GREAT LAKES FINANCIAL N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago

When I was in need of a car, I could've paid the car off in cash but I had very bad credit and thought, if someone would finance the vehicle for me, I would do it just so that I could rebuild my credit. I was lucky enough to have Great Lakes Financial take my car loan. Part of the contract involved my vehicle having the ability to be shut off for non payment which was explained to me and I agreed with because it makes sense. If you don't pay your bills, you get cut off. It's a fair rule given that they are investing their money and just want to make sure they will get their investment back. That's business. Anyway, I made my payments every month and whenever I couldn't pay it on my due date for whatever reason (usually because my pay check was a few days after the due date or the following Friday, depending on what day my car note due date fell on), I made sure to call or send an email to great lakes and they always worked with me. I even lost my job for a few months and they still worked with me throughout that time until I got back on track with my finances and got back to current on my car note. The key takeaway here, is communication. This is gold as the big lenders will only see you as a car loan contract and not on a case by case basis. When you look at their website, they mention "Great Lakes' Customer Success Representatives ", That is truly what they are there for, for their customers to be successful in their loan and for doors to open to better loans in the future with other banks and possibly with them as well, but its how you as a consumer go about the opportunity. I've spoken to Matt Fowler, VP of Collections & Recovery, as well as the other call center reps like Stephanie, from Great Lakes and they have always been helpful, willing to work with me, and never rude to me. I also should note that I have never been rude to them either as most people will be the first to say how horrible they were treated by a certain company rep but wont say how they were communicating with that said rep. 9 times out of 10, they were rude to the rep and caused that negative experience from their own doing. We're all human and if you don't know how to speak to people, you probably should work on your communication skills. My only few suggestions are that currently they report only to Transunion and would hope that Great Lakes will add Experian or maybe all Experian and Equifax for reporting in the future. I think at the very least, adding Experian would be beneficial for all their customers since most car places pull Experian or Transunion scores. Maybe one day that could happen. Also, the few times I did talk to success reps, they sounded like they hated doing their job. I've worked in customer service, retail, and such and I get it. Dealing with unhappy people can be stressful sometimes. I'm not sure how things work internally but if your company doesn't do so already, maybe do a call grading of some sorts or anything to help people sound a little more welcoming on the phone, instead of sad. lol but other than that, I think this company is fair and overall, great to work with. Thank you guys for all that you do! Glad to be a customer!

I seriously have been so pleasantly surprised at how nice and understanding this company is. Matt has worked with me through some issues i’ve had, and he didn’t have to… But, he did and I will NEVER forget that!! Communication is KEY!! If you communicate, they will work with you!! Thanks Matt!!!

Staff really needs to be reminded about professional customer service. I been dealing with this place for about 2 yrs, and 2 months ago is when I finally was able to talk to someone that had good customer service skills and that's the Manager he is the only one. There is one lady in particular very rude. I will never give them my business again.

I have been doing business with Great Lakes for months. When I lost my job, I explained my situation but they seemed reluctant to work with me. Then after a while I was told I was receiving a large lump sum of money and would pay off the loan all at once. Now, because I don't have the money today they threatened to repose my van. I'm only 2 months behind with a promise made to pay in full in a few weeks. I don't understand that logic. They didn't ask for proof or request a holding on the account. If this is the way they do business, then they can keep the p-o-s. I'll buy another vehicle out-right from someone else.

This finance company is the absolute worst! Their communication is ridiculous…if you can call it communication at all. They have repoed my car more than once even though I have stayed in contact with them. I stopped calling after they repoed my car and then argued with me that they hadn’t. The manager of that department Matt Fowler actually told me I was a no good piece of garbage that needed to pay my bills. I asked to speak with his supervisor and he refused so it is now in my sights to make sure everyone knows what kind of person and company this is I hope my info helps make a good decision.

DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY!!! After you pay off your vehicle loan, they keep your title for another 4 months. The employees were extremely rude when asked if this was in the contract (it isn't).

If I could leave ZERO or NEGATIVE STARS, I would. MATTHEW FOWLER IS A PIECE OF 🗑, I CANT BELIEVE THEY LET THIS TOOL WORK HERE. SUCH A TERRIBLE COMPANY, THEY CALL ME AND GO ON TO BERADE AND HARRASS ME. If I were a local me and this little amount to nothing pencil pusher would have more than words. NEVER AND I MEAN NEVER DO BUSINESS WITH THESE TOOLS!

Worst people I ever done business with, Matt Fowler is truly a piece of garbage. Don’t waste your money or time on this place

STAY AWAY!!!!!! This company is a scam from the dealership to this financing company to the auto shop they are all working together to scam you. Not to mention they are very rude and unprofessional especially the lady and the owner will do nothing but side with her unprofessionalism this company have all these bad reviews for a very good reason.

I just want to say that my experience with this auto loan company has been a relief. A blessing in maybe the craziest time of my life! They're very understanding I mean when you keep in touch of course! "Word of advice you get what you give in life"