Are Retailer's Credit Cards A Good Idea?
The ads are nearly inescapable. They beckon to us from everywhere; telling us that we can buy with no money down ad accruing no interest for as long as three years!
However, are these retailers' credit cards really the deal they seem to be? Let's take a look at what happens when you take on a credit card from a retailer.
First of all, yes, it's really true that a retailer's credit card will usually give you 0% interest, no payments for two years as an example, usually for a specific type of purchase. For example, let's say you sign on for a retailer's credit card at a furniture store. Now, because you signed on for this card, you might get 10% off your purchase price, plus you get 0% down and 0% interest with no payments for the next two years.
That's great, if you can swing it. However, there's a caveat. If you don't pay off that credit card balance IN FULL within the time the store gives you to pay off the balance (let's say, two years), you might think that you're going to be charged interest beginning the first day after the end of that introductory period, but that's usually not true. In fact, you're also likely going to be charged interest retroactively to the day of the purchase, and it may also very well be compounded during those months, usually every 30 days or every billing cycle.
You should approach these deals with caution. You need to make absolutely sure that you can pay the balance on these retailer's credit cards in full before the introductory period ends. Otherwise, you could end up paying a fortune in interest and other charges. This can make these purchases far more expensive than the original price! Retailer's credit cards typically bear interest rates which are far higher than are those associated with traditional credit cards.
Unless you are absolutely sure you can pay in full before the end of the introductory period, don't sign up for these retailer's credit cards in the first place. It is better by far not to get into debt in the first place and to pay cash for these purchases. If it simply is not possible for you to pay for these purchases in full upfront, use a traditional credit card instead and pay off the balance as quickly as you can. You may not get a deal on the purchase price of the item, but you'll save yourself a lot of money in interest payments over the long run.
In conclusion, then, a retailer's credit card can be a good thing to have if it's a store you shop at a lot and you regularly pay down your balance completely. However, if you don't shop at the store a lot and are only signing on for a retailer's credit card as part of a "special" deal in hopes you'll save money in the long run, be careful. Retroactive interest charges will come back to bite you if you don't pay down the balance by the end of the promotional period, and you'll be left paying a lot more than you would have if you had paid cash or even used a different credit card.
Last of all; remember that no matter what kind of credit card you use, you'll pay a lot of money in interest if you aren't careful with your purchases. Think before you buy and pay off your credit card balance as quickly as possible. You should try to never carry a balance on your credit card for more than 30 days. Credit cards can be a wonderful thing, but they have to be used responsibly.
However, are these retailers' credit cards really the deal they seem to be? Let's take a look at what happens when you take on a credit card from a retailer.
First of all, yes, it's really true that a retailer's credit card will usually give you 0% interest, no payments for two years as an example, usually for a specific type of purchase. For example, let's say you sign on for a retailer's credit card at a furniture store. Now, because you signed on for this card, you might get 10% off your purchase price, plus you get 0% down and 0% interest with no payments for the next two years.
That's great, if you can swing it. However, there's a caveat. If you don't pay off that credit card balance IN FULL within the time the store gives you to pay off the balance (let's say, two years), you might think that you're going to be charged interest beginning the first day after the end of that introductory period, but that's usually not true. In fact, you're also likely going to be charged interest retroactively to the day of the purchase, and it may also very well be compounded during those months, usually every 30 days or every billing cycle.
You should approach these deals with caution. You need to make absolutely sure that you can pay the balance on these retailer's credit cards in full before the introductory period ends. Otherwise, you could end up paying a fortune in interest and other charges. This can make these purchases far more expensive than the original price! Retailer's credit cards typically bear interest rates which are far higher than are those associated with traditional credit cards.
Unless you are absolutely sure you can pay in full before the end of the introductory period, don't sign up for these retailer's credit cards in the first place. It is better by far not to get into debt in the first place and to pay cash for these purchases. If it simply is not possible for you to pay for these purchases in full upfront, use a traditional credit card instead and pay off the balance as quickly as you can. You may not get a deal on the purchase price of the item, but you'll save yourself a lot of money in interest payments over the long run.
In conclusion, then, a retailer's credit card can be a good thing to have if it's a store you shop at a lot and you regularly pay down your balance completely. However, if you don't shop at the store a lot and are only signing on for a retailer's credit card as part of a "special" deal in hopes you'll save money in the long run, be careful. Retroactive interest charges will come back to bite you if you don't pay down the balance by the end of the promotional period, and you'll be left paying a lot more than you would have if you had paid cash or even used a different credit card.
Last of all; remember that no matter what kind of credit card you use, you'll pay a lot of money in interest if you aren't careful with your purchases. Think before you buy and pay off your credit card balance as quickly as possible. You should try to never carry a balance on your credit card for more than 30 days. Credit cards can be a wonderful thing, but they have to be used responsibly.
About the Author:
Steven J. Talrechi is a veteran on credit and finance for over 10 years. He writes about various topics on said field, including application for a credit card, and different credit card offers.
posted by Credit Counseling at
12:02 PM
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