Buy Here Pay Here: The reality behind the promise, the pitfalls, and the perks.
Ever hear about those Buy Here Pay Here vehicle lots and think, “What's the catch?” Trust your instincts; occasionally it's one you can live with, but always there is a catch. These locations provide a bypass when established banks close doors in your path. Your credit score probably resembles a bowling score. Or life threw you some bad luck. Either way, these dealers welcome you in, all smiles and solutions. Let’s get to the truth. Picture this: You arrive, and there’s no intimidating banker in sight. best car dealerships for bad credit The dealer's financier as well as his salesman You make a down payment—usually more than what a reputable dealer would ask. On-site signature of paperwork is done. You leave in your new-to—you car, payments made straight with the dealership. Sounds delightful, right? But hold the celebration. Now for the catch: interest rates. This is when your wallet suffers. They can soar skyward and land in nosebleed area. You might end up paying double what your neighbor did for the same car. Every time you turn over the money, your eyes moisten. And, should you miss a payment, someone is there for that car faster than you could have described “tow truck.” Repossession clauses are baked into the contracts and triggered easily. Some even install remote kill switches or tracking devices. But I have to get to work in a car. Absolutely fair. Sometimes you find yourself boxed in if public transportation is not a choice. So, stay sharp. Check out the car thoroughly. Learn about its past. If your cousin’s buddy is an ex-mechanic, offer him pizza to give it a once-over. Payments are usually weekly and made in person. If you work irregular hours, it can be difficult if some vendors ask you to visit the lot to pay in cash. Forget to pay one week? Talk to them—being upfront has saved many people’s vehicles. Reading through paperwork is like navigating a maze; use eagle eyes. Forget the legalese; ask direct questions. “What happens should I be late by one day?” “Do you really repossess after one missed payment?” Make them see you’re a person, not a number. Sometimes consumers with damaged credit use BHPH dealers as a stepping stone—pay off one car, create a stronger credit record, then move to a conventional lender. It’s not the worst way to turn sour situations into workable ones. Therefore, be completely awake if you consider rolling this dice. Get everything documented. Recall that these people are running a business—they are not acting in charity. Even if the deal isn’t perfect, make sure it works for you. Sometimes you just need basic transportation—no frills, no credit check headaches.