727-222-5501
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers about Buy Here Pay Here financing at Auto Credit Center – approvals, down payments, credit reporting, warranties, and what to expect. Don’t see your question? Call 727-222-5501.
Getting Approved
What do I need to get approved?
Five things, and most customers already have all of them in their wallet or their glovebox:
#1 Proof of current income (Recent pay stubs or bank statements)
#2 Proof of home address (Any recent piece of mail with your name on it)
#3 Valid Driver’s License
#4 Active full coverage auto insurance
#5 Minimum down payment
How are you able to say yes so often?
Simple: there is no bank in the building to say no. We make our own approval decisions in-house, and we make them on your present, not your past. If you live within our lending radius, bring the five requirements above, and your income comfortably supports the payment, you drive home approved. Low score? Past repossession? Discharged bankruptcy? None of those are reasons for denial here. Around Tampa Bay that matters more than most places, because so many of our neighbors earn service, hospitality, and 1099 income that bank formulas were never built to understand. We look at real pay stubs, not formulas.
Who actually finances my vehicle?
The vehicle comes from Auto Credit Center. The loan comes from Car Credit Finance, the finance company our family built and still owns – separate on paper, same people behind it. That structure is the entire reason we can say yes when banks say no: the person approving your loan answers to our family, not to a lending algorithm at an outside institution.
Can I get approved with no credit history at all?
Absolutely. No credit is not bad credit, and we treat it that way. Young drivers buying their first car, folks who have paid cash their whole lives, new arrivals to Florida whose history stayed behind – we approve these situations every week. Since your approval rests on today’s income and stability, a blank credit file costs you nothing here.
What if I’ve had a repossession or bankruptcy?
You are still welcome here, and you are far from alone. Past repossessions and discharged bankruptcies are situations we approve routinely, because a rough chapter from years ago says nothing about the payment you can carry today. If your bankruptcy case is still open, the answer depends on the specifics, so give us a call and we will walk through it with you straight.
How long does the approval process take?
Plan on one visit, not one week. With no outside bank in the loop, there is nobody to wait on: most customers apply, get approved, pick their vehicle, and pull off the lot the same day. Want to move even faster? Start your application online before you come in and the paperwork is mostly finished before you touch the door handle.
Do I need an appointment?
Nope. Walk in any time during sales hours and we will take care of you. An appointment just moves you to the front of the line, so if your schedule is tight, book one – and either way you can browse the full inventory and start your approval online first.
Down Payments & Credit
What is the minimum down payment?
It depends on the vehicle, but here is what stays true on every deal: we set the number in-house, we keep it among the lowest in our area regardless of your credit, and we can quote your exact figure for any specific vehicle before you ever visit. Your trade-in counts toward it, running or not. And your down payment takes care of your sales tax and registration fees, so there is never a second round of money between you and your plates. Call 727-222-5501 with a stock number and we will find a the real number, no games.
Do you charge processing or dealer fees?
No. Every dealer fee is already built into our advertised price. Most dealerships show you one number online, then stack anywhere from $200 to over $2000 onto the paperwork after you have picked out your car and call it a processing fee, documentation fee, or reconditioning fee. At Auto Credit Center, the price you shop with is the price you sign for – the only additions are state sales tax, tag, and title, because the law requires us to collect those, and your down payment covers them.
Do you report to the credit bureaus?
Yes, every month, to the major bureaus. That means the car payment you were going to make anyway is quietly rebuilding your credit file at the same time, one on-time month after another. Fair warning in both directions: late months report too. That is exactly why we build your payment around a budget you can actually keep and schedule it around your paydays.
Will buying here help me qualify for bank financing later?
That is the goal, and for many customers it works. A year or two of documented on-time payments stacks new positive history against the old damage, and plenty of our family’s customers graduate to traditional bank financing by their next vehicle. We consider that a win even if the next car does not come from us.
Can I trade in or upgrade before my loan is paid off?
Yes. Financing through Car Credit Finance makes upgrading easier than at a typical dealership – many customers qualify to trade and upgrade with a reasonable down payment as soon as two years after purchase, even before payoff. When life changes, ask us where you stand.
Vehicles, Warranty & Service
Are your vehicles warrantied?
Yes. We back every vehicle with a free 30-day / 3,000-mile limited warranty with every sale. Extended 1-3 year breakdown protection plans are also available on most vehicles.
Do you provide transportation reimbursement if my vehicle breaks down?
Yes. With an approved overnight service contract repair claim, the customer not only receives 24-hour roadside assistance, but also rental car reimbursement for extended repairs.
Can I exchange my vehicle if I decide I do not like it?
At Auto Credit Center, we understand selecting the right vehicle can be a tough decision. We want to remove some of that pressure by allowing you to exchange your new vehicle within 7 days for any reason if you are not satisfied. This is a one-time option to exchange the vehicle, not the right to return it. The replacement vehicle must be in stock and within your original credit approval. See store for further details.
Do you take trade-ins?
Yes. We appraise trade-ins on the spot – running or not – and the value applies directly toward your down payment. For many customers, the trade covers most of the down payment.
What does your service department handle?
Our on-site service department puts every vehicle through our 45-point inspection and reconditioning before it’s offered for sale, and afterward handles warranty repairs and breakdown-protection repairs – same lot, one team, one number to call.
About Auto Credit Center
How long has Auto Credit Center been in business?
Auto Credit Center is the newest member of a family that has been financing drivers since 1997 – more than 15,000 customers through Car Credit Nation and Car Credit Finance. Our Port Richey showroom runs on that same proven model: the same inspection standards, the same warranty, and the same family making the approval decisions.
Where are you located and what are your hours?
8201 US Highway 19, Port Richey, FL 34668 – right on US-19, easy to reach from New Port Richey, Hudson, Holiday, Tarpon Springs, and Spring Hill. Sales hours are Monday-Friday 9am-6pm and Saturday 9am-5pm, closed Sunday. Call 727-222-5501 or walk in – appointments recommended for the fastest service, never required.
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Dealership Info
Phone: 727-222-5501
Address: 8201 US Hwy 19 Port Richey Florida 34668
Hours:
(Mon – Fri): 9am – 6pm
(Saturday): 9am – 5pm
(Sunday): Closed
Phone: 727-870-1210
Address: 8201 US Hwy 19 Port Richey Florida 34668
Hours:
(Mon – Fri): 7:30 am – 4:30pm
(Saturday – Sunday): Closed
Phone: 703-208-3300
Address: 290 Airport Rd Winchester Virginia 22602
Hours:
(Mon-Thur): 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
(Fri): 8:30 AM – 7 PM
(Sat-Sun): Closed