required credit app b.s. ???

[cobey]

So my new 4runner should be in on thursday. I go up today to get a copy of the sales contract before heading to my C.U. and picking up the check. Before I leave the dealer passes me a credit application. I say I already have credit, am happy with my credit union and even show them my preapproval letter. They continue to tell me that they can not sell me a car without me filling at least the top 2 lines out ... name adress and s.s #. I told them that i would have to research it and get back to them. They continued to tell me some b.s. about it being to protect me. I explained that if i was pretending to be some-one else, i would use that false information on this application too. Not to mention what a nice id thief i must be since the truck i am trading has been paid on time for over 3 years.

Is there any reason for me to fill out this paperwork? I have a check for the truck right now, why would I fill out a credit application.

 

[Griffeycom]

They did the same thing to us too when we bought my runner. I know one reason they wanted this information was to see if they could get you a better interest rate than our bank gave us. Which they BLEW away with another bank in our area (one that we also have an account with). Other reasons? I don't know. But what I stated is what they told us.

 

[sketch1]

I can tell you that I didn't have to fill that out when I bought mine...so sounds pretty bogus to me...unless it is some sort of local or state regulation...but I doubt it.

 

[Atomic 4Runner]

I bought a new 4Runner one month ago. I wrote the dealer a personal check and they didn't even ask for my drivers license. I didn't fill out anything, and I sure didn't give them my social security number.

If they want to sell you a truck, tell 'em they are going to do it without you filling out any credit forms. Period.

 

[Hank]

I'm not completely sure why the stealer needs to run a credit check on the buyer eventhough he/she is financing the vehicle elsewhere, but after I paid for my 4R w/a blank check from Capital One, TOY motor corp ran my credit twice the day after I made my purchase and had taken delivery of the vehicle. Either way, I don't think that several credit inquiries will ding your credit score if as long as they're done w/in a certain short time frame.

 

[bjblackout73]

I would not fill it out!! You handing them a Credit Union check is all they need. More credit checks you get the more your credit score goes down!!

 

[cobey]

I appreciate the replies. I am leaning towards telling them NO WAY NO HOW. This is the exact vehicle I want, but i will walk away.

cobey

p.s. this is in Atlanta if that helps

 

[Koz]

Ask them to show you in writing that/where you HAVE to do it.

Koz

 

[biglatka]

You should not have to give them your social security if you're not requesting credit. Your driver

 

[Sac State]

Why do they need your social if you are financing through another lender? Just another form to be sitting in a filing cabinet for a disgruntled employee to have access to your personal info.

Give them a bogus number and see what comes back from it.

 

[Bluto]

It should not be required. I have never seen it required with any vehicle purchased by me, family, or friends.

It is a way for the financing dept. to make some $$. They have incentives from the lenders to get applications in. Lots of applications also make the financing dept look better. More applications = more loans.

Financing is a big part of any dealership, just like sales, dealer installed options, and service.


On the flip side, they could find you a better rate if interested.

 

[gRunner3]

If you have a friend with really horrendous credit, see if they will let you use their SSN and watch the salesman's eyes bug out.

Or maybe just ask that your salesman and the GM/floor manager provide you with their SSN just for "their protection" and see what they think about that.

 

[qballjr13]

Or maybe just ask that your salesman and the GM/floor manager provide you with their SSN just for "their protection" and see what they think about that.

Thats great...You should deffinitely do that! Tell them you want to run a backround check on them.

 

[Sac State]

Or run the dealerships D&B # and let them know you will be deducting another $500 from the sale price because of 'issues' reported by past customers. :

 

[Spider5]

Its funny that this came up because I was asked to provide the same information even though I payed the full amount for my Runner. I told them no and they said that it was dealer policy, I told them I would walk way and they reluctantly gave in.

 

[cobey]

I will let you know Thursday how it goes. Thanks again for the responses.

cobey

 

[Nate]

Hey there everybody, I'm new here (been lurking for awhile).

I happen to work for a dealership (sales) and haven't seen anybody mention it so here it goes....

Our dealership is a patriot dealer and as part of the US Patriot act our dealership has a policy to run an OFAC search on everyone buying a car. The search cross references your name birthdate and social against a list of known money launderers (sp?) and suspected terrorists, and any other generally bad people. The easiest way of searching for us is via a credit app, however there are other ways, generally though we insist on an app. Thank your congressmen and women, ladies and gentelmen.


Just a thought, or they could be screwing you.

-Nate

 

[cobey]

That is basically what they said. We settled on a credit app without the social security number. I may have been able to push it ... but i wanted that 4runner.

cobey

 

[KMX3060]

Using a "Cashiers Check" is no gurantee to the dealer.

Yes, 'even though it came from my...(Bank, credit union, mother,'!

If you give someone a cashiers check for a purchase;
up to and until they cash it, all you have to do is call the bank and say you dropped your check in the street and it went down a storm drain or some other excuse and show them your copy of the check and they will stop payment on that check before you can say Bob's your uncle.

If you think that your SS number is secure just do a public record search on yourself some day.

Remember the pimpley faced kid that made you fill out a credit app for that cell phone in your pocket. He has your number and one of the reasons that cell phone stores get robbed is to get the totally unsecure information that is literally hanging out of the files in the back of the store. ps they also have your credit card information on that app remember.

Oh, by the way. When you got the credit thing last christmas at Kohl's so you could get 20% off, they have your SS#. So do all the other credit card companies that recently were hacked for that information.

You are not secure.

(By the by. Your ISP also has a record of EVERY website you ever went clicking to.)

:beer:

 

[jjtricket]

There ia no requirement as part of the Patriot Act or any other act that requires you or the dealer to fill out a credit app.

Also, by filling out the credit app and leaving your SSN off makes no difference. You just gave the dealership the right to snoop anyway. They do not need your SSN, they can still pull it with your name and addy.

If a dealer jerks you around, walk away!