Cash or Credit

[rgriffin25]

Just curious as to how most of us purchase our HT equipment. I learned my lesson the hard way when I was younger. So no credit for me. Working in electronics retail has its advantages price wise. I always find a good deal and sell when I have money to buy something I want with cash.

 

[jaxvon]

Cash on plastic (debit card). I don't like to spend money I don't have. That way I know the equipment is MINE! ALL MINE!

 

[Bryce_H]

I usually pay with a credit card, but only if there is special financing (i.e. 12 month no interest, no payments). Then I take the total price and divide it by the term of the financing minus one month. Then make that payment per month and pay the balance off one month prior to the terms of the financing ending.

i.e if I buy something that costs, say $1100 and I get 12 months free financing with no interest. I would pay $100 a month for 11 months bringing my balance to $0 one month prior to the terms expiring.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

I always use a credit card so if there is any problems I can fight it through the card company if needed.

I always pay it off before any interest is charged.

 

[jonnythan]

Credit card.

They have a ton of clout and buyer protection. If you get screwed on something you paid for with a CC, they WILL make it right (especially AmEx).

No excuse to buy with cash.

 

[Matt34]

Online purchases I use a credit card. In store, debit.

 

[highfihoney]

i pay mostly cash for everything (debit card).

 

[zipper]

CC for protection, then pay it the next month.......

 

[CaliHwyPatrol]

My CC doubles the manufacturer's warranty on anything I purchase with it, therefore I use that then pay it off with cash right after I buy it. (online banking) So I guess it is an amalgamation of both?

~Chuck

 

[STRONGBADF1]

My CC doubles the manufacturer's warranty on anything I purchase with it, therefore I use that then pay it off with cash right after I buy it. (online banking) So I guess it is an amalgamation of both?

~Chuck

What if you buy form an unathorized internet source. Can you go through the cc company for your warrenty or is it then void also. Maybe you have to wait until the oem period is over then the cc warrenty kicks in???


Just scaming...

 

[KeithT]

cash/debt card only for local, money order/debt for long distance

 

[Duffinator]

Other

Online is always a credit card.

In person: if it's under $100 debit card or cash, over $100 CC and then pay it off when the bill comes in. I'm sure you all know this but never use a debit card for online purchases, you are much safer using a CC.

 

[CaliHwyPatrol]

What if you buy form an unathorized internet source. Can you go through the cc company for your warrenty or is it then void also. Maybe you have to wait until the oem period is over then the cc warrenty kicks in???


Just scaming...

I have no idea, I don't buy from unauthorized internet sources, so I couldn't tell you. But logically, if there is no warranty to begin with (due to buying from an unauthorized source) then doubling nothing still gives you nothing, thus still having no warranty.

~Chuck

 

[j_garcia]

Depends on where I'm buying it. If I find a good deal on the web, new or used, I use CC for protection. Local stuff, if I don't have the cash, that means I can't afford it (start saving )

 

[jrfuda]

There are a lot of advantages to paying with a CC over cash - mos thave mentioned.

1. Buyer protection, additional warranty
2. CC Rewards (miles, cash back, etc.) though this is only "worth it" if you pay you balance in full each month.

Fortuneately we DO pay in full each month.

All our bills are paid online and/or automatically so no more check writing for us either! It has actually gotten to the point where cash is a pain, we always have to keep some on hand in case we want some fast food or something - though more and more of these places are taking plastic now

We do budget carefully, however - becuase if we ever get our monthly CC balance higher than we can afford to pay in full at the end of the month, then we're in trouble, becuase rewards cards carry higher interest rates than regular cards.

We've been getting 1-2 free round trip tickets every year for the past few years since we've adopted this system and haven't paid a lick of interest to anyone since 2000

 

[markw]

Ditto.

I always use a credit card so if there is any problems I can fight it through the card company if needed.

I always pay it off before any interest is charged.

Wot he said! Let the credit card loan me the cash for up to 45 days with no interest. ...and have someone on my side if I get screwed. So far I've been lucky but I deal with well established companies.

 

[Resident Loser]

I use a CC...

...for a coupla' reasons...most which have been already mentioned...also I don't have to carry truckloads of cash nor do I have to count my change or worry about gettin' bogus bux...however, I don't carry a balance...Amex doesn't allow it and my other cards get paid in full upon receipt of their statement...so it's really deferred cash and a bookkeeping aid...

jimHJJ(...I have no interest in paying interest...)

 

[jeffsg4mac]

But logically, if there is no warranty to begin with (due to buying from an unauthorized source) then doubling nothing still gives you nothing, thus still having no warranty. ~Chuck

Unless we are talking about evolution, where you can get something from nothing. Oh sorry off topic, but I could not resist it

 

[gnagel]

I always pay with a credit card. I always pay off the balance before any interest accrues.

Credit cards offer too many benefits over cash---convenience, rewards (e.g., 1% cash back), protection, etc.

 

[CaliHwyPatrol]

Unless we are talking about evolution, where you can get something from nothing. Oh sorry off topic, but I could not resist it

Well in the interest of evolution, we should ask the chimps what they use to pay for things. Then we can see how far we've come along.

~Chuck