Store Credit Card Success Stories/Advice

[ahh10000]

I am curious as to the purpose of getting store credit cards. I have low utilization in that my total CL are $1500.00 and I only have ten dollars on one card.  I have seen the shopping cart trick and have gotten offers for multiple stores.  I have two charge offs that will be dropping from my CR this December.  Is it advisable to get a store card or is there really no point?  Curious as to the success stories in raising their CS by getting these cards and what they continually do with them to raise your score.  I just don't want these to drop my score by adding a new account.  Thanks for all the advice

[fixmycred14]

IMHO, the only store cards that are worth it are the ones that provide rewards, can be used at multiple stores and double as a regular credit card. I made mistakes in the past acquiring regular store cards that did not provide any of the perks mentioned. I am looking to obtain a TJX rewards Mastercard in the near future. I need at least one more cc. At the moment, I have NFCU nrewards.

The TJX rewards Mastercard can be used at 3-4 stores which I frequent, earns rewards, and is a regular Mastercard. It's like 4-5 cc in one!

Just my two cents...

[DiabolicallyRandom]

Its often said that that you should have two regular credit cards and a store card for a good mix of credit.  I cant really say that it will help your score from personal experience because I had a few before all of my repairs. The biggest benefit of store cards is usually that they are easier to get, give more positive trade lines and can help keep your utilization lower. I wouldnt go and get just any store card because I could. The ones I have chosen are all places that I shop regularly and they all seem to have some sort of reward structure these days. I dont personally worry too much about whether or not they can be used any where, I worry more about whether or not they meet my shopping habits and if I can gain something by having them. 

[lessonslearned]

I applied for Amazon, Walmart, American Eagle, Old Navy, and Target. I shop at all these places and won't keep a balance on any of the cards. It's given me a little score boost because it dropped my utilization down a bit.

[jre]

A lot of the store cards offer "member only" promotional offerings such as 0% APR financing for a specific period of time, rewards, and other discounts for cardmembers only.