Since 2001, Bonnie CLAC has helped over 1,000 people, from all walks of life, purchase fuel efficient vehicles at the best price and lowest loan rate available. Their stories are inspiring…
Success Story #1 | Success Story #2 | Success Story #3 | Success Story #4 | Success Story #5
Success Story #1: Tiffany and Brad B.
Tiffany and Brad B. were struggling to
meet expenses. They were driving a 1998 Ford Explorer with
170,000 miles that was getting 10 miles per gallon.
Tiffany is a cancer survivor, but her credit had been
damaged from uninsured medical debt. They were paying a very
high (19%) sub-prime interest rate on their Explorer. Brad has a
70 mile per day commute and Tiffany works as a traveling
photographer for Olin Mills, driving as much as 60 miles a day
to get to assignments. This cost them $800 per month in
gasoline, in addition to their $300 per month car payment. They
came to Bonnie CLAC; we were able to arrange a 6.99% interest
rate for them to purchase a 2006 Honda Civic that gets 40 miles
per gallon. Their car payment is only $298 per month.
Additionally, they are saving $600 per month in gasoline, the
equivalent of 2 metric tons per month of Carbon Dioxide, not
counting other emissions.
Success Story #2: Hypertherm Client Story: Rob T.
When Rob T. first approached Bonnie CLAC
in 2004, he was driving a 1999 Ford Escort.
Although it had been a good car for him, Rob knew that he
needed to plan for the day when his car would need extensive
maintenance. He had
heard positive reports about Bonnie CLAC from co-workers and the
Human Resources Department at Hypertherm, and he decided it
would be the best place for him to pursue the purchase of a new
vehicle.
“I knew that Bonnie CLAC would go to bat for
me and get the best price on a new car,” Rob said.
“I had credit issues that I knew would keep me from
receiving financing, and I also knew that Bonnie CLAC would help
me improve my credit and get a low-interest car loan.”
As a Bonnie CLAC client, Rob was given the
opportunity to participate in a Financial Fitness class.
Rob said that these classes were one of his most
beneficial experiences while working with Bonnie CLAC.
“I learned how my credit report works and how to
challenge and resolve aspects of my credit report that may be
incorrect.” Rob
continued, “As part of the class, I kept a notebook to record
where my money was spent.
This helped me understand where my money was going and
how to manage my money wisely.”
After working with Bonnie CLAC to improve his
credit, Rob obtained financing on a new 2004 Ford F-150.
Rob said that he was also approved for his car loan at a
lower interest rate than he had previously thought possible.
“Before working with Bonnie CLAC, I would have received
an interest rate of 20-25%.
The interest rate on my F-150 is between six and eight
percent.”
The purchase of his truck allowed Rob to
build his credit, and in April of 2007, he was able to sell his
2004 Ford F-150. He
is now driving a 2007 Ford F-150.
Rob also said that his improved credit and money
management skills have enabled him to save money so that he can
purchase a home in the future.
Rob said that he will come to Bonnie CLAC for
future car purchases, and encourages others to do the same.
“Bonnie CLAC provides a nice service.
I can go to them with a vehicle in mind, and they will
find the car for me.
I won’t feel pressured to sign papers or make a hasty
decision,” he said.
“The consultants care about you and work to get the best deal
out there at a price you can afford.”
“I’m constantly telling others
about Bonnie CLAC,” Rob said. “I
tell them that there is no obligation.
Just stop in and talk to the folks at Bonnie CLAC.
Whether you have money, credit or transportation issues,
they can help. If
you don’t like being pressured and don’t want to haggle with the
dealerships, Bonnie CLAC is the place for you!”
In 2001, Doug T. found himself searching for a way to buy a
new car. He owned a car for which he had paid cash and,
although he had not had any major problems with this older used
car, he felt unsure that it would remain reliable on long trips.
"I wanted something I could trust to take on a trip, and that
would be more fuel efficient. I also wanted a new car so I
wouldn't have to worry about the car's history," Doug said.
Doug discovered Bonnie CLAC, through a pamphlet distributed by
the Human Resources Department at the Co-op Food Store in
While working with Bonnie CLAC, Doug learned a lot about himself
and his finances. He participated in the Financial Fitness
class offered by Bonnie CLAC and said it was very helpful in
teaching him the difference between his "Wants," and "Needs." He
learned the importance of paying his bills first, and obtained
the discipline necessary to resist purchasing items that were
unnecessary and damaging to his budget.
