Tag Archives: Yo yo Scam

Tips for Getting The Best Loan With Bad Credit

Approved Loan Store loves bad credit. That’s our slogan because we work specifically with people struggling due to a low credit score. There’s a common belief that because you have bad credit means that you can’t get yourself a car loan. This couldn’t be further from the truth. We aim to make sure that not only are you able to get that loan, but that you have the education necessary for making a good decision.

Fox Business has put together a list of 9 things to look into to get a car loan when you have bad credit. It’s all really solid advice and worth a full read through. Here are some of the steps that really stood out:

  • First step, don’t assume the worst. You’ve been told you have bad credit, but that might not be correct. Make sure you get the full story before jumping to a conclusion. John Van Alst, staff attorney for the National Consumer Law Center, says “Even if your score is tarnished, you may have a better chance than someone with the same score and no credit history.”
  • Shoot high. Since auto loans are less money over shorter time, a credit score that would get you into a subprime mortgage could actually put you into a prime or near prime auto loan. If you have good credit and you try to get a subprime loan, then you may actually get less favorable terms than you should have.
  • Don’t go alone. Make sure to bring someone with you, having an extra opinion by your side can really make sure that you’re getting the best deal. Having a second opinion can really go a long way in ensuring that you’re getting a great deal.
  • Shop loan terms, not monthly payments. What this means is to not get yourself into a loan where you pay small money over a long period of time. The example used is if you need an 84 month loan. If that’s the case, then Anthony Giorgianni, associate finance editor of the Consumer Reports Money Adviser newsletter says, “you can’t afford that car.” Look instead at the cheapest money with the lowest APR over the shortest period of time.
  • Look out for add-ons. Sub-prime borrowers tend to have contacts that are stuffed to the brim with unnecessary goods and services more than a prime buyer. To avoid this, do not let the loan rely on having such add-ons like extended warranties or even insurance.
  • Lastly, beware of the yo-yo. We’ve covered this before in a past blog. Dealers can play a dirty trick where they have you drive off in a car before finalizing the deal. When you return to sign the dotted line, suddenly your monthly payment have increased or they expect a larger down payment. Make sure the terms are final and everything is signed and done before taking a car off the lot to avoid falling victim to this notorious scam.

This is just some of the really solid advice customers should be aware of before heading into a dealership. Make sure you have all the information, and you’ll be able to drive out with the car you want and a deal that works to your advantage.

Approved Loan Store is looking to help put you in that car. We work with people suffering from bad credit and get them car loans. Fill out an application and get the process started, and you’ll see why we currently have over a hundred happy customer testimonials. To make sure that you’re up to date on all the latest blogs, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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Don’t Be a Yo-Yo: Avoiding the Latest Auto Scam

You go into a dealership and they set you up with car that you want. You sit down with the man in charge of finances and he gets you set up with a great deal. Everything is looking great and the dealership even lets you drive home with car even though the sale hasn’t been finalized. You get home and can’t help but smile at your good fortune. The house of cards doesn’t crumble until the next day, when the dealership calls to have you come back in. Suddenly the financing that you were offered has fallen through and now you’re being asked to sign a new deal with a higher interest rate or a much higher required down payment.

This dilemma has a name, and it’s one that has consumer groups asking the FTC to do something about it. It’s referred to as a “yo-yo scam.” The NY Times has an article on this very thing where they define the scam as where the salesperson “pulls the consumer back to the dealer, like a yo-yo on a string.”

Christopher Kukla, Center for Responsible Lending’s senior counsel for government affairs, says the the dealers will do this scam because once a consumer takes home the car, they believe the deal to be done. That means they aren’t in the market anymore, not researching for better loans at other dealerships. If the buyer refuses to the new agreement, they hit a road block on getting the down-payment back or their trade-in returned. Typically the trade-in has already been sold. The ones that are targeted by this scam are usually suffering from low incomes and bad credit.

The advocacy groups are asking that the FTC step in to put an end to this practice. They believe that it gives dealers an unfair upper hand in negotiations. The National Automobile Dealers Association has dismissed the claim however, saying that the practice is not prevalent. We here at Approved Loan Store would like to hear your thoughts on the matter. Have you ever been a victim of the yo-yo scam?

Approved Loan Store helps people with bad credit find the car they want. We are not in the business of deception, we pride ourselves on being honest with customers. Don’t take our word for it, we have over a hundred people providing testimonials on the quality of our business. Fill out the application, we would like to work with you. Like us on Facebook to see all the latest industry trends and be sure to also follow us on Twitter.