Tag Archives: TransUnion

Late Payments, Bad Credit: Car Buyers Beware!

At the Approved Loan Store, we work with people every day who have good credit, bad credit, and no credit alike. We understand that there are many people who have a low credit score but that they might have nothing to do with it. They could have been a victim of identity theft or maybe they agreed to co-sign on a loan and the other person skipped out on their payments. We thought we had heard it all until this story from the New York Times caught our attention.

Roslyn Hooley wrote into the New York Times column The Haggler with her credit horror story in hopes of bringing attention to her case. She purchased a used Mercedes back in 2011 and immediately set up electronic funds transfer for her auto loan payments. Everything seemed to be fine until December 2012 when a check was returned from M.B.F.S. In January, she received another returned check, and her account showed that the loan had already been paid off in October. Confused, she called up M.B.F.S. to find out what was going on. The car had been erroneously declared a loss from Hurricane Sandy. It is not clear if this was an insurer mistake or M.B.F.S.’s error, but after Hooley contacted M.B.F.S. about the error, she started getting hounded by a collection company who demanded that she pay them for those months, plus interest and late fees. To make matters worse, M.B.F.S. had reported those months as late payments to the credit bureaus, and Hooley’s credit took a hit.

Fortunately, The Haggler was able to reach out to M.B.F.S. on Roslyn Hooley’s behalf and resolve the situation, but not everyone is that fortunate. Millions of Americans have blemishes on their credit report that are outdated or inaccurate, and the dispute process can be lengthy and frustrating.

At the Approved Loan Store, we will work with you to find you a car you want at terms you can afford, whether if you have stellar or challenged credit. Get started today by filling out our secure online auto loan application here, and for the latest auto news and buying tips, like Approved Loan Store on Facebook, follow Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribe to Approved Loan Store on YouTube.

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Bad Credit Auto Loans: More Subprime Auto Loans in 2012

According to one of the big 3 credit bureaus, now is the time for subprime credit car shoppers to go for an auto loan.

Earlier this month, Experian Automotive released statistics about auto loans written in the third quarter, and they found that 42 percent of new and used auto loans were for subprime buyers. In this report, subprime buyers are classified as buyers with credit scores below 680. Overall, average credit scores on new auto loans are down to 755 compared to 763 last year, and looking at individual automakers, the average scores could be as low as 694.

For car buyers with a troubled credit history, it is clear that this is a great time to buy. The end of 2012 is offering a perfect combination of holiday sales specials and lenders ready to grant auto loans. Besides that, car buyers looking for a used car will get the added advantage of dealerships wanting to move last year’s inventory to make room for the new models.

Are you ready to get into a new or used car today? Approved Loan Store can help you! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we want to get you into the car you want at terms you can afford! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here.

Looking for more auto news and buying tips? Check out Approved Loan Store on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube!

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September: U.S. Auto Industry Holds Strong Despite Japanese Comeback

2012 continues to be a strong year for the U.S. auto industry with September once again posting great sales numbers.

According to the Daily Beast, analysts expected that U.S. auto sales would hit an annualized pace of 14.5 million in September, but they exceeded that with 14.87 million. Chrysler saw a sales increase of 12 percent compared to September 2011, and Jeep saw a 10 percent increase. Also, fuel-efficient vehicles continued to perform solidly, and U.S. brands held their ground even as Japanese brands Toyota and Honda made a comeback.

How is the U.S. auto industry maintaining this pace? One of the biggest factors is that car shoppers with damaged credit are still getting approved for auto loans. In 2012 so far, 1 in 4 auto loans have been subprime loans, and the average amount financed for auto loans overall has increased while monthly payments have barely changed. Those are great conditions for buying a new or used car, even for consumers who thought they couldn’t afford a car or get approved for an auto loan.

At Approved Loan Store, we love getting our customers into great new or used cars at terms they can afford! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we want to help you! Check out our testimonials to see real life Approved Loan Store customers with their new cars, and if you are ready to get started, fill out our secure online auto loan application here.

For more auto news and buying tips, like Approved Loan Store on Facebook, follow Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribe to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

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Auto Loan: New FICO 8 Unnecessarily Complicates Credit Score

Maintaining a good credit score is a tough task that takes time, attention, and diligence on the part of the consumer. Most Americans don’t even know their credit score, much less what it means or how it is calculated. Consumer groups and government agencies like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau are trying to demystify credit reports and credit scores for the general public, but unfortunately, the credit reporting industry is, perhaps intentionally, making credit scores more confusing.

FICO scores have been the credit industry standard for years, ranging from 300 up to 850. When lenders talk about your credit score, it is likely they are referring to your FICO score. Recently, the Fair Isaac Corporation, which produces the FICO score, touted that the number of consumers in the top tier of credit scores has increased, and the number in the bottom tier has decreased. This sounds like really great news until Ann Carrns of the New York Times took a closer look.

