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Canada Drives

Canada Drives review: Scam 71

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Author of the review
9:03 am EDT
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Is CanadaDrives.ca a scam? When you have bad credit there is a plethora of choices out there. Or is there?. Most dealerships really only have one or two lenders to offer you a high interest loan on a car. Canada Drives is simply a website that takes your personal information and sells it to the highest bidder in your area. Application are sold from $85 to $150 each. You then receive a call from a dealer saying your approved!. Great, but the problem is you have never applied to that dealer. You have no idea of their reputation, inventory or process. You could be called by one of many Buy Here Pay Here or Lease Here Pay Here Dealers. This is bad news for you and your credit. Vehicles on these programs are usually older, higher mileage and have underlying mechanical issues.
If you are searching for a car with bad credit, I suggest only doing business directly with licensed dealer. Preferably one registered with UCDA in Ontario. This is the only way to take control of your personal information and guarantee yourself a successful purchase.

Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

71 comments
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sandi paniec
, US
Aug 10, 2019 6:55 pm EDT

I purchased a used vehicle an it has damage. I cannot get anyone from the company to answer me to deal with the problem. I have waited over three weeks and keep contacting with no success.

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HelpingOthers1212
, CA
Feb 21, 2019 1:10 pm EST

Canada Drives has been sued by honest reputable car dealers that had their advertising leads stolen and sold by Canada Drives to scummy car dealers across the Province. Riverside Auto Guelph was one buying leads and scumming off of other dealers. There is a settled Class action lawsuit vs Canada drives and Autocatch or Dig media which is acutally Tor Star and some dealers may get back some money. DO NOT BUY A CAR from any car dealer using Canada Drives they are PARASITES and will rip you off and take advantage of you.

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walter2000
, US
Oct 28, 2018 1:13 am EDT

To be very honest with you, all these blogs will keep you going back and forth on how to actually fix your credit score, but they wont help fix it, niether would they refer you to someone who actually knows how to fix it and believe me i have gone all around blogs to seek help, with no assistance gotten and that made me frustrated, but luckily for me i found an online company who with a little token helped me fix my credit score in little time, from 366 to 679, i even thought that was all they would do, then they went on and cleared my debts, and right now I'm on my way to getting my dream house, so if you actually looking to fix your credit score why not give this a try rather than wonder around for nothing, you can email them at creditassistancecompany@gmail.com. and trust me I wont refer them if they were not good.

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Junaid428
, CA
Oct 02, 2018 2:24 pm EDT

I was checking online.. so i just signed up... That was my mistake.. 3 dealers called me.. and i got 3 notifications on my credit report APP that some like 3000 km away dealer checked my credit.. These CANADA DRIVES ($#$#$#$) can ruin any one's credit score... I am sure they sell this data to other people to make money..

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Abrown2018
, US
Apr 24, 2018 2:22 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Very deceptive situation from the get go with them. From credit check madness to dealership ordeals. When I was asked what vehicles I wanted I was very specific and said hybrids or electrics. Well they sent me not only 20km from my home but to a automaker that nor makes electric or hybrid vehicles and they didn't even had a used on their lot. Then they tried to push me a diesel SUV. I mean, if you can stay away from these cons you'd be doing yourself a favor and not get into major headaches.

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Bolton Family
, US
Mar 17, 2018 11:42 pm EDT

I would just like to offer a big warning to anyone that thinks that this company or its sister companies is sincere about helping your credit rating (They DO NOT I say again THEY DO NOT!). My story is simple and is backed up by my Equifax file, I applied like others and some unknown call comes from a unsolicited individual who says that I been approved for a car that I knew nothing about. My credit score has been damaged by this company as they have sold my name and information to 14 car companies in the past two years, this has to be illegal. I have contacted Equifax who supplied me with a copy of my file and I was told about how detrimental it is by a lender to have this many hits to the credit bureau. FYI for every hard hit on your file your credit score goes down 10 points and the inquiry made by a Creditor will stay there for three (3) years from the date of the inquiry. Three years that my credit score will be negative 140 points.

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Pat2210
, US
Jan 29, 2020 11:43 pm EST

What did you do about the inquiries on your credit?

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rroels
, US
Dec 22, 2017 2:11 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Canada Drives is dishonest.and so are the dealers affiliated with the company

It is nothing but a lead generator for car dealerships, but makes the appearance of being a finance company specializing in vehicles.

