annoyed!
 

Just before christmas i borrowed some catalogues from a friend who said that not having a credit card would not stop me from being able to purchase items.anyway i sent off/phoned my orders through to find that not one (out of 5) would allow me to buy stuff although i was willing to pay the full amount at once so just because i dont own my house or owe anyone money i could not be a customer.......this has made me so mad!!!im having to reconsider getting a credit card when i have resisted for 3 years.i really dont want to because i expect i would get into a downward spiral of debt that i cant afford to do (excuse the pun).views anyone?

feel better now i have had my rant:)

Re: annoyed!
 

it is quite widely known that people with no debts or credit cards stuggle to get credit as the companies quite simply don't know if you will be a good payer.

Re: annoyed!
 

get a credit card and chop it up as soon as it arrives

Re: annoyed!
 

Get the credit cards Kitty ....... and lot's of them but get a rich sugar daddy to pay the bills :D ....... problem solved ;)

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i like that idea best!!!i got a massive tinkerbell snowglobe for crimbo from my sugar daddy.....well he was my sugar daddy till i maxed out his cred cards:/
(qeue of sugar daddies)...........NEXT!!!!

Re: annoyed!
 

Get a credit card......set yourself a LOW limit......and pay it off every month.

I was dead set against credit cards until a couple of years ago when we went travelling......if we had had no credit card we would not have been able to stay in hotels (most hotels take a credit card imprint on arrival - tis is against any damage or thefts from the room) I would not have been able to book some of the really good flight deals either. A credit card gives you some protection too.....if you damage an item bought on your credit card in the first 100 days.....you are insured.

A credit card does not have to mean descent into debt......as long as you are sensible.

Re: annoyed!
 

Im like you Miss kitty i dont have a credit card i dont believe in them the one thing i try to do is avoid debt not get into it. Trouble with this country is that plastic talks what happened to real money & to pay up front?? but seems that they prefer you not to be able to pay up or pay slowly rather than cash up front, its like this country is licence to bankrupt you into debt with temptation & manipulation into getting a credit card & they wonder why we have a debt problem society running on credits. Seems hard cash isn't of value anymore as a plastic card.:(

Re: annoyed!
 

Of course the credit card companies want you to get into debt.....they will offer you ever higher spending limits hoping that you will be hooked.
In the 4 or 5 years I have had mine I have never paid a penny in interest......if I buy anything on my credit card I always make sure that I have the funds in the bank first......that way the companies make nothing from me.....and I have the convenience of their services.

Re: annoyed!
 

someone like me cant get credit cards as im unscoreable so shot before i start anyway, so seems quite strange to throw credit to those whom struggle with debt like having gone upto limits on several cards - thats crazy why have more than one?

Re: annoyed!
 

Well, I have only the one.....no store cards or any other cards......and If I thought I was going to get into debt I would cut it up now.

My Mum is 78 and she has a credit card with a low limit on it. As soon as she buys anything with her card she sends one of us down to the bank with the money to put on the card......so her card is TRULY a credit card because it always has money on it before the bill comes in. I have a real fear of getting into debt......and my hubby would tell you that I am ultra cautious with money.

Re: annoyed!
 

Was this because you had to buy the stuff on a credit card?
If so then why not use a debit card

I don't (and will not) get a credit card as I got into trouble with one in the past, now being clear of debt again I am not going down the road again, but have never had any trouble using a debit card instead.

Re: annoyed!
 

Was this because you had to buy the stuff on a credit card?
If so then why not use a debit card

I don't (and will not) get a credit card as I got into trouble with one in the past, now being clear of debt again I am not going down the road again, but have never had any trouble using a debit card instead.

Re: annoyed!
 

yeah i was against cred cards like most ppl but makin big purchases esp online is worthwhile on a card as it gives u extra protection.

Re: annoyed!
 

If you are thinking of getting a credit card read this independant comsumer advice site first, it's full of ideas, tips and advice and can save most people some money and could prevent you getting into debt. http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/ I wouldn't normally post a link to an outside site, but I think this is important if your going to get a credit card.

