Stupid tax ... PAID

Tuesday, Apr 15 in Stupid tax | Comments (7)

Question: Vicki's husband was talked into buying a Best Buy credit card. They forgot about it, but it was turned into a collections agency. They now owe $285. Dave angrily explains why her husband's stupid behavior was anything but a "best buy".

Dave Ramsey's advice: Here's what you do. Write a $285 check, and on the "for" line of the check, put STUPID BEHAVIOR BY MY HUSBAND! He bought into this, and you guys are totally liable for this. Next time you go into a retail store and they ask you to sign up for a credit card, tell them to jump in the creek!

To everyone else out there who thinks it's a good idea to sign up for the card to get the discount and then cancel the card, THAT'S WHY YOU SHOULDN'T DO IT!

Hear the call!

del.icio.us |

Digg It! |

Linking Blogs | 2255 Views

Comments

[Add Comment]

I used to solicit those department store credit cards and I can tell you that most of the clerks don't even know what they are trying to sell you! Just ask them what the interest rate is. And a lot of them are just working in these stores part time because they are drowning in debt. Not the person I would let talk to me about "you can pay it off when the bill comes and just use the discount." Bad plan.

# Posted by Irigati | 4/17/08 10:57 AM

I went to Pier One. The sales clerk said the store was running a "discount card". She tried to fool me by describing it as the type of card you get at Kroger, Albertson's, etc. It was a darn credit card...the application was asking for my social security numberr! Beware..."I see debt people"! I became so upset for her lying, I almost cursed at her. I have chosen to never do business with this store again.

# Posted by Shelia | 4/18/08 6:14 PM

I could barely get out of the checkout line with my cash paid purchase at Kohl's. The clerk tried to get me to sign up for the credit card which gives me discounts on purchases. She said it would help me provide clothes for my family if an emergency should arise. I have an emergency fund in case that would arise. I found out the clerks get a kickback for the cards they get signed up.......

# Posted by KevinC | 4/19/08 10:25 AM

I little while ago I need to pick up some Baking soda in Target. I think these cashiers are acting like robots when asking the customer to sign up for a "Target Card". The reason I know this is because my total bill was $1.50 that day and the friendly cashier asked me if I wanted to save 10% today. "10% on a $1.50?" I said. "You have got to be kidding me!!"

# Posted by Matt Heinen | 4/21/08 7:00 AM

Don't get mad at the clerks. Most department
stores require that they ask the customers
to get a credit card. They send spies out
to make sure the clerks ask.

# Posted by Alexandra | 4/22/08 2:50 PM

I worked at Target while in college 6 years ago. And yes, those poor cashiers are required to ask every single person that walks through the line if they would like to save 10% with their Target card. I hated doing it. However, that didn't stop ME from getting one and carrying a $2000 balance LONG after I graduated and quit working there. I've never heard a better sound than that thing going through the shreader!!

# Posted by Anna | 5/9/08 12:00 PM

This reminded me of when I was working part-time at Macy's to make ends meet. It was a requirement that I offer the card to every customer and if I could get someone to sign up I received a $4.00 cash bonus - which I used to eat a meal with. If Dave doesn't come out with a mini-pamphlet I may have to make up a small one with the Baby Steps listed and the local information for his radio and TV show as well as the website and then stuff them with $5.00 bills to hand out to these clerks when they offer me a card. I know for a fact that most of them are barely earning minimum wage.

# Posted by Marion Johnson | 5/12/08 11:20 AM

[Add Comment]