If you want a vehicle, go to a dealer or autotrader and finance through a bank or credit union.

These people make money from leads which you eventually have to pay for in your vehicle purchase, but the process is the same when the dealer calls, you still have to submit your info again to one of their lenders.

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Canada Drives Customer Support
, US
Mar 02, 2018 12:57 pm EST
Replying to comment of rroels

Hi, we are definitely a legitimate company. Canada Drives simplifies the process of finding great vehicles for our customers, regardless of their credit situation. We’ve helped hundreds of thousands of Canadians by building and maintaining a large network of certified dealer partnerships all over Canada. We work by matching you with a local certified dealership partner who has vehicles and financing options that fit each customer's needs. we’ve helped thousands of Canadians with no/ low credit find affordable auto financing. Please visit www.canadadrives.ca/what-people-say/ to learn more. Thanks! - Canada Drives Customer Support

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Caew
, US
Aug 04, 2017 5:46 pm EDT

These people will not leave me alone. I've told them I'm not interested in their BS service for weeks and they keep calling. This is harassment. GO AWAY.

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Kashim Ibra
, US
Jul 19, 2017 1:42 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

People with bad credit, $thousands in unpaid bills, multiple collections, repos/consumer proposals/bankruptcies etc etc, complaining about a "scam"? Look in the mirror you dopes.

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afamily1984
, CA
Jun 26, 2017 7:15 am EDT

I recently purchased a vehicle, not to what i wanted, but yes was approved for a car loan with these people. However my first initial contracts to sign that were sent to me via email did not disclose that their was any damage done to the vehicle. After going to the place to sign and finalize everytthing I seen in the same spot on the initial documents that their was damage of 2000 done to the front end of my car that i was finalizing..Not only did they not tell me but at this point they assured me it was nothing major just a little minor repair...Then after leaving finding out their was a recall on it, and the dealership i bought it from did not know this either, , Now my vehicle is out of commission as it sits in mechanic lot because of the recall that was supposed to be taken care of..and the company here that sold me the car said its not our problem.. wow.. what sad customer service and now stuck with a huge loan to pay off... on a vehicle that was only worth 6, 000.

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Dr Ink
Vancouver, British Columbia, CA
Nov 05, 2021 2:19 pm EDT

You are not alone, as a woman no offense, going to a car lot with no mechanical aptitude, I'm guessing, because believe me that's what they're counting on, and they'll even let the new hire, handle you, quote unquote, and even me that rebuilds engines and supercharges them and works with turbos and builds race cars was taken in by the same scam the damage they didn't tell me about so you're not alone I can only say I'm sorry, but you ladies need to realize you have to take someone you know with some mechanical aptitude, man or woman I feel your pain

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Kevin Dymond
, US
May 04, 2017 7:09 pm EDT

Just to clarify, I had the worst experience of my life. Your company prays on people that are already dealing with hardship, sets them up with false hope, making matters worse. I will never recommend anyone go through what I did with your "customer service representative".

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Guest19843
, US
Feb 05, 2017 8:46 pm EST

I know this is a complaint board but I got a car through Cananda drives and although my interest on my vechile is higher then it should be I know noone else would of gotten me a car being single with 3 kids with my ok credit no job and no cosigner. I had an excellent experience with Canada drives if it wasn't for them I wouldnt have a job like I now do.
As the poster above said you people complain about the contracts and not being able to pay for the Car and expect all you money back with no consequences, but you signed that contract without thinking it through so you can't get mad that they don't want to just rip up the contracts because you all of a sudden can't pay anymore. Everything comes at a price.

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peoplesuckalot
, US
Feb 04, 2017 11:33 am EST

Does anyone else notice that most of the complainers on this forum do not use proper spelling or grammar? Some sentences are so run on by the complainers, I lose interest in reading any more. Do the complainers know what "run on" sentences are?

Meanwhile, the people who write well are the ones that seem to understand how contracts work, read fine prints, don't give personal information over the phone to strangers and don't expect money to be given for free.

Hmmm... connecting the dots anyone?

