Talking About Financing
What Not to Say
Staying compliant isn’t complicated — you just need to avoid making promises or guarantees about financing. Here’s what to watch out for.
Never Guarantee Approval
❌ Don’t Say
- “You’ll definitely get approved”
- “Your credit is fine, don’t worry about it”
- “Everyone gets approved through Acorn”
- “I’ve never seen anyone get denied”
✅ Do Say
- “Let’s see what you qualify for”
- “Most customers find options that work for them”
- “It’s worth applying to see what rates you get”
- “The application is quick and there’s no commitment”
Never Promise Specific Rates
❌ Don’t Say
- “You’ll get 8% interest”
- “Rates are usually around 6–7%”
- “I can get you 0% financing”
- “Your payment will be exactly $400/month”
✅ Do Say
- “Rates typically range from about 6% to 20% depending on credit”
- “You could be looking at roughly $350–450/month”
- “The calculator shows estimated payments — your actual rate depends on your credit”
- “You’ll see your exact rate when you apply”
Don’t Discourage Based on Credit
❌ Don’t Say
- “If your credit is bad, don’t bother applying”
- “You probably won’t qualify”
- “You need at least a 700 credit score”
- “Bankruptcy? Then financing won’t work”
✅ Do Say
- “Acorn Finance works with multiple lenders, so there are often options for different credit situations”
- “It’s a soft credit pull, so it won’t hurt to check”
- “Let’s see what comes back — you might be surprised”
Don’t Give Financial Advice
❌ Don’t Say
- “You should definitely finance this”
- “Financing is always better than paying cash”
- “Use your credit card instead of savings”
- “This is a good investment financially”
✅ Do Say
- “A lot of customers choose financing because it lets them keep their savings”
- “Some people prefer to finance and keep cash on hand for emergencies”
- “It’s really about what makes you most comfortable”
- “Talk to your accountant about the tax implications”
Don’t Make It About Their Financial Situation
❌ Don’t Say
- “If you can’t afford it upfront…”
- “For people who don’t have the cash…”
- “If money’s tight…”
- “I know this is expensive, so…”
✅ Do Say
- “Many homeowners choose financing even when they could pay cash”
- “It’s a way to preserve your savings for other things”
- “Financing gives you flexibility”
- “A lot of our customers prefer spreading payments out”
Present financing as an option. Share factual information about the process. Let the customer decide. Never guarantee, promise, or advise.
Simple Rule
When in Doubt
If a customer asks a specific question about rates, terms, credit requirements, or approval odds that you’re not sure how to answer, the safe response is:
“That’s a great question. The application will show you all those details specific to your situation. It only takes a few minutes — want me to send you the link?”
Your financial journey matters to us. We’re always just a message away. 🌱