The following article first appeared in Autotrader Magazine, (see link below.) It asks five main questions you should ask a dealer when buying a Buy Here Pay Here vehicle. Read on to learn more:
What Documentation To Bring
Bringing the correct documents to a BHPH dealership can dramatically speed up your purchase process. Although the list of items can differ depending on your unique credit situation and the specific dealer, we interviewed BHPH dealers around the country to receive some suggestions of what you should have handy:
- Driver’s license
- Proof of automobile insurance
- Financial info (bank checking, savings and credit-card account info to fill out credit application)
- Social Security number
- Proof of residence (mortgage document or rental lease agreement)
- References (with complete contact info)
- Proof of employment and salary (paycheck stubs, with one less than 30 days old)
- Current phone bill (or other utility bill such as gas, electric or water)
- Down payment amount
Forms Of Payment
Instead of making monthly payments to a traditional lender, you’ll likely make weekly or biweekly payments at a BHPH dealership. Many BHPH dealers require you to physically bring cash to their location, but some are expanding the ways that they’ll accept payment. Ask if they take payment by phone or online. Some dealers will require an automatic withdrawal if you currently have a checking account, savings account or credit card. Other dealers offer the option of paying through money orders. Explore a variety of payment methods with your dealer to find one that best fits your financial situation.
Late-Payment Policies
No one ever intends to make a late payment on a car loan, but sometimes it happens. It’s critical to understand the dealership’s late-payment policy. Will they repossess the car the day after you fail to make a payment, or is there a grace period? Will they contact you or simply take the car back with no questions asked? More than likely, this will never be an issue, but it’s good to know what to expect if an emergency temporarily delays your payment. You might also ask if the dealership regularly reports both positive and negative payment information to the credit-reporting agencies. If you have a good payment record and the dealer reports this information, this can help you start or rebuild a credit history if that’s important to you.
Location of Dealership
If you’re already at the dealership, then this question is an easy one to answer, but when selecting from a list of BHPH establishments, location is important. Pick one close to where you live or work so that it’s convenient to come in to make your payment. Additionally, BHPH dealers prefer to work with customers who live close to the dealership so that it’s simpler to maintain the financial agreement. Thus, finding a dealership nearby may make it even easier to get the car loan you need.
Vehicle Quality
Bad credit shouldn’t prevent you from getting a quality vehicle. In fact, many BHPH dealers are extremely focused on offering reliable vehicles because they know customers are more likely to keep paying for a car that works well. Ask dealerships about the inspection standards or reconditioning processes that they use to prepare vehicles for purchase. See if they offer maintenance and repairs on site or if they have a partner provider that does. A reliable vehicle serves the interests of both parties, and a dealer should be happy to provide you with this information.
Source: https://buyherepayhere.autotrader.com/credit-help-center/5-questions-to-ask-a-buy-here-pay-here-dealership/6#.XtZ9GWhKhaQ
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