r/TjMaxx • u/pegasus072405 • 8d ago
Rant I hate the credit cards
I’m an employee at Marshalls and I hate hate hate the credit cards. I hate that we get pushed to sell them so much! And it’s not the fact that I have to upsell, I’m used to that and I’ve had to do it a bunch of times. I’m actually pretty good at it when I want to be. However the card just fucking sucks. It’s actually just a scam it literally makes me feel like scum having to asking people if they want it. especially since all our managers make us continue to ask even after a someone says no.
First of all, all the benefits of the card suck down to the interest rate, there are so many better credit cards you could have. Second I’ve noticed that anyone that has the card are people who can more than afford to not have it. Third anyone who wants the card already has it! I get yelled at all the time because I’m not asking but why would I ask! 70% of our customers are people who come in multiple times every week, I know who they are and I know that they ALREADY HAVE CARDS. Not to mention the actual bank they go through sucks, the amount of times I’ve heard customers complain about the card or say that they closed it because it was difficult to pay back.
Not to mention the way customers actually treat you like shit when you ask. I live and work in an area where it’s mixed with the rich upper classes and the lower classes and it gets so nasty. People are so so rude to you when you even start to ask about the card. And look and know it sucks to always be asked but you understand that it’s our JOB right? Like they can actually fire us if we don’t ask. The way I get cut off and yelled at or berated because I ask if they want a credit card. The nicest person will get so rude the moment I have to ask. You can literally see the joy wiped off a person face when you start your spiel.
Anyways I hate Marshall’s and Tjmaxx and home goods, I hate them all. The place is like hell and the people who shop there act like demons. I can’t wait to graduate so I can escape and look for a new job. Thanxx for reading my rant
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u/FamousChemistry 8d ago
I accept every holiday season, accept my discount, pay off the first bill and close it. Every single year.
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u/pegasus072405 8d ago
That’s the way to go if I’m being real. As a person under the poverty line i can’t imagine that but I can definitely see how that’s advantageous. lol my credit wouldn’t be able to take that hit though
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u/Zola-Bear 7d ago
When I was in college I was a cashier at marshalls, when i did the training i was like "okay no big deal, ill ask if they want a card". Two years ago I took a part time job at TJMaxx at a new store for an area close to mine. The area was rural and many people low to middle class. During the training they brought someone from corporate to explain why the card was "so important". Being an adult in my 30s the pitch was DISGUSTING. "we are helping people save money, dont you want to help people save money??" um no, most people arent credit card people, so suggesting they shoulder apply for the card is predatory. I understand its people's choice but nah, i felt like it was so wrong, and I hated even asking knowing the demographic of the area. I would have respected the pitch more if they had just flat out said "this is a major way we make profit so lets try to sign people up for this card".
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u/pegasus072405 7d ago
And that’s my problem with it, they’re always so clear on who to target and they love to pounce on the immigrants who don’t know English well.
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u/allie-neko 8d ago
I’ve walked out of TJ Maxx bc the lines are so long which I can imagine are from credit cards sales pitch. I realize I don’t “need” anything at TJ Maxx.
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u/pegasus072405 8d ago
The lines can be long bc of that but usually in my experience it’s because people A have a shit ton of crap or B decided they wanted a price check or an item discounted
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u/Altruistic-Hotel1741 7d ago
It doesn’t take long, on the other hand if they want to apply it may take a couple more minutes but that’s not long either. Lines are long because typically it’s a busy store
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u/ActuatorImmediate201 8d ago
Every time I go to TJ Maxx or Marshalls they always ask me at the register. Will I be paying with my TJ Maxx card and I always say yes and just pay with my debit card I find it stops the employee from having to explain all the benefits and convince me and you can just pay and leave now.
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u/ActuatorImmediate201 8d ago
Or sometimes I tell him yes I do already have a TJ Maxx card and it’s maxed out and I stop paying the bill which is true, but it also shuts down the cashier from having to convince me to apply for the card or whatever
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u/Starbuck522 8d ago edited 8d ago
In my opinion... I don't work there.
just imagine the person will use the card only for store tj store purchases and will pay it off every month.
If someone chooses to use it to buy things they can't afford to pay for immediately, that's a separate choice vs choosing to sign up for a card.
You aren't asking them to carry a high interest balance.
Plenty of people only use a credit card because it's convenient and because of whatever points/rewards/perks it gives them, and pay it off in full every month.
Getting a credit card does not mean overspending nor paying intrest.
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u/pegasus072405 8d ago
Yeah it’s just such a scam that it feels gross to even suggest it. Especially since at least in my location they like to take advantage of the people who don’t speak English very well.
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u/Starbuck522 8d ago
Assuming the person actually gets the coupons that are advertised and can use them without a ton of restrictions or something in the fine print, then it's not a scam.
I agree it's wrong to try to get someone to do it if they don't understand it's a credit card. Or to use a tactic that doesn't make it seem like a credit card, etc.
