American First Finance offers a variety of payment solutions to accommodate a range of financial needs and situations. Their services include Retail Installment Sales Contracts, Lease Purchase Agreements (aka lease-to-own or rent-to-own), and Bank Loans. These products are designed to provide flexibility in payment options and are accessible even to those without great credit.
The company emphasizes transparency in all their agreements and offers quick and easy application processes. Approval decisions can be made swiftly, and they partner with many stores to provide a wide range of shopping options. For more detailed information, you can visit their website at American First Finance.
Pros & Cons of American First Finance
Here’s a concise summary of the pros and cons associated with American First Finance:
Pros
- Flexible payment options, accommodating various financial situations.
- Accessible to customers with different credit backgrounds.
- Quick and easy application process.
- Partnerships with a wide range of retailers.
- Offers a variety of financial products including Retail Installment Sales Contracts, Lease Purchase Agreements, and Bank Loans.
Cons
- The use of hard credit inquiries which may impact credit scores.
- High interest rates in some cases, potentially leading to higher overall repayment amounts.
- Some customer experiences indicate potentially challenging loan terms and conditions.
- Legal challenges, including class-action lawsuits related to lending practices.
- Limited transparency in some aspects of their loan agreements.
Remember, it’s important to thoroughly review and understand the terms and conditions of any financial agreement before proceeding.
Stores That Accept American First Finance
Discover a wide range of stores and retailers where American First Finance’s flexible payment options are accepted, offering you diverse shopping experiences. These are the online American First Finance Stores that we recommend.*
Conn’s HomePlus
Conn’s HomePlus is a retail chain that specializes in home goods and electronics. Known for its wide range of products, including furniture, appliances, and consumer electronics, Conn’s HomePlus caters to various home furnishing needs. They are recognized for offering flexible financing options, which makes purchasing more accessible for a diverse range of customers. Shop Conns.com now!
Tire Agent
Tire Agent is an online retailer offering a diverse selection of tires for various vehicles. They provide easy access to multiple tire brands, focusing on customer convenience with direct shipping and installation arrangements. Their platform is known for its simplicity in helping customers find suitable tires efficiently. Shop TireAgent.com now!
*The stores listed above may pay us a small commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase through our links. This is called affiliate marketing. Click here to learn more.
More American First Finance Stores
See below for a list of more merchant partners that accept American First Finance for payment (most at brick-and-mortar stores having a physical location).
- Appliance Outlet Texas
- Bear’s Furniture
- CB Furniture
- Down4Sound
- Furniture World SW
- Gallery Furniture
- King Wheel & Tire
- Kuper’s Automotive
- Los Amigos Tire Pros
- Mac Star Computers
- Mattress Express Plus
- Orlando Tire & Wheel
- Roses Flooring and Furniture
- Total Furniture
- Trent Bedding
Are we missing any of your favorite American First Finance stores? If so, please contact us for us to update the American First Finance stores list.
American First Finance FAQs
Find quick answers to common frequently asked questions about American First Finance here.
What kind of company is American first finance?
American First Finance is a financial services company specializing in providing a range of credit solutions. They offer flexible payment options including Retail Installment Sales Contracts, Lease Purchase Agreements, and Bank Loans. These services are designed to cater to customers with various credit backgrounds, offering them financial flexibility for their purchases. The company focuses on easy application processes and quick approval decisions, partnering with numerous retailers to widen shopping options for their clients.
Who is the owner of American First Finance?
American First Finance (AFF) was acquired by FirstCash, a leading international operator of pawn stores. This acquisition brought together AFF’s technology-driven point-of-sale payment solutions focused on serving credit-constrained consumers with FirstCash’s extensive retail pawn locations and financial services. Following the acquisition, AFF operates as a separate business unit within FirstCash, led by Howard Hambleton, AFF’s President and CEO, and its existing management team. This strategic move allowed FirstCash to expand its product offerings and leverage AFF’s technology and payment solutions to enhance its omnichannel strategy and customer offerings.
Does American First Finance do a hard credit check?
If you haven’t applied with American First Finance in the past 30 days, a new application may lead to a hard credit inquiry. This type of inquiry can impact your credit score. It involves American First Finance examining your credit report, including your credit application history, payment history, and overall credit score, to make a lending decision. This process is a standard part of evaluating your creditworthiness for their financial products.
Can I pay off American First Finance early?
