You may undoubtedly find “Buy Here Pay Here” signs on showy cars at any used car lot in Boise. People talk about these lots as if they are either a godsend or a scam. So, what is it? Idahoans are direct, so let’s get right to the point about this quick cut for buying an automobile. Click our extra resources for another topics!

 

Darla from Caldwell spilled the tea: “I rolled up with my busted credit, and they didn’t care. It took me three hours to get home. Sounds great. But was it really that easy? “The payments,” she groans, “let’s just say that if you miss one, they call your grandma.” Ouch.

Buy Here Pay Here vendors make their own regulations. They are both lenders and sellers. If your credit is bad, they can be the only way you can get a car. On the other hand? These cars can often come with high prices and interest rates that will make your wallet cry. Nampa’s Nate laughs, “My car payment is almost as much as my rent.” The next step is to go into the trunk.

Some Idaho drivers like how easy it is. No business meetings in suits and ties. No waiting for codes to be approved. But listen, these lots have a secret that most people don’t know about. If you don’t pay, they can make your car disappear. We’ve heard stories about trackers and clever engine kill switches. “It’s like your car’s on house arrest,” says Margaret, a tough grandma. They ground it if you miss curfew.

If you look more closely, you’ll see other catches. Most Buy Here Pay Here lots have older autos for sale. Some have more miles than an atlas. How about maintenance? That’s your rodeo, buddy. Some vendors give guarantees, but you should read the fine print. Brenda recounts, “They said it was my fault that the transmission blew because I shifted funny.” “I’m done with my stick shift days.”

If the dealer really reports it, though, you might be able to build your credit. That’s a hefty “if.” Some people in Idaho got automobiles and payments, but their credit didn’t get any better. Cody laughed and said, “Like running on a treadmill with a brick wall in front of you.”

So, is it worth it for people that drive in Idaho? That depends on whether you can handle large payments, ancient cars, and contracts that are frequently hard to understand. But if banks leave you in the dust and you don’t like hitchhiking, these lots can help you out. Just be careful, read everything, and don’t sign anything you wouldn’t want your mom to read. And if you want to be sure the math is right? Bring a calculator and maybe a good luck charm that you may cross your fingers for.