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Dr Ink
Vancouver, British Columbia, CA
Nov 08, 2021 1:44 am EST

I think my spelling and grammar was perfect.
Sure we do run on sentences because we're working with a little tiny keyboard.
You actually have sort of a point but then you lost me with your run-on sentences.
You never once put together a proper paragraph.
People suck a lot, they sure do, but they're telling life events, and you're a hypocrite.
And I bet on the bus or in the street, every other word is at this and f that.
I read your run-on sentences, in 2 seconds flat and I feel like I wasted those two seconds and the 30 seconds it took me to write this.

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11235
, CA
Dec 11, 2016 12:53 pm EST

Canada Drives ISN'T the dealership. The DEALERS are what give you rates and payments. Canada Drives just processes the application
There's this thing called fine print...Read it.

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michael harris 1988
, US
Nov 16, 2016 12:56 pm EST

my wife is on the phone with them right now I made her bring all these issues that ppl are having directly to the conversation the man on the other end is very happy to confirm that yes there is a contrct and there is fess for canceling there is a secure insurance so if she loses her job the insurance will cover her payments for up to 6 months, if before 11 months are up she decides she wants to cancel there is a $550 charge, the amount of the loan that is payable after the credit building process is completewhen she decides to answer she will get back what she pays into it minue the cancelation fee, everyone on her is ### and complaining and about another person doing there job, when your doing things such as this, it pays to look into these things while on the phone to bring these issues up and ask them while there on the phone, its called counting your bridges and making sure your one step ahead at all times, from the people I have talked to in the past they have had good report, its called read ahead be ahead and be on the top!

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Dr Ink
Vancouver, British Columbia, CA
Nov 08, 2021 1:47 am EST

Wow you need to write birthday slogans.
Actually you don't have the aptitude for it.

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Kia.khh
, US
Nov 03, 2016 3:22 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Service was presented poorly by design since 3 different sales rep said the same thing, i was told that the entire service costs 500 and the interest accumulating is basically savings that i will get back, I have spent over a $1000 and see no results so after a year i went to cancel as i was promised to get 400$ back but they said I've signed a contract which said interest does not belong to me. entire "service" cost me well over a 1000 and i do not see any results, in fact i had to call in and remind them to send out positive reports to transunion since they missed 4 months of reporting of paid dues which was $98 a month, i was also offered an insurance for 7$ for unemployment, i did have unemployment and the insurance company required more documents than EI and at the end they turned it down!

I was lied to about the interest, they told me the interest is basically a saving since the money that was borrowed was a frozen
with regards to the dirty loan, my information was sold to another lending company called easy home which harassed me with numerous phone calls trying to sell me $500 & $1000 loans at a whopping 46% interest.

this is all evidence of a FRAUD company and you guys are targeting the most vulnerable group of society under the disguise of "help".

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tammy0405
, US
Aug 23, 2016 5:36 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I went through Canada drives for a car I never got to see the car other than in a pic never got to chose what vehicle I wanted. The car got delivered after 1000.00 down payment. Drove it for not even a week called them to let them know the brakes squeal, the service electronic stability control and service traction came on. They said it must have been something I did. I kept calling finally they said their garage would take a look at it. I took it to Toronto 2 hours away. They sent me home said nothing was wrong. Got home the next day the same thing. Took it back AGAIN. Said they tightened a few things and cleared the computer.A couple weeks later the same thing. Took it back again they said it was the ABS and they fixed it. Drove a few more weeks same thing. Now there is black grit up the drivers side of the car. I believe from faulty ABS. And now the Transmission is leaking. Called the garage and they said I can bring it there and they will fix it for a fee. Wonderful. I've had the car for 3 months bought it because I couldn't afford to keep fixing my paid for jeep. Now I pay almost 190.00 every 2 weeks plus now I have to pay to get the ABS and the transmission fixed. I would never suggest anyone deal with Canada Drives. They sold me a lemon and won't stand behind their cars they chose for you. No to mention the guy who picked it out won't even respond to phone calls or emails since I told him he sold me a car that should have been in good running condition.

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Sammyn
, CA
Jul 27, 2016 4:01 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I get a call from Canada drives and refresh financial. About a program called a secured loan which will help me build my credit. The person on the other side of the phone tells me that there is no fees and there will be interest build for me to keep . I said that's great so I went for it. 9 months later I find out there is a 550 dollar charge and interest they take away. So I got scamed for about 900 dollars. I think these people are scam artists and someone needs to do something about it. There are lots of people on here as I can see that had the same experience and there will be much more. This business needs to be shut down they are not helping regular everyday people they're just scamming them.

