Just Say No! December 7, 2007
Posted by Kim Kopec in credit, debt, debt relief, shopping.Tags: credit, credit card offers, debt, financial freedom, holiday shopping, jcpenney charge card, jcpenney credit card, money, paying with cash, paying with plastic, save 10 percent when you open an account, shopping
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I’m annoyed. I’m so sick of going shopping and being asked if I would like to apply for a credit card. Here is the typical conversation…
Sales Clerk: Would you like to apply for a charge card today?
Me: No thanks.
Sales Clerk: Are you sure? It will only take a minute?
Me: No thanks, I don’t use credit cards.
Sales Clerk: Oh, but you could save an additional 10% off your order today and receive other great offers throughout the year.
Me: No, I’m good. (There is a “shortness” in my voice now)
Sales Clerk: Okay, we’re just trying to save you some money.
Me: Right! You’re trying to put more money in the pockets of your employer by dangling a carrot of incentives in front of people, who most likely, will get themselves further into debt, and spend 100 times more in interest than the $4 they will save on a purchase a few times a year! (Okay, I don’t really go there but that’s what I want to scream).
And then I complete my transaction and walk away, almost feeling like I’m missing out by not taking advantage of this “great” discount or offer. I confess – I am a sucker. I’ve gotten myself into trouble more times than I care to admit by using credit cards. And, years later, I’m still paying for my mistakes – literally!
Not all stores are this bad, most will take your first “no” and be good with that. Lately I seem to have had the most “conversations” with JCPenney.
I know all I need to do is just say “No.” After all, I have heard, and always tell others that “No is a sentence”. You don’t need to justify or explain your “no.” It speaks for itself.
However, being passionate and creative, I have designed a t-shirt to speak for me. It simply says “N0! I do not want your store credit card! Be strong. Use cash. Be free.” This will be my shopping shirt. I am curious to see what kind of reactions I’ll get.
If you share my passion, and want to take some kind of stand against the credit card racket, I’ve made these available for purchase on www.cafepress.com/livinitout. Just click on the link (or click on the graphic at the top of this post) and it will take you to my Cafe Press storefront called “Livin’ It Out”, where you can get your very own shopping shirt.
After the holidays I will be posting major resources for getting a grip on your debt. So stay tuned…and just say “no!”
I know what you mean I hate being put in that situation every time I walk into a department store.