by Admin - Posted 3 minutes ago
Yep, you read that right.
A 19-year-old with a 646 credit score, steady income and nearly two years on the job got turned down by every dealership she visited. Until she came to Cincinnati Auto Credit.
By the time she got to us, she’d already been to 9 or 10 dealerships across town. Each one ran her credit. Each one told her no. That’s 9 or 10 hard inquiries stacked on her credit report. For nothing.
So What Gives?
Let’s break it down.
This customer works for a local hospital—a solid employer. She takes home about $1,200 every two weeks and pays just $300 a week for utilities to live at home with her mom. She doesn’t have student loans or high credit card balances. On paper, it looked like she could afford a car.
But she didn’t have a long credit history. And when lenders see a young buyer with recent credit inquiries and no long-term accounts, they get nervous. So they pass, even if the numbers make sense.
And the car she was looking at? A $30,000 brand-new Chevy Trax. By the time you add interest and dealer fees, she would’ve walked away with $40,000 in debt. At 19.
That’s Where We Come In
When she came to Cincinnati Auto Credit, we took the time to actually look at her situation, not just her credit report. She didn’t need a brand-new vehicle with a massive price tag. She needed something reliable, affordable and within her comfort zone.
That’s exactly what she found.
We got her into a car that fit her lifestyle and budget. No pressure, no wild payment plan and no runaround. Just a straightforward process that respected her time and goals.
The Lending World Has Changed
If you’ve been out shopping for a car lately, you’ve probably noticed it too.
Just a few years ago, people with much lower credit scores were getting approved left and right. But today? Lenders are tightening up. Even buyers with what used to be considered a "good" credit score are being turned away.
It’s frustrating and it can feel like no one’s willing to give you a chance.
That’s why how and where you shop matters.
Stop Wasting Time and Credit Inquiries
Here’s the part nobody tells you: every time a dealership checks your credit, it can hurt your score. Especially if it happens over and over in a short period of time.
So why spend your whole week running around to different lots, getting the same disappointing answer?
Call us first.
We’ll let you know upfront if we can work with your situation. We don’t waste your time or dance around the truth. No pressure, no games. Just real answers from real people who know what it’s like to be in your shoes.
What’s the Worst That Could Happen?
You give us a call. We take a look at your situation. And maybe you leave with the car you’ve been trying to get all over town.
We don’t promise approval for everyone. But we do promise that we’ll treat you with respect and we’ll give you a straight answer.
Give us a call today or stop in to see what’s possible. And give us a chance to give you a chance.