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shawn_g
, US
Jul 25, 2016 2:12 pm EDT

Never trust these guys and never give your personal information to them. Regarding the nature of their business it is obvious their customers are those who have bad credit history. These guys first try to sell you a way overpriced car with the highest interest rate in the market and if you don't buy from them they will sell your info to other collection agents which are looking for you!

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Asdfgl
, CA
Jul 07, 2016 9:57 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I got called today while I was busy at work and the guy conned me into the refresh financial thing making believe it was actually good for me and my credit. I knew I shouldnt do it but he somehow convinced me, Anyways now I realize how big of a F up this actually was and have many calls and emails in to cancel this. Im waiting to speak to them in the morning but by the sounds of it they are going to charge me $550, I havent given them any money yet and they havent done any thing for me and I just really want to know how to get out of this, if anyone knows or has an idea please let me know. I dont by any means need a loan or to build my credit and am beyond stressed and pissed right now. PLEASE HELP

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Hubbabubba69
, US
Jun 23, 2016 3:36 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Use your brains peeps... No payment info over phone... No personal details... Come on... Common fricken sense... Xoxo

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missyann37
, CA
Jun 21, 2016 11:14 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I deal with canada drives. i have a car through them with 29 % interest. as much as this percentage is biting me in the but I need this car to work. I have horrible credit due to my reckless past but im old now and i need to work but having the car is essential. i live in a rural area. I have had this car for one year now and put on 30 thousands KMs. but in the scheme of things, Canada drives is just like a shady cash store. I just got off the phone with them and they said hey we now deal with personal loans so you are approved. I got duped. they wanted to know all my info AGAIN because they didnt have any info. and actually asked for my SIN number. Wow! of course i didnt give it to them. but at the end they said oh we are sorry we dont deal with your province. I said I got a car from you. they said oh there is no mention you have a car with us. REALLY! I hung up.

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Connie St John
, US
May 03, 2016 9:27 am EDT

I was contacted by a man from Refresh last December/15 and he explained for a small monthly payment he will give me a loan. They hold the monies Ive paid and then after the 18mths etc of payments they give it back to me and apparently the payments being made are what increases and repairs my credit rating with the Credit Bureau. I signed and after looking into this further I realized I wont be getting any money back and this is not a repayment loan at all. Its a scam.. I put a stop payment on it with the bank so they can no longer take any money. I was told on the phone that I would need to pay back fees of $500-600 to get out of the contract. I also checked with the Credit Bureau and was told they will not be reporting any payments to them, its a SCAM. I continue to receive emails saying I need to bring my account up to date but that I will NOT be doing. Please be careful and dont fall for it.

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denise hanson
, CA
Apr 07, 2016 2:01 am EDT

april 6, 2016. was requested personal banking info. for $92 withdraw from my bank account.

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Angryfolks
, CA
Mar 18, 2016 12:12 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Don't listen to this idiot above who just expects everything to be given to him. He mostly likely expects everything to be handed over to him for simply existing and doesn't ask questions, then is surprised when he realizes the cold hard truth that he doesn't deserve to borrow any money.

But honestly this isn't a dictatorship so it's not reserved for angry trolls. So ask questions, do some research. The internet is a place full of angry people. You can find bad reviews on your favorite restaurant lol.

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John Meier
, US
Mar 13, 2016 9:36 pm EDT

Ok to the last few comments up there you can shut the **** up and not try to back these s****y dealerships and loan companies they told me I was approved for a 1500 loan through refresh finacial what they failed to tell is that I wasn't going to receive any money and that the quote loan was to get my credit on track and when I looked at there site online it actually said won't build credit so I called them up and said so I don't get any money that you said I was being loaned but it shows I made payments payments on ****ing what you never gave me anything then they tell me that if I stick with it and pay off it off I get 40 percent of my money back WTF! ### so unjust giving you guys money that's it

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Ashley456
, US
Mar 04, 2016 5:53 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