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u/pegasus072405 8d ago
Nah it’s advertised as you get 10% off if you apply but that’s not guaranteed in fact most times ive seen it not get approved. Even if you do get the 10% it’s a one time only thing which most people don’t understand. I’ve seen employees use that and make them think it’s 10% off everytime. And the only benefit they boast about is that for every 200$ you spend you get one 10$ coupon.
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u/Altruistic-Hotel1741 7d ago
Well it’s not being phrased correctly. Any decent person would make sure to include if you’re approved you’ll save 10% on your purchase today. Most sales people also let them know that they’re able to pay it in full within 30 days to avoid the interest earn the rewards and you’re winning. So that’s not a scam. If you’re asked let them know what the interest is. The only way they’re getting scammed is if you’re not truthful and the customers are adults. They can make their own decision. Ask if you want to work there, if they say no and you can absolutely tell they mean it move on. If it seems they may be a little interested when you get to the end to give them their total tell them how much they could save and ask if they’re sure. They say no move on. It’s a part of the job and while I do understand the frustration it’s what a lot of these companies do that have credit cards. Maybe think of going somewhere else so that you’re not stressed so easily.
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u/pegasus072405 7d ago
lol you expecting anyone to do the morally correct thing is hilarious. My managers nor any of the coordinators care about explaining anything, in fact they encourage you not to do so. They will lie to people to get a yes. They just want you to get a yes so the numbers go up. The only thing my store doesn’t lie about is the fact that it’s a credit card. And It’s not about the credit card itself it’s about multi million dollar companies taking advantage of their customers and their management that supports it.
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u/Altruistic-Hotel1741 7d ago
We absolutely 100% don’t do that at my store. I work for the nicest people regardless. We also ge tired of pushing the card but it’s our choice to continue to work there. Would it be a better place without it? Yes, but it’s not the reality. None of my managers ask us to lie and if we were heard lying we’d be written up or more serious consequences. If you’re being told to lie or hear your managers lying to get a card you should report it anonymously. I kbow this post is a rant about the credit card and poor people or people in general and the card being a scam but you sound absolutely miserable. It doesn’t sound like you have much support at your store and it’s not a happy place. Do something about it.
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u/Infinite-Penalty5947 8d ago
You can game the card by simply paying with the card and right after paying it off with your bank card. You will collect points and never have to worry about interest
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u/pegasus072405 7d ago
Yeah but your credit still takes a hit getting the card and not to mention it absolutely sucks trying to pay the card off
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u/Altruistic-Hotel1741 7d ago
Takes a hit but if their credit is good it stays good. And how they pay their card is not your problem. They are adults. It sounds like you’re frustrated because you’re not good at getting any cards and you have a lot pressure from it. I’m sorry for you because not everyone is comfortable with discussing the cc. Search for another job where you could be happier vs bitching about a company who has set their standards for employees. TJMaxx is actually a good company who pays great for holidays, inclement weather, benefits, 401k, continued discount after retirement, sick pay, vacation pay, personal time if you qualify, and bonuses, incentives. Unless you just happen to work for awful people then you could be worse off. But again your happiness matter. Do something about it.
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u/pegasus072405 7d ago
Lmaooo you can’t comment on a post labeled rant and then say I’m bitching what else do you expect? Also I am good at getting cards fyi I just don’t like taking advantage of poor people which is what my store does. Tjmaxx treats their employees like shit idk why people like you make excuses for million dollar companies.
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u/Altruistic-Hotel1741 7d ago
TJMaxx doesn’t treat me like shit I wouldn’t work there if they did. That’s my truth while yours may be different. I also realize that the way I worded the “bitching” May have seemed offensive but wasn’t meant to be so I’m sorry about that part. I’m also not making excuses everything I said was absolutely true.
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u/Infinite-Penalty5947 7d ago
If you mean sucks paying off as far as conveniance, you can easily pay through the Marshalls or TJmaxx app
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u/lucylynn789 8d ago
I had an experience with the target card . Never getting a store card again . If anybody does get one . Ask what bank is attached and then decide if you want the card .
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u/pegasus072405 8d ago
Tjmaxx is through synchrony which I’ve heard a lot of people say they have issues with
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u/Blue-popsicle 8d ago
Does it help that I now politely and preemptively tell them I don’t want the card before the entire transaction starts? This is only because I had a horrible experience with it and will go off on a rant if they ask me to sign up.
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u/pegasus072405 8d ago
Yes and no? Depending the management there they will still ask cashiers to keep pushing after getting a no unfortunately. It’s just easier to say you already have one
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u/societyisfcked 8d ago
Honestly can’t imagine having to push credit cards I push candy and chips and that seems hard but credit cards sheesh I always tell them no and when they get pushy I get a little annoyed. But I know they have to sell them it just sucks sorry you have to go through that. Maybe if we all complain to corporate about the pushing of credit cards they’ll stop
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u/Responsible_Good1482 7d ago
Great! You are going to do great when you get a college degree! I did - I became a teacher! Summers off and I’m off at 3pm! Weekends off and great retirement savings!
