Feeling sexier than ever! Thanks Catherines!
Written: Sep 22 '02 (Updated Sep 22 '02)
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Pros: Easy credit card terms, not much different than others, no annual fee
Cons: limited to Catherine's stores or online, high interest rate if carry balance
The Bottom Line: Excellent card, no annual fees, advanced notice of sales and coupons for shopping
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| Magick1's Full Review: Catherine's Credit Card |
The saying goes that the clothes make the man or woman. Catherine’s Clothing ® stores is a specialized store for size 16 plus, and they have a terrific selection of business, business casual and casual clothing to choose from, if you are looking.
Catherine’s ®is a part of Charming Shoppes, Inc. and they are the nation’s largest plus-sized women’s clothing stores in the United States. You have probably hit one of their stores, or heard of one of them. They are Lane Bryant®, Fashion Bug®, Fashion Bug Plus®, Monsoon®, and Accessorize®. (If you are into the stock aspect of businesses, they are listed under CHRS.)
Enough about who they are. I am assuming if you are looking at the Catherine’s® credit card, you already know something about them. So, let me tell you about their credit card!
I have had this card for about 2 ½ years now, and a few things have changed, but not anything major. Like most individual store or specialty store business cards, you will pay a higher interest rate, if you carry a balance over. Catherine’s® credit card is no different.
The interest rate is 21.96%. Wisconsin residents may have a lower 18.0% rate, if my literature is accurate. There is a 25 day grace period for repayment of balances. The two-cycle average daily balance method, including new purchases, will be used when calculating the interest. Maine, is an exception, their calculation method excludes the new purchases, if carrying over a balance.
The standard minimum .50 finance charge applies on this card if for any reason your balance is low enough that your interest charge would be less than that.
No annual fee
This is one benefit of the card, if you choose to get one. You will never have an annual fee to carry this card, and it can be used at any of the Catherine’s® stores across the United States.
Other “Perks”
I chose this term because Catherine’s® issues a PERKS card that you can pay an annual fee and receive an additional 10% off of your purchases any time, whether the items are on sale or not. Plus you will get advanced notice of sales and special coupons that others will not receive, unless they have a card.
You can use the cards in the brick and mortar stores or online at www.catherines.com. The online shopping feature was recently introduced, but I have not tried it out yet.
With your first purchase, at least in the stores, you will receive a 10% discount the day that you apply and are approved for a Catherine’s® credit card.
With a second credit card purchase of $50.00 or more, you will receive by mail a certificate for a free pair of Catherine’s® pantyhose.
I always pay my balance off monthly, if I use the card. They keep increasing my limit, and I could have a wonderful time shopping! But, the card is only good at Catherine’s® stores or online, and that does limit your shopping.
Issuing Bank
Catherine’s® itself does not issue the credit cards. They are issued and maintained by Hurley State Bank. I have not had a lot of dealings with this bank, but the few times that I have, the service has been very nice.
The credit card issuer does have limited hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and their toll-free telephone number does not allow you to access your card information through your touch-tone phone. You will have to speak with an associate.
The bank also does not provide online access to view your card information or to pay your bills, which is probably an advantage for Hurley State Bank. It takes a lot to maintain a website, and I am sure they do not have the number of credit card subscribers that other credit card companies can boast. Albeit, they are a part of the Citigroup® family.
Fees you might want to be aware of, besides interest/finance charges
Of course, like any business or credit card provider, you will have fees associated if you write a bad check or you will have a $15.00 charge.
If you have a situation where you do not pay the card when the balance is due, and you do not maintain the payments they have scheduled, you may have to pay default and or collection costs. These are essentially the same for most credit cards.
If you are a not customer, but are thinking of becoming one, you can apply online for a credit card, if you wish to. Just stop by http://catherines.charmingshoppes.com/Shopping/catherines/catherines_creditcard.asp.
Final thought
If you are a petite, and possibly wear the larger sizes (16 plus), Catherine’s® has a tremendous selection of petites to chose from. Their clothes are wonderful, and I have never had any problems with them. They provide a wide variety of clothing to choose from, and the service in my area has been wonderful.
To locate a store near you, you can either stop by their website listed above, or call their toll-free number 1–888–273–3447.
Thanks for spending time with me today!
Recommended:
Yes
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