Does not having good credit embarrass you?

Question

I've recently had an embarrassing experience at a car dealership due to my bad credit. I'm working to fix it, but apparently not hard enough. Worse, however, was the way the people at the dealership made me feel, like I was some kind of criminal for having less than perfect credit. How has having bad credit embarrassed you? Just curious to see if anyone else has had similar experiences. I left that dealership feeling lower than amoeba slime.

Answer 1

First of all I want to say "Sorry" for the way you were treated by that dealer.

I work in the auto business as a Finance Manager and have access to over 15 lenders, there is no one out there that if they can prove their income and come up with some down payment, that I can not get approved.

The dealers that depend on repeat and referral business obviously would not treat you like this. This must have been a large dealer that did not care about you.

Find a dealer that advertises Special Finance and call them. They can help you. You may have to come up with more money down and your selection of vehicles may be small, but ther is no reason that you should not be able to buy a vehicle.

Answer 2

When I was buying my first car and had no credit history, the car saleswoman was polite but matter-of-fact: I would need a co-signer. She didn't shame me or become impatient with me, rather, she wanted me to think until we found a solution. I got the co-signer and closed the deal.

It's clear to me that good slaesmanship is about working toward a solution so that the buyer has a good experience. Word-of-mouth is powerful. Complain to the manager immediately if you ever experience bad treatment again.

Stand up for yourself. Phone the manager at the dealership you visited and report your experience. Then ask, "What are you willing to do for me today?" Sit silently and listen. Then ask, "Is that the best you can do?" Keep listening. True, none of what the manager says is in writing, but you'll get a lesson in standing up for yourself and negotiation.

This being a credit forum, I congratulate you for working to fix your credit.

If you would write another question to us, we can help you find the best strategy: List each account (no company names necessary) stating the type of loan (store or major credit card, mortgage, student or auto or personal or overdraft or payday loan), the current balance, the interest rate (APR), the minimum payment and the credit limit. And tell us your credit scores if you know them. If you've been late with payments or some of the accounts have gone to collections or you've been through a bankruptcy, let us know.

You can order one free credit report per year from each of the 3 Credit Reporting Agencies (CRAs) If you haven't ordered yours lately, use

www.annualcreditreport.com

or order by phone paper copies directly from the CRAs. Visit the US Federal Trade Commission site for phone numbers:

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/freereports.htm

Answer 3

Nope. My credit is so shot to hell, I'm not worried about it.

Besides, I don't make close to enough money (on disability) to afford a car, house, or boat anyways.

So why worry?

Credit is just for the envious who *want* something they can't really afford, but are eager to go into debt over in the long run.

When I first heard about it 10 years ago, I was like: "What the hell is a credit history?"

Answer 4

i wouldnt be that embarrassed. Car dealers are like one of the worst business people. im 20 and pretty much until i get all my school debt paid off im SOL. i dislike asking my parents for co-signing.

i hope you didn't cause the bad credit. but health, fraud, job loss are good reasons.

Answer 5

I SURE WOULD BE EMBARRASSED . I DON'T MEAN TO PREACH, BUT WHY GET YOURSELF INTO THAT SITUATION? - TAKE CARE PAL.

Answer 6

not really, just try to make it look better