Buy here pay here stirs up both curiosity and skepticism in equal measure. You might be wondering, “Is this really a good way to get a car when my credit score’s in the trash?” Well, take a seat and pour a cup of coffee, because we’re diving deep.

Imagine you walk onto the lot, stressed out, thinking about that credit inquiry from last year, the missed payment, the chaos of adulting gone sideways. The dealer smiles and, instead of talking about banks, talks about buy here pay here financing. It’s tempting. They don’t seem to care about your financial hiccups. In fact, a lot of these places don’t even check your credit at all. Sound too good to be true? Sometimes it is. Sometimes it isn’t.

Let’s break it down even more. Banks and credit unions cooperate with regular dealerships. They send your application into the digital vacuum, and if your credit checks out, you might get approved. Pay here, buy here A lot of people don’t bother with lenders who aren’t their own. They are both the lender and the vendor. There, you can buy the car. You pay there. Some dealers want you to come in every week to give them your money in person. That can seem a little old-fashioned, like paying rent in the landlord’s kitchen.

If you have no other options, these places can be a big help right away. Your FICO score might be on its last legs. You might have already been turned down somewhere else. You still have a chance of driving away in anything with four tires, a steering wheel, and a praying air freshener. Being flexible is the key. People who can’t get standard loans can still get them with shorter loan periods, lesser down payments, and even inventive payment plans.

But there’s a problem. If you qualify, interest rates might be very high, almost twice as high as what you would pay at a credit union. Cars may be older, have more miles on them, and warranties are generally quite thin. If you miss a payment, your car might be taken back very quickly. Some lots even put GPS trackers on cars in case you thought about disappearing at night.

Let’s be honest. You should only use buy here pay here finance as a last resort, not as a way to get money. If you do get in, make sure to read everything. Find information about the car’s past. Is it as dependable as the coffee at your favorite diner? Try it out, listen for clicks and groans, and trust your gut.

Here’s a tip: bring someone who knows what they’re doing. Someone who can smell a lemon from twenty feet away. Keep in mind that you are signing a contract. Don’t be fooled by the gleaming hubcaps. If the terms make your wallet sweat, there’s a sign that something is wrong.

Buy here, pay here could be the answer to your problems, but be careful. The easiest route isn’t always the best way. But if you keep your eyes open and are ready to ask questions, you might find an automobile that takes you where you need to go without breaking the bank.