Titanium Payments Help Drive Down Costs for Shops
by Alana Quartuccio
In today’s business climate, auto service and auto body shops can’t afford to leave any money on the table. Every dollar saved can significantly impact a business’s bottom line.
One area where many automotive businesses unknowingly lose substantial revenue is through credit card processing fees. These seemingly small percentages can add up, especially on high-ticket items. For years, automotive businesses have been absorbing these fees as this “cost of doing business” cut into profit margins, preventing them from investing back into their business.
Titanium Payments, an AASP/NJ allied member, offers a smart solution to pass these fees onto the customer which results in considerable savings for shops. AASP/NJ has been hard at work with adding more alliances to its member benefit program to help bring resources and cost savings to its members, and Titanium’s credit card program is gaining in popularity as more and more shops are signing up and are singing its praises.
Not only are they saving thousands in fees, but the program is also easy to use.
“It was a no-brainer,” Jerry McNee (Ultimate Collision Repair; Edison) explains why he made the switch. “The deciding factor was when I checked my bank records and found that I had spent $4,800 in credit card fees in just one month.
“This is an industry with small margins; giving up nearly $5,000 a month is no small thing,” adds McNee, who is now only spending between $600 to $1,000 in small fees over the course of a year – a big difference!
“The tipping point for me was seeing how much revenue I was leaving by taking on the processing fees,” says Dennis Cataldo, Jr. (D&M Auto Body; Old Bridge) who started with Titanium Payments about a year ago. “I probably spent about $8,900 in credit fees the year prior. That’s a lot of lost revenue.”
According to Lou Puglisi of Titanium Payments, shops don’t even see the 3.5 percent fee by using the program as it’s diverted directly to Visa. And there’s a fast turnaround on payments. Via Titanium Boost, businesses can have their processing funds available the same day to speed up cash flow.
Set up is easy as Puglisi will come to the shop, install it and train on-site. Other features of the program include text and email payment links that can go directly from the credit card terminal or online portal. Participants can also set up a monthly payment program with customers via Titanium.
“It’s easy to use. The equipment is shipped to you, and Lou comes in and sets it up,” explains McNee. He stresses what an easy decision it was to make as he noticed how many services these days are charging customers for credit card processing fees. Big retail businesses may be able to absorb the cost in their pricing, but that is not an option in the automotive world. When necessary, businesses do have the option to waive the credit card fee for a customer if they wish.
Cataldo reports zero problems with the program. “They have kept their word, and there are no external fees outside of the cost to run the program.”
One thing he recommends is making sure to have the proper signage posted within the shop to alert customers to the credit card charge. He also has the fee noted in his repair authorization agreement.
“Our industry has micro margins, so it’s good to keep whatever you can get in the profit column and not see that money go elsewhere.”
When customers use their credit cards, they achieve points and benefits if they have those programs. “We don’t get the benefits of their reward program,” Cataldo points out.
When it comes down to what credit card processing program to use, McNee asks, “Why wouldn’t you want to switch?”
If not already on board with AASP/NJ’s benefits program, members should take a look at page 27 to learn more about all the available benefits and various cost saving options they can take advantage of. Not a member of AASP/NJ yet? Visit aaspnj.org to join today!
Want more? Check out the October 2025 issue of New Jersey Automotive!