This is a full review of Sears store credit card. Records available shows that Sears started as a mail catalogue and is one of the nation’s leading merchandise retailers that is wholly owned by Sears Holdings Corp. (NASDAQ: SHLD).
History had it that, Sears has been in existence for over 100 years with different brand names like Kmart, Kenmore, Craftsman, and DieHard. Despite tough times in operation, it remains a major consumer resource.
As a leading merchandise retailer, management saw the need to offer customers general-use ‘Shop Your Way” credit cards to ease their purchases/shopping that comes with different rewards and benefits programs that earn points from everyday purchases such as gasoline or food to be redeemed at Sears locations.
Lesson
- For easy purchase, Sears offers a unique series of store credit and MasterCards branded as “Shop Your Way” cards which come with different rewards and bonuses.
- The cards come without an annual fee attached which are underwritten by Citibank rewards
- Cashback rewards can be earned by cardholders while seasonal promotions such as no-interest financing on certain purchases are redeemed in-store or online.
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How Sears Store Credit Works
Sears operate and transact with both Shop Your Way credit card and Shop Your Way MasterCard. Shop Your Way credit cards can be used by customers’ in-store at Sears and Kmart and online while Shop Your Way MasterCard is used to purchase items anywhere.
Sears also operate an account with a card known as Sears Home Improvement Account for customers that purchase and installed home improvement items such as heating and air-conditioning, cabinets etc.
The essence of this card is to help customers finance purchases with the Sears Home Service division. This division offers after-sale services to large purchases which are carried out timely.
A credit check is conducted on the intending customers by Citibank when the application is submitted for a credit card either online or at a Sears or Kmart location with personal information.
More enquiries to be made through the store or service line 1-800-469-4663. As soon as confirmation of purchases is made, Sears Home Services will work out guidelines to aid after-sales services with the purchaser.
Rewards and Benefits of Shop Your Way
There are some associated rewards and benefits attached to Shop Your Way MasterCard. A cardholder earns 5% back on eligible gasoline purchases and 3% back on grocery stores and restaurants which are limited to first come first serve bases for the first $10,000 of qualifying payments, then 1% thereafter.
Others are 2% back when used at Sears or Kmart, and 1% on all other purchases. A lucky new cardholder may also receive various promotions such as no-interest financing for a period of time.
Sears cards are annual fee-free that allow users to access online services with 0% liability on unauthorized purchases but offer advanced notice on any Sears sales events.
Both Sears Card and MasterCard offer new claimants either $10 off for the approved purchase of a day or six months of special financing on purchases made the same day.
Remember that Sears Home Improvement Account does not deal with credit offers but only allow cardholders to make monthly payments on large high priced items.
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Who Benefit Sears Offer?
The mega beneficiaries of Sears are cardholders or shoppers whose purchases are on a large scale and regular. Some of the benefits include either 5% off of such purchases or no interest financing. Also, when spending at least $299 in a year on such items.
Sears Home Improvement Account (card) open more windows for customers intending to do remodelling or improving on their homes.
Payment of such services is strict with Sears Home Improve Card with a repayment schedule over a longer period.
Alternatives
Sears are not the only retail store credit card with enticing offers. There are many other credit cards available to customers that also provide enticing rewards programs.
Other competitors of the same services and offers include Walmet Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT), Home Depot Inc. (NYSE: HD), Best Buy Co. Inc. (NYSE: BBY). For example, a My Best Buy card allows up to 18months of special financing for any major appliances as well as 5% back in rewards points.
While others such as Walmart credit offers 3% savings on Walmart.com purchases, 2% savings on Murphy USA and Walmart gas, and 1% savings at Walmart and anywhere else the card is accepted.
At Home, Depot consumer uses the Consumer Credit Card that allows up to 24months of financing during special promotions and a one-year hassle-free return policy.
The Sears Credit Card Interest Rates and Terms
The APRs of 25.24% for purchases and 27.15% for cash advances are on both Sears Card and Sears MasterCards. Applicants of this card must be at least 18 years or older, or 21 if living in Puerto Rico.
There are always financing disclosures and exclusions associated with the benefits offered to credit cards and cardholders intending to take advantage should carefully peruse.
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For terms and conditions of each offer is subject to change without prior notice and its time-bound. For example, home appliances benefits do not apply to air-conditioning, fans, heater, and other items.
Sears Home Improvement Account has a variable APR of up to 26.49%, depending on the creditworthiness of the applicant.
