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Alliant Credit Union

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So seems like many people used Alliant Credit Union to fund their MS purchase, as did I. They offered the best rate at the time when I was looking for funding. It also seems like many of the representatives seemed great & very competent.

I obtained a great rate from them (1.49%), but my representative left a lot to be desired. Her name is M*rl*n* B*c*n* (didn't write the entire name for obvious reasons, but you'll recognize it if she's your loan specialist. Ask for someone else.

First off, I told her when I ordered the car & when I was supposed to take delivery. She had me fill out the loan application immediately, only to have it expire & she kept doing hard pulls on my credit to renew the loan. She didn't know to tell me not to apply for the loan until the car was almost ready for delivery. I'm also at fault for this since it's the first time I'm taking a loan out to purchase a car & didn't know either.

Then, during the application process, she asked for proof of income, which is fine & expected. However instead of asking for everything at once, she keeps forgetting to ask me for this & that & I had to keep sending her various documents for 2 weeks straight.

Thirdly, she's technology challenged, I scanned all my documents & sent it to her as PDF files, & for the life of me, I had to walk her through on the phone on how to download & open the documents, & she still couldn't figure it out. Eventually her colleague opened the files for her.

Well, all said & done, the loan went through & I got my MS, & I was happy & gonna let all this go.

Until...

Last week I received a letter from Alliant saying that they didn't receive proof of my insurance on the car ! WTF !!! I sent that to her the week I took delivery & she replied via email saying she'll send the document to their insurance verification dept & told me not to worry.

That was the last straw, & why I'm writing this. Avoid this lady like the plague if you want a smooth experience. I called Alliant & complained, but they rep just gave me lip service, apologized, & hung up. Didn't sound like she was going to be reprimanded or retrained.
 
...Last week I received a letter from Alliant saying that they didn't receive proof of my insurance on the car

My experience was excellent, I dealt with Scott Paulson, highly recommended. I was given his name by a colleague at work also on the forums here, Scott was great to work with, very responsive, it was a seamless experience.

Just FYI, I, too received an after-purchase letter from Alliant asking for re-verification of proof of insurance, but this was follow-up asking for proof that the car had actually been added to the policy with their required coverage (i.e., deductibles, limits, etc.) along with verification that Alliant was listed on the policy as the loss designee. My insurance agent dealt with it with a quick email. Sounds like you received crummy service, but check if this was what that after-sale letter was about, it's pretty standard and not something she should be blamed for (though it sounds like there's plenty else to be unhappy about).
 
So seems like many people used Alliant Credit Union to fund their MS purchase, as did I. They offered the best rate at the time when I was looking for funding. It also seems like many of the representatives seemed great & very competent.

I obtained a great rate from them (1.49%), but my representative left a lot to be desired. Her name is M*rl*n* B*c*n* (didn't write the entire name for obvious reasons, but you'll recognize it if she's your loan specialist. Ask for someone else.

First off, I told her when I ordered the car & when I was supposed to take delivery. She had me fill out the loan application immediately, only to have it expire & she kept doing hard pulls on my credit to renew the loan. She didn't know to tell me not to apply for the loan until the car was almost ready for delivery. I'm also at fault for this since it's the first time I'm taking a loan out to purchase a car & didn't know either.

I plan on applying with Alliant as well next week. You mentioned that the loan expired during your application process. How long does it take to expire after filling out the application? 2 weeks, 30 days? The last thing I want are multiple inquiries. My car is scheduled for pickup on 3/4.

- - - Updated - - -

Ditto on the praise for Scott Paulson. He was wonderful to work with. Absolutely the quickest and most pleasant loan experience I've ever had.

Does Scott have an email address or direct phone number?
 
So seems like many people used Alliant Credit Union to fund their MS purchase, as did I. They offered the best rate at the time when I was looking for funding. It also seems like many of the representatives seemed great & very competent.

I obtained a great rate from them (1.49%), but my representative left a lot to be desired. Her name is M*rl*n* B*c*n* (didn't write the entire name for obvious reasons, but you'll recognize it if she's your loan specialist. Ask for someone else.

