How to Open a Department Store Credit Card

Do you have a favorite department store you like to shop at? There are many of them that offer their own credit cards, such as Kohl's, Macy's, and JCPenny's. You can get your own and learn to monitor and take care of your credit specifically and separately for one place, as well as get some discounts offered by the stores.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Social Security number
• Driver's License
• Permanent address
• Working phone number
• Be at least 18 years of age

1. First, pick a store you shop frequently or know the best. If you have a favorite you no doubt are familiar with the store's offers, discounts and merchandise enough to want to become a most valued customer. Make sure it is a store you are familiar with the best and find out what it takes for you to open a credit card there. Different stores will have different policies.

2. Most likely, you will be asked when you are checking out if you are interested in opening a charge. If not, you can see a store associate or seek Customer Service for more information. When you feel like you want to open a card, be sure to have a driver's license on you for identification and you know your social security number.

3. The store associate will tell you the specific directions you need to do. Most likely you will be giving out your information for them to put in electronically via the register or you will be filling out paperwork.

4. You will find out if you are authorized or not to open a charge, depending on your credit history. Should you encounter a problem, you would be getting a notice in the mail with details. You may have a problem with your credit that will not allow you to open up any more credit cards until some action is taken care of on your part.

5. If everything goes well and you are approved, the store associate will give you details on the benefits of the charge plan and what you can expect from it. Since you provided your address, you will be getting lots of information in the mail along with the credit card itself that tells you everything you need to know about the plan, as well as great offers and discounts for the store.

Tips & Warnings

• Pay your bills timely! If you cannot afford the whole bill, pay in little amounts until the due date. It helps to pay it off a little at a time until you can afford more, and any bills paid late are permanent errors in your credit history.
• To prevent theft, write "See ID" on the back of your card next to your signature, so the cashier prompts an identification check before the card is used and make sure only you are using it.