Advance America Reviews & Analysis

• Overall Rating 4.2/5
• Detailed Analysis of Customer Reviews
• Positive Reviews
• Negative Reviews
• Comparison of Review Sources
• How This Report Helps Customers
• Recommendations for Advance America
• Best Alternative Companies

Advance America, founded in 1997, is one of the largest payday and short-term loan providers in the U.S., operating over 900 physical locations across 28 states and offering online services. The company provides financial solutions like payday loans, installment loans, title loans, and cash advances, targeting customers needing quick cash, often regardless of credit history. As a founding member of the Community Financial Services Association of America (CFSA), Advance America emphasizes regulated, transparent lending practices. However, its high interest rates and fees have sparked debates about predatory lending.

Company Website: Advance America

Overall Rating 4.2/5

Detailed Analysis of Customer Reviews

Positive Reviews

• Speed and Accessibility: Customers consistently highlight the quick and easy loan application process, both online and in-store. Many appreciate same-day funding for urgent needs, with online applications processed before 10:30 AM ET often funded the same day. For example, Trustpilot reviews commend staff like Rossy and Miroslava for efficient, patient service, with one user noting, “Rossy explained everything in detail, making it a great experience.”

• Customer Service: Numerous reviews across Trustpilot, Sitejabber, and ConsumerAffairs praise the professionalism and friendliness of staff. Specific mentions include employees like Martha, Kelly, and Trish in Kansas for their supportive demeanor, with one customer stating, “The whole team is awesome, quick, and nice.”

• Accessibility for Bad Credit: Advance America’s willingness to lend to those with poor credit is a significant draw. Customers with low credit scores report successful loan approvals, with one Sitejabber reviewer noting, “Excellent customer service. Never had any problems, and the fees are reasonable.”

• Community Impact: Some reviews highlight Advance America’s community involvement, such as supporting disabled veterans with gestures like providing Christmas dinner, as noted in a Sitejabber review.

Negative Reviews

• High Interest Rates and Fees: A common complaint across WalletHub, Sitejabber, and ConsumerAffairs is the exorbitant cost of loans. For instance, a Utah payday loan of $1,000 incurs a $185.01 finance charge, equating to a 482.34% APR if unpaid within 14 days. Installment loans can have APRs up to 200%. Customers warn that these rates can lead to debt cycles, with one SoloSuit review stating, “It’s best to borrow only as a last resort.”

• Lack of Transparency: Advance America’s website lacks clear disclosure of rates and fees, frustrating customers. A ConsumerAffairs review noted, “The corporate office doesn’t care about you,” citing unclear terms.

• Collection Practices: Complaints on BBB and ConsumerAffairs report aggressive collections, including wage garnishment before paydays, leading to overdraft fees. One BBB complaint stated, “I’m being charged for a loan paid before the due date.”

• Scam Concerns: Multiple sources, including Reddit and BBB, report scams using Advance America’s name, where fraudsters request upfront payments or bank details. A Reddit user warned of a fake site (advaancedamerica.com) and fraudulent calls demanding gift cards.

• Customer Service Inconsistencies: While many praise the staff, some reviews on Indeed and Glassdoor describe rude or unprofessional interactions. A CustomerServiceScoreboard review cited a manager’s dismissive attitude, saying, “I’m disappointed in his non-customer-service-friendly attitude.”

Comparison of Review Sources

• Trustpilot (4.9/5, 114,232 reviews): Highly positive, with 5-star ratings for quick service and staff professionalism. However, the high volume of reviews raises questions about potential filtering, as noted by Traders Union.

• BBB (A+ rating, mixed reviews): The A+ rating reflects responsiveness to complaints, but hundreds of closed complaints highlight issues like unauthorized withdrawals and scam accusations.

• Sitejabber (3.1/5, 27 reviews): Mixed feedback, with positive reviews for customer service but warnings about refinancing traps doubling fees.

• WalletHub (3.5/5, 245 reviews): Balanced, noting convenience but flagging security concerns, including a report of compromised SSNs.

• ConsumerAffairs (3.8/5): Praises in-store service but criticizes high rates and corporate indifference. Scam-related complaints are prominent.

• TrustAnalytica (4.9/5): Echoes Trustpilot’s positive sentiment, emphasizing staff competence but lacking depth in negative feedback.

• Indeed/Glassdoor (3.5/5): Employee reviews highlight customer service demands and high-pressure collections, indirectly reflecting customer experiences.

• CustomerServiceScoreboard (28.85/200): Rates customer service as “Terrible,” with 93.75% negative comments, focusing on unaddressed late fees and poor communication.

Trustpilot and TrustAnalytica show the highest ratings, likely due to large review volumes and focus on positive experiences. However, smaller platforms like Sitejabber and CustomerServiceScoreboard reveal more critical perspectives, suggesting a polarized reputation. BBB’s complaint volume indicates ongoing issues despite the A+ rating.

How This Report Helps Customers

This analysis provides a comprehensive view of Advance America’s reputation, helping you make informed financial decisions. The high ratings reflect reliability for quick cash, but the risks of high rates and potential scams demand caution.

Recommendations for Customers:

• Assess Affordability: Calculate your debt-to-income ratio (keep it below 30-40%) before borrowing to avoid debt traps. Use Advance America’s online rate estimator to understand costs.

• Verify Legitimacy: Avoid sharing bank details or paying upfront fees, as these are red flags for scams. Contact Advance America directly at 1-888-310-4238 to verify loan offers.

• Read Terms Carefully: Ensure you understand repayment terms, especially for refinancing, to avoid doubled fees. Request clear documentation in-store or online.

• Explore Alternatives: Consider credit unions or personal loan providers with lower rates before committing to high-cost payday loans.

• Report Issues: If you encounter problems, use Advance America’s customer comment line (1-888-479-2026) or file a BBB complaint for resolution.

Recommendations for Advance America

• Improve Transparency: Clearly display APRs, fees, and terms on the website and in-store to build trust and reduce complaints about hidden costs.

• Enhance Scam Protection: Proactively educate customers about scams using the company’s name through website alerts, emails, and staff training.

• Refine Collection Practices: Avoid pre-payday withdrawals to prevent overdraft fees. Offer flexible repayment plans to support struggling borrowers.

• Strengthen Corporate Communication: Address corporate-level customer service complaints by improving training and responsiveness to prevent negative experiences like those reported on ConsumerAffairs.

• Do Not Ignore Negative Feedback: Actively address complaints on platforms like BBB and CustomerServiceScoreboard to improve overall reputation.

• Invest in Employee Support: Reduce workplace stress (noted in Indeed reviews) by hiring additional staff and improving management practices to enhance customer interactions.

Best Alternative Companies

• OppLoans: Offers installment loans with lower APRs (up to 160%) and longer repayment terms, ideal for those with bad credit seeking less predatory options.

• LendingClub: Provides personal loans with transparent rates (8-36% APR) and peer-to-peer lending, suitable for borrowers with fair credit.

• Local Credit Unions: Many offer payday alternative loans (PALs) with capped rates (28% APR) and flexible terms, regulated by the NCUA.

• Earnin: A cash advance app with no interest or fees, allowing early access to earned wages, though tips are encouraged.

• OneMain Financial: Offers secured and unsecured loans with fixed rates (18-35.99% APR) and personalized terms, better for long-term borrowing.