First off, I told her when I ordered the car & when I was supposed to take delivery. She had me fill out the loan application immediately, only to have it expire & she kept doing hard pulls on my credit to renew the loan. She didn't know to tell me not to apply for the loan until the car was almost ready for delivery. I'm also at fault for this since it's the first time I'm taking a loan out to purchase a car & didn't know either.

Then, during the application process, she asked for proof of income, which is fine & expected. However instead of asking for everything at once, she keeps forgetting to ask me for this & that & I had to keep sending her various documents for 2 weeks straight.

Thirdly, she's technology challenged, I scanned all my documents & sent it to her as PDF files, & for the life of me, I had to walk her through on the phone on how to download & open the documents, & she still couldn't figure it out. Eventually her colleague opened the files for her.

Well, all said & done, the loan went through & I got my MS, & I was happy & gonna let all this go.

Until...

Last week I received a letter from Alliant saying that they didn't receive proof of my insurance on the car ! WTF !!! I sent that to her the week I took delivery & she replied via email saying she'll send the document to their insurance verification dept & told me not to worry.

That was the last straw, & why I'm writing this. Avoid this lady like the plague if you want a smooth experience. I called Alliant & complained, but they rep just gave me lip service, apologized, & hung up. Didn't sound like she was going to be reprimanded or retrained.

1/ You should provide this feedback to Alliant without the colorful commentary. They can't improve if they don't know they have a problem.
2/ In terms of FICO scoring, hard pulls for car loans within the same 45 day period are counted as one pull. You should look at the dates of the pulls - this might help you. The FICO scoring mechanism gives an allowance for this to allow you to shop around for the best rate/product.

My loan agent was good.

Andrew
 
I plan on applying with Alliant as well next week. You mentioned that the loan expired during your application process. How long does it take to expire after filling out the application? 2 weeks, 30 days? The last thing I want are multiple inquiries. My car is scheduled for pickup on 3/4.
30 days. My rep at Alliant (Jason Freese) told me not to actually apply for the loan until the week before the scheduled delivery day. That way if it got delayed by a week or two my approval wouldn't expire. No complaints with Jason: he was pretty busy so maybe a little hard to get in touch with, but that's about it. The important stuff was handled swiftly and efficiently.
 
Quick plug for Jon Krumdick, USAlliance Federal Credit Union. 800 431 2754. [email protected]

This guy and his firm have been used by several Tesla Motors Club members, which I figured out by watching the forums.

The only reason I went with another firm -- US Bank -- is because they are part of the Tesla buy-back program. But Jon once told me that US Alliance was looking to join that program, so maybe they are part of it by now.

I talked with Jon *extensively* and he was fantastically knowledgeable and helpful. Subsequent to my purchase (again, with US Bank financing, poor Jon after all the help he gave me!), Jon and I continued to talk and he even offered to provide a bank partnership to one of my wife's environmental groups. Jon has also managed to buy his *own* Tesla. And he is quite clearly thrilled to help other people into Teslas.

I can go on and on about Jon. :)

Alan
 
I plan on applying with Alliant as well next week. You mentioned that the loan expired during your application process. How long does it take to expire after filling out the application? 2 weeks, 30 days? The last thing I want are multiple inquiries. My car is scheduled for pickup on 3/4.

The loan is good for 30 days, so either apply for it within 30 days of taking delivery, but I would probably just do it within 1-2 weeks of delivery. Also, as soon as they cut you a check, the interest starts accruing. So you don't want to get the check too early before the delivery date.

- - - Updated - - -

1/ You should provide this feedback to Alliant without the colorful commentary. They can't improve if they don't know they have a problem.
2/ In terms of FICO scoring, hard pulls for car loans within the same 45 day period are counted as one pull. You should look at the dates of the pulls - this might help you. The FICO scoring mechanism gives an allowance for this to allow you to shop around for the best rate/product.

My loan agent was good.

Andrew


I actually did provide this feedback to Alliant, without the commentary, but it seemed like they just wanted the call to end, gave me lip service to placate me, & hung up. We'll see if I hear back from them.

I wasn't concerned about my FICO score since I wasn't planning on taking out any other loans; however if I had been buying a house at the same time, or applying for a credit card at the same time, I would be pissed at the multiple pulls. But yes, I know that multiple pulls not being a big deal within a short period, as that's what happened when I was shopping for a mortgage.
 
