Buy Here, Pay Here is Bad News

Disabled cars and illegal repos await victims of auto lending loan sharks

Photo by Parsoa Khorsand on Unsplash

Reliable transportation is an essential element of American life. Sure, in some cities there is access to adequate public transit, but many Americans rely on personal vehicles to get to work and conduct the business necessary for their daily lives.

Of course, cars can be expensive and though they can be financed, many lenders are reluctant to lend to low-income borrowers.

Enter the buy here, pay here lot. It’s a car dealer that both sells the cars AND offers direct financing of those cars.

Which is great, except these dealers often charge outrageous interest rates and engage in unscrupulous collection practices.

Here’s one recent example:

U.S. Auto Sales Finance Sued, Could Pay Millions in Consumer Refunds and Penalties | Advocate Andy…

Among the tactics employed by U.S. Auto Sales Finance:

• Illegally disabled cars: Many auto lenders require that cars are installed with devices using GPS technology that allow the lender or servicer to prevent a borrower…