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Check Cashing / Pawn your title rip offs

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  • Check Cashing / Pawn your title rip offs

    Man, I've always known those "check cashing" or "pawn your car title" places where a rip off but yesterday, I really found out HOW much they rip off!

    I was listening to a money talk show (not DR) ...a local one.

    Anyway, they were talking about those places saying how they are legal, but un-ethical because of the high interest rates they charge for such small and short loans.

    Well a local owner of one of those places was ticked off and he called to complain and tell the radio people they weren't being fair. He said not all of the companies are crooks.

    Well, to make a long story short, they radio people asked how much his company charged in interest and in a very serious voice, the man said 391%.

    THREE HUNDRED NINTY ONE PERCENT!!!!!

    And he was acting like that was a good deal! Hell, maybe it is...I've read that some of them charge 1900%

    WHY PEOPLE WHY???

  • #2
    Re: Check Cashing / Pawn your title rip offs

    Not sure how they work all I know is I keep hearing they charge around 400% interest it is weird these places are popping up on every corner & I dont live in a big area I think we have as many of those as we do banks

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    • #3
      Re: Check Cashing / Pawn your title rip offs

      I'd rather sell my blood and live out of my car than walk into one of those places.....I can't even imagine being desperate enough to agree to that. They really should be outlawed....Personal Opinion

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      • #4
        Re: Check Cashing / Pawn your title rip offs

        Originally posted by cbmeeks
        THREE HUNDRED NINTY ONE PERCENT!!!!!

        WHY PEOPLE WHY???
        Why would someone take on a 20% interest rate for that matter? The reason is he or she is desperate.

        People don't realize they're paying such high interest because it's a short-term loan. If Joe Blow agrees to hand over his $300 paycheck in 2 weeks in exchange for $250 now, that is "just" $50 in interest. An accountant knows that is 20% * 26, which comes out to 520% annual interest rate, but the average person just doesn't look at it that way.

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        • #5
          Re: Check Cashing / Pawn your title rip offs

          I agree it is sad that people are borrowing so much I have had debts but I have always gotten mine at 0% interest!! I know I would never borrow from one of those places I would starve or go without ya know what I mean I think once you start on thier cycle you will be lucky if you ever get caught up also!!

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          • #6
            Re: Check Cashing / Pawn your title rip offs

            You never do get caught up. They showed one couple on tv that made decent money, but always need their paycheck a little early. After months of doing this, they owed thousands, just for getting their own pay early!! It is really dumb. We have one in my little town, it is right next to a mexican grocery store. I think that is get people that don't understand english very well.

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            • #7
              Re: Check Cashing / Pawn your title rip offs

              Originally posted by Ima saver
              You never do get caught up. They showed one couple on tv that made decent money, but always need their paycheck a little early. After months of doing this, they owed thousands, just for getting their own pay early!!
              This seems like the obvious trap to me, and I'm always surprised that people who use those places don't actually see it. Unless it's a one-time, critical money need, all getting the paycheck early is going to do is make you need your NEXT paycheck early, and then your NEXT one, and the one after that ...

              --W@L

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              • #8
                Re: Check Cashing / Pawn your title rip offs

                These things are not legal everywhere. Here in North Carolina, for instance, the 'pay day loans' have fairly recently become illegal. I'm not sure about the title loans, but I don't remember seeing any, or at the least not many, around here. Unlike my home state, Alabama, where it seems that there is at least one title loan place in every community.

                But yes, it is obvious that these places exist to take advantage of people who are desperate or who don't realize what they are actually paying for these loans.

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                • #9
                  Re: Check Cashing / Pawn your title rip offs

                  Originally posted by poundwise
                  Unlike my home state, Alabama, where it seems that there is at least one title loan place in every community.
                  Here in the Detroit tri-county area, pay advance places are a sure sign that you're in the "wrong" neighborhood after dark. They prey on the economically depressed areas, and don't even bother setting up business (with the exception of the occasional Check N' Go chain) in the wealthier areas.

                  --W@L

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                  • #10
                    Re: Check Cashing / Pawn your title rip offs

                    In one of the towns nearby, there is a giant historical brick building...was the Masonic Lodge since the late 1800's...it was recently turned into a check cash place with NEON green signs...right in the middle of the historic area....

                    There is no better example of a snowball effect than with these slimy places... the rates they charge are outrageous...and those paying the fees are those who can least afford to do so....eventually they are financially drained and ruined.

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                    • #11
                      Re: Check Cashing / Pawn your title rip offs

                      It seems so obvious to us, never to borrow money from a place like that. I wonder why it isn't obvious to others? Some people just don't "get" it.

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                      • #12
                        Re: Check Cashing / Pawn your title rip offs

                        Originally posted by Ima saver
                        It seems so obvious to us, never to borrow money from a place like that. I wonder why it isn't obvious to others? Some people just don't "get" it.
                        No, they don't get it. They are looking for a quick fix to a long term problem. Alot of these people have pawned their stuff, borrowed from friends and families, bounced too many checks to have an account any longer and are resorting to the 'last resort'.

                        Drugs, gambling and shop-a-holics are the most common reasons.

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                        • #13
                          Re: Check Cashing / Pawn your title rip offs

                          I guess I hadn't thought about drugs/gambling. I am naive. I think everybody is just like us!

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                          • #14
                            Re: Check Cashing / Pawn your title rip offs

                            Look at the number of people who live paycheck to paycheck. For many people, this is a fact of life. "Payday Loans," as they are called, can reduce some of the stress for these people.

                            Am I saying payday loans are good? It's like anything else...if it's used responsibly, then it's ok. But if Bob and Payday Loans 'R Us knows you by name, then you'll soon be filing for bankruptcy.

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                            • #15
                              Re: Check Cashing / Pawn your title rip offs

                              I don't think a loan like that can be used responsibly. The interest rates are far too high!

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