Would you apply for a card you despise? Poll Discussion 12 June 2007 at 12:58PM in MoneySaving polls 32 replies 3.4K views

Former_MSE_Natasha

There's a best credit card on the market (head and shoulders above all others) which pays the most cashback for those who are debt free, and has the best balance transfer deal for those in debt. Yet it's branded with your favourite football team's rival/the Masters of Foxhounds association/the League Against Cruel Sports (whichever one you find most distasteful). Would you still apply for the card?

A. Absolutely. It benefits me, that's what counts

B. No way. My club/beliefs are much more important than my financial benefit

Please vote here or click reply to discuss.

Gordon_the_Moron

If it was for my favourite football teams rival, yes I would apply I don't care that much.

If it was something I was morally against like the masters of foxhounds I certainly would not.

spandit

I would probably say yes, as if this card was the best cashback card, I'd be getting the most amount of money out of a company that I despised. I feel that it would be a double whammy as I'd be getting the benefit from a company that deserves to be screwed.

For those in debt, it would only be worth it if the company didn't get any income from you, such as a fee-free 0% balance transfer. This is exactly what I did when a bank messed me around a few years ago. After I got it sorted I applied for their 0% balance transfer and made sure they made 0 profit from me!

vansboy

I'd apply for the card...& NOT use it, so as to create a (tiny) expense for them!!

Then they'd have less funds for the cause I didn't support.

It'd need to be something I was really against, rather than just a dislike, though.

VB

Ebenezer_Screwj

Yes. It's business not personal.

Gordon_the_Moron

You wouldn't cost the organisation whose name is on the card money by them making no interest from you, it would cost the bank/card company operating the card money.

If the organisation receives a percentage of what you spend you might not make them anything but if they earn a percentage on balance transfers too you might end up making them money even if you don't use it. They may even earn a fixed commission for you signing up.

jat100

Gordon_the_Moron wrote: »

If it was for my favourite football teams rival, yes I would apply I don't care that much.

If it was something I was morally against like the masters of foxhounds I certainly would not.

My views exactly. I voted no.

CCCele

> If it was for my favourite football teams rival, yes I would apply I don't care that much.

The non-hypothetical answer: Football club backed cards are never very good rates and the club gets any premiums rather than you. Chances are most clubs would have the same deal anyway, since most issue the same cards. A card that gives any premiums to someone else is never going to be the best value card.

The hypothetical answer: I would not go for it as any benefits go to something I am against.

xpcomputers

There is a sliding scale for me. The two choices in the poll are very black and white... whereas real life isn't!

I DO strongly believe in the power of my spending to influence others for better or worse. I voted for No.

However, it is only "no" on issues I feel strongly against. However, some issues (like football!) are neither here nor there!

However, it often works the other way though, that you get a worse rate to support something you believe in...

Most time, the charity credit cards are MUCH worse rates than getting the highest paying cashback card. It is normally better to get the top cashback payer, then you could then give the resulting larger pot of money to the charity you wanted to support. You have to step back and consider the bigger picture and still be wise with your spending!

I do however bank with smile, (part of the cooperative bank), as they have a strict financial policy of what they will and won't do with your money. This makes me happier. Banking with the top payers, wouldn't be able to replace that feeling for me, even if I had a bit more interest as a result! This is an ethical choice. I like to know what my money is being used for.

Another example would be buying fairtrade produce where available.

The small amount extra to pay, is worth it for the final outcome.

Mike

Mics_chick

Gordon_the_Moron wrote: »

If it was for my favourite football teams rival, yes I would apply I don't care that much.

If it was something I was morally against like the masters of foxhounds I certainly would not.

I don't know if the Fox-hunting/Cruel sports options were mentioned to "appeal" to people who don't care about any sports team or to show the 2 possible ends of the scale ???

I understand people can feel very very passionately about football/rugby/etc but in my view they don't have any particular impact either way. Whereas the Fox-hunting/Cruel sports options could be used politically by those particular organisations. That's why I voted 'no way' - I would not support any sort of potentially political organisation in this way...

plonkee

I wouldn't take out a card that was against my beliefs - mostly because I don't think I could bring myself to use it so that would be counter-productive (I don't carry a balance).