Whether you are in the market for a new sedan or need a replacement vehicle, LendingTree is the place to start your auto loan search.
Sometimes it feels like our automobiles have a life of their own and could break down at a moment’s notice. Don’t let this fear stop you from driving, however, when there are auto loan brokers like LendingTree just waiting to help you find a reputable lender.This online firm allows you to get a free credit check and compare loans without the normal pressure associated with car dealerships and pushy sales personnel.
Cost What is the monthly fee? | This depends on your loan amount |
Ease Are loans easy to obtain? | Yes, for tech-savvy seniors |
Cancellation What if I’m not satisfied? | Loans must be paid back in full |
Customer support How do I reach out to the company? | By phone or through the online portal |
Loan amounts What are the maximum and minimum loans offered? | LendingTree only matches with lenders, and does not offer loans |
Funding time How long will it take to get the loan? | Loan requests take ten minutes online or by phone |
Credit score Will the approval process ruin my credit? | No, the approval process is for a loan request and not an offer |
Penalties Are there fees for early payoffs? | Trusted lenders are free to exercise their own policies |
Payment options How can I pay back my loan and interest? | Depends on the terms of the individual lender |
Limits to coverage What services are excluded? | Strict marketplace with no services outside of matching |
Restrictions Cost or difficulty to upgrade? | N/A |
Loan origination fee Is there a financing fee? | Depends on the terms of the individual lender |
LendingTree makes no claims of being all things to all people. The company is, above all else, an online marketplace for shoppers of all ages to find the best possible deal on a home loan, auto loan, personal loan, business loan, student loan and more. Assuming the user is tech savvy and not in a pinch to get a loan immediately, LendingTree is the place to start an auto loan search. Its online calculators and easy ten-minute application help folks of all ages manage their expectations and gain the upper hand when negotiating a loan offer.
Potential users should be warned, however, that LendingTree does not accept loan request applications via mail, and will maintain all applicant information in accordance with FICO and audit guidelines. Depending on how you look at it, this is either an added guarantee of taking personal security seriously, or just another potential source of anxiety. LendingTree, despite its idiosyncrasies, is a great platform to get lenders competing for your business.
LendingTree does not focus on any one customer segment, which allows it to get all customers the best loan options possible regardless of credit score and the loan type under review. While individualized service is a key focus for LendingTree, the loan requestor must input their details and budgets in the online calculators in order to get in front of the right creditors. The company does go above and beyond when providing information on how to use the calculators, and what to expect after application submittal.
Ultimately, LendingTree evaluates loan requests in a blind and transparent manner, and the customer must complete the final steps of accepting or rejecting a loan offer, negotiating a deal, signing a loan offer and paying back the auto loan.
Pros:
Cons:
Bottom Line:
LendingTree is the ideal online marketplace to begin the search for an auto loan. The website is easy to use and navigate and allows the shopper to take full ownership of all budgetary inputs. That said, the website is just that: a website. It is designed simply to get the loan requestor in front of the best, most trustworthy credit institutions as quickly as possible. The process is free and the application only takes ten minutes, but the legwork beyond that is substantial, as the requestor will be entering into negotiations on their own, and ultimately electing whether to pursue a line of credit or not.
Again, LendingTree is a great start to the process of shopping online for an auto loan, but it will require a significant investment of time and energy before you are behind the wheel of a new or used vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is required to obtain a loan request?
Shoppers are encouraged to use the online calculators in order to generate an idea of what they are willing to pay as a principal on the loan, as well as interest. Of note, LendingTree only services requests from folks located in the United States.
How long until I know whether I am eligible for a loan?
Loan requests can take up to seven days, but the application for a loan request is only ten minutes.
How do I make payments?
Consumers must negotiate directly with the lender, as LendingTree is not a financial institution. That said, customers are cautioned to never pay a fee prior to working with a legitimate loan officer.
More Information:
Overview: LendingTree is a fantastic online marketplace in which one can begin the hunt for an auto loan based on their unique needs. Online calculators and information are always available, and a loan request only takes ten minutes to complete. The site does not offer loans, but does vet all lenders and loan officers for legitimacy and credibility before matching a with customer.
Package Details: What LendingTree lacks in loan offers, it more than makes up for by giving the power of negotiation back to the consumer. No shopper is turned away for bad credit, which allows everyone to begin their search free from judgment.
Add-on Services: LendingTree is a transparent site that offers additional personal security checks and privacy policies not found elsewhere on the web. Beyond these guarantees, though, the potential for add-on services becomes unique to the loan officer and lending institution.
Contract Details: Given that LendingTree is not a financial institution offering loans, but an online marketplace where customers can input their needs in order to meet potential creditors, there is no contractual agreement between the third party and the shopper. LendingTree takes the protection of personal information seriously, however, and does not delete information required by unbiased audit agencies as well as FICO. The agreement between the platform and the customer is strictly one of trust, and should be treated as such.
Warranty: LendingTree does not offer a warranty, nor a guarantee, that a loan request will lead to a loan offer. The online marketplace does its best to match applicants with credible lenders, but leaves the rest to the consumer.
Accreditations: LendingTree is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau, but maintains an A- rating.
Company Details: LendingTree, LLC was founded in 1996 by Doug Lebda, the current CEO. The company went public in February 2000. Lebda formed the broker-based company after his own disheartening search trying to find a loan. LendingTree now almost exclusively focuses on the incorporation of business loans, personal loans, debt consolidation, free credit score services, student loans, home loans, home equity and mortgage refinancing.
LendingTree, LLC
11115 Rushmore Dr
Charlotte, NC 28277-3442
Tel: 800-813-4620
Website: https://www.lendingtree.com/
6 min read
Sept. 20, 2019