This company refresh financial seems like a scam. Where do I start! First I was trying to apply for car dealerships and applying and put my information into a small ad I seen while looking at dealerships. They called me very frequently! I kept telling them to call me back because I already found a dealership and was in the process of getting approved, so I really didn't hear or take the time to listen to what exactly they did. After I was approved for the company I was already working with, they called me a couple more times and I took the time to listen to Marie on the phone. Mary was a little trickster. I know I applied for a car l o a n why is this now Refresh financial? A credit rebuilding company? My credit isn't that bad and I didn't send my information to a credit building company. Anyway at first what she was saying sounded okay. She said I would make a bi weekly payment of $46 and at the end of 3 years I would get back $1750. Basically, I am magically instantly approved for a $2300 l o a n ( I can't send the review without deleting that work funny huh) with them that stays in the bank and can't be touch one bit and I would make those payments and they would report perfect repayments and make my credit score go up 5-25 points a month. Okay...sounded great! But while about to fully sign up my phone died while talking to her and it was already late. The next day after some thinking the girl surprisingly called me back early in the morning to continue the call. Pretty persistent, she had a way of swaying me with her words and she was pretty good. She sent me a text message to log into my online banking so it would automatically tell her my last three digits in my account number. I thought that was not secure at all with my personal information so I told her I'd send the information of my account transit number and checking account number. She told me she doesn't want the numbers she needs actual proof of it, all the while wanting to stay on the phone while looking for all these things to give her. I found that pretty annoying. I wanted time to think since my impression of her sounded kind of caniving. She did not want to come off the phone with me. I hung up because I couldn't bother anymore with the foolishness and she called me back three times and I didn't answer. This is the text her rude ### sent to me...Hey My Name,
Not very sure as to why you wasted my damn time in putting together your application, if you did not want to rebuild your credit you could have just told me you are not interested. If you still want to proceed, we do require your banking we cannot just write down any transit number or account number, we need legitimate documents like a void check that has your name on it other wise we cannot verify that you (My name) have an account with CIBC for all we know we are taking these $46 bi-weekly payments from someone else's account, please respond to this message and let me know where we stand so that I know what to do with your application. Thanks.

Marie
Credit Specialist
[protected]
EXT. 0112

Rude ### little b****! Are you working that hard for your commission?!?! I called to speak to her manager and up until now not one person has answered or called me back. They are a scam and you need to stay very far!

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krazy07
, CA
Feb 23, 2016 5:54 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I received a call from Refresh Financial yesterday Feb 22/2016 and was pressured into signing the agreement. I told him to call back as I needed to think but he was persistent. I was uncomfortable going through with this and called today Feb 23/2016 to cancel and was told it was canceled and that I'd receive an email saying it was but never got one. Do you think they actually did cancel or just said they did and I'm still going to end up paying. I really don't want to go through with this and deeply regret signing.

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711
, CA
Dec 08, 2016 3:06 am EST
Replying to comment of krazy07

what happen then did they cancel or you have pay them cancellation fees? im in the same situation 😔

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EyeSeeU
, US
Feb 22, 2016 9:35 pm EST

There is a Cooling off Period, you can cancel any contract within 3 days. Under the Consumer Protection Act. Put your cancellation in writing, the product, and any financing, is automatically voided.

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Jessica Thornhill
, CA
Jan 16, 2017 12:03 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more
Replying to comment of EyeSeeU

Homes and Vehicles have no cool off period. They are final sale as stated on the Bill of Sale. Unless you purchased off site of dealer address. Which then carries 10 day cool off period. #knowyourrights

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Haunted
, US
Aug 29, 2020 11:15 am EDT
Replying to comment of EyeSeeU

Haha, my Gran didn't get a "cooling off period". The rep discussed her "pre-approved" loan over a cold call right before Christmas, then as soon as he finished forging her "contract" over Docusign, changed his tune and let her know she was trapped in an indisputable, iron-clad agreement for a "savings loan" instead. Never disclosed the $550 fee, 17.77% interest charges, or her inability to withdrawal the funds, also refused to provide a paper copy of the contract despite multiple requests. Turns out he sent "off the documents" and "signed" the contract with a fabricated hotmail account. After putting in $1441.00 in 18 months she was only able to walk away with $265 of her "savings nest egg" with Spring. They kept the rest when we finally forced them to provide the contract, and put a stop payment on the monthly dues through her bank. *high five* Spring, you stole pennies from a granny in a pandemic.

