Obtaining credit
Evaluating credit products and finding the right lender for you
Credit offers the convenience of being able to buy good and services or enter into an arrangement like a mortgage to buy a house or a hire-purchase agreement to buy a car immediately, without having to wait until you have enough money. However, credit almost always comes at a price, often including both fees and ongoing interest charges, and if you’re not careful it can lead to unforseen consequences such as bad credit ratings, repossession or even bankruptcy.
As such, it’s very important to understand your rights regarding credit arrangements, and to prepare for the responsibilities and potential hazards of taking on debt, before you seek to obtain credit.
Information about when, how & who to approach, and what to expect
This section provides tips on obtaining the best deal and about how to help someone else obtain credit, information about businesses you might approach for credit, and details of some fees and charges you can expect to pay.
- Preparing to obtain credit
- Going guarantor
- Lenders
- Credit providers
- Finance brokers
- Debt collectors
- Pawnbrokers
- Fees and charges