Kingswood Now Available on AutoQuotes Platform

Kingswood is on AutoQuotes

Did you know that anyone using the AutoQuotes platform can easily and quickly include lease-to-own monthly payment options from Kingswood next to the total cost on every equipment quote?

Businesses acquiring the equipment they need continue to choose leasing over cash and other credit options and AutoQuotes is the preferred quoting solution in the foodservice equipment and supplies (FES) industry. Show your customers why the perfect match of Autoquotes and Kingswood is the easiest way to affordably get the equipment they want without large outlays of capital upfront.

AutoQuotes has been leading the FES industry with their catalog, pricing and quoting software solution for over 30 years and Kingswood has been providing the best in FES equipment financing for over 30 years. Together their 60 years of combined experience can’t be beat.

“AutoQuotes shares our mission to make equipment financing fast and easy, and we’re excited for our seller community who has been asking to see us as an option on AutoQuotes” said Cliff Metcalfe III, Director of Food & Beverage Group at Kingswood.

Want to see how quick and easy it is to add this feature to your next AutoQuotes equipment project? Check out How To Add Kingswood To Your AQ Quotes

 

How To Add Kingswood To AutoQuotes Quote

How To Include Monthly Lease-To-Own Options On Your AutoQuotes Projects

You can access the Payment & Financing option through the Print function in AutoQuotes. 

1. Choose Print, either next to a project on the main screen or within a project itself. This will open the Report Viewer. 

 

AutoQuotes Project Print     

2. Scroll the right sidebar to the Totals section where the Payment & Financing option is located. Click the arrow on the right of the Payment & Financing box and select Kingswood from the options that appear in the dropdown. 

AutoQuotes Report Viewer with Totals Section highlighted

     

3. The Kingswood badge will then appear at the bottom of the quote next to the total cost showing monthly payment scenarios specific to that project. 

By default, the badge will be shown next time you generate a quote. 

That is how quick and easy it is to include lease financing options on every project.  

Tell us about your experience using Kingswood Leasing on your AutoQuotes at feedback@kingswoodleasing.com

Easing the Transition to Work-From-Home

The Upward Trend

Work-from-home trends have been increasing for years.

  • 44% growth in the previous five years
  • 91% growth in the previous ten years
  • 159% growth in the previous 12 years

And in a post-COVID-19 world, these numbers may see their most substantial spike ever.

The Reason for the Rise: Technology

Internet bandwidth and speed, faster mobile data transmission rates, as-a-service conference and communication platforms that allow for low barriers and the increasing adoption of easy to use videoconferencing technologies are just some of the architectural reasons behind the trend. But technological evolution alone doesn’t explain the pace of growth.

The Reason for the Rise: Employee Behavior

Employee behavior around these technologies influences the trend as much as the technologies themselves. A recent survey of employee behavior at an international Fortune 100 company compared meeting behavior over the last five years. Interestingly, when employees are all in the same office building, on the same floor, they are eight times more likely to attend by ‘dialing in’ from their desk as opposed to assembling in a conference room than they were five years ago.

Employees that might be sitting only feet away from each other are still connecting using meeting technologies. Since they are using the technologies as a primary medium of connecting anyway, it becomes far easier to leverage those technologies in a work-from-home culture without losing productivity.

The Reason for the Rise: Travel Trends

With a focus on cost efficiency and productivity, travel just isn’t what it used to be. In-person client meetings that were once a necessity are moving to Teams, Zoom, and other platforms at an increasing rate. Gone are the days of wasting two days with travel for the product demo when a quick screen share and Q&A gets the job done in an hour. Even events are exploring virtual venues with webinar growth reaching nearly 2300% growth in participation rates since 2007.

The Reason for the Rise: Employee Satisfaction and Recruiting

Employee satisfaction scores increase when they have flexible work arrangements, and they average more hours worked per day when they work from home. Less time in transit and ease of access to quickly check in on business activities before and after hours can lead to enhanced productivity and happier employees for some roles.

Finally, there is the recruiting consideration. To be an employer of choice for the years ahead, flexible work arrangements will be essential to specific job functions.

Getting up to Speed

Now is the time to examine your company’s technology infrastructure and the tools your employees need to work effectively in remote environments. Tablets, laptops with reliable cameras, fast routers, and larger/extra monitors are just some of the near-term technology needs companies may need to invest in to enable a more decentralized working environment. And if you are anything like most business leaders, you haven’t planned or budgeted for this shift in office dynamics.

