From “Someday” to Done

Austin Window Fashions turns plans into finished spaces with customer financing from Wells Fargo.

When customers walk into Austin Window Fashions in Austin, Texas, they’re thinking about more than just new blinds or shades — they’re imagining a more comfortable, more beautiful home. For many, though, turning that vision into reality can feel out of reach, especially when they have a lot of windows in need of an update. That’s where financing has become a powerful tool for the Austin Window Fashions team, helping their customers move forward with the updates they truly want.

Helping customers say yes.

For over 40 years, Austin Window Fashions has specialized in custom window treatments designed to enhance both the form and function of their customers’ homes. And as owner Amber Nichols has seen time and again, offering flexible financing with the Wells Fargo Home Projects^® program can help customers make a meaningful investment in their home with the flexibility to pay over time. “The program has helped us remove some of the barriers customers face when making big decisions about their window treatments,” Nichols said. “Financing gives clients more flexibility and allows them to feel more comfortable investing in the products they really want instead of having to scale back or just do a portion of the home. The program has made purchases more accessible for customers and also encourages them to invest in larger projects.” Surveys of Wells Fargo Retail Services customers bear this out on a larger scale, too — 1 in 4 customers report that they would not have made a purchase if financing was not offered.¹

Good for customers, good for your business.

That flexibility isn’t just great for customers — it’s made a noticeable difference in the bottom line for Austin Window Fashions, too. In fact, according to Amber Nichols, they’ve seen an increase in both ticket size and repeat purchases with the Wells Fargo Home Projects® program. “We have seen that our average ticket is about 45% higher on financed orders compared to those paid through other methods,” Nichols said. “The program has also encouraged repeat business, as customers return knowing they have flexible payment options available.”

Speed and simplicity.

The key to this success? A financing program that is easy to use for both the merchant and the customer, offering quick credit decisions, strong credit limits, and fast funding. With customer financing from Wells Fargo Retail Services, 81% of all credit applications receive a decision in under five seconds² — which is probably less time than it took you to read this sentence! And when that decision is an approval, the customer often finds that they have been approved for more than their original amount, which can encourage them to upgrade or make an add-on purchase. In fact, in the home improvement industry, Wells Fargo Retail Services customers are approved for an average of 27% more than their purchase amount.³ Most importantly, Austin Window Fashions doesn’t have to wait to get paid — Amber Nichols reports that “charges are typically funded into our business account overnight and available the next business day.”

Built for today’s technology.

The Wells Fargo Home Projects^® program also offers a variety of convenient online application methods, letting you meet your customers where they are. From in-store signage with scan-to-apply QR codes to an application link on your website to in-person applications on your device in the customer’s home, you can take advantage of Wells Fargo’s advanced technology to help your team close more sales. For example, the Austin Window Fashions team sees a lot of traffic from the link to the online credit application they’ve placed on their website. As Amber Nichols told us, “The application link and the ability to apply directly from our website have been the most successful application methods. The flexibility of being able to apply on their own time and device is very appealing to busy consumers today. The process is straightforward and easy for clients to complete.” 

A partner, not just a provider.

When asked what she would say to other dealers considering Wells Fargo for their customer financing needs, Nichols didn’t hesitate. “I would tell any other dealer that this program is a no-brainer,” she said. “Partnering with a trusted national bank gives customers confidence, and the ease of application for both staff and clients makes it a seamless part of our sales process.” That confidence is reflected across the Wells Fargo Retail Services merchant base, where 84% of merchants have been with the program for over 10 years⁴ — a testament to long-term relationships built on reliability, performance, and support.

Ready to help build your business with Wells Fargo? Contact us today!

Wells Fargo Retail Services
1-800-577-5313
wellsfargo.com/homeprojects