Common Myths About Buy Here Pay Here Dealerships (And the Truth Behind Them)

When you’re shopping for a reliable vehicle—especially with credit challenges—it’s easy to get overwhelmed by misinformation. Buy Here Pay Here (BHPH) dealerships often get a bad reputation online, but many of the things people warn about are outdated or simply untrue.

It’s time to clear the air. Here are the most common myths about BHPH dealerships—and the real facts every buyer should know, brought to you by The Car Store.

Myth #1: “Buy Here Pay Here dealerships are only for people with terrible credit.”

The Truth:
While BHPH financing is designed to help credit-challenged customers, it’s not ONLY for them. Many buyers choose it because they want fast approvals, simple requirements, and a straightforward buying experience. Even customers with decent credit appreciate the convenience and flexibility.

Myth #2: “The cars at BHPH dealerships are low quality.”

The Truth:
A good BHPH dealership stands behind its vehicles. At The Car Store, every vehicle is inspected, serviced, and reconditioned before it hits the lot. We want you on the road—not in a repair shop.

Myth #3: “Interest rates are automatically sky-high.”

The Truth:
Rates depend on risk, but they aren’t automatically extreme. Since BHPH dealers finance in-house, they take on more risk than banks—so rates reflect that. Still, a reputable dealership like The Car Store keeps rates fair and transparent and works with you to build a payment plan that fits your budget. We also allow early payoff without penalty.

Myth #4: “BHPH dealerships only offer weekly payments.”

The Truth:
Payment schedules are actually designed to match how YOU get paid. At The Car Store, customers can choose between bi-weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly payment schedules. Loan terms are straightforward as well—three years is usually the maximum.

Myth #5: “Buy Here Pay Here dealerships always report payments to the credit bureaus.”

The Truth:
Not all BHPH dealers report to credit bureaus—and that’s okay. The Car Store does not report payments, but we use your payment history with us to offer perks such as better terms, lower down payments, and upgrade opportunities on your next vehicle.

Myth #6: “BHPH dealers don’t care about their customers.”

The Truth:
This myth sticks around because of a few bad actors, not the entire industry. At The Car Store, we rely on long-term customer relationships, fair pricing, dependable vehicles, and flexible payments. When you succeed, we succeed.

Buying a car is a big decision, and you deserve real information—not myths. At The Car Store, you’ll find flexible financing, dependable vehicles, and a team committed to helping you stay on the road. For buyers working through credit challenges or simply wanting an easier approval process, BHPH can be one of the smartest, most stress-free ways to get into a reliable vehicle.