Most people looking to get behind the wheel of a new car try their best to negotiate with dealers over the price of the automobile. Though most experts would recommend the practice, some say it may be distracting them from a more pertinent issue – financing. Too often consumers don't think about things like high interest rates until they are too far along in the process, the Associated Press reports.
It may not be all buyers faults though. A recent round table discussion by the Federal Trade Commission found that financing that is done through the dealers themselves can often be a hard-to-follow process. Additionally, since such practices are not overseen by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, there's not very many actions in place to prevent falling victim unscrupulous lenders.
There are a number of things consumers can do to protect themselves from agreeing to a less-than-favorable loan, according to the AP. Specifically, car buyers should be sure to check what loans are being offered from other institutions including banks and credit unions before agreeing to financing from the dealership, which provides them with leverage to negotiate with.
In addition to seeking out other loans to improve their bargaining power, the news source recommends looking into the extras that many dealerships try to sneak in. Specifically, some experts say that while things such as extended warranties and credit insurance may seem like good deals on their face, it may not be the case upon closer inspection and it would behoove buyers to closely read the terms of agreement.
Of course, navigating the financing of a car is not all about knowing how to deal with lenders. There are a number of ways that buyers themselves can make sure that they get the bet loan possible, according to U.S. News and World Report.
First and foremost, buyers should make sure that their credit is in order, especially in the wake of the subprime mortgage crisis. Luckily, there are number of ways to get a credit check before applying for loan by contacting organizations such as Equifax and TransUnion.
Finally, financial security may have less to do with the loan and more with what type of car people are purchasing. The news source urges buyers to eschew luxury cars for more affordable models, which will be much easier to finances.
