There are so many payday lenders in the current market, that it can sometimes seem difficult to tell them apart. Wonga, also known as Wonga.com, have been busily promoting themselves on TV and through the Internet, making them one of the first companies that comes to mind when people are considering taking out a payday loan. These ads are eye-catching and serve to tell the viewer that they can get payday loans from Wonga, but they don’t really give away much information, and they are clearly not an unbiased review of Wonga’s offerings. Rather than jump right in to a loan with this company, it makes sense to read a few reviews and learn the real facts behind Wonga’s promises.
Wonga.com the Company
Wonga established themselves as a payday loans company in 2001, and have quickly become one of the most prominent short-term loan companies around. Their business model is based upon offering a speedy approval service, and can offer some customers a 15 minute waiting time between the application being sent and the approval being granted. Wonga have a number of criteria which their clients must fulfil, typically that customers must be over 18, with a full-time job and holding a current British passport. Unlike some instant cash lenders, they will perform a credit check if they have not worked with the applicant previously.
Pros and Cons of Using Wonga
There are a number of reasons why you might consider taking a payday loan from Wonga. Firstly, they are an established lender, which means that you have more security than with a lender who has only just started. Secondly, they offer a completely online service, meaning that you get the form filled online, through their secure site, and you then are granted the loan, again through the internet. This can be a big advantage, since you won’t have lenders ringing your home, but it can also seem very cold and impersonal. Wonga are also keen to provide the best payday loans service possible, so they allow you to choose exactly how much you want, moving slowly up in £1s, so you need only take out as much as you like. They will also allow you to choose when you pay it back, up to 30 days after the loan. Unlike some lenders, Wonga will also offer short-term cash loans to people who are self-employed.
This does not mean that there are not disadvantages. Wonga typically charge £5.50 for arranging the loan, and will only allow you to borrow for one month. This is less than some payday loans companies, who are willing to extend the loan for 60 days.