Shopmonkey has announced a partnership with Affirm, allowing Canadian auto repair shops to offer pay-over-time plans to their customers.
The agreement designates Affirm as the default payment method for auto shops utilising the Shopmonkey payment processing system in both Canada and the United States. Eligible shops using Shopmonkey's cloud-based platform can now extend Affirm's flexible and transparent payment plans directly when invoicing customers.
This development means that approved consumers can choose from biweekly or monthly instalment plans, sometimes with interest rates as low as 0% APR. Affirm confirmed that customers using its service will not incur late fees or hidden charges, addressing a frequent concern in the buy-now, pay-later (BNPL) sector.
Auto shop sector support
Thousands of small and medium-sized auto repair businesses rely on Shopmonkey to manage functions such as appointment scheduling, communication, ordering, and payments. By integrating Affirm as a payment option, these shops can offer customers alternative means of financing for required vehicle maintenance and repairs.
Travis Bickham, Chief Commercial Officer at Shopmonkey, stated, "We believe the automotive care experience starts the minute you drive the car off the lot until you turn the keys over to the next owner. Offering flexible payment options like Affirm is a natural extension of that belief – helping empower our customers to deliver a superior automotive care experience." He added, "We are excited to partner with Affirm given their commitment to bringing innovative customer-centric solutions to market."
Customer affordability and satisfaction
Wayne Pommen, Chief Revenue Officer at Affirm, emphasised the significance of the launch for both shoppers and merchants. He said, "By bringing Affirm's flexible, transparent payment options to the Shopmonkey platform, we're helping thousands of small and medium-sized auto shops better serve their customers."
"Car owners – who often spend nearly $800 per year on maintenance – get a responsible way to spread out the cost, making it easier to pay for the services they need. This in turn will lead to improved customer satisfaction and long-term growth for auto shops."
Affirm presents itself as a consumer-first lender, citing its avoidance of late and hidden fees as key differences from other credit or pay-over-time programmes. In Canada, Affirm loans are provided by Affirm Canada Holdings, with rates ranging from 0–31.99% APR, depending on eligibility and local regulations.
Sector context
For the Canadian market, where vehicle repair costs can be significant and often unplanned, the availability of flexible financing is likely to benefit consumers seeking to manage their budget more effectively. For auto shops, offering multiple payment options may help foster customer loyalty and encourage more frequent servicing visits.
The integration aligns with the broader trend of BNPL services being adopted across various sectors, particularly in those where large, one-time expenses are common. The auto services sector is seen as a particular fit for instalment payments, as routine and unexpected car maintenance can strain household finances. Shopmonkey's inclusion of Affirm aims to address these realities for both the repair business and its end customers.
The payment option is now available to shops with eligible accounts in both countries, allowing customers to select Affirm at checkout on Shopmonkey's platform. Thousands of repair shops across North America currently use Shopmonkey.
