Map & Directions

News Blog



  1. Blog
  2. “Guaranteed Credit Approval?" Yeah, Right.

“Guaranteed Credit Approval?" Yeah, Right.

by Admin - Posted 6 days ago


If you've been shopping around for a used vehicle in Greater Cincinnati, chances are you’ve seen the dealership ads: “Guaranteed Credit Approval!” Sounds like a dream if your credit is less than perfect, right?


You probably already know this, but that promise is often a flat-out lie. In today's tough lending climate, it’s borderline wild for dealerships to throw around phrases like “guaranteed” when banks and lenders are tightening their belts harder than ever (we broke this down in a previous blog post).


So what’s the truth behind these “guarantees”?


It’s Not a Yes. It’s a Maybe (At Best)


What most dealerships don’t tell you is that so-called “guaranteed credit approval” is only guaranteed if you meet a hidden set of conditions, usually starting with a hefty down payment. If your credit is rough or non-existent, they’ll tell you you’re approved. But only once you fork over way more money than you expected. And if you can’t? Bye-bye approval.


This isn’t customer service. It’s a bait-and-switch.


How the Scam Works


Let’s talk about credit pulls. There are two levels of credit inquiry:

  • Soft pulls are for marketing. They don’t require your full info (like your SSN or DOB) and don’t affect your credit score.
  • Hard pulls are what actually count when it comes to loan approval. They’re what banks use to decide whether to lend you money.

A lot of dealers skip the hard pull and don’t even send your report to a bank. Instead, they write up a contract, hand you the keys and send you on your way. Sounds great until you read the fine print.


At the bottom of the paperwork, it’ll say something like “pending assignment.” That means your deal isn’t actually finalized. You’re essentially driving on borrowed time. If they can’t find a bank to approve and buy your loan contract, you’ll get a call a week or two later with one of three options:


  1. Pay more money down.
  2. Agree to higher monthly payments.
  3. Bring the car back.

It’s frustrating. It’s dishonest. And it’s happening all over town.


Cincinnati Auto Credit Does Things Differently


Here’s the deal. We don’t guarantee credit approval. Why? Because we don’t like lying to people.


We won’t waste your time just to get you in the door. Most folks don’t want to line up a ride or pay for an Uber just to spend hours at a dealership, only to be told “no.” That’s why we offer an online pre-approval tool so you can find out where you stand before you visit us in person.


If we can help you, you’ll know it right away. If we can’t, we’ll tell you straight up. No games. No hidden “pending assignment” clauses. Just honest answers from a local team that respects your time.


And by the Way…


All our vehicles come with a 12-month/15,000-mile limited warranty. That’s just one more way we put our money where our mouth is. We’re not here to trick you into signing something you don’t understand. We’re here to help you find a car you can actually afford without the drama.


So the next time you see a “guaranteed credit approval” sign, just remember that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.


At Cincinnati Auto Credit, we won’t promise you the moon. But if you give us a chance, we’ll give you a real one.

 


Search
Show All Advanced Search