Mobile Payment Solutions for Dealership Lot Sales

Sometimes the best sale happens on the lot, not in the office. Maybe it's a weekend event, an outdoor promotion, or a customer who just wants to wrap things up quickly by their new vehicle.

Mobile payment capability lets you close deals where customers are, not where your payment infrastructure happens to be.

When Mobile Payment Matters

Lot Events

Weekend sales events, tent sales, or special promotions:

• High traffic, outdoor setting
• Don't want to send everyone inside
• Speed and convenience matter

Delivery and Off-Site

Delivering a vehicle or meeting a customer elsewhere:

• Payment at delivery
• Service calls at customer location
• Remote transactions

Walk-and-Talk Sales

Closing on the lot after a test drive:

• Customer is excited, ready to buy
• Taking them inside may cool enthusiasm
• Strike while iron is hot

Service Valet/Mobile Tech

Technicians performing service at customer location:

• Mobile oil changes
• Pick-up/drop-off service
• On-site fleet service

Mobile Payment Options

Option 1: Dedicated Mobile Terminal

Purpose-built mobile payment device.

Examples: Standalone wireless terminals from major brands like Ingenico, Verifone, and PAX, which comply with PCI security standards

How it works:

• Battery-powered device
• WiFi or cellular connectivity
• Full payment processing capability
• May have small printer built in

Pros:

• Designed for mobile use
• Reliable payment processing
• Long battery life
• Accepts all payment types

Cons:

• Separate device to carry
• Limited additional functionality
• May need separate device for other tasks

Option 2: Phone/Tablet + Card Reader

Mobile device paired with a card reader attachment.

Examples: Square, Stripe Terminal, PayPal Here readers

How it works:

• Bluetooth card reader
• App on phone or tablet
• Phone's connectivity (cell/WiFi)

Pros:

• Uses device you already carry
• Can be very compact
• App may have additional features
• Often lower hardware cost

Cons:

• Reader can be lost or forgotten
• Battery drain on phone
• Some readers are swipe/chip only (no contactless)
• May have higher processing rates

Option 3: Integrated Mobile Workstation

Tablet with built-in payment and sales tools.

How it works:

• Tablet with DMS/CRM access
• Card reader attached or built in
• All-in-one sales tool

Pros:

• Access to customer info and inventory
• Complete transaction from one device
• Professional presentation

Cons:

• More expensive hardware
• More complex setup
• Larger to carry

Connectivity Considerations

WiFi Range

Can you reach your lot with WiFi?

Check coverage:

• Walk the lot with a phone
• Note signal strength in different areas
• Consider WiFi extenders if needed

Pros of WiFi:

• No cellular costs
• Usually faster than cellular
• Consistent with indoor setup

Cons:

• Dead spots likely at lot edges
• May drop during high-traffic events

Cellular

Is cell coverage good on your lot?

Test coverage:

• Multiple carriers if possible
• Different areas of lot
• Inside vehicles vs. outside

Pros of cellular:

• Works anywhere with coverage
• Not dependent on dealer infrastructure
• True mobility

Cons:

• Monthly data costs
• Carrier variability
• May be slow in congested areas

Hybrid (WiFi + Cellular)

Many modern mobile terminals support both:

• Try WiFi first
• Fall back to cellular if needed
• Best of both worlds

Recommended for reliability-critical mobile use.

Implementation Steps

Step 1: Identify Use Cases

When will you use mobile payment?

• Regular lot sales?
• Special events only?
• Service/delivery?

This determines how much to invest in equipment.

Step 2: Test Connectivity

Walk your entire lot with connectivity test:

• WiFi coverage map
• Cellular coverage map
• Identify problem areas

Step 3: Choose Equipment

Based on use case and connectivity:

• Dedicated terminal vs. phone reader
• WiFi vs. cellular vs. hybrid
• Number of units needed

Step 4: Configure Integration

Mobile payments should integrate with:

• Your DMS (sales posting)
• Your processor account (same rates, same settlement)
• Your reporting

Avoid separate mobile processing that doesn't connect.

Step 5: Test Thoroughly

Before depending on mobile:

• Test at multiple lot locations
• Test different payment types (chip, tap, manual)
• Test refunds
• Verify data posts correctly

Step 6: Train Staff

Mobile differs from counter:

• Different device operation
• Connectivity troubleshooting
• Battery/charging management
• Weather/durability considerations

Step 7: Deploy

Start with:

• Specific use case (event, one salesperson)
• Expand after proving reliability

Best Practices for Lot Sales

Battery Management

• Start each day/event fully charged
• Have backup device or charger available
• Know battery life (test it)
• Dock/charge when not actively using

Connectivity Backup

• Know where connectivity is strongest
• Have cellular fallback if WiFi-based
• If critical transaction, move to better spot

Weather Considerations

• Direct sun: screen may be hard to read
• Heat: device may overheat
• Rain: most devices aren't waterproof
• Cold: batteries perform worse

Plan for weather and have backup plan.

Security

• Don't leave device unattended
• Secure when not in use
• Be aware of surroundings during transactions

Customer Receipts

On the lot, receipt options:

• Email receipt (need customer email)
• Text receipt (need phone number)
• Mobile printer (carry it)
• No receipt (confirm with customer)

Email/text is most practical for mobile.

Special Event Setup

For tent sales, weekend events, or promotions:

Before the Event

• Test equipment at event location
• Verify connectivity
• Charge all devices
• Train all participating staff
• Have backup device(s)

During the Event

• Designate payment area(s)
• Have device ready (not searching for it)
• Monitor battery levels
• Rotate charged devices as needed

After the Event

• Reconcile all transactions
• Charge devices
• Review any issues for next time

Common Issues

"Transaction won't process"

Check:

• Connectivity (WiFi or cellular signal)
• Device battery
• Processor connection

Fix:

• Move to better signal area
• Try different connectivity (WiFi to cell)
• Restart device if needed

"Card keeps declining"

Check:

• Is it a card issue (customer's problem)?
• Is it a connectivity issue (partial connection)?
• Try different card

Fix:

• If connectivity, move to better spot and retry
• If card, customer needs different payment

"Can't get receipt to customer"

Check:

• Did email/phone entry correctly?
• Is mobile printer working (if using)?

Fix:

• Verify email/phone and resend
• Offer to email when you get inside
• Write down confirmation number for customer

"Device overheating"

Cause: Direct sun, high temperature

Fix:

• Move to shade
• Let device cool before continuing
• Consider shade structure for event payment areas

Integration with Sales Process

During Negotiation

Having mobile payment doesn't mean rushing payment:

• Complete negotiation properly
• Get all paperwork in order
• Payment is final step

Closing on the Lot

When customer is ready:

• Review final numbers
• Complete any final paperwork (tablet or paper)
• Process payment
• Provide receipt confirmation

Documentation

Even on the lot:

• Proper authorization
• Signed agreements (digital or paper)
• Receipt/confirmation to customer

Don't shortcut documentation just because you're mobile.

Metrics to Track

Mobile payment adoption:

• Percentage of deals closed on lot
• Mobile vs. inside transactions

Reliability:

• Transaction success rate
• Connectivity issues
• Battery failures

Customer feedback:

• Convenience comments
• Any complaints

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Enable Mobile Payment →

Anchorbase mobile terminals give you the same payment capability on the lot that you have inside. Same rates, same integration, complete flexibility.