House-Hasson rolls out extended financing program

House-Hasson Hardware is offering an extended financing program that reduces risk and expands credit options for its independent hardware dealers.

The new program is designed to relieve some of the burden of carrying customers' notes on big-ticket items. Dealers will also be able to offer up to nine different credit options to their customers.

“The competition out there is tough, and we’re always looking for ways to help our dealers be more competitive,” said president Don Hasson. “It’s another advantage for independent hardware store and lumberyard customers. The new business dealers will gain increases their profitability, which is our goal at House-Hasson."

The program was introduced through a "soft" launch at House-Hasson's January 2015 dealer market.

“We used our dealer market to gauge dealer reaction,” Hasson said. “Dealers were enthusiastic, and we’re now pushing out word to all 2,000 dealers we serve.”

The financing plan, to be operated through parent buying co-op Distribution America, was encouraged by dealer requests.

Additionally, Columbus, Ohio-based Alliance Data Retail Services will serve as the program vendor, underwriting dealers and organizing training webinars for new enrollments.

“It makes sense from operational and economics perspectives - as well as for the benefit of independent dealers nationwide – for Distribution America to be involved,” said marketing VP Dave Helfenberger.

According to Helfenberger, there will be no plastic credit cards -- the entire program will be conducted online.

Among the nine different credit options, the six-month and 12-month no-interest options are the most popular, he added.

“Local, independent hardware stores aren’t the past: they’re the future,” Hasson said. “People want to know they’re shopping in a place that can meet their needs and wants, and that also knows them personally, by name, as a neighbor, not only as a customer. That’s why independent dealers are doing well, and this extended credit program strengthens their position even more.”

House-Hasson serves 2,000 independent hardware store and lumberyard dealers throughout 17 states and the Caribbean basin.