The Exchange Credit Program (ECP) is unveiling its “Pay Your Way” financing program for MILITARY STAR® shoppers—and making sure associates have all the resources they need to make the program successful.
Pay Your Way helps shoppers plan larger purchases in a way that works with their budget through fixed monthly payments at a reduced interest rate of 9.99%. Available plan lengths vary based on purchase amount. There are three plans offered:
- Purchases $300-$499.99 are eligible for the 36-month plan.
- Purchases $500-$999.99 are eligible for the 48-month plan or the 36-month plan.
- Purchases greater than $1,000 are eligible for the 60-month, 48-month or 36-month plans.
ECP has conducted 18 virtual training sessions for Exchange associates worldwide on the ins-and-outs of Pay Your Way, and has also provided training aids for Navy, Marine, and Coast Guard associates.
ECP created an online payment calculator to aid associates in determining shoppers’ monthly payments—a key feature of the plan, since knowing the monthly payment amount upfront helps shoppers budget for large purchases. Associates and customers can access the calculator by scanning the QR code printed on store signing with their smartphones, which takes them to MyECP.com/Calculator.
Associates also have the help of suggested talking points to inform shoppers of the plans; brochures and sign kits for display throughout stores; and FAQs.
“The first step in bringing this flexible financing option to shoppers is preparing our associates with the tools and training that allows them to be MILITARY STAR ambassadors,” said Jami Richardson, ECP senior vice president.
Pay Your Way was developed through a collaborative group of Exchange directorate and region leaders who provided guidance, expertise and even tools to support the plan. IT’s Point of Sale team developed new register screen buttons that make applying the correct plan code quick and easy, eliminating the need for associates to manually enter promotional codes. The Ecommerce team developed the capability for customers to choose a Pay Your Way plan online.
“The Pay Your Way plans bring ease and convenience to service members and their families,” Richardson said. “It was important that we made the implementation easy and convenient for associates, too, with relevant training and resources.”
The plans are available at Army & Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard exchange main stores, plus ShopMyExchange.com. (Expresses and fuel locations are excluded.)
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