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Retail Installment Contract

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Retail Installment Contract and Security Agreement

Contract Number

Date:

Disclosures Required by the Federal Truth in Lending Act

Seller's Name:

Seller's Business Address:

Buyer's Name:

Buyer's Address:

1. Amount Financed -- $ (the amount of credit provided to you or on your behalf)

2. Finance Charge -- $ (the dollar amount the credit will cost you)

3. Annual Percentage Rate -- % (the cost of your credit as a yearly rate)

4. Total of Payments -- $ (the amount you will have paid after you have made all payments as scheduled)

5. Total Sales Price -- $ (the total price of your purchase on credit, including your down payment of $ )

6. Itemization of Amount Financed. You have a right to receive a written itemization of the Amount Financed. If you DO want a written itemization of the Amount Financed, you will receive one only if you check the "Yes" box immediately below. If you check the "No" box or do not check either box, you will not receive a written itemization.

7. Payment Schedule. Your payment schedule will be:

Number of Payments

Payment Amount

When Payments Are Due

8. Insurance. Credit life insurance and credit disability insurance are not required to obtain credit, and will not be provided unless you sign in the space(s) immediately below and agree to pay the additional cost indicated.

Type of Insurance

Credit Life

Credit Disability

Credit Life & Disability

Premium

$

$

$

Signature

You may obtain property insurance from anyone you want that is acceptable to seller/creditor or its assignee. If you get the insurance from seller/creditor, you will pay $ for months' coverage.

9. Security Interest. You are giving a security interest in

the goods or property being purchased

other (give brief description of other property)

10. (a) Filing Fees: $ (b) Non-filing Insurance $

11. Late Charge. If a payment is late, you will pay (check one):

$ or % of the payment amount.

$ or % of the payment amount of the payment amount, whichever is .

12. Prepayment. If you pay off early, you may be entitled to a refund of part of the Finance Charge, and (check one)

may have to pay a penalty.

See your contract documents for any additional information about nonpayment, default, any required repayment in full before the maturity date, and prepayment refunds and penalties.

"e" means estimate (i.e., if estimates are used)

I. Subject of Transaction

Subject to the terms and conditions of this agreement, , seller, sells and , buyer, purchases, the following:

A. Property, Goods, or Service:

Quantity
Description
Amount

Total ($ )

B. Accessories:

Total ($ )

C. Related Charges:

Total ($ )

D. Taxes:

Total ($ )

TOTAL of Items A, B, C, and D ($ )

Description of Trade-in: (describe)

II. Cost and Credit Terms

A. Cash Price ($ )

B. Less: Cash Down Payment ($ )

C. Trade-in ($ )

D. Total Down Payment (Items B + C) ($ )

E. Unpaid Balance of Cash Price (Item A – Item D) ($ )

F. Other Charges

1. Official Fees ($ )

2. Insurance ($ )

3. Other (explain) ($ )

G. Total Other Charges ($ )

H. Unpaid Balance (Item E + Item G) ($ )

I. Prepayments or Deposits

1. Prepaid Finance Charge ($ )

2. Required Deposit Balance ($ )

J. Total Prepaid Finance Charge and Required Deposit Balance ($ )

K. Amount Financed (Item H – Item J) ($ )

L. Finance Charge ($ )

(Includes):

1.

2.

M. Annual Percentage Rate %

N. Total of Payments ($ )

O. Deferred Payment Price (Sum of Items A, G, & L) ($ )

Buyer agrees to pay to , seller, at

the TOTAL OF PAYMENTS shown above in monthly installments of each; the first installment is due and payable under this agreement on , and all subsequent equal installments are due and payable on the same day of each succeeding month until paid in full.

III. Security Interest.

Buyer grants to seller, subject to the terms and conditions of this agreement, a security interest in the following-described property, hereafter called collateral:

IV. Delinquency Charges.

If any installment, or portion of an installment, continues unpaid for more than days following the date the payment is due, buyer shall pay to seller additional interest in an amount not to exceed % of each installment or , whichever is less, or, in lieu of such amount, interest after maturity on each such installment not to exceed the highest lawful contract rate.

V. Acceleration on Default.

On nonpayment of any installment when due under the terms of this agreement, seller at seller's option may declare all remaining installments immediately due and payable. If this agreement is placed in the hands of an attorney, not a salaried employee of the holder of this agreement, for collection through legal proceedings or otherwise, buyer will pay reasonable attorney's fees, court costs, and disbursements to seller.

VI. General Provisions.

Buyer acknowledges receipt of a copy of this agreement containing the disclosures of information applicable to this transaction. The information, disclosures, terms, and conditions following the signatures of the parties are incorporated in, and made a part of, this agreement for all purposes.

NOTICE TO BUYER: Do not sign this agreement before you read it or if it contains blank spaces. You are entitled to a copy of the contract you sign. You have the right to pay in advance the unpaid balance of this agreement and obtain a partial refund of the FINANCE CHARGE based (cite state and/or federal regulation) . Keep this agreement to protect your legal rights.

