Store credit cards - is it worth it?

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Store credit cards - is it worth it?

naf

Active Member

hi,

I am new to the forum, so please let me know if this qs has been discussed earlier.

I was at Banana Republic today, and the salesgirl was trying to convince me to sign up for their card. I didn't sign up but it got me curious about this topic. I used to have a couple of store cards a long time back, but cancelled them when I learned that they don't look good on your credit report. But now I'm wondering if store credit cards actually affect the score. do you know? do you have store cards? Also, what benefits do you look for?

17 years ago

General

5 replies

Latest reply was from

Antje

Veteran

I don't really know about the effect on credit scores in general, but I have several store credit cards and my credit score is excellent (which I know because I recently got a new mortgage.)
I have a Macy's card and it's totally worth it. You get additional discounts for almost all of their sales, sometimes very steep ones. If you shop at Macy's occasionally or regularly then I'd definitely get this one.
I've heard that the Nordstrom card is also very good if (and only if) you shop there a lot; the benefits accumulate over time, e.g. you get free shipping once you've spent a certain amount per year. I don't shop there enough to make it worth it.
I have signed up for other cards as well (including AT, BR), but actually only used them the respective first time when you get 20% off or some similar special discount. I don't regularly use them, first because my regular credit card has a good reward program that entices me to use it as often as I can, and second because I don't want to loose track of what I'm spending overall and I think that is a pretty big risk when carrying too many different cards.

17 years ago

susan

Active Member

My husband is a banker and he says that every time you sign up for any type of credit your credit score is affected. They sure are tempting though!

17 years ago

Nicole

Veteran

Applying for ANY new credit is going to "ding" your credit score. But if you are not over your head, pay your balance off monthly, and watch your total "available" credit limit on ALL your cards, then your score will recover and using the cards in the right way will actually increase your score. Also, the "ding" for applying for a credit card will depend on how often you apply, how much you credit you receive, and how many outstanding cards you already have.

If you have a great credit score, in the 700-800 range, then a temporary 5 point ding isn't going to make a difference in your ability to obtain more credit. If you are going be shopping for a mortgage in the next year or so, you may want to hold off on applying for any new cards. If you are established, and have all your financial ducks in a row, then applying for a store card makes sense.

The most important thing to do is pay off those cards every month. This keeps me from overspending. The perks you get from using a store card are well worth having the card, IMO. Also, you can use a BR card at Gap, ON, and Piperlime. So that's actually a smart card to get.

17 years ago

naf

Active Member

Thanks for your replies. Sounds like if you have a good score and can keep up with the payments it's fine to have a store card. I have an excellent score, but I am fiercely protective of my credit history. A few years ago, we were victims of identity theft and it was such an annoyance to track down stuff for months and keep calling the agencies to take it off our accounts. As a result, both hubby and I are now paranoid about our credit history and score.

I will look into the Macy's card (thanks Antje) and am really tempted by the BR card. Thanks for your help.

17 years ago

Anonymous

naf, I have the BR card. I also have an excellent score, and since the majority of my clothing is purchased at BR I thought it was worth the "ding". If you spend a certain amount per year at BR, you are able to get a "Luxe" membership, which has numerous perks such as free shipping and free in-store alterations. Piperlime, Gap, and Old Navy purchases also go on this card, and I stay well within the card's limits and pay off the balances in full and on time. You'll also get extra discounts, like the ladies above have written!

17 years ago

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