Tales from the Field

The Determined Fraudster

becky@gather.technology (Becky Terhaar) — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 17:57:44 GMT

On May 6th, 2024, a Texas woman appeared at a dealership with her sights set on a $99,620 Cadillac Escalade. She came prepared with seemingly legitimate documents—a Texas driver’s license and active insurance cards—and even secured an approved captive car loan.

From Zero to Insured

becky@gather.technology (Becky Terhaar) — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 16:56:53 GMT

On a busy Saturday afternoon, a customer strolled into a BMW dealership with a clear goal in mind: to drive home in a sleek BMW 440i sedan. However, there was a problem - the customer had recently relocated from San Francisco, where car ownership was not a necessity, and consequently, they did not have auto insurance.

The Speedy Delivery

becky@gather.technology (Becky Terhaar) — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 16:22:12 GMT

In the world of automotive sales, there are rare instances where everything aligns perfectly, resulting in a seamless and efficient transaction. This is what Gather aims for with every delivery. And such was the case when a customer expressed interest in purchasing a BMW X7 from one of Gather's auto dealer clients.

The Cross-State Collaboration

becky@gather.technology (Becky Terhaar) — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 15:40:58 GMT

Selling vehicles across state lines can present practical challenges for any dealer. First, the dealer must determine whether the customer is a legitimate business opportunity and not a fraudulent consumer. Secondly, the dealer must navigate the intricacies of laws and regulations of another state. Such was the case when a customer from Oklahoma expressed interest in purchasing a Volkswagen from one of Gather's auto dealer clients in Fort Worth, Texas.

To address these challenges, the dealer utilized Gather's platform. Through Gather, the dealer promptly verified the customer's identity and active insurance status. This provided assurance that the individual was a genuine prospective buyer. Additionally, Gather's compliant verification process ensured the dealer abided by applicable laws in both Texas and Oklahoma.

With Gather's support, the dealer was able to expedite the delivery of the vehicle without the need for extensive discussions about insurance documents with the customer. This streamlined approach allowed for a smoother transaction and enhanced customer experience.

In summary, Gather played a crucial role in simplifying the cross-state sales process for the dealer, providing them with the tools and confidence needed to ensure compliance and a swift delivery of the vehicle.

The $145K Headache Avoided

becky@gather.technology (Becky Terhaar) — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 15:05:56 GMT

When it comes to automotive sales, not every customer is as they seem. Fortunately, one of our dealer clients discovered this the easy way with the help of Gather. Here's what happened:

He appeared to be the ideal customer. Interested in purchasing a Land Rover, the customer went to the dealership's website, picked out a vehicle and negotiated the deal online. He arrived at the dealership with a hefty $25,000 deposit in hand and the title for his Volvo, which he planned to trade in.

At first glance, all seemed well as the customer presented what appeared to be a valid insurance card, issued December 12, 2023 for a six-month policy with Nationwide. However, when the dealership attempted to verify the insurance using Gather's platform, the customer's demeanor quickly shifted. Frustration set in as he dismissed the process as "BS" and then refused to allow the dealership to call his insurance agent for verification. The customer abruptly left the dealership, declaring that he had "run out of time."

Through Gather's thorough verification process, we uncovered the truth: the insurance policy the customer presented had been cancelled on January 5, 2024. Had the dealership proceeded with delivering the vehicle, they would have assumed substantial risk, as they would have been liable for the $145,000 cost of the vehicle should anything have happened before receiving funding on the contract. As the dealer client said, "You just saved me a $145,000 headache."

The takeaway? While appearances can be deceiving, relying on Gather's identity and insurance verification services ensures that your dealership is protected from potential risks, allowing you to navigate the sales process with confidence and peace of mind.