Get More, Save More: AASP/NJ Member Benefits Help Businesses Grow
by Alana Quartuccio
AASP/NJ membership sure has its benefits! A support system by way of access to the AASP/NJ Hotline and Labor Pool, training and networking events are definitely at the top of the list, but there are also many cost-savings benefits to take advantage of that practically make a shop’s annual dues pay for themselves!
The association has been hard at work making alliances to build up its member benefits program to bring savings for credit card processing, discounts for services or materials, healthcare and more!
Through an alliance with Titanium Payments, AASP/NJ members in good standing can take advantage of cash discounting. “Cash discounting is applying a 3.5 percent fee to the total transaction to cover the cost of the credit card processing,” explains Louis Puglisi of Titanium Payments. “That fee is diverted to Visa, and the business owner will never see the credit card processing fee. It’s eliminated.”
There is no contract, and Titanium Payments will provide and install the state-of-the-art equipment installation and perform training on-site. “All customer service is handled domestically in the US, and we are bilingual,” he explained.
Payment funding is quick. If a shop closes out transactions late in the day, they need not worry about delays because “any transactions that come in after 9:30pm typically roll into a second day deposit, but with our program, shops will get their money the next day regardless,” Puglisi says. The program is “100 percent Visa compliant,” he says, adding that “there are very specific rules and requirements that have to be met” or a business could be subjected to fines. They won’t be at risk of that with Titanium Payments.
AASP/NJ member Auto Body Distributors recently started using the program and is already experiencing positive results. According to Karyn Briedt, “It’s been working out well for us. It’s easy to use. We don’t pay any fees. Lou has been very accommodating, calling to check in and see how we are doing with it.”
Tom Elder (Compact Kars; Clarksburg) has achieved great savings since he’s started working with Titanium Payments. “The program guarantees no fees and my business has saved about $28,000 in credit card processing fees over the past year. It’s been working very well. It’s an extremely easy program to put into place.”
Elder also sings Puglisi’s praises, calling him “a gem. He’s in your corner to work for you.”
AASP/NJ recently partnered with CARS (Collision Automotive Repair Specialists) Cooperative to offer association members opportunities to earn cash back rewards and take advantage of discounts and special pricing on materials and supplies through this business cooperative. “It’s anything from paint to the paper they put into their printer,” says Stephenie Sheppard, director of operations, about the materials shops can save money on, and that includes anything they are already using. “It doesn’t interfere with any jobber relationship they already have created; this is on top and above with the actual manufacturers,” she explains.
This is a great benefit for the independent shops who normally don’t have the access to discounts like “MSOs can make large deals the independent shops can’t. They don’t have the volume, but CARS Cooperative gives them the opportunity to use the network to create a better program and get things at lower cost on anything from paint to pigtails, parts or software. We believe in their independence.”
Sheppard stressed the importance of having to be a member of AASP/NJ in good standing in order to take advantage of these benefits. “The more participation, the better the program is for AASP/NJ members.”
For years now, AASP/NJ members in good standing have been able to achieve savings for healthcare coverage and workers’ compensation via the association’s alliance with World Insurance Associates. According to Joe Amato, Jr., World Insurance has expanded their offering even further through a partnership with SPARK Underwriters to offer collision repair and mechanical shops “a comprehensive automotive service policy unlike anything ever seen before.
“We’ve been specializing in the automotive service industry for 30 years, and I’ve always believed in the importance of meeting the needs of this industry,” Amato, Jr. says. “It’s why we work so closely with AASP/NJ.”
Amato, Jr. calls it “an incredible benefit for AASP/NJ members.” The policy covers property liability, garage keepers, umbrella, cyber and employment practices all in one policy. There’s never any audits and no surprises when it comes to pricing, Amato says. “At renewal time, there has been very little change on pricing.”
Perhaps the most unique part is that the people at SPARK Underwriters aren’t just insurance people. Amato, Jr. says the SPARK Underwriters team is made up of ASE masters, certified technicians and I-CAR trained professionals. “That’s the difference between them and other insurance companies we’ve brought in.”
“It’s mechanics and body shop people insuring mechanics and body shop people,” adds Joe Amato, Sr.
The product is designed for shops that perform mechanical repairs, collision repair and heavy truck repair, as well as those in the business of tire dealers, engine and transmission builders, vehicle restoration, auto glass and more.
If not already on board with AASP/NJ’s array of benefits, members should take a look at page 15 to see all the available benefits to make sure they get the most out of their membership. Not a member of AASP/NJ? Visit aaspnj.org to join today!
Want more? Check out the June 2025 issue of New Jersey Automotive!