Acquiring ones own vehicle is a prestige issue with some people, while with others it may be a necessity and a means of easier traveling. While the rich and well off can afford to purchase vehicles of their choice with cash, the middle class and working class have to consider their financial situation and plan accordingly. This does not mean that vehicles are only for the rich, ordinary salaried employees and small businessmen too can afford vehicles. If they cannot afford to purchase the vehicle outright with cash, they can always opt for Auto Financing and Car Loans.

A few decades ago it was more difficult to get Car Loans or approach a bank for Auto Financing, but times have changed. Car companies have built up huge manufacturing facilities and manufacture hundreds of thousands of vehicles every month. They need to sell these vehicles and reduce inventory every month. Car companies realize that not everybody can purchase a vehicle with outright cash and this is where Banks, Auto Financing Companies step in. Banks and Auto Financing Companies collaborate with Vehicle Dealerships to provide Car Loans at an affordable rate to enable the salaried employee and middle class individual to own a vehicle.
The past few decades has seen the emergence of new car companies with newer models and latest and advanced technology and fuel efficiency. Every body would like to drive a new model and fuel-efficient vehicle and Auto Financing and Car Loan Companies are ever obliging and easily provide the required finance for new vehicles. The urge to acquire new customers and increase sales has also seen a war of sorts between different Car Loan Companies and many of them offer excellent rates of interest along with other benefits to entice a new client.

Auto Financing Companies also understand that it is not only beneficial to acquire new customers on a regular basis, but it is also essential to retain existing customers with excellent service. A happy and satisfied customer will always return if they need another vehicle and will also advise their friends and family to deal with a particular Auto Financing Company. As such they strive to reduce not only the paper work required, but they also give out gifts and incentives to entice the new customer to deal with their company.

Opting for Auto Financing is not a bad deal as interest rates are low and it also makes sense not to purchase a vehicle with full cash payment and thus reduce your bank balance. The money in your bank, which has been saved by opting for Car Loans, can be better utilized elsewhere, and in any case can serve as a safety net in bad times and financial emergencies. Once you have decided on Auto Financing your vehicle, you should first select the vehicle and then look around for a good Auto Financing company. Many vehicle dealerships have tie-ups with Car Loan companies and Banks and will provide assistance in selecting an Auto Financing company.

But you must still weigh the benefits and incentives offered by the different finance companies. Some of these companies also provide a Second chance at Auto Financing even if the customer has a previous bad credit record. Of course this will require more paper work and may even cost a bit more. But a Second credit chance at a Car Loan even with higher interest rate is better than no Car Loans.

For more information on Auto Financing (English) or financement auto – financement automobile (French) in Quebec – Canada, please do visit our site or write to us.

, , , , , ,

Many business opportunities come with an associated challenge. For most entrepreneurial businesses, the greatest challenge is financing the business opportunities created by your sales efforts. What are your options if you have a sales opportunity that is clearly too large for your normal scale of operations? Will your bank provide the necessary financing? Is your business a startup, or too new to meet the bank’s requirements? Can you tap into a commercial real estate loan or a home equity loan in sufficient time to conclude the transaction? Do you decline the order? Fortunately there is an alternative way to meet this challenge: You can use Purchase Order Financing & Letter of Credit financing to deliver the product and close the sale.

What is purchase order financing?

Purchase order financing is a specialized method of providing structured working capital and loans that are secured by accounts receivables, inventory, machinery, equipment and/or real estate. This type of funding is excellent for startup companies, refinancing existing loans, financing growth, mergers and acquisitions, management buy-outs and management buy-ins.

Purchase order financing is based upon bona fide purchase orders from reputable, creditworthy companies, or government entities. Verification of the validity of the purchase orders is required. The financing is not based on your company’s financial strength. It is based on the creditworthiness of your customers, the strength of the commercial finance company funding the transaction, and in most cases a letter of credit.

What is a letter of credit?

A letter of credit is a letter from a bank guaranteeing that a buyer’s payment to a seller will be received on time and for the correct amount. If the buyer is unable to make payment for the purchase, the bank is required to cover the full amount of the purchase. In a purchase order financing transaction, the bank relies on the creditworthiness of the commercial finance company in order to issue the letter of credit. The letter of credit “backs up” the purchase order financing to the supplier, or manufacturer.

Is purchase order financing appropriate for your sales program?

The perfect paradigm is a distributor buying products from a supplier and shipping directly to the purchaser. Importers of finished goods, exporters of finished goods, out-source manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors can effectively use purchase order financing to grow their businesses.

Is purchase order financing appropriate for growing your sales orders?

Purchase order financing requires you to have management expertise- a proven track record in your particular business. You must have bona fine purchase orders from reputable firms that can be verified. And you must have a repayment plan; often this is from a commercial finance company in the form of accounts receivable or asset-based financing.

You should have a gross margin of at least 25% to benefit from purchase order financing. Sellers of services or commodities with low margins, such as lumber or grain, will not qualify.

The bottom line decision for purchase order financing:

It can take two or more years to develop a profitable business. Banks generally base their lending limits on a business’ performance for the past two or three years. Purchase order financing, combined with letters of credit and/or accounts receivable or asset-based financing can give you sufficient funds to cover your operating costs, financing costs and still realize significant profits. If you qualify for purchase order financing, you can grow your business by taking advantage of large purchase orders and eventually qualify for bank financing.

, , , ,