Re: annoyed!
 

Also you need to read up on credit ratings. Those catalogues would only sell to you if you opened an account, not if you had a credit card. The credit card tells them your worthy of an account, no credit card no account, no account no order. Nowdays it's almost imposible to get along without a good credit rating , which means building one up, and a photo driving licence or passport, which you need a birth certificate to get. You can't open a bank account without showing photo id now due to the anti terror legislation. You may as well do them because sooner or later you'll need them, won't have them and only you will suffer because of it.

Re: annoyed!
 

I never pay a penny in interest on my credit card. I only have one and refuse to get any more. They're really handy when travelling and I tend to pay some money on them in advance if I am travelling for a month or so, that way I don't get stung for interest. I won't have store cards etc because the interest is a rip off. I am my bank's worst customer as I will not pay a penny in interest, I'm way too tight. They never make any money off me.....:D

Re: annoyed!
 

The crazy thing is that it's people who are already in debt who find obtaining further credit easiest. It does make sense to have a credit card but I would never recommend one to anyone who buys too impulsively. It can be too easy to pay on the plastic today and forget about tomorrow.

I have a credit card with my bank and I use online banking. Every time I look at my accounts online it shows the amount of any credit card debt so I can't lose track. I only use the card for very large purchases or if I am abroad and I always pay it off in full by the due payment date so I too have never paid any interest. I'm not the sort of customer they really want as they don't make anything out of me.

Re: annoyed!
 

Credit cards are best describe as a double edged sword. On one side they kill the problem of say emergency puchases but on the other they can turn on you like a hungary tiger. Its a balancing act that takes care and skill.

Re: annoyed!
 

hi, just get a debit card from your bank it is not a credit card but can use to buy on line and caterlogs i have one and havent had any problems mal:engsmil:

Re: annoyed!
 

Its not the card they're after it's the fact that she's got the credit card. NOTE the own house/owe money bit, yes a debit card will improve credit rating but a credit card is better. Even if she pays with the debit card instantly they won't let her have it because she has to open an account, an account is an invite to order more stuff as its got a credit limit on it of say 100 quid, to get the account you need a credit rating, to get credit rating you need to have owed money or have a card. Its like trying to get a fair ground roundabout that won't stop. PROBLEM IS once your on it, you find it hard to get off, and can you cope with being on it.

Re: annoyed!
 

I've got seven credit cards, I'm about to buy a new washer dryer and oven and hob on one, at the end of the month I'll balance transfer it on to a new one or an existing one thats got 0% on balance transfers, then I'll transfer it to my egg one which I know will do the same in April. All the time I'll be saving up ready to pay it off, which I will before I get charged interest. I'll save it in a high interest account and pay the credit card only when I have enough and need to. And the other six are clear.

Re: annoyed!
 

Mal, You do not get the same consumer protection with a debit card as you do with a credit card. e.g. Those who paid Tiny for Plasmas/PC's etc on a credit card get their cash back. Those that paid on debit card don't, its that simple.

If you are buying anything over £100 get it on a credit card. Even if you do as some others have mentioned and put the money on the card first. If there is anyting wrong with it then it is the credit cards problem to get the money back not yours.

Ian

Re: annoyed!
 

Re: annoyed!
 

Why not get a credit card, but leave it with a trusted friend? That way, you can't spend money for the sake of it, or impulse buy, but you have it if the boiler breaks down in the depths of winter, or if you want to go travelling. I use a debit card for most things, on the basis that if I can't pay cash for it, I can't afford it. There is a BIG temptation to spend too much (that dress that you HAVE TO HAVE for that party, etc), so if you are inclined to overspend, either don't have one, or leave it with a friend.

Re: annoyed!
 

Thanks for that entwisi, yes i am living proof of the time/tiny situation we paid on debit card and so are not covered if we had paid on credit card we could have got the money back it pays to take note any purchase over £100 is best paid by credit card instead of cash/cheque/debit card.