Dell offers a variety of laptops, from mini laptops costing a few hundred dollars to high-tech gaming laptops costing over $1,000. The model you buy may determine whether you need to finance the machine. With bad credit you may need to be a bit more creative, but you should be able to find a way to get the computer you want. If you can avoid financing a laptop you won't have to pay interest on the purchase, but in some cases the need for a new computer outweighs the long-term cost.
Step 1
Check with Dell to find out what financing options it offers. In some cases, your bad credit may result in a higher interest rate but you will still be able to get the financing you need to buy your laptop. With Dell, you can pre-qualify over the phone, which will allow you to determine whether this option will work.
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Step 2
Find companies that offer computer financing and are willing to finance people with poor credit. When you compare companies, you want to consider the interest rate offered; the amount of the down payment, if required; any prepayment penalties; and the guidelines for what will happen if you default on the loan. Most of these companies will still require a credit check before offering credit, so keep that in mind as you look.
Step 3
Get a co-signer for the loan. Many companies will extend funding to people with bad credit if they can secure co-signers for the loan. The co-signer must have an adequate credit rating and be willing to pay for the loan in the event that you default. When you use a co-signer, you handle the majority of the paperwork and the monthly payments.
Step 4
Work with friends and family. If you have relatives willing to lend you the money, you can finance a Dell laptop through them. They will take care of the initial purchase or the month-to-month payments to the lender, and you will pay them. Some websites offer to collect the funds and distribute the money to the family members and friends in the correct distribution.
Step 5
Talk with your bank. If you have a long history with a bank and can put a down payment toward the total purchase price, your bank may be willing to give you a loan to buy a Dell laptop. You may need to sit down with a loan officer from your bank to discuss your options based on your credit score. Traditional banks may also require more paperwork or financial documents, and they won't work specifically with computer financing.
Step 6
Find a company that offers financing without a credit check. While these companies usually collect a higher interest rate or charge a processing fee, you can often secure financing by using their services.
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