Not sure if this is a stupid question !

gordonpringle

Ok if i get a 0% on purchase card how long from opening the account can I make a purchase and have it at 0% (obviously expires at the end of the deal)

The terms usually state that balance transfers must be with x days but no mention of period for 0% purchase, does this mean that if the card has 12 months I can purchase say after 10 months and still have 2 months at 0% ?

tacpot12

If the card is described as a 0% interest for 12 months then it means that all purchases within the first 12 months don't attract interest. 

It would be worth making sure you understand how/when items you buy at 0% are paid off. This link is useful to understand the question: Find out how payments to a credit card are applied (choose.co.uk) 

gordonpringle

Thanks that was what I thought, it really needs the banks to clarify this I think, I've got a couple of purchases to make in the next few months and while I could pay them all in one go I just thought why not spread the cost at 0% and keep my savings where they are.

Brie

It's the sort of question I tend to ask via secure messaging to ensure that I have an answer in writing.  Just in case.

kaMelo

gordonpringle said:

Ok if i get a 0% on purchase card how long from opening the account can I make a purchase and have it at 0% (obviously expires at the end of the deal)

The terms usually state that balance transfers must be with x days but no mention of period for 0% purchase, does this mean that if the card has 12 months I can purchase say after 10 months and still have 2 months at 0% ?

No such thing as a stupid question, they are just the easiest to answer.
This is usually stated within the terms of the credit card on offer an can vary from purchases within two or three months of opening the credit card up to purchases within the entire 0% period.

You will need to read the specifics of the credit cards.

[Deleted User]

gordonpringle said:

Thanks that was what I thought, it really needs the banks to clarify this I think, I've got a couple of purchases to make in the next few months and while I could pay them all in one go I just thought why not spread the cost at 0% and keep my savings where they are.

I imagine banks have long ago decided what level of simplicity they deem sufficient for users - 12 months purchases at 0% means you can purchase anything during the 12 months at 0%. The more information you give people in terms of explanations, the more you need to write and get people asking questions.

PRAISETHESUN

tacpot12 said:

If the card is described as a 0% interest for 12 months then it means that all purchases within the first 12 months don't attract interest. 

It would be worth making sure you understand how/when items you buy at 0% are paid off. This link is useful to understand the question: Find out how payments to a credit card are applied (choose.co.uk) 

Not every card operates this way - most do but there are a few providers I've seen who offer 0% purchases for XXX months, but the purchases need to be made within the first YYY days of opening the card. If anything this reinforces the need to make sure you understand how the particular card works before using it.