Ron1 wrote:Do you want to apply for the store card to get 10%,15% discount inside the store duringChristmas? I went to AE, BB, Old Navy and others and they all asked if I want to apply for the card. I told them I already have the card. I think it might be easier to get approved inside the store. I might want to apply inside the store back 10-20 years ago.
Ron.
When it comes to store cards that do not have good deals online, or you can risk a hard pull and sans the shopping cart trick, and you actually REALLY want the card and will shop at that store frequently, then I would highly recommend applying in store. There are many benefits to this:
1.) Instant approval and use of the card to use in store, online, whenever! The beauty of temp cards, plus you have your CC# at hand immediately. Also you have the option of paying your card at the register as soon as you want!
2.) Instant promos, and if the card is a rewards card, immediate accumulation of points. For example, the JCP card offers 20% at account opening with 10% on jewelry, watches, and home, good for 24 hours. Using the card immediately gives you these discounts PLUS accumulation of reward points. Every $100 = $10 coupon for the next month, up to $100 worth of coupons every month.
3.) Building a relationship with a salesperson(s). As a JCP employee, opening up an account for a customer lets me bond with that customer! While opening up the account, we tend to chichat about the card, the store, and life in general! Also, we like that extra $2 in our paycheck plus recognition from the company! It makes us happy, and happy associates mean happy customers! Plus, if I've adequately bonded with that customer, and I see them again, I immediately go to them and help them out, and vise versa. They know I'm there to help and wind up having a positive experience at the store!
That's my two cents 
Also, in the application process at JCP, though I've never ever used it (likely something they do more for furniture, which our store doesn't have), they have a "pending amount" option. So if you know a customer has $500 worth of purchases sitting there and it would make or break the sale if they get approved or not, entering the pending amount will result in a more likely chance of approval for a line of that amount or greater. Also benefits the customer, knowing they have the spending power they desired!
I got the store cards because the discount coupons and private sale. Other than it is not really usefully. Store cards is good for credit rebuilding. It is easier than Visa/MC.
I have not, but I know some people who have. Although it is usually for a larger amount than 10%-15%. The two most common for people I know are Macy's (always getting exclusive coupons in the mail) and Kohl's (a lot of time to get 30% off instead of 20%, you need the store card).
It seems like 10-20 years ago Sears was a good store card to have (and they were supposedly on the conservative side), but recent reviews appear negative.
myFICO is the consumer division of FICO. Since its introduction 20 years ago, the FICO® Score has become a global standard for measuring credit risk in the banking, mortgage, credit card, auto and retail industries. 90 of the top 100 largest U.S. financial institutions use the FICO Score to make consumer credit decisions.
>> About myFICO
