lippman, marketing manager for the Bosch Car Service network at Robert Bosch, LLC.

“In an economic climate where cash flow is tight, our no-annual-fee Bosch Service credit card opens up a dedicated line of credit for vehicle servicing, with no interest on qualifying purchases if paid in full within six months. That value is hard for motorists to ignore. We are expecting consumers to charge approximately $2 million in automotive servicing to their Bosch Service credit card this year,” Lippman said.

Issued by Credit First National Association (www.cfna.com), these cards offer major benefits to service centers that participate in the Bosch Service credit card program:

• There are no set-up fees or minimum monthly processing fees.
• The service center’s name is embossed on the credit card along with the cardholder’s name and the Bosch Service logo, giving the service center a presence in the consumer’s wallet.
• The card can be used only at participating Bosch Service locations, which are clearly identified on the Bosch Car Service website.
• Statistics gathered by CFNA indicate that cardholders spend more on each visit and over a longer period of time.
• The Bosch credit card drives consumer loyalty to the service centers, and attracts new customers.
• Bosch supports these shops with a significant amount of point-of-purchase materials to promote their involvement in the program.

According to Lippman, participating Bosch Service facilities process the card just like any other card with payment coming from CFNA.

Statistics provided by Adam Pizzurro, national field sales manager at Credit First National Association, show that “a typical first purchase with this card at a Bosch Car Service center is about five times greater compared to the average bank card transaction amount. And the average return spend is about two times greater than that with a bank card.”

Interested consumers can apply for Bosch Service credit cards at participating Bosch Car Service locations, or online by visiting the shop’s website or at www.boschcarservice.us. Credit approval itself takes seconds.

John Ranney, owner of European Auto Tech in Tucson, Ariz. and a member of the Bosch Service Program for more than 10 years, said, “This card provides peace of mind to my customers, many of whom are students, or the parents of students at the nearby University of Arizona. For students, the card serves as a safety net in case of unexpected emergency repairs. For parents, having a dedicated line of credit for automotive service gives them the peace of mind that funds will be available in case their children run into an emergency, and that those funds cannot be used for visits to Starbucks or the Mall. Plus, in the event of an accident, we offer free towing from town. It’s a win-win for all, the customer, the shop and Bosch.”

Ranney said he has seen significant improvement in his sales per car since his customers started using their Bosch Service credit card. “They are more open to getting suggested repairs done,” he said. His seven-bay shop employs five technicians who work on high-end European cars such as BMW, Mini, Mercedes Benz, Porsche, Audi and VW.

The Bosch Service network is a collection of top independent repair centers, servicing gasoline, diesel and hybrid-powered vehicles. Bosch Service centers receive quality parts, diagnostic and wheel service equipment and training from Bosch, the largest automotive original equipment and aftermarket parts manufacturer in the world.

“We encourage independent repair shops to consider joining the Bosch Service network,” said Lippman. “Partnering with the world’s largest supplier of automotive parts and systems to vehicle manufacturers and the aftermarket provides shops with access to the most current technical service information, highest quality parts and a wide variety of merchandising tools,” he said. Interested service centers can request more information on the www.boschcarservice.us website.

Bosch is a supporter of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association’s Know Your Parts® education and awareness campaign. This initiative promotes the importance of quality brand name aftermarket parts backed by full service suppliers, and its impact on delivering reliable products to today’s motorists. For more information visit: www.AASAKnowYourParts.org.