SAN FRANCISCO — Sparkplug Studios L.L.C., an auto repair shop management software firm operating under the Tekmetric name, has expanded its partnership with the Affirm Loan Services L.L.C. payment network.
Auto repair businesses nationwide that use the Tekmetric platform, powered by Stripe Connect, can offer their customers the ability to pay over time with Affirm for online and in-person auto repair services.
These auto repair shops can add Affirm as a payment option and by selecting Affirm at checkout, approved customers can split the cost of their purchase into monthly or biweekly payments, for as low as 0% annual percentage rate (APR), the companies said.
Customers are shown the total cost of their purchase but will pay only what they agree to upfront, according to Affirm.
"Our partnership with Affirm allows our partner shops to improve customer satisfaction by offering flexible payment plans, and to drive higher repair order values and loyalty through versatile payment choices," Sparkplug Studios Founder and CEO Sunil Patel said.
"Together, we are pioneering a new era in the auto repair industry, delivering innovative solutions that can drive efficiency, increase profitability and provide extraordinary customer experiences," he said.
"Consumers increasingly expect payment flexibility at checkout, with a recent Affirm survey revealing that more than half of respondents have used or would use 'buy now, pay later' options," Pat Suh, senior vice president of revenue at Affirm, said.
"By partnering with Tekmetric, we can help the auto repair shops leveraging their platform meet this consumer demand and accelerate revenue growth."
Sparkplug Studios/Tekmetric joins Affirm's network of 292,000 retail partners, including Amazon.com Inc., Casper Sleep Inc., Newegg Inc., SeatGeek Inc., Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Priceline.com L.L.C. and American Airlines Inc.
