How fast can I get a payday loan in Lubbock?

Same day, usually within an hour. Walk into Advance America on 50th Street at 10 AM, you'll have cash by 10:30 AM if you bring the right documents (ID, pay stub, bank info). Online applications through either Advance America or ACE typically fund by next business day. The speed is their whole selling point—and why people make decisions they later regret.

What's better in Lubbock: Advance America or ACE Cash Express?

Functionally identical. Both charge similar fees (around $15 per $100 borrowed), both offer the same loan types, both are licensed Texas CABs. Choose based on:

• Location convenience - which is closer to your work/home
• Staff reviews - recent Google reviews mention helpful staff at both, but check current reviews for your specific location
• Wait times - the Frankford Ave Advance America tends to be less crowded than the 50th Street location

Honestly, if you're choosing between these two, you're missing the real question: should you use either? Try credit union first.

Can I get a payday loan if I'm a Texas Tech student?

Yes, but it's complicated. You need regular income—financial aid doesn't count, but a part-time job does. Both Advance America and ACE will approve you if you can show:

• Pay stubs from job (even 10 hours/week at $10/hour works)
• Active checking account (your Wells Fargo student account is fine)
• Valid ID

Warning for students: I've counseled dozens of Tech students through payday loan disasters. You think "I'll just pay it back with my next paycheck," but then rent is due, or books, or you want to go to a concert. Suddenly that $300 loan becomes a $450 problem. If you're a student reading this, please try selling textbooks, picking up extra shifts, or calling home before getting a payday loan.

Better option for students: Tech Federal Credit Union has student emergency loans with way better terms. Also check with Financial Aid office about emergency grants.

What happens if I can't pay back my Lubbock payday loan?

Timeline of pain:

1. Day 1 (due date): Lender attempts to withdraw from your bank account. If funds insufficient, you get hit with NSF fee from your bank ($35) plus lender's failed payment fee ($25-40).
2. Day 2: They try again (remember, only 2 attempts allowed under new Texas law). Another round of fees if it fails.
3. Day 7-14: Collections calls start. Multiple times daily. They'll call your work if you gave that number.
4. Day 30: They may sue you in small claims court. In Lubbock, this is Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 (902 Texas Ave). If they win, they can garnish wages.
5. Day 60-90: Debt sold to collections agency. More calls, more threats, credit score tanks.

Your move: Call them BEFORE you miss the payment. Sometimes they'll extend (with fees), sometimes they won't. But ignoring it makes everything worse. If you're already in this situation, call a free credit counselor at (806) 853-3659 (Lubbock based, I personally know them).

Are online payday loans safe, or should I go to a physical store in Lubbock?

Physical stores (Advance America/ACE) pros:

• Face-to-face, can ask questions, get immediate cash
• Legitimate businesses with physical presence (harder to scam you)
• Build relationship with staff who might work with you if problems arise

Online payday loans pros:

• Convenient, no need to drive anywhere
• Sometimes slightly lower fees (no storefront overhead)
• Money deposited directly to bank

My recommendation: If you know the company (Advance America, ACE), online is fine. If it's some website you've never heard of, proceed with extreme caution. Check:

• Is it licensed in Texas? (Check Texas Department of Banking website)
• Does it have physical address and phone number?
• Any BBB complaints or scam reports?

For first-time borrowers in Lubbock, I recommend going to the physical store—you'll understand what you're getting into better when signing papers in person versus clicking "I agree" on your phone.

Can I have multiple payday loans in Lubbock at the same time?

Technically yes—Texas doesn't limit how many payday loans you can have simultaneously. But practically:

Why you shouldn't: Each lender will see the others when they check your bank account activity. Having multiple loans is a red flag that you're in financial spiral. You'll end up with:

• Multiple due dates to track
• Multiple withdrawals hitting your account
• Higher chance of overdrafts cascading into more fees
• Approval for third/fourth loan gets harder as lenders get nervous

What happens in reality: Most people who take out a second payday loan while the first is active end up in collections within 90 days. I've seen this pattern dozens of times. If you're considering a second payday loan, that's your signal to call a financial counselor—you're entering crisis territory.

Do Lubbock payday lenders check credit scores?

Sort of. They do a "soft pull" that doesn't affect your credit score—they're looking at your banking activity and income, not your credit history. This is why people with 500 credit scores can get approved. Your credit score matters for the interest rate at places like banks, but payday lenders charge everyone roughly the same astronomical rates regardless of credit. In a weird way, this is the one "benefit" of payday loans—bad credit doesn't matter. Of course, that's also why they're predatory: they target people who can't get better options.

What's the maximum I can borrow from Advance America in Lubbock?

Online payday loan: $1,500 maximum

In-store installment loan: $2,500 maximum

Title loan (using your car): $5,000 maximum

These maximums apply per loan. The actual amount you get approved for depends on your income—they usually won't approve loans over 50% of your monthly take-home pay.

Strategic tip: Just because you CAN borrow $1,500 doesn't mean you should. Borrow the minimum you need to solve your immediate problem. Every extra $100 you borrow costs you $15-20 in fees.