<p>So. I can’t get a Macy’s credit card because I don’t have income as of yet (graduated this week). But the thing is, when you open a credit card at Macy’s, you get a super-duper discount on the first day. My grandmother asked me why don’t I just open one in her name online to get that discount. She already had one with them, but closed it years ago. The problem is, my grandmother doesn’t get out of the house, so I would have to use it myself. Would that be okay, since she has authorized me? Or not really? Gram already had me shop for her on multiple occasions using her regular credit cards, and no one seemed to care… I’m sorry if I’ve unwittingly committed a flagrant crime, but I really don’t know how all this works… </p>
<p>Just the other day at Macy’s an elderly lady was trying to return something, but the return couldn’t be processed because she had used her daughter’s credit card and forgot to bring it in to make a return (I wasn’t eavesdropping! I had to step in to help translate all of this for her because she didn’t speak a word of English).</p>
<p>I would recommend against this to your grandmother. What happens when you can’t pay the bill? Every store offers these open a card today and get a big discount deals. The interest rates tend to be very high. If you can’t pay cash/debit card, don’t buy it.</p>
<p>And a warning to people who might be thinking about refinancing or getting an auto loan or similar: When you sign up for a new charge card, it shows up on your credit report and impacts it negatively. We didn’t know that and signed up for a card at Home Depot, because they gave us a huge discount. A few months later when we were refinancing, the closing was delayed until we explained why we opened the account! The ironic thing was that we didn’t even USE the Home Depot card - they let us put the purchase on our Visa card! So be careful.</p>
<p>VH-
I’ve found that the sales clerk will, if you have the coupon but not a card, just swipe the one they have in their drawer and give you the discount.</p>
<p>I don’t have a Macy’s credit card either. I have never had trouble using their newspaper coupons at all.</p>
<p>I would advise NOT to use grandma. </p>
<p>There are plenty of places to get the same merchandise that Macy’s sells for the same or less even with a sale. Just shop elsewhere. Can’t imagine why you NEED to shop at Macy’s. Want, yes? Need, no,</p>
<p>MaineLonghorn - the issue of explaining inquiries when obtaining a mortgage is a huge pain, agreed. I work in mortgage lending and this is an ongoing issue. From the lender’s perspective, we want to verify the amount of any new debt and the monthly payment associated with the debt. If the borrower just got a new credit card, but hasn’t used it yet, no big deal, we just have them fax us a letter stating that. Where it gets more complicated is if they admit they used it - we have to ask them to provide their first statement or print something from the website showing the balance and then we will calculate 5% as the monthly minimum payment. If it is a large amount and their debt-to-income ratio has gone up, back into underwriting they go.</p>
<p>It used to be the case that credit was checked for inquiries just once, at the start of the process. Now there is continuous credit monitoring, and if there is a new inquiry at any time before closing, we have to ask about it.</p>
<p>We have had situations where borrowers bought a car! or a timeshare! in the middle of the mortgage process and killed their deal. I advise all of my borrowers upfront not to apply for any new credit until after their loan has closed.</p>
<p>I am not sure about using Grandma’s card. It is easiest to recommend against it, but if you went to the store with the card and a letter from Gram it might work… or not.</p>
<p>What I will say is that Macys.com (the website) is a different store from the Macys brick and mortar store you visit. Affiliated, but different. I saw some sale luggage on the website and rushed to the store to buy it and it rang up as a different price. They eventually price matched the website but it was a hassle.</p>
<p>As you are about to graduate…you may be offered a credit card from VISA or Master Card in the mail. Choose one of those first, then get the Macy’s. Work on building YOUR credit. It will help you get your first apartment, and car should you so desire, without your parents needing to co-sign the agreement.</p>
<p>For what it’s worth, should your grandmother find it convenient to send you to Macy’s on her behalf, or to make it possible for you to buy yourself gifts from her at Macy’s–or, if she wants to–to let you use her Macy’s account and pay her back when the bill comes–Macy’s will probably allow her to open an account and get a separate card for you as an authorized user.</p>
<p>My kids have their own cards on our Penney’s account.</p>
<p>Not sure if you can represent your grandma to open a credit card when she is not present. You’d be better off on your credit report if you had your own card of which you can build a good credit history. You will need that for future credit lines and mortgages.</p>
<p>I don’t think Macy’s will let you mail in a credit card application and get that favored discount. You need to apply and open the account there and then.</p>
<p>Actually, Macy’s does not own its credit cards, its GE capital behind the cards, Macy’s is just an agent to “promote” the cards.</p>
<p>Don’t do it. If she wants a Macy’s credit card, take her to Macy’s and let her open one. Spend the day shopping with her. Let it be her day----help her pick out some new clothes for herself. Then, take her out to lunch and thank her for sharing the day with you.</p>
<p>If you can’t afford new clothes on your own, too bad. Earn some money and save. When you have enough, then go on a shopping spree and pay with cash. Leave grandma out of it.</p>
<p>From a purely logistical standpoint, this can be done online. The application can be submitted online and is eligible for a new-account discount on purchases made online. </p>
<p>I do have two store credit cards that I opened because the stores offer better discounts to those shopping with their card than with a bank card (Kohl’s and Penney’s), but I don’t really want a wallet full of store cards so haven’t applied for others. </p>
<p>If the purpose of the credit card is to access the new-account discount, I’m not sure it’s worth doing. If there is some other benefit, or your grandmother likes Macy’s and would send you to do her shopping there, or shops on their website, then if she wants to open an account, she can. You don’t have to pose as her to do it. Just walk her through it online. </p>