Dealer Success Stories
Cavender’s Auto Sales Breaks Sales Records Through Non‑Prime Financing With Agora
Dealership Snapshot
Cavender’s Auto Sales
For more than four decades, Cavender’s Auto Sales has served Southern Oklahoma with a simple philosophy: straight talk, fair deals, and vehicles customers can truly afford. Operating two locations in Durant and Ada, Cavender’s is deeply rooted in a factory-driven region where reliable transportation isn’t optional—it’s essential.
Finance and Sales Manager Matthew Struble describes the dealership’s approach as timeless. Cavender’s focuses on responsible deal structures, long-term ownership outcomes, and relationships that extend far beyond the initial sale. A significant portion of their customers fall into the subprime category—buyers with steady employment who often struggle to access traditional financing.
For years, those financing barriers limited Matthew’s ability to serve customers the way Cavender’s intended.
- Dealer
Matthew Struble
- 2 Locations
Durant, OK
Ada, OK
- Customer Focus
Subprime and Non‑prime vehicle buyers
- Vehicles Sold Every Month
18 Additional Sales
- Time in Program
5+ years
- Deals Completed
500+
The Opportunity
Before partnering with Agora, Cavender’s relied on a small group of traditional and captive lenders. Over time, those options became increasingly restrictive.
The dealership began facing challenges familiar to many independent dealers serving non-prime buyers:
- Slower funding timelines
- Tighter deal structures
- Limited flexibility on vehicle age and pricing
- Deals stalling—or failing—despite strong customer demand
Beginning a Five‑Year Partnership
Matthew had prior experience working with Agora at another dealership, so when Cavender’s hit a wall with their captive lender, Agora was already on his radar.
“The main reason we originally partnered with Agora was out of need,” Matthew admitted. “We choose to stay with Agora because they take care of us.”
What began as a solution to an immediate problem evolved into a long-term partnership. Over five years, Agora distinguished itself not only by funding deals—but by listening, adapting, and improving alongside Cavender’s as the dealership refined its model.
“You have to be willing to allow Agora to guide you,” Matthew emphasized.
"How is Agora helping me sell more cars? Because I’ve got better data, better resources, and better opportunities."
Matthew Struble
Cavender’s Auto Sales
A Relationship Built on Accessibility and Trust
One of the biggest differentiators for Cavender’s has been Agora’s accessibility. From account management and funding teams to executive leadership, Matthew has never felt disconnected from the organization.
On one occasion, after sending a highly frustrated email, Matthew received a call from an Agora representative within 11 minutes—focused not on deflecting blame, but on solving the issue.
“Was it perfect? No. But was it possible because of leadership and understanding? Yes.” said Matthew.
That responsiveness built trust and reinforced Cavender’s belief that Agora wasn’t just a lender—it was a partner.
Building a Better, Lasting Business Model
There was a learning curve in optimizing the AgoraCapital platform, but ongoing feedback helped Cavender’s sharpen its approach.
Rather than treating financing as a transactional step, the dealership began managing it as a long-term portfolio strategy.
“We’ve changed the way we buy cars; we’ve changed the way we sell cars; we’ve changed the way we advertise cars,” Matthew said. “We’ve expanded our customer base because we’ve figured out what works with Agora.”
While change isn’t required to work with Agora, Matthew believes the strongest partnerships are the ones that evolve together.
“Your lenders are going to appreciate you doing business with Agora because you’re going to learn a better way of doing business.” Matthew said.
500+ Deals
Completed in over five years with Agora
18–20 Extra
Vehicles Sold in Peak Months because of Agora
5–10 Incremental
Deals per month due to reliable volume with Agora
Sustainable Outcomes for Customers and Community
Because deals are structured responsibly, Cavender’s is seeing repeat customers return with stronger credit profiles—making future purchases easier and reinforcing long-term loyalty.
This creates a virtuous cycle: customers succeed, the dealership grows, and the community benefits from stable transportation and economic activity.
The WealthBuilder Advantage
In addition to strong front-end deals, Cavender’s benefits from the AgoraCapital WealthBuilder program—earning ongoing loan profit as customers perform.
“We’ve added several million dollars to the bottom line with what we’ve done with those contracts,” Matthew shared. “The money is absolutely real—and we’ve made mortgage payments with it.”
WealthBuilder is not viewed as a short-term cash grab. Its value comes from discipline, contract maturity, and consistent execution.
A Long-Term Growth Strategy
For Cavender’s Auto Sales, Agora is not a temporary solution—it’s foundational to how the dealership plans to grow sustainably.
“If you want a relationship with a finance company that’s long term and that can help you become healthy financially,” Matthew concluded, “then this is that partnership.”
The Bottom Line
Cavender’s Auto Sales uses Agora to:
- Close more subprime and non-prime deals
- Structure sustainable, customer-friendly payments
- Improve funding consistency
- Increase monthly unit volume
- Generate long-term portfolio income
- Invest back into their local community
By combining disciplined inventory strategy, responsible financing, and a relationship-driven partnership with Agora, Cavender’s has transformed non-prime financing into a powerful engine for growth.