NOTICE

Any holder of this consumer credit contract is subject to all claims and defenses which the debtor could assert against the seller of goods or services obtained pursuant hereto or with the proceeds hereof. Recovery hereunder by the debtor shall not exceed amounts paid by the debtor hereunder.

Additional Terms and Conditions of Agreement

A. Protection of Collateral.

1. The collateral will be kept at buyer's address as stated above. Buyer will notify seller promptly of any change in the location of the collateral, and will not remove the collateral from without seller's prior written consent.

2. Buyer will keep the collateral in good order and repair and will not use it in violation of any statute or ordinance. Seller will have the right to examine and inspect the collateral at all reasonable times.

B. Perfection of Security Interest.

No financing statement covering the collateral or any part of it, or any proceeds, is on file in any public office. At seller's request, buyer will join in executing all necessary financing statements in form satisfactory to seller and will pay all costs of filing, financing, continuation, or termination statements with regard to seller's security interest.

C. Protection of Security Interest.

1. Buyer will not, without seller's written consent, sell, contract to sell, lease, encumber, or dispose of the collateral, or any interest in it, until this contract and all obligations secured by this contract have been fully performed.

2. Buyer will pay when due all taxes and assessments imposed on the collateral or for its use and operation.

D. Default.

Buyer will be in default under this contract on the happening of any of the following events or conditions (an event of default):

1. Failure to make punctual payment when due of any of the obligations or failure to perform any of the agreements or provisions contained or referred to in this agreement or in any other agreement executed with reference to this agreement; or

2. If the seller shall deem the obligations secured by this agreement insecure, believing in good faith that the prospect of payment or performance is impaired.

E. Seller's Rights and Remedies on Default.

1. Time is of the essence of this contract. Seller's acceptance of a partial or delinquent payment or the failure of seller to exercise any right or remedy shall not be a waiver of any of the buyer's obligations or seller's rights or constitute a waiver of any other similar default occurring at a later date.

2. On the occurrence of an event of default, and at any subsequent time, seller may declare all obligations secured by this contract immediately due and payable and may proceed to enforce payment of the same and exercise any and all rights and remedies provided by .

3. Seller may require buyer to assemble the collateral and make it available to seller at any place to be designated by seller which is reasonably convenient to both parties. Seller may sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of any or all of the collateral in its then condition or following any commercially reasonable preparation or processing.

F. Notice of Sale.

Unless the collateral is perishable or threatens to decline speedily in value or is of a type customarily sold on a recognized market, seller will give buyer reasonable notice of the time and place of any public sale or of the time at which any private sale or other intended disposition is to be had. The requirements of reasonable notice shall be met if the notice is mailed, postage prepaid, to the address of buyer as shown above at least days before the time of the sale or disposition, which provisions for notice buyer agrees are reasonable.

G. Disposition of Proceeds from Collateral.

After deducting all costs and expenses of every kind incurred or incidental to the retaking, holding, advertising, or preparing for sale, or of selling, leasing, or otherwise disposing of the collateral or in any way relating to seller's rights, including without limitation attorney fees, legal expenses, and costs of any repair considered necessary by seller, all of which costs and expenses buyer agrees to pay, seller may apply the net proceeds of any sale, lease, or other disposition of the collateral to the payment of one or more of buyer's obligations to seller, whether due or not, in such order as seller may elect. In applying net proceeds to the payment of obligations, proper rebate for any other interest or discount will be made. Only after full payment of all obligations, and any other payment seller may be required by law to make, need seller account to buyer for the surplus. Buyer shall remain liable to seller for the payment of any deficiency with interest at the rate of % per annum.

H. Seller's Right of Assignment.

Seller may assign this contract and all rights and privileges will inure to seller's successors and assigns.

This agreement was executed by the parties on

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What a Retail Installment Contract Is and when it applies

A Retail Installment Contract (RIC) is a written consumer credit agreement used when a buyer purchases goods or services and repays the seller over time. The RIC records the cash price, down payment, amount financed, finance charge, annual percentage rate (APR), payment schedule, and default remedies. It establishes the contractual obligations of buyer and seller, required consumer disclosures under federal and state law, and remedies such as late fees, acceleration, or repossession. RICs commonly appear in vehicle, furniture, and appliance sales and govern the financed relationship for the contract term.

Why a clear Retail Installment Contract matters

A properly completed RIC protects both parties by documenting price, finance terms, payment timing, and default consequences; it supports enforceability under ESIGN (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state law such as UETA where applicable.

Why a clear Retail Installment Contract matters

Who typically prepares and signs a Retail Installment Contract

Retailers, finance companies, subprime lenders, and consumer buyers use RICs; attorneys and compliance teams often review standardized templates before use.

