Auto Loan Finders ALF Shady Business Marietta Georgia

All I have to say is - stay away from Auto Loan Finders.  My car broke down on a Saturday and so I was unexpectedly in the market for another vehicle.  I do not have bad credit, I just have very little credit which limited me to financing options.  I did an online auto loan application and received a call from Auto Loan Finders the following day stating that I was approved for a vehicle based on my income.  I was very skeptical about the approval as the lady on the phone assured me that they approve applications based on income only.  When I asked about a down payment she assured me that the loan would be 100% financed and that all I needed to bring was my DL, pay stubs, and utility bill showing proof of residence.  Despite my reservations I proceeded to go to the Marietta location since my situation was urgent.

The so called dealership was in a horrible location - sort of a cross between an office plaza and industrial park off of a side street. I immediately spotted where they keep their vehicles and so I first drove by the limited selection and was not impressed.  Hoping that perhaps they had additional inventory I proceeded into the office.  I was greeted by an unfriendly receptionist who instructed me to fill out several application documents. I sat in the front waiting area with about 4 other people filling out paperwork.  I started to get annoyed with all of the paperwork so I told the receptionist I was in a rush And could not continue to just sit there especially when I wasn't even sure that I was going to do business there.

In an effort to keep me from leaving she called a sales rep to get me even though I wasn't finished with the paperwork. I was greeted by Brandon who was actually very nice. We proceeded to his office which by the way was old and dingy. The entire office space was old and dingy. We briefly talked about my income and he ran my credit. I thought they approved based on income only???  I was over qualified in terms of affordability and could basically choose any newer car that they had. The interest rate was very high.  We walked out to the lot which is totally unsecured and the selection of cars was a joke.  There was nothing that I really liked except for maybe a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze.

Brandon got the keys and I took it for a spin. It drove pretty smooth even though the mileage was a little higher than I wanted just like the price tag of almost 15K. I then noticed a long scratch all the way down the passenger side of the vehicle. Clearly it got keyed. I asked Brandon what they would be prepared to do about it and the final answer was: all cars are sold as is however they could refer me to a body shop that they use so that I could get a reduced price for the repair. Really???? Not only did they do absolutely nothing about the price but they basically told me that I would have to pay to repair the scratch as well....crazy!

Brandon then proceeds to tell me that I would have to pay $1500 in taxes and fees.  What happened to $0 down? He then said that I could split that amount into 3 payments as long as it's paid in 30 days. I told him that I was driving a rental car at that moment and could not take the car right then and there. Brandon asked if there was someone that I could call to assist with taking the car home that day and I replied no. He then went to speak to one of the owners named Hal.  He came back and said that I could do all the paperwork then come back the following day to pay and pickup the car.  I was then sent into another office where I met Hal who went through all of the paperwork.  Once I was done, I left and did not return. I am so thankful that I did not give them any money and that I had a rental car that day.

Beware of the following:

All cars are sold as is with no warranty or warranty options

They finance at high interest rates for people with no or bad credit - 25%

They will ask for payment on the taxes and fees even when they tell you nothing down - over $1000

All of their cars are installed with some sort of a starter interrupter meaning that if for some reason you do not pay your note they can disable your vehicle 

Limited selection of vehicles 

oh and by the way.....as I was signing the paperwork Hal made me sign 2 sets for 2 different lenders because he wasn't sure which lender I was going to finance through. Huh? How the heck am I approved if the lender hasn't been confirmed yet? Shady business people....run as fast as you can! 

i ended up getting a Honda from Carmax at a lower interest rate and with a warranty.  Less money down as well...under $1000. I rest my case.