As it turns out, the numbers they were touting were not based on the FICO score but rather a new-and-improved FICO score, FICO 8. FICO 8 is a new formula used to calculate that all-important credit score which can mean the difference between getting approved for a higher amount on a car loan or getting a lower interest rate. Fair Isaac Corporation will disclose that over 76,000 creditors are using FICO 8, but they would not say how many creditors are using the older FICO score model or how a consumer can find out which model a particular creditor is using. Even more frustrating, the FICO 8 credit score is not available for purchase from Fair Isaac Corporation, so consumers are left in the dark as far as their FICO 8 score is concerned.

I’ve been writing about the credit industry and how it relates to the auto industry for a while now, and this is one of the most ridiculous stories I have ever heard. Through this blog, we are trying to simplify the car buying process and give our readers the most basic information that every consumer needs to know to improve their credit and get the best rates on an auto loan. When it comes to credit scores, we often tell people to stick with the original and the industry standard, their FICO score. Now, even that most basic tip has been complicated with the old model FICO score vs. the FICO 8 model. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has promised that they will be closely monitoring the credit reporting industry, and I sincerely hope that they crack down on this nonsense. One last message to FICO: Your actions are confusing consumers and making credit way too complicated. Please stop.

No matter if you have good credit, bad credit, or no credit, Approved Loan Store wants to help you get into the car you want at terms you can afford! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and keep up with the latest auto news and consumer alerts by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

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GM Announces Major Breakthrough in Electric Car Batteries

This might be only the second full week of August, but already it is the month of hybrid and electric cars. Earlier this week, we told you about new technology out of Middle Tennessee State University that will transform normal vehicles into fuel-efficient hybrid cars. Yesterday, GM continued the trend by making a major announcement about the future of electric cars.

GM CEO Dan Akerson announced at an employee meeting Thursday that there has been a breakthrough in the lithium-ion batteries used in electric cars. Right now, the Chevrolet Volt can go for about 35 miles per electric charge with a gas motor that kicks in if the battery power runs out. Akerson announced that the new batteries would be able to travel 100 miles per charge, nearly three times its current power, and he teased that the batteries would soon be able to travel up to 200 miles per charge. He called the increased battery power a “game changer” in the industry.

Even with this great news, though, GM is still being cautious and keeping their business in mind while exploring hybrids and electric cars. If it turns out that they can’t make 200-mile batteries, they are also working on hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and natural gas vehicles. Akerson compared focusing solely on electric cars to putting “all of our chips on one bet” and assured GM employees and the public that GM would explore all of their options.

If GM came out with electric cars that could go 200 miles on one charge, would you take one for a test drive? Leave a comment below, and tell us what you think!

GM’s new high-powered electric cars are still a ways off, but Approved Loan Store wants to help you get into a new or used car today. Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we want to help you! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and keep up with the latest auto news by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

American Auto Makers Making Bank at Home

Recent numbers from the U.S. auto industry show that while sales are struggling internationally, auto sales here at home are still booming.

American auto buyers are spurred on by loosening auto loan requirements, increased quality in American-made cars, and a steadily improving economy. Also, new vehicles like the Dodge Dart are spurring excitement among car buyers, something that hasn’t been seen in recent years, and these new models are offering better fuel economy, even for their trucks and larger vehicles. LMC Automotive predicts that 14.5 million light vehicles will be sold in the United States this year alone, and 150 percent of Ford’s second quarter earnings came from U.S. auto sales.

Are these sales numbers sustainable? Probably not, but they are pretty amazing nonetheless. Even when the sales eventually plateau, I expect they will still pull in good numbers domestically. American auto makers have seen a comeback both in quality and sales, and car shoppers are much more likely to consider an American-made car now than they were just a few years ago. Plus, many drivers have held off on a new car for so long that their current ride is reaching the end of its road life, and soon it will make more sense to buy a new car instead of sinking more money into repairing the old one.

If you’re looking for a new or used car, now is the time to buy! Lenders are loosening their requirements, and Approved Loan Store wants to help you get the best deal possible on that new car! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and keep up with the latest news and trends in the auto industry by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

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Auto Loan vs. Cash: When a Loan is the Better Choice

Last Friday, guest blogger Lance from “Budgets are Sexy” was featured on MSN Money and stirred up some controversy with the headline “Why a car loan can beat paying cash.” As expected, many cash-only advocates got very upset and all but called for the authors head to be served on a silver platter to Dave Ramsey. We wanted to take a quick look at why he took out a car loan instead of paying cash and then open it up to our readers for feedback.

First, he wanted to get an installment loan on his credit history. At this point, he had several credit cards which he paid off regularly and on-time, and he did not take out any student loans in college. With such a sparse credit history, he thought that an auto loan that was paid on time would make a good addition to his credit report.