Just to add my two cents...I spoke with the exact same person at Alliant. She has been okay..not bad but not great. She did tell me that loan is valid for only 30 days and I should finalize it close to delivery date. On the other hand, she did not acknowledge my fax for paystubs despite me requesting the same.

However, just as FYI, she told me that she is retiring this month and my loan will be finalized by John Yu (?Wu) next month when delivery is due...
 
I have been dealing with Matt Zaucha, he's been a real pleasure to work with. Very professional, great follow-up and direct interaction with my Delivery Specialist. Highly recommended, his contact details below;

Matthew Zaucha
Loan Consultant - NMLS# 426666
Alliant Credit Union
Phone: 800.328.1935 xt 2205
Direct Efax: 773.462.2205
[email protected]
 
I dealt with Matt as well, he was very good and prompt. It took them a little too long to approve me, by the time they received my form 4506T that they required, I was already approved with Wells Fargo. Rate was slightly higher with Wells, but it's backed by the Tesla guarantee. I plan to pay the car off sooner anyway, so the effective interest rate should be about half of what I am contracted at.
 
I dealt with Matt as well, he was very good and prompt. It took them a little too long to approve me, by the time they received my form 4506T that they required, I was already approved with Wells Fargo. Rate was slightly higher with Wells, but it's backed by the Tesla guarantee. I plan to pay the car off sooner anyway, so the effective interest rate should be about half of what I am contracted at.

This is the way I chose to go as well. Nothing against Alliant. I was given a similar quote and found that once I indicated that to Wells Fargo there was some reduction in their rate.

Disclaimer: I was willing to put 50% or more down just to get the buy back insurance/better rate from Wells Fargo. You have to keep the Wells Fargo loan open for a minimum of six months, then can pay it off in full, to keep the buy back insurance. The difference in amount paid back over the loan was negligible with a 3 year note.
 
I also went through Alliant. Absolutely wonderful customer service experience with loan rep Jon Sipich. He was even able to work everything as I was waiting for the final MVPA to be corrected a few times that we were right up until 6pm eastern and he was able to finalize everything email me the docusign loan agreement within 5 minutes of me sending the final MVPA and processing it in time to have the check sent FedEx for the next day delivery.
He really was absolutely fantastic to deal with. So much so I asked for his bosses email I sent a letter to compliment my experience with him. When people go out of their way to help I feel obligated to pay praise. So many people will complain almost instantaneously that I think it is just wrong to not give credit when you think someone really deserves it.
It was like talking to an old friend. Not being pushy to sell any products. Mentioned some insurances but was indifferent as to whether I opted for them. He only did recommend the GAP insurance because of the value of a Tesla. The $300 or so was nothing compred to the difference an insurance company may pay in a total versus the loan amount. I wouldn't bother on something like a $20,000 car but it made sense on a $100,000 car. Heck my floor mats cost that lol.
Here is his info if you want direct contact with a highly competent loan consultant
Jon Sipich
direct 773-462-2310
800-328-1935 ext 2310
jsipich@ alliantcreditunion.com
 
I also went through Alliant. Absolutely wonderful customer service experience with loan rep Jon Sipich. He was even able to work everything as I was waiting for the final MVPA to be corrected a few times that we were right up until 6pm eastern and he was able to finalize everything email me the docusign loan agreement within 5 minutes of me sending the final MVPA and processing it in time to have the check sent FedEx for the next day delivery.
He really was absolutely fantastic to deal with. So much so I asked for his bosses email I sent a letter to compliment my experience with him. When people go out of their way to help I feel obligated to pay praise. So many people will complain almost instantaneously that I think it is just wrong to not give credit when you think someone really deserves it.
It was like talking to an old friend. Not being pushy to sell any products. Mentioned some insurances but was indifferent as to whether I opted for them. He only did recommend the GAP insurance because of the value of a Tesla. The $300 or so was nothing compred to the difference an insurance company may pay in a total versus the loan amount. I wouldn't bother on something like a $20,000 car but it made sense on a $100,000 car. Heck my floor mats cost that lol.
Here is his info if you want direct contact with a highly competent loan consultant
Jon Sipich
direct 773-462-2310
800-328-1935 ext 2310
jsipich@ alliantcreditunion.com

Yep, bought GAP insurance for the first time as well; same logic.