Shop Card Debt
Summary
Thousands and thousands of us use shop credit cards but are they conscious of the staggering levels of interest they charge? This article provides some good advice and explains how the store cards work.
We really must be truthful, we are not great fans of shop cards. Although, there are approximately eleven million store card holders with outstanding balances of above 1.5 billion pounds. And about 70 high street retailers manage store cards, mostly department stores, large DIY retailers and clothing retailers.
Shop cards, are a branded card which may only be used in the appropriate chain or correct shop. Habitually they are the most pricey way to obtain credit, charging up to and over 30 per cent interest per year. That is far higher than the standard local bank card. As the typical shop card balance is about 850 pounds, that would mean that card holders would be paying 255 pounds a per annum just in interest. That cost can quickly spread into an insurmountable debt .
Taking into account the plus side of shop cards, they can be useful as the retailers generally promote them with discounts off the items purchased on the card and they may also provide a longer interest free period. Customers would also get exclusive or sale offers sent to them in the post or be informed of new products ahead of other shoppers.
On the other side, danger awaits those who are clearly tempted by ”nothing to pay for 6 months”, “interest-free” or discounts offers mainly those who may already be struggling with their debt . These credit card holders may be using the cards for the reason that they haven’t got the cash to pay the whole amount now and they are purely hoping that they will have the money soon. It’s a very bad idea!
Stores also need to be uneasy about overly persistent sales assistants promoting shop credit cards to people who have hardly any comprehension about how to manage their use of the store card. In our opinion, it’s very easy to cajole people into having a credit card, however if you don’t pay off the balance during the interest-free time these cards are an extremely costly way of obtaining credit .
We do admit that the cards can be very attractive when, by taking out the card you are eligible for the discounts.
Nevertheless, it remains all to easy for debts on your shop credit card to mushroom out of control.
Therefore, as a rule we counsel you to keep away from store cards unless you are quite convinced} that you will pay off the whole bill the instant the store card bill comes.
Debt Companies are incessantly lobbying the financial regulators to increase interest rate warnings. They are of the opinion that statements for shop cards should contain a coloured underlined warning showing their APR interest rate and what the holder will have to pay if only the minimum payment is made.
Therefore if you do make your mind up to say yes to a store card be very sure how much it will cost you. We acknowledge that many UK shoppers find shop cards to be a tempting way to get huge discounts on their purchases. However please, let us reiterate, always promptly pay off the full amount each month. If you do this, you can benefit from the bargains, but not have debt, therefore you will have enjoyment and peace of mind