Second, he got a 0.9 percent interest rate for 36 months. Some readers didn’t know why he would pay any interest rate on a purchase he could afford to pay with cash, but considering that the interest he was earning on his savings account covered the additional interest on the car loan, it was a smart choice. Under these circumstances, he built up his credit history, and it didn’t cost him anything extra.

Finally, he appreciated not depleting his funds to pay for the car outright. By taking out the loan, he could still maintain his emergency fund in case of job loss or medical emergency. Most personal finance experts recommend keeping an emergency fund with enough money to live on for six to eight months, and thanks to the loan, he could keep his six-month emergency fund.

What do you think about his decision? If you could pay for a car in cash, would you choose to take out a loan? Leave us a comment below, and tell us what you think!

Are you looking for an auto loan? Approved Loan Store can help! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and get connected with Approved Loan Store on Facebook, Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

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Business Insider: In the Auto Industry, Subprime is Not a Dirty Word

Here at Approved Loan Store, we work with customers with all sorts of credit situations. While we help out plenty of customers with good credit scores find a better deal, our specialty has always been working with consumers who have subprime credit.

Now, the term “subprime lending” has become a loaded term because people associate it with subprime mortgages, but there are enormous differences between the subprime auto and mortgage industry as outlined this week in an article by Business Insider.

There are two main reasons why subprime auto loans are not the same risk of subprime mortgage loans. First, consumers default less on auto loans than on mortgages. Car repos happen much quicker than foreclosures, so consumers feel compelled to keep up with their payments. Besides that, a car is necessary for many people to make it into work, especially in areas of the country without public transportation options. If they don’t have a car, they have to rely on other people for a ride to work, to the grocery store, or to go out on the town. Most people will make cuts where they need to so they can maintain their car and their independence.

Second, subprime auto loans are not nearly the same risk for lenders as subprime mortgages. This is why so many of Approved Loan Store’s lender partners have been able to offer these auto loans to consumers with very low credit scores while they would deny that same consumer for a credit card, a mortgage, or a personal loan. For this reason, auto loans are a great way for consumers with challenged credit to re-establish themselves and build up a positive payment history. We call this the “Everyone Deserves a Second Chance” effect.

Are you looking to get into a new or used vehicle? Approved Loan Store wants to help, even if you have bad credit, good credit, or so-so credit! Fill out our secure online auto loan application today, and keep up with the latest in credit and auto news by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

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New vs. Used Cars War Rages On

There is a lot of debate among car and personal finance writers as far as buying new vs. used cars. Should car shoppers go with the security of a new car with no chance of a bad previous driver history, or should they go for the value with a used car?

In a recent article for Business Insider, financial planner Sophia Bera made the case for sticking with a reliable used car and not spending beyond one’s means on a luxury car. She cites Dr. Thomas Stanley’s research which found that Toyotas are the most popular car make among millionaires. By opting for a less expensive car, they had more money to save or put towards other luxuries like vacations or a nicer home.

Bera sings the praises of her 1997 Toyota Corolla which she bought used and is still running great. Her husband’s car, a 1998 Honda Civic, has also served them well, and since he paid it off in only nine months, they cut down on additional interest.

While Bera has some great points in her piece, we want to hear from our readers! Do you prefer buying new or used, and what would you choose for your next car? Leave a comment below, and tell us what you think!

If you’re looking for a new or used car, Approved Loan Store wants to help! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and keep up with the latest auto news by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube.

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South Beach Tow Shows the Other Side of Car Repossession

Many Americans have experienced the frustration and embarrassment of a car repossession, but very few people stop to imagine what it is like to be a repo man or woman. The work is hard, safety is often a big concern, and nobody likes it when repo man is successful at his or her job. In Jennifer Lopez’s new show South Beach Tow, a camera crew follows the daily life and work of Tremont Towing in South Beach, Miami.

The show reminds me a lot of Dog the Bounty Hunter except that Tremont Towing brings in cars, not parole violators. Sometimes it is funny, sometimes it is scary, but it is almost always ridiculous. People in South Beach will apparently do everything and anything to prevent that tow truck from taking their car. In one episode, a team of paintball players gang up and shoot paint over the VIN number before chasing Junior, one of the repo men, back into his truck. In another, a frat boy at a pimp-and-hoes party busted out the passenger-side window with his cane.

Whether you enjoy this type of reality TV or not, though, I think it provides some perspective to the many Americans who have dealt with a car repossession. No matter what the circumstances surrounding a repo, those repo men and women are human beings who are just trying to do their job, and violence or verbal abuse is not helpful nor warranted. Also, if you are having trouble keeping up with car payments, reach out to your lenders and work out a plan of action. They understand that job loss or other unforeseeable circumstances happen, and more often than not, they want to work with you.

If you have gone through a car repossession, a bankruptcy, or other credit problems, you can still get into a new or used vehicle through Approved Loan Store! We want to help you get into the car you want at terms you can afford! Fill out our secure auto loan application here, and keep up with the latest from Approved Loan Store by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube.