Online store credit on benefits

Peekaboo92

Hi all, I have a quick question about online finance.

Basically I have left work to care for my son. I get carers allowance, tax credits and dla. I've lost some money per week by leaving work. I want to apply for credit on an online store but not sure if I would be accepted. The item is around £450-£500.

-I have a loan from my bank that I got before I had to leave work which I'm paying off as usual.
-I have always worked since I left school about 20 years ago.
-My experian credit score is 975.
-I have completed all the loans and finance I've ever had.

I don't want to apply for credit unless I have a chance to get it now. Im just really unsure about the whole thing and hopefully someone knows more about it or has experience with a similar situation and can advise me on whether there's any point in applying or not. Cheers

[Deleted User]

You may do, although it depends on what the lender views as income and what their criteria are.

Ignore your credit score.

Peekaboo92

I might just start the online form and see what the options are for employment status. I'll not get doing that tonight but will try it tomorrow. I don't really want to mess up my credit score.

DCFC79

Peekaboo92 wrote: »

I might just start the online form and see what the options are for employment status. I'll not get doing that tonight but will try it tomorrow. I don't really want to mess up my credit score.

Mess up your credit history not your score.

If you do apply all that's recored is a search was made, what will do damage is if you make a number of applications in a short period of time.

[Deleted User]

Peekaboo92 wrote: »

I don't really want to mess up my credit score.

You can mess it up as much as you like. Heck, you can cover it in glitter and call it Shirley if you like. No one will ever see it.

One search is not a big issue on your credit file.

upoiupou

Forgive me for wondering what the item is that you want to buy. Is it an absolute necessity? You list how well you've met payments until now and how long you've been working, but now you're not employed and you're on benefits. Is it realistic to spend £450-£500 on credit while on benefits? Especially when you're already paying off one loan.

I'm not asking to have a go at you. I admire you for becoming a carer to your son. Just want to help you avoid the slippery slope of a debt trap.

Ilona

Seems a bit strange to me that the op has taken a drop in income, then decided to add to her existing debt. Surely, less income should equal less spending?
Ilona

19lottie82

Ilona wrote: »

Seems a bit strange to me that the op has taken a drop in income, then decided to add to her existing debt. Surely, less income should equal less spending?
Ilona

That's a bit of a patronising way to put it.

Smodlet

I agree, I find it patronising, as well. Imho, neither is it anyone else's business what item(s) the OP wishes to purchase.

OP, firstly, welcome to the forum. Why not try the Credit Card eligibility calculators on this site just to see what the likelihood is of your being accepted? The beauty of them is, they leave no trace on your credit record, according to MSE, in whom we should be able to trust! You do not have to apply for any of them unless you wish to (that would leave a trace other lenders can see) but, if you could find a 0% one with a good chance of accepting you, might that not be a better way of financing your purchase? Or do you have to use the online store's credit facility?

HTH.