How do I start a credit application at M & Son in Windham?

There are two ways to start. Send the short financing request form on our financing page, or call the shop at (207) 572-1350. Either way, we follow up to complete the full credit application with you and answer your questions before anything goes to a lender.

You can start before you pick a vehicle. That is often the better order, because you shop the cars that fit your budget instead of falling for one that never would.

What a credit application is

A credit application is the form where you give your name, address, income and employment so a lender can decide whether to finance the purchase and on what terms. Filling one out is not the same as committing to a car.

What to have ready

Have a valid photo ID, usually your driver license. Bring information about your income and where you work, and about where you live and how long you have been there.

If you are trading in a vehicle, bring its title or your current loan details. A rough idea of your down payment helps too. Having these on hand is the single biggest thing that speeds up approval.

What happens after you apply

We review what you sent and come back to you. Then we go through the term length, the APR and what the monthly payment works out to, in plain numbers for your deal. APR stands for Annual Percentage Rate, the yearly cost of borrowing including interest and certain charges.

Once the financing side is settled, you pick the vehicle and we finish the paperwork together. We do not publish rates or sample payments on our site, because they depend on the lender, the vehicle and your credit profile.

If your credit is not perfect

Credit history is only one part of the picture, and we work with buyers across the credit spectrum. What we will not do is promise approval before anyone has looked at anything. We will be honest early about what looks realistic.

Check your own credit first

You can check your credit reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion for free at AnnualCreditReport.com, the official site for free reports under federal law. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recommends reviewing them for errors before you apply for credit.

Plan for the full price

Maine sales tax, registration and title fees sit on top of the vehicle price. Ask us for the out-the-door figure so the financing conversation covers the real total.

Our lot has no cars right now, with more coming soon. You can still start financing now and request the vehicle you want, and we will call you when one comes in.