Doug said he knew his credit wasn't great because of a recent
divorce. Bonnie CLAC gave the tools and knowledge to help him
clean up his credit that, in turn, helped Doug qualify for a
low-interest car loan. "It took me two years to get a new car
because I needed to do extensive clean-up to my credit," Doug
said. "You must be patient and go through the steps," he
emphasized. "Bonnie CLAC will find a way to get you into a car
you can afford. They will treat you right and work at your
pace. They will never rush or pressure you."
Finally, after a lot of hard work and discipline, Doug purchased
a brand new 2003 Honda Civic DX, at a 5% interest rate. Doug
said that reliable, fuel efficient transportation has not only
saved him thousands of dollars in interest payments and gas, but
has also enabled him to travel more and visit family members who
live far away. Doug emphasized that Bonnie CLAC will "Stick by
you when you need things for your car, even after your
purchase." Last year, Bonnie CLAC helped with his need for a
new set of winter tires.
Doug said his experience with Bonnie CLAC had "Helped me feel
more confident in myself. My self-esteem grew because I was
able to put my life and finances back in order. My confidence
helped me to get out and socialize and date more." Doug is now
re-married, and he and his wife have gone on to purchase a
second car through Bonnie CLAC. They have even purchased a new
home, which Doug credits in part to Bonnie CLAC, because of his
reestablished credit. "I will continue to use Bonnie CLAC when
I purchase my next car," Doug said. "It's worth it!"
Success
Story #4:
To the Editor:
I've just had the most remarkable experience with Bonnie CLAC, a New Hampshire-based non-profit organization on a mission to help low-income individuals finance new and late-model vehicles from reputable dealerships at excellent rates and prices. For better or worse, we are a car-centric nation. Unless you live and work in a major city, access to reliable transportation can mean the difference between working multiple part-time, minimum wage shifts, and securing a real job with decent pay and benefits.
Happily, Bonnie CLAC's non-profit
charter also allows them to do some work with folks
who have more mainstream credit profiles.
I was astounded by the knowledge, attention
and energy brought to bear on my behalf.
In less than a week, Executive Director Mary
Burnett (broken foot and all) and her small staff in
As a Google junkie, I conducted
all manner of side by side comparisons, and built
out several models online to check pricing and
options.
Every step of the way, Mary was coming in
with dealership quotes that were significantly less
than anything I was surfing into.
Bonnie CLAC can do this because they have
made special pricing arrangements with dealerships
all over New
With so much grim stuff lately about predatory business practices, it's pretty neat to experience firsthand an organization that is truly doing well by doing good.
Carl H.
Success Story #5: Client Story: Glenda C.
Glenda C. had been without a car for several
months when she first came to Bonnie CLAC.
Her car had completely fallen apart, and she
was forced to borrow an old car from a friend to get
to her two jobs, do grocery shopping and transport
her three children to school and other appointments.
When Glenda approached Bonnie CLAC, her need
was immediate.
Her ability to support her family hinged on
access to a reliable vehicle.
Before Bonnie CLAC could assist her with the
purchase of a new car, Glenda had to do some work to
clean up her credit.
She had a few bills in collections, a phone
bill that was past due and some medical bills that
had not yet been covered by the insurance company.
Bonnie CLAC provided her with the tools and
knowledge that enabled her to organize her payments
and taught her how to talk to creditors to arrange
monthly payments that would fit into her budget.
As part of the Bonnie CLAC program, Glenda
also completed a Financial Fitness seminar with the
New Hampshire Housing Financial Authority.
According to her consultant, Verdina M.,
“Glenda was a really nice lady - easy to talk to and
explain program goals to and easy to communicate
with afterwards.
She was committed to achieving goals right
after the initial presentation; she enrolled right
away and ‘hit the road and running’.”
After less than a month of hard work and
determination, Glenda was rewarded with a brand new
2007 Toyota Corolla.
She obtained, with the assistance of Bonnie
CLAC, a 7.84% interest rate.
“My client
consultant was informative and helpful throughout
the process,” said Glenda.
“I have a wonderful brand new car and an
opportunity to fix my credit and buy a home.”