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Credit Manager
, US
Feb 05, 2016 4:43 pm EST

OpenRoad Financial Tips signing a vehicle finance contract after bankruptcy.
1) Know what the advertised sale price of the vehicle is before you sign any documents.
2) You are not obligated by any Lender to take a warranty, Life or Disability Insurance, or GAP (Guaranteed Asset Protection)
3) Do not fall for the " We can get your interest lowered to 9.9% in 12 months" (Just Google "Car buyers say dealerships duped them over TD's costly high interest" and you will see the results. Dealers fail to tell you that you must trade in the vehicle in 12 months and you lose all that interest you paid. If you are unsure tell the dealership to provide this to you in writing or ask them to show you this on the contract. This is also a form of Predatory Lending. BEWARE.
4) Make sure the Lender you are dealing with reports you payment history to the Credit Bureau.
5) Be realistic with your purchase. If you have to pay a higher interest rate, due to a poor credit rating, use common sense and purchase a means of transportation. Don't sign up for a $780 payment over the next 6 years (72 months). Do the math!

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TimeOnMyHands
, CA
Feb 04, 2016 12:30 am EST

Wait a minute, you mean that you can find complaints about companies on a website specifically designed to complain? Who'da thunk it? Well no wonder you'll find negative reviews, this site isn't really meant to review anything, just whine haha. All I see here is just a few people ranting about wanting to quit a contract. For anybody reading up on this company or any others on this site, try and have an objective point of view rather than listening to the peanut gallery, they're helpless.

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sheeplearentsmart
, CA
Feb 03, 2016 11:51 pm EST

Wow I'm glad I never saw the complaints on this site because I never would have gone on their program. Blessings in disguise! Not sure what this lady is talking about 500 dollars to register but I don't think she really understands much. Anyway I was discouraged when I never got my vehicle after applying but I got really good credit advice from one of their agents and 5 months in I've finally been able to get a credit card and approved for a car as well so something is working.

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Toosmart76
, US
Feb 03, 2016 9:45 am EST

My husband had a call last night from Canada drives and refresh finacial
It sounded like a scam they wanted him to open up a email from them but he wanted to talk to his bank first. They didn't want that at all. So I looked them up on bbb and confronted guy on phone . He tried to back track so fast saying à pile of excuses .starting with there not affiliated with bbb because they want canada drives and refresh finacial 500 bucks to register on there site. I your a legit business why not do it ? Looking at all these comments thank god we didn't do it

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areschmiddy
, US
Jan 28, 2016 10:26 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Not sure about the car buying process but my girlfriend went ahead with their credit rebuilding program and got her credit back up within a few months. They made sure that she's tried every option and at the end of the road this was the last option for my girlfriend. Basically what I see from it is they "lend" you money but you can't touch it at all. You make payments to this on a regular basis which is gonna help you get your credit back up. At the end of the term you get half of that back. It sounded fishy to me at first but the way my girlfriend puts it is that "I'd rather spend this money and have my credit back up than constantly getting rejected for credit cards, anything with a contract, etc." it made sense. She applied now has a credit card for the first time in years. Main point, if you don't need it, don't apply. Don't put something down just because it didn't work for you. There are people out there that it works for and that's what matters.

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Credit Manager
, US
Jan 27, 2016 10:07 am EST

Most sub prime lead providers sell your credit application in bundles to auto dealerships in your area.
They usually charge $5000 for a bundle of 60 leads, sometimes they recycle these leads a couple of times.
That is why you are getting numerous calls from different dealerships.
www.openroadfinancial.ca was created by a former sub prime executive who know how to protect the sub prime customer.
Read their Blog on how these customers are mistreated by the dealerships.
Their biggest advice is to know the sale price of the vehicle before you even fill out an application.
Ensure you are getting the same sales price as everyone else. Just because you have bad credit doesn't mean the sale price is increased.
Your financing terms are higher due to your credit rating but sales price should be the same for everyone.

