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[Closed] Credit cards - 0% on purchases

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[#3856035]

How do they work?

Looking at getting one for emergencies while off travelling and one of these are tempting me.

For instance, M+S do one with 0% on purchases for 15 months.

Does this mean, that anything I buy within the first 15 months will be interest free so long as I pay it off within the first 15 months?

Thanks for any help.


 
Posted : 10/04/2012 2:17 pm
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Does this mean, that anything I buy within the first 15 months will be interest free so long as I pay it off within the first 15 months?

Yes.

But they won't warn you when the 15 months is about to run out, just to forewarn you!


 
Posted : 10/04/2012 2:19 pm
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Does this mean, that anything I buy within the first 15 months will be interest free so long as I pay it off within the first 15 months?

No.

It will mean (most likely) that anything you purchase within an [i]initial period[/i] after taking out the card will be 0% for 15 months. Usually it's something like the first 3 months after you are issued the card.

Check the T&Cs, but that is standard for most CCs.


 
Posted : 10/04/2012 2:31 pm
 cp
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as above, T&C's with a fine toothcombe. great for one-off purchases and the like where you can pay off a fixed monthly amount before the end of the 0% term, but be careful of get out clauses etc...


 
Posted : 10/04/2012 2:33 pm
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I've got an M&S card, the same as this. I've been spending on it for 6 months and not paid a penny interest. I'm pretty sure it's interest free on purchases for 15 months


 
Posted : 10/04/2012 2:41 pm
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Says the introductory period is 15 months from account opening?


 
Posted : 10/04/2012 2:47 pm
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Had quite a few recently to get some interest free on big purchases (MBNA, Tesco, Halifax) and all been pretty good. Again check the terms with a fine toothcombe and make sure you keep making the minimum payment (some drop the 0% if you miss a payment), pay it all off before the end of the period, then cancel the card.


 
Posted : 10/04/2012 2:50 pm
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So if you buy something in month 13 you will have 2 months interest-free.

Also what mrblobby says above, the cheapest money you will ever borrow if you play it right.


 
Posted : 10/04/2012 2:50 pm
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Yes, good way to finance larger purchases if interest free is not available.


 
Posted : 10/04/2012 2:53 pm
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PeterPoddy - Member

I've got an M&S card, the same as this. I've been spending on it for 6 months and not paid a penny interest. I'm pretty sure it's interest free on purchases for 15 months

Just had a quick look at the T&Cs for the current offer:

[i]Shop where you want, for whatever you want, and you won't pay a penny of interest for the first 15 months.[/i]

Seems like you can purchase something in month 14 and still get a months' free interest. That's a really good deal actually, not market norm.

๐Ÿ™‚


 
Posted : 10/04/2012 3:21 pm
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So I can go get myself a Garmin 800 and an iPhone, yes?


 
Posted : 10/04/2012 3:31 pm
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I got one of the M&S cards recently to fund a bike purchase. 15 months 0% for any purchases made in the first 15 months, anything owed after the 15 month period is then at normal rate of interest.

I have bought the bike and stored the card away with a couple of reminders on my phone and calender for when the 0% runs out.


 
Posted : 10/04/2012 3:42 pm