Should I pay my Walmart store card before statement closes?

[FICOEmpire]

I just got a Walmart store card last month. I've charged a small amount (less than $20) because I want to show some usage every month, at least for awhile, to get the auto CLI's everyone talks about.

When I log in to the account I see a "Payment Due Date" of 10/1/2013, "Current Balance" of $17.38 and a "Minimum Payment Due" of $0.00. I have not yet received a statement, maybe it's only a day or two away, and I am getting concerned that maybe I should go ahead and pay it in full now. I definitely don't want to wait around and end up late.

Also if I click "View Statement" I get the message "There are no e-Bills available for this account".

Am I fretting over nothing? And for those who have this card, do you think I should wait a day or two or PIF now?

Thanks for all the advice.

[09Lexie]

If it's saying your payment is due 10/1/2013, then I would pay the current balance.

[coldnmn]

Chances are you made the charge after statement closing date. That is why you owe nothing by due date on current statement. I would pay it anyway just to be safe.

[jamie123]

You are fine. Don't pay it now.

I had a problem with Walmart not giving me CLIs. I found out the hard way that they like you to report a small balance every month on the statement.

If your statement says you owe zero don't pay it so that they can generate a statement, otherwise when you call up for a CLI they will tell you, "Not enough history at the current credit line."

Do you have a statement?

[FICOEmpire]

The account was opend 9/1/2013. The transaction was made on 9/10/2013. I haven't touched it since. I don't have a statement yet which is why I am slightly concerned.

Now that I think about it coldnmn is probably right. The transaction probably occurred just after the normal statement closing. I'll give it another day to see if I get a statement but I'll make sure it's payed before 10/1.

This is what my account summary looks like when logged in:

Account Summary
Current Balance* : $17.38
Minimum Payment Due : $0.00
Payment Due Date : 10/01/2013
Available Credit* : $682.00
Total Credit Limit : $700.00
Last Payment : $0.00
Last Payment Posted : View Online
Payment History
Last Statement Date :
Last Statement Balance : $0.00 View Statement

Thanks for your answers.

[wHiTeSoL]

Since we are talking about this, anyone have tips on how to have it generate a statement ( to get CLIs @ 4) without it reporting to the CRAs? I'm trying to only have 1 report and it's NOT walmart!

[coldnmn]

Your should get a statement the following month even though you paid it off by your current due date. That is the only way you would have a record of the transaction. So each month by paying before closing date you get a statement but no balance showing.

[jamie123]

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@FICOEmpire wrote:

The account was opend 9/1/2013. The transaction was made on 9/10/2013. I haven't touched it since. I don't have a statement yet which is why I am slightly concerned.

Now that I think about it coldnmn is probably right. The transaction probably occurred just after the normal statement closing. I'll give it another day to see if I get a statement but I'll make sure it's payed before 10/1.

This is what my account summary looks like when logged in:

Account Summary
Current Balance* : $17.38
Minimum Payment Due : $0.00
Payment Due Date : 10/01/2013
Available Credit* : $682.00
Total Credit Limit : $700.00
Last Payment : $0.00
Last Payment Posted : View Online
Payment History
Last Statement Date :
Last Statement Balance : $0.00 View Statement

Thanks for your answers.

---

NO! NO! NO!

I'm sory for screaming but you are misunderstanding how it works.

The account was opened on 9/1 but you didn't have any charges until 9/10.

The charges made on 9/10 will appear on your October statement and be due on 11/1.

Just pay the balance to zero AFTER you recieve your October statement. If you pay it off now you will be learning the hard way just like I did. Walmart will not create an official statement with a zero balance and you will have thrown a month's history away for no good reason.

[jamie123]

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@wHiTeSoL wrote:

@Since we are talking about this, anyone have tips on how to have it generate a statement ( to get CLIs @ 4) without it reporting to the CRAs? I'm trying to only have 1 report and it's NOT walmart!

---

That's the Walmart Catch 22.

If you want the CLIs you need to let it report a small balance. If you PIF before the statement cuts and don't have any statement history you have trouble getting CLIs.

You only get nicked a few points for two cards showing a balance so it's not too bad. Look at the bright side, CLIs every 4 months for a few points on your score!

[money28]

I heard that if you pay a few dollars over the amount you owe it will cut a statement. If you pay in the store it will let you go over the amount you owe.