Sales Techniques To Get You Into Credit Card Debt

Below are a couple of sales techniques used to get you into more credit card debt.

Open an account and save.

Many chain retailers offer a store credit card to their customers. Employees are usually trained to persuade customers to complete a credit card application at the checkout counter. Sales associates persuade customers by telling them that they can save a certain percentage off of their purchase. Due to technological advances in recent years, customers will know the outcome of their application in minutes. Applicants usually just need to swipe another major credit card along with entering some other basic information into a pin pad. If approved, the cashier issues a temporary credit card so the customer can use it until they receive the plastic one in the mail. When it comes time to re-establish your credit, you may want to think twice about opening up a store account at a register. Checkout lines and retail stores are usually busy and hectic. This type of environment may cause you to make impulsive decisions. If you really want a credit card from a particular store, it may be best to think about the choice before you make a snap decision just to save 10 or 20 percent. Keeping a revolving balance on the card can quickly surpass that amount of savings. Don't bother telling the sales associate that you do not think you will get approved. Many stores will still give you the discount, but the inquiry will appear on your credit report. Too many inquiries may affect your credit rating.

Buy now and make no payment for three years.

Stores that sell furniture and large appliances are notorious for offering deferred payment sales. Receiving your purchase now and not paying for it for years may seem like a wonderful option. These sales also promote that there will be "no interest" during the deferment period, which also may sound like a great deal. However, many consumers fail to read the fine print before signing the paperwork. In most cases, these contracts state that if you wait until after the deferment period to start making payments, you will be paying the accrued interest from the date of your purchase, which can result in an outrageous amount of money. Before agreeing to this type of contract, be sure that you can pay off the balance within the deferment period. Consider the fact that your situation may change during this time and you may not be able to make payments as early as you would like. Also, consider how long it will take to pay off the balance if you simply pay the minimum. If it will take you ten years to pay off a piece of furniture by simply paying the minimum, consider what it will look like at that time.

At Credit Answers we strive to help the consumer with the proper debt help online to let them make informed decisions when it comes to debt management and debt settlement

Children & Commercialism pt2

Make shopping trips a financial lesson. The effect of television commercials can surface when you take your children shopping. This gives young kids an opportunity to see all of the toys and products advertised in commercials. You are bound to hear pleas and whines begging you to buy them stuff. Consider having your kids start a master list of things they want. If they demand that you buy something for them in a store, tell them they cannot have it now. If it is really important to them, they can add it to the list. When birthdays and holidays come around, tell children they can pick a certain number of items from their master list.

Resist the urge to overindulge. As the holiday season approaches, advertisers are gearing up by airing many commercials for items that children may request on their holiday lists. There is nothing wrong with making a child smile for a special occasion, but catering to every one of their wishes may not always be a wise choice. Oftentimes, children that are showered with gifts from relatives on birthdays and various holidays become so overwhelmed that they may lose appreciation for the items. If grandparents, aunts, and uncles insist on splurging, suggest one or two toys along with savings bonds so children can learn the importance of saving for the future.

Be aware of how toys and games represent money. Certain toys and games on the market may give children misconceptions about money. Pay close attention to games that simulate a shopping experience or include play credit cards or money. These products may claim that they teach children financial responsibility, but in actuality, they may be promoting consumerism. Whether it's playing games, cooking, reading together, or just sharing space with the TV off, remember that the best thing you can give your kids is you.

At Credit Answers we believe in educating our customers so they can get the credit card debt help they need. If at any point you have a credit card debt question, one of our experienced debt management settlement coaches will be happy to help you live better debt free. Call 1-800-297-6417 24 Hours A Day!

Children & Commercialism pt1

You are watching TV with your children and they see a commercial for the latest toy that features their favorite character. They will more than likely become excited and say: "I want that!" Research shows that this is how product makers want kids to react.

According to a national survey commissioned by the Center for a New American Dream, children aged 12 to 17 will ask their parents for products they have seen advertised an average of nine times until the parents finally relent.

Watching television commercials may seem like a harmless activity for children. However, companies use commercial spots and other advertising methods to promote new products to young consumers.

The Institute of Medicine reports that advertisers spent more than $10 billion targeting youth through TV ads, coupons, contests, and packaging designed for children. Exposure to an abundance of advertising can make parent and child shopping trips stressful experiences and may affect the future spending habits of children. Below are some tips to help children make smart choices in a consumer culture.

Limit TV time. According to CommonSense Media, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving media directed towards children, the average American child views 40,000 commercials each year on broadcast TV. That amounts to approximately 100 commercials per day! If you are watching TV with your children and they insist that they want a toy or product shown in a commercial, consider having a conversation with them. Tell them that you wonder if the product is really as wonderful as the commercial claims. You may also want to ask them if they currently have a toy that did not live up to its expectations or was not as fabulous as the commercial implied. This type of dialogue may help children make better purchasing decisions. If you are interested in how the amount of television and other electronic media exposure affects children, you may want to visit the web site for the Center for Screen-Time Awareness at www.screentime.org.

At Credit Answers we believe in educating our customers so they can get the credit card debt help they need. If at any point you have a credit card debt question, one of our experienced debt management settlement coaches will be happy to help you live better debt free. Call 1-800-297-6417 24 Hours A Day!