  • Retail finance managers and dealerships executing vehicle or consumer-goods financing agreements for customers.
  • Consumer borrowers signing for financed purchases who must provide identity, income, and payment authorizations.
  • Legal, compliance, and underwriting teams approving rates, disclosures, and state-specific language.

Core sections every Professional Retail Installment Contract should include

A complete RIC is organized so each required disclosure and remedy is clear; the following components support compliance, enforceability, and operational clarity.

Parties

Full legal names and contact details for buyer(s) and seller/lender. Identify legal entity types and signing capacity to avoid later identity disputes or enforcement issues.

Goods Description

A precise description of the item financed (make, model, VIN or serial number, odometer for vehicles). Attach bills of sale or condition reports as exhibits when applicable.

Amount Financed

Itemize cash price, trade-in allowance, down payment, and the principal amount financed. Clarity here prevents TILA and state disclosure disputes.

Finance Charge & APR

Show the finance charge, APR, and total of payments in clear numeric terms. Present disclosures consistent with Truth in Lending and state consumer-credit rules.

Payment Schedule

Specify payment amounts, number of payments, due dates, late fee triggers, and acceptable payment methods; include prepayment and prepayment refund rules if applicable.

Default & Remedies

List events of default, cure periods, repossession rights, acceleration clauses, deficiency judgments, and any collateral retention or sale procedures.

Step-by-step: completing a Retail Installment Contract

Follow these steps in order to create an enforceable RIC and reduce downstream disputes.

  • 01
    Prepare the template: Use a standardized, state-compliant form with all disclosure sections.
  • 02
    Populate buyer data: Enter legal name, TIN, address, and ID details accurately.
  • 03
    Insert finance terms: Enter cash price, financed amount, APR, and payment schedule.
  • 04
    Obtain signatures: Secure buyer and seller signatures with audit trail or notarization as required.

How electronic completion and routing typically flows

A digital RIC workflow reduces paper handling while preserving legal evidence when done correctly.

  • Upload document: Add the RIC PDF or DOCX to the signing platform.
  • Place fields: Add signature, date, and data fields with validation rules.
  • Send to signer: Deliver by email link, SMS, or secure portal.
  • Capture audit trail: Record timestamps, IP, and authentication method for evidence.

Platform considerations for eSigning and eStorage

Choose software that preserves an auditable record and secures sensitive consumer data to meet legal and regulatory requirements.

  • Authentication: Email, SMS, or stronger
  • Security: AES-256 at rest
  • Integrations: CRM and accounting

eSignature vendor comparison for Retail Installment Contract workflows

Comparing baseline pricing and common feature points helps select a provider for contract execution and storage; signNow appears first in the table per platform rules.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Common preparation pitfalls to avoid

  • Missing or unclear APR and finance charge disclosures can trigger regulatory challenges and rescission rights
  • Inaccurate buyer identity or mismatched names increase risk of unenforceability and collection delays
  • Incomplete payment schedule entries or ambiguous due dates lead to default disputes and consumer complaints
  • Failure to record collateral details precisely (VIN/serial) complicates repossession and title transfer

Essential data fields to include on every Retail Installment Contract

Purchaser Name: Full legal name
Purchaser Address: Street, city, state, ZIP
Tax ID/SSN: TIN or SSN for reporting
Goods Description: VIN or serial number
Amount Financed: Principal dollar amount
Payment Schedule: Dates and dollar amounts

Key penalties and legal risks from incorrect RICs

Default Consequences: Repossession or acceleration
Deficiency Judgment: Borrower may owe balance
Late Fees: State-limited amounts apply
Tax Reporting: Incorrect TINs trigger withholding
Regulatory Fines: Disclosure violations can incur penalties
Voidable Contract: Material omissions can void agreement

Practical tips for accurate and efficient RIC completion

Adopt standard templates, verification checks, and secure storage to reduce errors and compliance risk.

Verify Identity Completely
Use government ID, SSN/TIN checks, and strong authentication for eSign to ensure attribution and reduce fraud risk.
Standardize Templates
Maintain state-specific templates that embed required disclosures to avoid manual omissions and ensure consistent compliance.
Record Audit Trail
Capture timestamps, IP addresses, and signer authentication method for each signature to support enforceability.
Secure Storage & Access
Store executed contracts encrypted with role-based access and export capability for regulatory audits or litigation.

Real-world examples of Retail Installment Contract use

Two concise examples illustrate how RICs function in different operational contexts.

Auto Dealership

A dealership issues an RIC at sale with APR and payment schedule clearly stated

  • The buyer signs electronically with identity verified by SMS code
  • The RIC attaches the vehicle bill of sale and is stored encrypted for six years per company policy.

Furniture Retailer

A chain offers in-store financing using a standardized RIC

  • Payments are processed monthly with defined grace periods
  • The retailer retains signed contracts and audit trails to support collections and regulator inquiries.

Frequently asked questions about Retail Installment Contracts

Answers to common questions about signing, enforceability, corrections, and evidentiary requirements for RICs.


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