United Auto Credit are one of the leading and most well-established nonprime or sub-prime lenders in the car market.
Based in California with a mailing address in Fort Worth Texas, but available to dealerships and customers throughout the United States.
Their website stresses that they have a number of programs specifically tailored to people who are likely to have problems repaying loans, such as the first time buyers program and welcoming people who have been bankrupted.
It is pretty clear that the intent is to reach out to people who have bad credit, and try and make themselves approachable and welcome.
Whilst this is obviously of value, it should be remembered that at the end of the day it is about money.
Any lender is looking to make money out of their client, and a warm and fuzzy approach should not be mistaken for any kind of kindness or weakness.
United Auto Credit -Phone Number
Dealer Support – 866-504-2133
Customer Service – 888-895-6134
Payoff Quote 888-895-6134
Title Questions – 888-376-7149
Employment Enquiries – 800-694-1800
Customer Service – 1-888-895-6134
There is also a live chat facility on their website
United Auto Credit – Account and Login
Customer enrolment is a key element of being able to manage your account. In order to and roll online you will need your 17 digit account number, your Social Security number and your date of birth. You will need to set up a username and password and email address etc.
Once the account is set up and you have logged in, you will be able to access all your financial details, such as the different type of payment options you have, moving to paperless billing if you prefer, be able to sign up for automatic payments, view past and current statements of account etc.
United Auto Credit – Payment Methods
United Auto Credit as a number of different payment options, some of which are free and some of which they charge for.
Automatic Payments – Free. This is where payments are deducted automatically from your bank account each month, and in theory this work as a simple direct debit.
Checking/Savings Account ( ACH) – Free. This seems similar to the above, but is done in combination with ACI Universal Payments
Card Payment – $5.95. This allows for a one-off payment by credit card such as Visa or MasterCard, which would obviously need to be done every time a payment was due.
Pay By Mail – PO Box 660017 Dallas TX 75266. This is the more traditional payment method for a number of people, especially those who don’t like to use online banking or payment systems.A monthly billing statement is sent out customers, with a request for payment be returned within five working days of the due date.
It does not say if there is a late payment charge and this is something that should be checked as it does quite often apply.
ACI Automated System Phone Payment – $5,95
Customer Service Phone Payment -$7.95
Western Union Quick Collect – $12.99 – note on websites that fees may apply
Check Free Pay – prices vary by agent
ACE Cash Express – $1,50
Moneygram $ 13.99 – in addition other fees may apply.
Please note all prices and information current as at June 2018
United Auto Credit – Dealer Portal
United Auto Credit have a dedicated dealer portal which they refer to as their fast lane program. It gives dealers access to all information they need, including the most basic funding document check list.
This includes items such as a copy of United Auto Credit approval or condition notice, a credit application, a simple interest retail instalment contract, a signed copy of Bill of Sale, a signed copy of title acquisition, a signed copy of an Odometer Disclosure Statement, a used-car book sheet, proof of insurance and five complete references.
United Auto Credit – Repossession
No one likes the idea of repossession,and often it is one of those subjects that no one talks about. In the world of auto credit that is a big mistake. If you fall behind with payments or cannot make them, contact United auto credit immediately and talk to them about the problem. There may be ways of resolving it without the need for repossession. Repossession not only increases your debt level, but also has an adverse effect on your credit score which if it is bad enough to use United Auto Credit in the first place will simply get worse.
United Auto Credit -Payoff
United Auto Credit by a payoff telephone number and address that you can ring or write to and get a quote as to what it would cost to pay off outstanding loan. Bear in mind that most loans are structured in such a way if you pay them off early there likely to be a heavy penalty charge.
This penalty charge should be spelt out in the initial contract. It may be better to look at the possibility of refinancing the loan with another lender as United Auto Credit currently do not refinance.
United Auto Credit – Reviews
As with many types of businesses, you never really know how good their customer service is, or how efficient they are until you run into a real problem. One of the ways round this is to look for reviews of both the customer service and overall approach to customer care.
The problem with reviews generally is that they either tend to be written by people on half of the company, or by angry customers who have either been treated unfairly, or who are just annoyed with not getting their own way.
Either way, reviews are not ideal but if you can find some relatively unbiased source of information that should give you some insight into how the company operates. Online forums are a good place to start, as is the local Better Business Bureau.
