What Are Christmas Catalogues?
Let’s first consider what these payment plans actually are. A Christmas catalogue is generally an example of a buy now, pay later payment option but specifically in relation to Christmas shopping. These catalogues have become increasingly popular in recent times.
Most consumers will have no problem using a Christmas gift catalogue or Christmas decoration catalogue. However, if you have bad credit or no credit history at all, then you could run into problems with your application.
In this case, you may find that there are suitable Christmas catalogues for bad credit although these often come with a catch in the form of, say, higher interest. Not all catalogues have a Christmas option, but a sizeable number do.
How Do Christmas Catalogues Work?
We’ll now consider how Christmas catalogues function. In most cases, a credit check will be part of the application. You’ll need to fill out an online form before you can be approved and accepted for a Christmas savings catalogue.
As for the payments, Christmas catalogues will usually come with weekly or monthly payments. These are calculated by taking a fraction of the total cost of your purchases and, in many cases adding interest.
Not all Christmas catalogues come with interest, but most do, in the form of a representative APR which, in turn, will usually be somewhere in the range of 25-40%.
An alternative option to weekly and monthly payments is catalogues that allow you to pay the due amount in full as a single fixed payment but at a later date.
Either way, Christmas catalogues are a great way to save in the immediate future when purchasing presents and decorations for the holidays!
Benefits of Christmas Catalogues
As with any buy now, pay later payment plan, Christmas catalogues come with a range of pros and cons. Let’s first consider the advantages of Christmas catalogues whether it be one for gifts, decorations or even a Christmas card catalogue.
Christmas Discounts
It wouldn’t be Christmas shopping without discounts! Thankfully, plenty of Christmas catalogues come with price cuts for the holiday season. As of November 2020, Studio provides 20% off on your first credit purchases with the offer code ‘012’! To find the best Christmas discounts, check out some of the examples of Christmas catalogues we’ve given in the ‘Who Offers Christmas Catalogues?’ section as many others have special offers in the lead up to Christmas!
Prepare Early for Christmas
In 2020, more than ever, it’s essential to prepare for Christmas ahead of time. With concerns over the ability and safety of consumers to go to physical stores and worries about possible delays caused by a spike in online shopping, many people are buying their Christmas shopping almost two months in advance.
With Christmas catalogues, not only can you prepare early for Christmas but you can do so in a way that cuts down on short-term expenses.
While it will probably cost you more in the long run, you should definitely consider Christmas catalogues, if you need to buy plenty of items right now but are not sure if you can afford it at all in the short-term. Of course, in this case, it’s vital that you’re confident you’ll be able to meet your payment(s) on time when they come due.
Flexible Payment Options
As with buy now, pay later catalogues in general, Christmas catalogues usually feature a range of helpful payment options, whether it is a pay weekly, pay monthly or pay later option. The latter, of course, referring to a payment plan which involves paying the full amount plus interest (where it applies) at a later point but as one overall payment.
Some catalogues may offer some other payment options, and in some cases, interest-free periods are also possible. Once more, by undertaking the right research and comparing the various Christmas catalogues you have in mind, you’ll be able to narrow down the best Christmas catalogue(s) for you!
Disadvantages of Christmas Catalogues
As with any similar payment plans, Christmas catalogues also come with a list of cons. Let’s break down some examples.
Missed Payments Can Result in Additional Charges
It’s essential that you make your payments on time. Not only can missed payments hurt your credit rating but there’s a good chance that you’ll receive additional charges for not paying when scheduled to.
This will generally appear in the form of added interest, making the overall cost of using a Christmas catalogue that bit dearer.
Some People May Not Be Accepted
As we’ve already discussed, not everyone is likely to be approved by any given Christmas catalogue. It depends on a range of factors, but for the most part, the key is down to your credit rating.
If you have a poor credit history, then quite a few Christmas catalogues will probably not accept your application, and if you have no credit history at all, then there is also a chance that you won’t be accepted.
Thankfully, there are some catalogues designed for those with poor credit which can include Christmas catalogues and other catalogues which can just as much be used for doing your Christmas shopping.
Yes Catalogue is an example that features no credit checks at all making it perfect for people with bad credit.
Who Offers Christmas Catalogues?
It won’t be surprising to know that there are lots of Christmas catalogues on the market and those which, again, can certainly be used to do your Christmas shopping even if they are not specifically promoted for this purpose.
Most catalogues do not provide a Christmas payment option, but it is a reasonably popular payment plan, especially during the winter months.
First, let’s take a look at some popular Christmas catalogues. Then we’ll explore some of the best catalogues that aren’t specific to Christmas but which can be used for your festive shopping.