A strategic approach to technology financing can not only help you gear up to meet the rapidly growing demand, but also preserve cash, protect limited budgets and assist in keeping you on the cutting edge of rapidly changing technologies.

Kingswood is committed to helping small businesses and ready to provide easy access to the equipment and technology you need. We’re all in this together. Let us know how we can help.

Information for Kingswood Equipment Sellers and Referrers Regarding COVID-19

Information for Kingswood Equipment Sellers and Referrers Regarding COVID-19

Is Kingswood open?

Kingswood’s offices are open (8am-8pm EST). All services are functioning as usual, however we are transitioning to a “work–at–home” operating model as part of our broader business continuity plans. Because the situation is dynamic, we will be adapting our plans each day while also planning for longer term implications.

What happens if Kingswood’s offices close?

We have the ability to work remotely from locations across the country, such that our day–to–day operations won’t be affected.

Where can we find the latest information?

Kingswood will update our website, KingswoodLeasing.com, your Partner Portals and will be sending out informational emails if there are changes you need to know. You should always be able to reach your account manager and you can email us at Sales@KingswoodLeasing.com or Info@KingswoodLeasing.com.

How is Kingswood settling with Sellers and Referrers?

We are settling transactions the way we always do; however, in the event our office closes there may be a delay in receiving physical checks from us due to closures or postal service delays. To avoid any interruption, we strongly recommend that you sign up for ACH disbursement. The form can be filled out and submitted online by clicking the link below:

ACH Direct Deposit Enrollment Form: Click Here

Will COVID-19 change who gets approved?

No, but all leasing and lending companies consistently reassess certain underwriting policies and practices to fully consider the current business and economic environment. It’s likely that some changes will be made for some industries. If we see changes, these will be promptly communicated.

Remember everyone at Kingswood is here to help you and your customers succeed. Let us know how we can help!

Kingswood Offers End-to-End eCommerce Solutions

Kingswood Leasing Announces Suite Of Digital Tools

Kingswood Leasing now has the ability to offer access to equipment financing through eCommerce shopping solutions, such as previewing payment options instantly, applying for approval, and signing financial documents – all online.

Together these eCommerce solutions provide a complete end-to-end online experience for this digital age.

  • Shoppers can view estimated monthly payment options while browsing items with our Finance Button
  • Buyers can select from a full set of monthly payment options online with our Quoting Calculator
  • Buyers can select an option and proceed to secure their financing with our online Finance Application
  • Financial documents can be sent electronically and signed digitally with out having to print and return by mail.

As a seller, this means getting funded on your sales faster, while providing your customers the experience they want.

Want to learn more? Contact Us or call 888-327-8121.

No Payments for 90 Days

Give Your Customers The Power To Do More

Qualified buyers can buy the equipment they want now, and make no monthly payments for 90 days.

“Buy Now & Pay Later”

Program Highlights

  • The first payment will be due 90 days from the date of funding. For example, if a deal funds on December 15, the first payment will be due March 15th.
  • Certain restrictions apply, including, but not limited to: Startup restaurants, startup salons, ATM equipment, security monitoring agreements are not eligible.
  • Commercial customers only. Qualified businesses must have at least 2 years time in business to qualify.

Program Benefits

The benefits for your customers are obvious. They can get the equipment they want now and use that equipment to earn money for 90 days before the first monthly payment is due. Tell your customers to keep their hard earned cash and let the new equipment earn they money to pay for itself!

This program is also very popular with equipment suppliers who can leverage this limited-time offer to help earn more business. Tell any customer that shows interest in the option that there is no cost or obligation to get approved.

How can I get my clients Approved for No Payments for 90 Days?

You and your customers can apply like normal. We simply need to know that your customer is interested in this option. If there is mention of No Payments for 90 Days on an application we will immediately begin qualifying for this program.

Don’t wait until it’s too late – Tell all your customers about this option and share our secure application to find out if they qualify. It’s that simple!

Business Tax Deduction Ends Soon

Section 179 Qualification Ends December 31st

What Is Section 179?

Section 179 of the IRS tax code allows businesses to deduct the full purchase price of qualifying equipment and/or software purchased or financed during the tax year. That means that if you buy (or lease) a piece of qualifying equipment, you can deduct the FULL PURCHASE PRICE from your gross income. It’s an incentive created by the U.S. government to encourage businesses to buy equipment and invest in themselves. Section 179 is one of the few incentives included in any of the recent Stimulus Bills that actually helps small businesses. Although large businesses benefit from Section 179, the original target of this legislation was much-needed tax relief for small businesses – and millions of small businesses are actually taking action and getting real benefits.

