Catalouges vs Credit card.

Mrs_Badger_2

I don't really want either but right now I need to buy a few bits specifically clothing from more than one catalogue, do you think it would make more sense to use a credit card to buy the items rather than go through 3 different catalouges?

grumbler

I don't understand the question. At any catalogue you can pay by a debit card, so you need neither credit accounts (or store cards) nor a credit card.

Mrs_Badger_2

I can't afford to buy them outright at the moment.

grumbler

Do you have a CC or want to apply for it?
Do catalogues offer any interest-free period?

Tixy

How long do you intend to pay for the purchases over?

Do you currently have a credit card or would you be applying for a new one?

longtermplanner

Catalogues are usually really expensive ways to buy clothes. If it's for the winter, can't you manage with what you have? If it's for the summer, well that is several months away so save up what would have been your monthly repayments and but 1 thing for cash when you can afford it.

But to answer your question It depends on the APRs on your credit card compared to the catalogues. No simple answer.

Mrs_Badger_2

I don't particularly need a CC, one catalogue offers and interest free period of 6 months but it has to be a minimum spend of £100 which I don't need to spend, the others don't have a free period as far as I can tell.

brokebuthappy

Depends on your APR on your credit card v the APR on your catalogue accounts.

For example, when I first opened my Very.co.uk catalogue credit account my APR was 34.7% so was much higher than my credit card. However Very have now reduced that to just 10.9% so is lower than my credit card.

I always put my catalogue purchases on buy now pay later which is interest free and I used to think that if I hadn't the outstanding balance paid off in time and would incur interest that I would pay the remaining balance asap with my credit card as it then had a lower APR

(Always did pay it off, though! Can't bear to pay interest on anything!)

grumbler

Mrs_Badger wrote: »

I don't particularly need a CC, one catalogue offers and interest free period of 6 months but it has to be a minimum spend of £100 which I don't need to spend, the others don't have a free period as far as I can tell.

• If you can get a CC with 0% on purchases offer, then it's a better opition.
• If you cannot get such CC, then a better option is the one with smaller APR.

As simple as that.

• Spending 0% Cards
• 0% on Purchases

Mrs_Badger_2

I'd like to pay it off over the next 6 months or so, I've been trying to manage with what I've got but I feel I can't make do anymore (I have no coat or boots and it's stopping me being able to take my son out now its gotten really cold) I'm an awkward size/shape so find it hard to find cheap clothes that fit me properly.

Sagz_2

I think a 0% credit card would be the cheapest option for you, BUT make sure you make a note of when the 0% rate ends and ensure you pay off in full before they start charging you.

Or take a tour of the local charity shops maybe?