> Automakers, for example, can now expect to see bigger profits from the loans they make on selling cars than from selling the actual cars
I've heard of that. Then I heard dealers will give you a hard time if you want to buy a car right out, some will even run your credit without your permission. I don't have the money to go buy a new car right now, but it's pretty sad that saving up and paying for things is so discouraged now. Then dealerships in general people don't like or even lie to people, I guess one told someone they were required to fill out a credit application by law even if it doesn't get processed... So if your credit union or your own bank got you financing, then want to try to undercut that. Then heard some dealership someone was looking at new cars thinking of trading their car in, but changed their mind but the dealer kept their keys a little longer trying to keep them there. Seems like walking into a dealership is getting into a hostage situation.
People are just putting everything on credit, a car they probably shouldn't of bought and sits parked most of the time, people refinance their mortgages over and over again so they'll probably never end up paying off their house. It's insane how much debt is pushed... and also seems easier to get into student debt than getting loans to start a small business.
Seems like the priorities are all off anymore and they want everyone to be in debt. Then people with poor credit might end up paying double or more the value of the car, someone I knew bought a used car and was going to end up paying 4x the value of it... and then in some parts of the country if you don't have a car, you don't have a job unless you live in one of the big cities with public transport. Some areas don't even have sidewalks either, and some people have attitudes against cyclists too since they paid more for their car or SUV so they feel more entitled to the road. I guess whoever has the best car is some sort of contest, but I can see why it draws people in. Someone I know has got a new car every few years, now regrets doing that since so much money they could of had saved up now.