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Sensible438
, CA
Jan 25, 2016 7:36 pm EST

I feel that before anyone signs any kind of contract the homework has to be done. Research the dealerships, research the terms and conditions. If a dealership is willing to "help" there is a good chance that your bank will consider the same with similar terms but less interest. There is no harm in making an appointment and discussing all options.
I am guilty of rushing into purchasing a vehicle with high interest, the only difference was I didn't get to choose the vehicle, I ended up with an older vehicle with relatively low mileage for its age. I was actually doing quite well making my payments and was three months away from the end of the agreement when life threw a curveball and I ended up very sick, I couldn't return to work and had to claim social assistance once my sick benefit ran out. I am a single parent and had three children to take care of and my only option was to return the car and forfeit the agreement. So now I am in the process of rebuilding my credit again, but I will not be rushed into a purchase of a vehicle without weighing up my options. I have a car, it's paid for but I need an SUV, so I might see what terms I can get. Who knows maybe I will finally get the vehicle of my dreams, then again I might not.
What people have to understand is just because I have bad credit doesn't mean I'm lazy and don't pay my bills, it's sometimes, in my case, because of an illness leading to a loss of a job. I still had to be a mom, and pay my rent and utilities but I had to make the decision to find my needs vs my wants, my luxuries had to go and unfortunately those that I once could afford were less important to pay, necessities came first. So it's not laziness not every time, sometimes it's life that gets in the way.

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Drjayson
, US
Jan 05, 2016 10:16 pm EST

Hahaha people's that are trying to defends Canada drives... They all sounds alike.
This reminds me when I worked for this place and they would ask us to go online and act like customers and talk good things ...but then we all knew it was BS.
So 2 weeks ago I gave try, I have good credit so I tried it myself but gave my first name and an Alias last name... I got a call from Canada drive, made a schedule to go meet the dealer..I got there..the same male I spoke on the phone as Canada drive rep was these me dude as a dealer...since then I've spoken to 2 Canada drive rep and went to meet the dealers and it was the same guys again!
So yes that's a bit fishy when 3 dealers calls you and they all say they are Canada drive.
Cheers

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PleaseThink
, CA
Dec 22, 2015 9:59 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Hi Taurus7,

Yes, auto financing will help rebuild your credit. Here is a good article to read straight from Equifax research: http://www.equifax.com/assets/corp/subprime_auto_economic_commentary.pdf
Look at page 4, figure 3 to see the average increase in credit score for people with auto financing vs no auto financing (and assuming you do not miss payments, file bankruptcy/consumer proposal, stretch your credit, etc).

But you must must must be diligent with paying off your credit cards still, not filing for bankruptcy/consumer proposal, not overstretching yourself in debt left and right. It's all a game of balance. You cannot expect to grow a stronger credit bureau with auto financing alone - be smart with all your debt and make payments on-time.

When I worked with sub-prime customers (generally speaking, customers that have mediocre to very weak credit bureau, beacon score under 630, bad repayment history or overstretched in debt), some were delusional and asked for newer luxury vehicles. DO NOT SPEND OUTSIDE YOUR MEANS! But they were hopeless to convince. I could see on their credit bureau the many dealerships and lending institutions that they tried at and 100% they gave them the say response, DECLINED or approved for a small amount. So they keep on shopping not knowing there are only limited auto lending institutions. If Dealership A applied on your behalf to X lenders, chances are, when you come to me, I apply to the same lenders in which they will already have a record of you applying and give you the same answer or even worse because now they know you just keep trying. And every pull on your credit bureau is a hit to your score making you just that much worse of a candidate for financing.

I loved the customers that were humble and understood their situation and just needed a vehicle to get from Point A to Point B. Customers with bad credit bureau demanding a newer luxury vehicle and mandatory feature A, B and C? I'd try to convince them to be realistic and they'll most likely get approved for $10-$19K. If it didn't work, I'd humor them then just toss their application out once they leave, fully knowing they will keep shopping and their score will get worse and worse until declined across the board.

Spend within your means is the point of this :) And yes, auto financing helps rebuild your credit bureau.

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taurus7
, US
Dec 22, 2015 8:27 am EST

One of these guys call me too, he said he would fix my credit by me paying on for 3 years, I'm to sure what to do after reading all these comment, i just want to know that it does clean up your credit after they are done, my credit is not that bad i just have three old credit cards from when i was in college many years ago over 10 years.

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PleaseThink
, CA
Dec 21, 2015 12:04 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

By the way, I've worked at new dealerships before and even new dealerships sell brand new cars that come back within a year with problems. What product on the market is made to perfection? There are no such thing. Even if you do all the research in the world on which cars have the least problems, there is still that chance that you might just get unlucky and be the small percent that gets one with issues down the road.

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