Phone orders and remote payments remain a vital part of dealership operations – from taking deposits to finalizing service work. But collecting payment over the phone using traditional methods can introduce compliance risk, inefficiencies, and customer friction. In today’s evolving payments landscape, dealers need solutions that are not only secure and PCI-compliant, but also fast, intuitive, and built to drive repeat business and loyalty. Let’s explore how modern tools like Click-to-Pay and identity-powered checkout are helping dealers turn a risky necessity into a revenue-driving advantage.
The Hidden Risks in Call Center and Phone Payments
For many dealerships, collecting payment over the phone is business as usual. But asking customers to read their card numbers aloud introduces serious risk. Manually entering payment information not only slows down the process – it exposes your team to PCI compliance liabilities and increases the chances of fraud or chargebacks. And in a fast-paced sales or service environment, these friction points can result in lost revenue or even lost trust.
A Shift Toward Simplicity: Click-to-Pay and Remote Payment Innovation
Click-to-Pay offers a modern solution to these challenges. Instead of collecting sensitive card data over the phone, your team can send a secure, PCI-compliant payment link via text or email. The customer completes the transaction on their own device, in seconds.
These links reduce the compliance burden on your team while offering a smoother, more professional customer experience. They also help prevent common pain points like mistyped numbers, authorization failures, or delayed payments.
More Than a Link: Identity-Powered Personalization
What makes Click-to-Pay different is the integration of identity at the center of every transaction. With Skipify’s Commerce Identity Cloud, shoppers don’t just get a generic checkout – they’re recognized.
Customer payment methods auto-populate and payment details are pre-filled. Rewards and loyalty data can be applied automatically. And real-time shopper verification ensures every transaction is fast, secure, and seamless. It’s not just a link – it’s a smarter, more personalized way to pay.
Lightspeed’s Click to Pay integration offers some much needed flexibility when it comes to receiving deposits from our customers. Allowing customers to pay bills at their own convenience while also skipping potentially hours of telephone tag means both happier staff and happier customers.
– Mark Niforopulos, General Manager, St. Boni Motor Sports
Best Practices for Communicating Payment Innovation to Customers
Introducing new technology to customers doesn’t have to be difficult – but it does require a thoughtful approach. Here are a few tips to roll out Click-to-Pay and other remote payment tools successfully:
- Set expectations early. Let customers know they’ll receive a secure link to complete payment – no need to read card numbers aloud.
- Train your team. Make sure sales and service staff are confident explaining how the payment process works and why it’s safer.
- Reinforce trust. Mention that the link is PCI-compliant and used by major brands to protect customer data.
Customers appreciate tools that make their lives easier, especially when it also makes your team more efficient.
Conclusion: Future-Proofing Remote Payments
Remote and over-the-phone payments aren’t going away – they’re evolving. Dealers who embrace tools like Click-to-Pay and identity-powered checkout aren’t just reducing risk – they’re building stronger, more trusted relationships with their customers. By modernizing your payment process, you can protect your business, improve customer satisfaction, and unlock new revenue – all without sacrificing security.
