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Scottish bike shop to celebrate 20-year anniversary with prize draw and instore event

An independent Scottish cycling retailer is celebrating 20 years in business this month with a prize draw and ‘celebratory cupcakes’ during an event at the shop.

24 Sep 2025, more…

Irish cycle workshop team achieves cycling industry accreditation with help from fellow ACT member

Dublin-based cycle workshop the Rediscovery Centre has achieved Cytech accreditation for its workshop team after completing advanced training with Activate Cycle Academy, an Oxford-based...

15 Sep 2025, more…

The ACT and Bikmo partnership helping independent retailers

With D2C bike brands facing significant headwinds, local bike have seen modest but real improvements in profits and prospects. Partnerships like ACT and Bikmo are helping independents strengthen...

11 Sep 2025, more…

Panel event hosted by ACT Director to focus on retailer insights from the shop floor

A panel event hosted by ACT Director Jonathan Harrison will focus on retailer experiences and how they are adapting to a number of challenges within the sector at this year’s inaugural...

4 Sep 2025, more…

Pre-registration now open for inaugural cycling industry event CIN Live 2025

Pre-registration has now opened for the very first Cycling Industry News Live (CIN Live) show, taking place on Sunday 14 and Monday 15 September 2025 at NAEC Stoneleigh, Warwickshire.

29 Aug 2025, more…

ACT to join industry leaders at brand new cycling trade event this September

The ACT is set to be in attendance at the inaugural Cycling Industry News Live (CIN Live) trade show, which is set to bring together industry-wide education, market insight and product showcases...

13 Aug 2025, more…

Cytech Grad Achieves Elite UCI Level 3 Mechanic Certification

A former student of South Africa’s Torq Zone Academy has taken a major step forward in cycling mechanic training after completing the prestigious UCI Level 3 Mechanics Course in Aigle,...

30 Jul 2025, more…

Activate Cycle Academy returns to major bike festival with Cytech training insight

Cytech training provider Activate Cycle Academy will be at this year’s Cannondale Malverns Classic Mountain Bike Festival over the August Bank Holiday.

23 Jul 2025, more…

Chief of Government cycling programme calls for national Action on cycle access

Urgent, collective action is needed to improve children’s access to bikes as “too many are being left behind”, according to Bikeability Trust chief executive Emily Cherry.

16 Jul 2025, more…

BBC News e-bike segment provokes negative reaction due to “factual inaccuracies”

A recent BBC Breakfast segment has sparked backlash from the cycling community over its portrayal of e-bikes, with critics accusing the broadcaster of conflating legal e-bikes with illegal,...

9 Jul 2025, more…

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Choosing a finance provider, avoid the pitfalls #2

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Choosing a finance provider, avoid the pitfalls #2

Posted on 26 Mar 2019

Avoid the pitfalls #2

Following an increase of incoming calls querying finance providers in the cycles market, the ACT are publishing a mini-series to answer the trade's questions.

This second piece in the series explores some of the claims used by a number of finance providers to get more dealers on board and why the unique partnership between V12 Retail Finance and the ACT is so beneficial for retailers.

Advice when you need it

Finance providers are not allowed to provide direct training on how to maximise finance. This is where the ACT can help - enabling you to get the most out of your Ride it away account by providing bespoke training based on your individual requirements.

  • The importance of empowering staff
  • When to introduce finance in your sales process
  • Online integration
  • How to maximise your margins using different finance offerings
  • Upsell, upsell, upsell
  • Bundling products

Contact the ACT now to arrange your training 01273 427 700

No fuss FCA authorisation

You do not need to have FCA authorisation to offer retail finance, but doing so might be better for your business and help protect margins.

The ACT provides a free, unique service other providers do not offer; to help decide if FCA authorisation is right for your business, to assist with getting authorised and helping you to complete your annual return - don't worry the return is only six questions!

Beware of any finance provider that insists you have FCA authorisation. These providers often let you advertise 0% finance to your customers before then signing them up to an APR based product; not exactly the customer journey you would like to be offering. Some even advertise a 0% buy-now-pay-later option that actually becomes a very expensive interest-bearing option if not settled in time. Make sure you give your customers the clarity and customer experience they deserve.

False promises

In a bid to entice retailers to sign up with them, some brokers and providers promise a guaranteed acceptance rate or to increase your current acceptance rate. At face value this sounds great, but it's important to question any provider who even suggests you could get 100% acceptance rate, there are simply always some people who will not qualify for credit!

Remember, reputable finance providers will only accept a customer who can afford it.

Part 3 in the series coming soon!

If you have any queries about the Ride it away scheme or want to arrange your bespoke training you can find out more here or call the ACT on 01273 427 700.

If you missed it, you can read part 1 here.

V12 are the leading provider of finance in the cycles sector, are the number one provider of online POS retail finance in the UK* and are widely accepted as having the ‘best' online integration solution; even by their competitors!

*based on finance and on 4 continuous quarters from FLA

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