Christmas Catalogues:
- Argos
- Studio Christmas
- Freemans Christmas
- Look Again Christmas
Brands for Christmas Shopping:
- ASOS
- La Redoute
- Jacamo
- Simply Be
- Next
- Boots
- JD Williams
- Jacamo
- Marks & Spencer
- Ambrose Wilson
- Bon Prix
Check out the catalogues we’ve listed above to compare their levels of representative APR and other aspects of what these payment plans entail.
Can I Use Christmas Catalogues with Bad Credit?
We’ll now discuss whether you can use Christmas catalogues with a poor credit rating. We’ll also touch on the different types of catalogues for those with bad credit.
If you have bad credit, you’ll probably find it hard to get approval for most Christmas catalogues. However, there are several catalogues such as Yes Catalogue which are suitable for those with bad credit and are a way for you to buy Christmas shopping on credit, regardless of your credit history.
Yes Catalogue is also a great example of a catalogue with no credit checks. In general, catalogues with no credit checks are perfect for those with bad credit whether it be no credit check Christmas catalogues or not.
With that being said, in most cases, credit score is especially important when applying, so it’s vital that you know which catalogues to look out for if you have a poor credit rating.
Considerations Before Investing in a Christmas Catalogue
Before you use a Christmas catalogue, there are some additional points you should take on board.
Discount Codes
If you’re availing of a Christmas catalogue, make sure you look out for any promotional or discount codes offered on the catalogue’s website.
This could save you quite a bit of money with savings often ranging from anywhere between 20% and 60% off! For Black Friday, the lead up to Black Friday and November-December in general, plenty of buy now, pay later catalogues offer a range of discounts which can save you money if you make purchases at the right time!
Interest Rate
When comparing Christmas catalogues or catalogues that are suitable for Christmas shopping, it’s important to contrast the representative APR of these catalogues so that you know what you can expect to pay.
Most catalogues come with an interest rate between 25% and 40% although some can reach up to around 60%, particularly if it’s a catalogue for those with bad credit.
Regardless, picking a catalogue with an APR rate that works for you is the best way to avoid missed payments and possible excess charges. Some Christmas catalogues may also offer zero-interest periods, which can save you that bit more in the medium-term.
Payment Option
It’s vital that you choose a payment option that suits you. If you get paid monthly, then a pay monthly plan may work for you, but if you get paid once a week, then you may prefer a pay weekly plan.
However, if you are short of money now but know that you will have more financial leeway at a later point (and you know when that point will be), you could also avail of a payment plan which sees you pay the amount in full as a single payment several weeks or months in the future.
Either way, make sure that you go with a catalogue that you can afford and for which you know, you’ll have no issue making payments on time! This is crucial, not only to avoid additional charges but to maintain a positive credit rating or if you’re looking to turnaround a current poor credit rating.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed our review of Christmas catalogues! Shopping for the holidays can make for a stressful time, but there are a lot of buy now, pay later options that can help make things that bit easier, whether it be a pay weekly, pay monthly or delayed single payment plan. In this article, we’ve explained what Christmas catalogues are, how they work, their pros and cons, additional considerations and who provides these catalogues.
We’ve also delved into whether you can use these catalogues with bad credit. Now that you have a good idea of what is involved in Christmas catalogues, you can begin your search for the right catalogue(s) for you! Best of luck!
FAQs
Q: What’s the best Christmas catalogue?
A: There are plenty of great Christmas catalogues worth considering. However, some of the best catalogues are offered by Studio, Argos, Freemans and Look Again. There’s a case to make that Argos provides the best Christmas catalogue UK. There are options for everyone, including affordable Christmas catalogues and those for people with poor credit.
Q: Do I need good credit to apply for a Christmas catalogue?
A: In most cases, yes, a good credit rating will be required for your application to be approved. However, not all Christmas catalogues have this requirement. For one, some payment plans are considered bad credit Christmas catalogues despite having some degree of credit checks while others have no credit checks at all.
By finding catalogues for those with a poor credit rating, you can significantly increase your chances of a successful application, if you fit in this category.
Q: When do I need to pay for a Christmas catalogue?
A: It will really depend on the catalogue itself. Some catalogues require that you pay weekly, others monthly and some even allow you to pay the amount in full at a later date in the form of a single payment. Some catalogues offer two or more of these options, while others only have one option to choose from.
Q: What happens if I miss my Christmas catalogue payment?
A: If you fail to make a payment on time, there is a risk that you’ll face additional charges, likely in the form of added interest. Not only that, but there’s a danger that your credit rating will also be affected negatively.
Q: What is the interest rate of Christmas catalogues?
A: In most cases, you’ll face an interest rate of 25-40% although some, particularly for those with a poor credit rating could reach above 50%! Thankfully though there are some catalogues with interest or at least interest-free periods. It ultimately depends on the catalogue itself.
