Review rated by 16 Ciao members on average: very helpful
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Everytime you make a purchase in New Look, the hopeful sales advisor will say 'Would you like save 10% by opening an account with us today?'. Each and every time i say no, but every day people are lured into having account for the sake of a small saving. And it is a small saving. You spend £20 and you're only going to save £2.
Well thats not such a bad thing, i hear you say. But for many it is a very bad thing. because next time you're out shopping in the store, it is so easy to resist paying by cash and instead 'bunging it on the card'. More many people this has led to terrible financial difficulties. The temptation to put items on a store card leads to more purchases than you would without a store card. And of course there is the APR, which is actually quite high and you end up paying more than you'd expect.
A girl I was at college with was forever coming home with purchases from stores of all kinds, having moaned the night before about her low paid job and her cupboard of ecomomy range foods. 'Oh I stuck it on the card' she'd say to me. All very well. Trouble is, in one month, she ran up over £500.00 on 3 different store cards. She couldn't pay them of course and ended up borrowing money to keep the credit control people off her back. She would never have considered store cards if she hadn't have been lured into them with that saving 10% line.
It can be argued that it was her fault for spending, she wasn't forced to spend etc. And that is very true. However, what should be questioned is the way the stores convince us to get these store cards. Quite frankly they just want our money. But their offers and persuasion contributes to unecessary financial difficulties, stress and in extreme cases addictions.
New look are no the only store to do this, but they are the worst for it.
The information on store cards should be readily available should people want it. IT IS WRONG to persuade people to have them with incentives. The sales advisors offer them to everyone, most of which can not afford the financial difficulties that they can lead to.
there are people who use these cards responsibly I know. But i bet you know someone who has moaned about the amount on a store card.
I'd be interested to hear others ops on this matter.
I agree, although if you are strict with yourself, they are useful if you desperately need new clothes (ie for a job interview etc) but can't afford it until pay day. You can then pay the card in full, without incurring any interest. But hey, how many people have that sort of self control!? Good op with many valid points. Joanna.
Very good advise! Next time they ask you if you want a store card shut them up by telling them that their interest rate is too high and it's cheaper to buy it on your barclaycard. Always works for me!!
14.06.2001 11:57
I agree, although if you are strict with yourself, they are useful if you desperately need new clothes (ie for a job interview etc) but can't afford it until pay day. You can then pay the card in full, without incurring any interest. But hey, how many people have that sort of self control!? Good op with many valid points. Joanna.
04.05.2001 20:41
Very good advise! Next time they ask you if you want a store card shut them up by telling them that their interest rate is too high and it's cheaper to buy it on your barclaycard. Always works for me!!
27.04.2001 19:00
Good point made, it can be a slippery slope for some.