The United Kingdom is a nation of cars, vans, and motorways. Unless you live in one of the major cities with fully functioning public transport, you will undoubtedly need a car to get to and from work. But let’s face it, outside of the major cities, most do not meet this standard. While it’s true that the majority of people need a vehicle, a sizable swath of the population does not qualify for the financing they need to get a nice, brand-new car.
That’s where “Buy Here, Pay Here” dealerships come into play. They’re designed to offer financing either through the dealership itself or through a service offering subprime loans. Of course, by offering this sort of service, the dealership takes on its fair share of risks. If you consider the typical clientele’s finances, it’s easy to see that the dealership might have to worry about not getting their payments on time. But, if you’re in the “Buy Here, Pay Here” car industry, you know that to account for this, it’s pretty common to find mandatory GPS trackers in any vehicle purchased from one of these dealerships.
Knowing what GPS tracking service to buy for your fleet can be a headache, though. There are a lot of services out there, offering a variety of products, so you must do your homework before settling on something. Your fleet is your livelihood, so you don’t want to run the risk of losing out on a customer’s monthly payment. To help you out, we’ve gone ahead and highlighted some features of the best monitoring systems.
Hardware
When considering trackers, it is important to focus on two main components – the physical hardware installed in the vehicle, and the tracking software used to record locations. For hardware, opt for a compact design with a built-in antenna. The discreet nature of a compact unit ensures that drivers are not constantly aware of being tracked.
A built-in antenna helps to strengthen the GPS for car signal so that you never lose track of a vehicle. This will prevent buyers from running out on their financial obligations if they cannot make a payment on their loan. Also, consider the battery life and how easily the unit can be installed into a vehicle. You don’t want to spend days setting up a complicated monitoring system, nor do you want to worry about the tracker suddenly dying. Look for extended battery lives and simple setups. For this type of model, WeTrak is an excellent option, offering compactness, a long battery life, easy installation, and accurate tracking.
Software
Though the hardware is certainly important, the software is the real selling point for any GPS tracking unit. Good software keeps you in constant contact with your fleet and provides the data you’ll use, should you need it. The best software packages are multi-faceted and do more than just simply track your fleet. Keep an eye for software that compiles tracking data into a detailed yet easy to read report.
Look out for options allowing for address verification. This feature helps to highlight any locations where a driver spends most of their time. Should you need to track a driver down, you can simply head to their favourite spots. Also, look for options with a starter-interrupt device. While most dealerships offer this to buyers as an add-on, putting one of these systems in your fleet can prevent a delinquent buyer from starting up their vehicles, should they fall behind on their payments.
Another absolute must for the best GPS tracking software is a tamper and towing alert system. In case a buyer tries to remove their tracker, the system will warn you and you can deal with the client according to their contract. As for towing alerts, if one of your vehicles is being impounded, you will get a warning alert. This is an excellent option if you suspect that a buyer will also default on mechanic fees.
Ease of Use
One last thing you should look out for is a simple and straightforward platform. While the bells and whistles of quality software and hardware are certainly impressive, you don’t want to be stuck with something you’re unsure of how to use. Look for an intuitive system that lets you:
- Easily switch between vehicles in your fleet
- View data in real-time or from historical reports
- Utilise a mobile app for in-the-moment tracking
- Set up geofencing alerts to receive notifications if a buyer goes on the AWOL
The last thing you need is to lose track of someone because the system is overly complicated.