Yes, you can pay off your agreement with American First Finance early. Customers typically have the option to settle their accounts ahead of the scheduled term, which can result in savings on finance charges or lease fees. However, the specific terms and conditions regarding early payoff may vary based on your agreement. For precise details and instructions on how to proceed with an early payoff, it’s best to consult your agreement or contact American First Finance directly.
What bank does American First Finance use?
American First Finance partners with FinWise Bank for some of its financial products. FinWise Bank is an FDIC-insured and state-chartered bank located in Utah, known for providing a range of banking services and products.
How do I contact American First Finance?
To contact American First Finance, you can visit their website to find their phone number: 855-721-1188. Additionally, there is an option to chat online.
Does American First Finance have a mobile app?
As of February 2024, American First Finance did not have a dedicated mobile app for its services.
Is American first finance a predatory lender?
American First Finance has been characterized by some as engaging in predatory lending practices. This characterization stems from instances where high-interest rates were applied to loans, as highlighted in a discussion on the myFICO® Forums. In one reported case, a loan from American First Finance carried an interest rate of 150%. Such high-interest rates, particularly when applied to financially vulnerable individuals, can be indicative of predatory lending practices. Predatory lending is typically defined by unfair, deceptive, or fraudulent actions during the loan origination process, often involving high interest rates and terms that financially burden the borrower.
For more details and personal accounts, you can visit the myFICO® Forums.
Is there a class action lawsuit against American First Finance?
Yes, there is a class action lawsuit against American First Finance. The lawsuit, Facio v. American First Finance, Inc., filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, alleges that American First Finance issued loans with unlawfully high interest rates without proper disclosure of the terms. The plaintiff is seeking monetary damages, statutory or punitive damages, and restitution for themselves and all class members involved.
It’s important to note that on August 16, 2022, the court ruled that the class action could not proceed. However, individuals affected by American First Finance’s practices are advised to pursue arbitration for potential benefits such as cancellation of remaining debt, refund of loan payments, and clearing of unpaid loan information from credit history.
Arbitration, as an alternative to court proceedings, is considered a quicker and less expensive way to resolve disputes, although it may have limitations compared to a court case. For those with low or moderate income, filing an arbitration claim in California may not involve any fees, while others may only need to pay a nominal amount.
If you believe you’ve been impacted by American First Finance’s practices, it’s recommended to consult an attorney for personalized advice and to understand your rights in this situation. For more detailed information, you can visit the lawsuit’s dedicated website here.
Can American First Finance garnish wages?
American First Finance, like any creditor, may have the ability to garnish wages, but this typically requires a court order. If a borrower fails to repay their loan or abide by the terms of their agreement, American First Finance might pursue legal action, including filing a lawsuit. If the court rules in favor of the lender, they may grant an order allowing wage garnishment as a method of debt recovery. However, this process and the likelihood of it occurring depend on several factors, including the specific terms of the loan agreement and the laws of the state where the borrower resides.
Can I cancel American First Finance?
To cancel your agreement with American First Finance, it is important to review the terms of your contract. Most financial agreements have specific conditions for cancellation, including potential penalties or fees. It is advisable to contact American First Finance directly or review your agreement to understand the exact process and implications of cancellation. Each contract may have different terms, so it’s crucial to refer to your specific agreement for guidance. For more information, you can visit American First Finance’s website or contact their customer service.
American First Finance Alternatives
If you do not qualify for American First Finance, we recommend the following buy now pay later financing providers. Click the corresponding option to see which retailers accept each BNPL method.
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- Acima Leasing Stores
- Affirm Stores
- Afterpay Stores
- Bread Pay Stores
- Citizens Pay Stores
- Credit Key Stores
- Credova Stores
- FlexShopper Lease-to-Own
- Genesis Financial Solutions Stores
- Humm Stores
- Katapult Stores
- Klarna Stores
- Latitude Pay Stores
- Newpay Stores
- PayBright Stores
- Paytomorrow Stores
- Progressive Leasing Stores
- Sezzle Stores
- Splitit Stores
- Uplift Travel Stores
- Zebit Stores
- Zip Stores
Conclusion
In conclusion, the pros and cons of American First Finance offer a dual-sided perspective. On one hand, its flexible payment options, accessibility for various credit types, and partnerships with numerous retailers make it an appealing choice for many consumers. On the other hand, concerns about high interest rates, the impact of hard credit inquiries on credit scores, and recent legal challenges highlight potential drawbacks. These factors underscore the importance of carefully considering all aspects of American First Finance’s services before making financial commitments.
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