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Buy Here Pay Here vs. Bank Financing

Banks win on rate. Buy Here Pay Here wins on access and speed. Here is how to choose.

Where a bank or credit union wins

If your credit is solid, a credit union will almost always beat a Buy Here Pay Here finance charge. You also get a wider selection because you can shop any dealership. If that is your situation, use it.

Where Buy Here Pay Here wins

  • Approval when a bank has already declined you
  • Same-day decisions instead of multi-day underwriting
  • Payment schedules that match your paydays
  • One place to buy, finance, and make payments
  • A real person locally who knows your account if something goes wrong

The honest trade-off

The finance charge is higher, and the vehicles are older and less expensive than what a bank loan would buy. In exchange, you get transportation now and a payment history you can build on. We would rather you understand that up front than find out at signing.

A reasonable order of operations

Check with your credit union first. If they approve you at a rate you like, take it. If they decline, or the payment they offer does not work, come see us — we will build the deal around your budget instead of around a score.