The Argos card

Dalkirst

I went into a store this morning to try and apply for an Argos card as i wanted to buy a small LCD tv which i wanted to do on the card and then pay it off just before the 6 months are up but they wouldn't let me because i am not in work through illness and i am on long term incapacity.Surely that's discrimination as it's not my fault i can't work through an illness:(

highguyuk

They obviously have doubts regarding your ability to pay it back.

Save up and purchase it 6 months time. Will be January Sales by then and technology will have moved on, so the same product should be available cheaper.

asharon

Whilst I can see why you are upset, the problem is with you not working they will be worried about your being able to repay it and are being responsible in not letting you so you do not build up debt you cannot afford, even though you can.

Dalkirst

highguyuk wrote:

They obviously have doubts regarding your ability to pay it back.

Save up and purchase it 6 months time. Will be January Sales by then and technology will have moved on, so the same product should be available cheaper.

The thing is i need a new smallish tv for the dining room now;)

highguyuk

Need / Want?

Do you HAVE to watch TV in the Dining Room? And even though I think I know the answer to that, if you did need to does it really need to be on an LCD TV? lol.

Dalkirst

Both because the one we had in there which was only a 14 inch standard portable blew up a few weeks ago and it was handy having one in there because with the freeview box we have it saves arguments with the kids as the eldest can sit out there if somethings on;)

Doesn't have to be an LCD no but then again the room isn't that big so it would be better on the wall:)

highguyuk

"it was handy" ... so, you dont NEED it then?

If you can afford to buy it, then you should find it the cheapest possible seems to be the gist on the site. If you have to pay it off over the next 6 months then it sounds like you can't afford it now.

Anyway, sorry to hear your application wasn't successful. If your determined to purchase, I'm sure the nice money man outside will lend it you.

Dalkirst

Do most people need most things?
It's just something that will probably get used every day but yes it's something we could live without.I wanted to go for the one in Argos because one it was one of the best prices around for a 17 inch widescreen lcd and two because i thought i could do it on the card and put £40 by a month and then pay it off before the interest kicks in.I don't have any outstanding money on my CC so could use that but who would want to put something on a CC if they didn't have to and had the option of buying something now and paying for it in 6 months interest free

anewman

Yes the one thing I hate about these things, is they *make* you apply to see if you are eligible without saying beforehand they do not accept unemployed people, or people who earn less than a certain amount. And because of this you get a mark against your credit record. We live in a nasty world really.

Dalkirst

What made me mad more than anything was i went in there on Wednesday and asked to apply for one so i could get the LCD with it to be told i needed something with my address on it and bank details,nothing about work details.Fair enough i thought i'll come back Thursday which i did to find out i needed work details.
There is no mention of having to be in full time work in the catalogue if i'm correct.So does that mean OAP's for instance who are retired can't have a card either?

Also what's the point in asking for bank details couldn't they,if i didn't pay off say before the 6 months,start taking money from my account and then it would be my fault if i didn't have the funds in there to pay ofr it i would go overdrawn?
Or there could be the funds and then they get their money.I just don't understand why they would need bank deatils if they think you ain't going to pay.

anewman

Dalkirst wrote:

I just don't understand why they would need bank deatils if they think you ain't going to pay.

I think it's more about the credit reference side of things, or possibly for a direct debit to setup to make the minimum payment automatically. Or just simply as ID.

Obviously a company wants to be sure that someone who takes out a card is earning money so they can pay it off. They can afford to be selective unfortunately, just like Universities can be selective based on how good they are and how many applicants they have. If they gave a card to everyone who was unemployed, I have to say yes, those unemployed people would be more likely to default on payments, but I don't think it would be as bad as they think it is.

Unfortunately it looks like only companies such as capital one will give credit to unemployed people but they charge lots of interest.

I am unemployed too and recently spent a little much on my credit card and thought "oh yes I will look for one of those interest free things" but noones interested at all. I can pay it off, it will just take longer with the interest charges which I hoped I could avoid. You'd think I hadn't had mobile contracts with 3 different companies, a credit card, and always paid up. You'd think I had county court judgements and bailiffs coming to clear out my house next week. But thats the way it is unfortunately. Wish I could change the whole credit system but I can't.