A Publication of Great Lakes Credit Union Tips To Remember During Your Car Search A HELPFUL GUIDE TO MAKE SURE YOU KNOW THE FACTS 4

TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 1.Know Your Credit Score 2.Know Your Limit 3.Shop Around 4.Understand Your Loan

INTRODUCTION The process of buying a car can be a very daunting task. Picking out your dream car might be easy, but everything that follows can get a little tricky. It is very easy to become overwhelmed during this process and if you’re not careful you can end up with more then you bargained for. Car salesman can pressure you into making decisions before you’re ready. That’s where we come in to help. We have come up with four must know tips for your car search. Once you’ve learned these four basic tips you’ll be ready to confidently purchase your dream car knowing you got the best deal possible.

Tip #1 Be aware of your credit score and what effects it positively and negatively and monitor it for identity theft. Your credit score plays an important part in the process of getting financed for a vehicle. You want to make sure you are properly educated on the different things that can raise and lower your score. The best way to learn about your credit score is to use the site Credit Karma. This site will allow you to check your current credit score, overs free credit monitoring, account monitoring, and reviews and advice about your credit score. Know Your Credit Score

Tip #2 Most people think that when shopping for a car you should base your purchase on the monthly payment you can afford, when you should really be basing it on the total cost of the item and the payment that results. Every financial institution uses a debit ratio to determine how much you can borrow. Before you even begin your car search you should ask your financial institution for a pre-approval so you know how much you can borrow. Once you have a pre-approval and know what your total limit will be for the vehicle, take a look at the monthly payment to ensure it is something you can afford to pay each month. It is important to schedule your payments during the time of the month you know your funds will be available. Know Your Limit

Tip #3 When looking for your new car you should shop around at a couple of car dealerships. When you let a dealer know you’re interested in a vehicle at a different dealership odds are that they are going to want you to buy with them so they’ll be more likely to give you a better deal on their car. Always make the dealer work for your business. Never go to a dealer for a specific car and never act like you have to buy a car you test drove. If you act overly eager the dealer is less likely to give you a better deal. Do your research and know how much the vehicle you’re looking at is worth. Download our new AskAuto Loan App so you can scan a cars VIN to bring up the vehicles information. Know the facts about a car can help you confidently work out an affordable and appropriate price for a vehicle. Shop Around Ask Auto App -Find NADA vehicle values by taking a picture of a VIN # -Complete a Loan Application right from your phone

Tip #4 Understand Your Loan When applying for a loan don’t be afraid to ask questions. Make sure you know the rate, term, and any fees and penalties that can be charged with the loan. There can be quite a bit a fine print involved so make sure you completely understand all the terms and agreements for the loan before you sign your paperwork. You also want to make sure you understand the insurance and warranties that are offered and their cost. When you have a loan for a vehicle you are required to have full coverage insurance. Many vehicles can have warranties associated with them. Make sure you ask the dealer to explain everything that is covered under the warranty. This will help you avoid certain costs down the road.

6600 Sylvania Ave Suite 6D Sylvania, OH Are you interested in applying for a loan with Great Lakes Credit Union? Feel free to visit GLCU.com or contact Alan Spadafore at or 580 Craig Dr Suite 10 Perrysburg, OH