How Does Section 179 Work?

When your business buys certain items of equipment, it typically gets to write them off a little at a time through depreciation. In other words, if your company spends $50,000 on a machine, it gets to write off (say) $10,000 a year for five years (these numbers are only meant to give you an example). Now, while it’s true that this is better than no write off at all, most business owners would really prefer to write off the entire equipment purchase price for the year they buy it. In fact, if a business could write off the entire amount, they might add more equipment this year instead of waiting over the next few years. That’s the whole purpose behind Section 179 – to motivate the American economy (and your business) to move in a positive direction. For most small businesses the entire cost can be written-off on their tax return.

Limits of Section 179

Section 179 does come with limits – there are caps to the total amount written off, and limits to the total amount of the equipment purchased. See our “IMPORTANT NOTICE: Section 179 Expanded” post for details on limits for a given tax year.

How Can I See How Much Money I Can Save My Customers?

Included on our Finance Calculators is a “Section 179 Tax Savings” feature to show you or your customers how much they could save with this benefit. Simply put an amount in the calculator, and hit the “Section 179 Tax Savings” button to see Potential Tax Savings. By default, a 21% tax bracket is assumed for calculation purposes.

Show A Discount Every Time Without Ever Reducing The Price!

The Tax Savings Estimate is a great way to show a discount on a product without ever having to reduce the purchase price. For your convenience, our finance calculators automatically provide this estimate along with every quote. If you have any questions about how to provide this estimate along with a finance quote, please contact us for assistance.

Downloading Kingswood Finance Tools

Quote & Convert Customers Using Your Smartphone

A lot of salespeople work out in the field or away from a desk. Being able to talk to a customer about finance options while they are considering your product offering is the best way to capture every potential sale. That is why our finance tools are easily accessible by any device that can connect to the internet. This includes Android and Apple smartphones.

Calculations Help Salespeople Convert More Sales

Quick and easy access to our finance calculator is the first thing a salesperson will want to secure. Our Kingswood Calculator enables any salesperson to quote finance options to their customers within seconds. Access to our Kingswood Calculator (or private calculators customized for your company) is easy when you download them to your smartphone by using the Add to Home Screen feature:

Both Apple and Android devices have this feature. Once added to your home screen, the calculator opens just like an app.

Converting Calculations into Applications

When a customer shows interest in the finance option as opposed to a cash purchase, the only other thing you will want to do to capture the sale is fill out an application for the sale. You can direct the customer to our Kingswood Application (or your private application customized for your company), or better yet, you can fill out the application for the client. Going over the simple, one page application with the client provides a superior experience and also ensures that the client takes mental ownership of the purchase they are about to execute with you. Downloading our application to your smartphone enables you to offer this experience to your clients whenever you have the opportunity. Use the same process shown above to download the finance application to your smartphone for quick and easy access.

Master Lease Agreements – Strong Kung Fu

Kingswood Master Lease Dojo

Master Lease Agreements (MLA) are a type of financing that provide businesses looking to make multiple equipment purchases over a period of time a way to purchase that equipment without having to go through the process of getting each equipment purchase approved. Essentially, a Master Lease Agreement allows a business to get pre-approved to buy qualifying equipment once, and the company can then go through with purchasing the equipment under the approved lease terms when and where they see fit. A Master Lease Agreement is similar to a Business Line of Credit whereas the business can use the MLA to have pre-approved terms to go shopping with. The big difference being that the MLA is specific to qualifying equipment purchases.

A Master Lease Agreement is a pre-approved agreement that may include a number of equipment schedules. Under each MLA, there is a separate equipment schedule agreement that lists equipment leased, terms of the lease, pricing of the lease per equipment schedule, and end of lease options. For example, if Acme Company gets approved for a MLA, and purchases equipment twice using the MLA, there would be two separate equipment schedules (and therefore two separate monthly payments), but only one Master Lease Agreement.

All terms of the Master Lease Agreement are applied to any equipment schedules to be purchased under the MLA. The only difference that may be allowed is a different end of lease option. Terms such as the cost of the money and the available term lengths must remain the same as the MLA in order to be applicable under that agreement.

The greatest advantage to a Master Lease Agreement is that a company does not need to renegotiate terms with the finance company each time it wants to purchase new equipment. A Master Lease Agreement expedites the process of acquiring equipment, and gives business owners additional confidence when working with their budget to invest in new equipment and technology.

If you have any questions regarding a Master Lease Agreement, please contact us for more information. Or apply now if you want to get the company you are working with pre-approved for a MLA.