Store cards for online stores?

[Anonymous]

Congratulations! You have been approved for a Amazon.com(R) Store Card. Your new card should arrive in the mail within 7 to 10 days. Upon receipt, be sure to sign and activate the card.

Yeah, I'll be sure to get right on that, so I can go to my corner Amazon store and buy some MP3s.

Okay, so here's something I've been wondering - why do some online stores send you store cards? For example, I have a Newegg Preferred account (WebBank/Billmelater) and they sent me a card (two, actually) for that. Where am I ever supposed to use it? There's no stores I can walk into to use it, and my account is going to have the card/account tied to it online anywhere. It's not like I even need the card (or account number) online!

I also just applied for an Amazon store card (hence message above) against my better judgement, and was approved for a $1200, and got a notice that GECRB is sending me a card for that. What's the point? There's no Amazon stores to use it in.

Obviously you need cards for stores like Lowes and Kohls and Walmart etc - but what's the point of issuing actual physical cards to stores that don't have actual physical storefronts? I can't imagine it's THAT hard for the bank to set up certain card types not to receive an actual physical card.

[Creditaddict]

When Amazon mailed card, it wasn't a card at all... it was a piece of paper with a card like printed on the paper showing account number and giving you the CL.  Usually once it is loaded into your Amazon account you won't need it again... I did have to input again when address changed and I think company changed on the Amazon.com account so don't throw it away even though seems pointless!

they also print codes on statements to verify sometimes.

[Anonymous]

Kinda like the PayPalSmartConnect Card, they sent me a card, well a piece of paper that's the size of a CC with my Name, 2150CL and acct number, I kept it tho.

Kinda pointless for them to send me that uhm paper/card, but at least there are a lot of online stores that take PayPal now tho. (Not that I ever use that card except for Ebay purchases)

[andre181]

For amazon, you do need the card because whenever you have something shipped to a new address, you need to reenter your card number to prevent fraud.

But its not a real "card". Its a credit card size piece of paper with your account number on it.

[Anonymous]

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@andre181 wrote:

For amazon, you do need the card because whenever you have something shipped to a new address, you need to reenter your card number to prevent fraud.

But its not a real "card". Its a credit card size piece of paper with your account number on it.

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Good to know, I'll just scan the card and save it in a secure location online.

The Newegg card I mentioned, however, is an actual plastic card - just like any other CC. It would make sense for something like Tigerdirect that at least has some retail locations, but of course they didn't send me a card at all.

Go figure!

[MrShush]

I LOVE LOVE my Newegg card! Im a huge computer geek and this card satisfies my pc hardware needs plus, it is a hidded tradeline. Can't beat that

As for physical locations, you can probably use it at the few will call locations

[Anonymous]

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@MrShush wrote:

I LOVE LOVE my Newegg card! Im a huge computer geek and this card satisfies my pc hardware needs plus, it is a hidded tradeline. Can't beat that

As for physical locations, you can probably use it at the few will call locations

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Yeah I do most of my computer purchases from the Egg - the 0% interest for 6 months is nice.

I actually kinda do wish it would report the line, since it would lower my overall util%.

Speaking of which, does it ever actually grow? I got a $2k line when I opened it and I'm not sure if I should expect it to sit at that forever or not.

[MrShush]

Mine has been at 4k for at least 3 years and never an increase.

[laz98]

i have gotten 3 increases on my amazon card, although my limit is lower than yours, so perhaps that is why?

[Anonymous]

I got the same thing when I applied for Paypal and Amazon. I guess its because they somehow their database ever crashes and account numbers become lost, we will always have a account number card to reference back to. We rely on computers to much. haha.