Shopping for a used car can be a complex process – so many options to choose among, so many selection criteria! Asking the right questions can take some of the stress out of the equation and make you feel confident that you’ve chosen the right buy here pay here dealer.

Does the vehicle come with a warranty?

Asking buy here pay here dealers about a car’s warranty should be one of your primary concerns. An “as is” warranty should raise a red flag. In essence, it means that you’re not getting any warranty at all.

Pay attention to state laws, as well. There could be some differences and limitation stemming from local regulations. The more information you have, the better prepared you’ll be for the buying process.

What’s the interest rate?

Depending on the policies that buy here pay here dealers follow, the interest rate could be a high one. There may be major differences, so it’s important to ask and compare the information you’ve gotten from different dealerships.

Can I get financing (regardless of my credit score)?

Buy here pay here dealers follow different standards than the ones set in traditional automobile purchasing scenarios. The dealership is the one that decides about the loan terms. The option is typically available to individuals that have a poor credit score but you should definitely inquire about financing and the conditions.

What’s the return policy?

This one is a no-brainer. Most often, dealerships don’t have a return policy. On occasions, however, you may get a pleasant surprise.

What’s the late payment policy?

Though adhering to deadlines is imperative, it’s still possible to have a late payment every now and then. Inquire about the conditions and make sure that the information you’ve obtained has been provided in the form of writing.

What payment methods do you accept?

Traditionally, new vehicle owners have to make monthly payments. Buy here pay here dealers could be capable of offering an alternative. There could be a weekly or bi-weekly payment plan. In addition, you’ll usually be free to make a cash payment, complete a bank transfer or schedule an automatic withdrawal for added convenience.

Can I inspect vehicles before buying?

When it comes to assessing quality, inspecting the vehicle before buying is a must.

Beware of dealers that prevent you from inspecting the car before buying. The fact that you’re opting for a used vehicle doesn’t mean the dealer has a right to prevent you from choosing an automobile that delivers an optimal price to quality ratio.

Do you service the vehicles that you sell?

Very few buy here pay here dealerships offer car servicing to their customers. A dealership that has a service department will give you convenience and it will enable you to save a bit of money on expensive repairs.

Can I pay off early?

This information should be listed in your contract. Usually, it will feature a payment schedule and the size of every installment that you’ll have to make. In addition, the contract should outline the terms and conditions of an early payment.

Usually, early payments will come with certain penalties. The dealership will be losing from the interest rate if you pay off the entire remaining sum in advance. Having the information will help you figure out just how unprofitable an early payment is going to be.

Are there additional fees and charges?

Reputable buy here pay here dealers list all of the costs and the charges in advance. Still, some dealerships have hidden additional fees that will increase the cost of the purchase. Beware of administrative fees, delivery fees and auto inspection fees. These will usually be listed in the agreement’s fine print.

As you’ve probably figured out already, choosing the right dealership is very important. It will give you access to quality automobiles and quality services in the long run. The Auto Warehouse is one such dealership.

The Auto Warehouse has been around since 1990. We’re honest and reliable Chicago car dealers and we’ve worked with many clients that experience credit history issues. Transparency is one of our main values and it’s enabled The Auto Warehouse to maintain its reputation through the years. Each of our automobiles is provided with a warranty, which means that you have nothing to worry about.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us or give us a call at 877-398-2755 to find out more about what we have to offer.