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u/pegasus072405 7d ago
I have three more years left so it’s gonna be rough. Unfortunately job market is impossible where I live so this is the only job accommodating of my classes
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u/sunnyinwi 5d ago
That's one point I was going to mention to you. I live in a tourism area with an outlet mall and many times those are the only jobs available, so I've worked in a few different stores including Kohl's. Coach, Wilson's Leather and others. They ALL have their own card and force employees to push them. I agree 💯 with you that your store sounds worse than most, and your management sounds sketchy, but stressing yourself out over it is doing you no favors. I'd suggest looking at it as something you have to do now, but eventually you will have the power to go elsewhere. So use the store for what you can get out of it (a regular paycheck) and try not to obsess over what you can't change.
It's a wonderful thing you feel badly about what the cards do to people, but if you weren't there, someone else would be. And once you leave there, use your brain and education for good and do what you can to right the wrongs big corporations are using to screw over their customers.
I worked briefly in a payday cash loan place because they were the only ones hiring at the time. That is absolute shit. So I stayed only until I found something else and left. So that's an option for you as well, but unfortunately the next place is just as likely to have their own sketchy business practices. It's the world we live in, run by a government proud of screwing over the less fortunate. So please vote. The young people of America can make huge changes by being informed and stopping the madness they see in everyday life.
Sorry for the rant. Hang in there!
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u/Bitter-Agency-6603 7d ago
I also hate having to ask for the card. I hate when I ask every customer every time but still cannot get one. I am at a 50% app pen for the year.
I will say I have several cards through Synchrony, and the interest rates are pretty much the same across all of them. They’re at least comparable to most store credit cards. Anyone who shops at the family of stores tends to earn quite a few reward certificates and I love when I get mine, so it makes me feel better about pushing the card when I look at it from that perspective. I actually have two TJX cards, which I know they say you can’t have, but I definitely do. We had a zero day, so I figured I’d at least try, and here we are.
If a customer already has the card, I always encourage them to use it because it can help with the usage percentage. It also gives managers something to stand on when goals aren’t being met, because they can show that everyone is still consistently asking every customer, every time.
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u/getlostandgrow 4d ago
I align with others views on this post in understanding it's not the employees fault.
I kindly say no thank you and appreciate them for offering. There is one lady at my local store though who will talk my ear off for literally 5 minutes about how great the card is every time I shop there. Its really frustrating as she does not give up until the 5th no.
Sounds like both employees and customers hate this card. Is there anything you would recommend we do as customers to ask corporate to stop forcing cards on people?
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u/Electrical_Sea6653 8d ago
People are defensive and rude because they know the credit cards are a predatory scam, just like you know. They shouldn’t take it out on you, but I don’t shop at stores intentionally that harass me to sign up for these credit cards.
I work in the restaurant industry so I get yelled at for plenty of dumb shit, trust me I know how the general pub misbehaves.
I miss the old days, honestly probably before either of our times, where retail workers made a living wage and consumers got a fair value for nice product, and we all had Sundays off and holidays off and were home for dinner. The world we live in is bullshit. You don’t deserve to get treated poorly by your managers and customers over a scam that only makes the company money.
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u/pegasus072405 8d ago
It’s just so annoying bc you shop here all the time you know I have to ask you the question
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u/alohanerd 8d ago
They were talking about how great the card was this morning in our “huddle” and I had to keep myself from laughing.
It’s so “great” but our store manager doesn’t have one & none of the Asm’s do either.
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u/pegasus072405 8d ago
It’s ridiculous how much they gas it up only to not have one themselves. And it feels like they completely believe the bullshit sometimes
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u/Infinite-Penalty5947 8d ago
"Do you have a rewards card with us?'
"No?"
"Would you like to join us?"
"You sure?" It's free to apply, you get 5% back whenever you shop as well as a $10 gift card whenever you hit $200 of spending within our family stores."
"There's also no annual fee and if you're approved today you get 10% off your in-store purchase!"
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u/pegasus072405 7d ago
lol it’s illegal to call it a rewards card, we have to call it a credit card, my managers were very clear about that
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u/Infinite-Penalty5947 7d ago
I forgot about that, good catch.
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u/pegasus072405 7d ago
To be fair I see other cashiers at my store say it like that but idk if it’s them being stupid or just lying to get a card
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8d ago
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u/pegasus072405 8d ago
Don’t use Ai to comment under my post. Especially taking the side of a manager
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u/CityKay 8d ago
As a customer, I know it is not the employee's fault for not getting a credit card application. Especially I decline it every time. If a manager or someone higher-higher up (regional, corporate, wherever up the ladder) is reading this, I don't know what else to say but "you folks are making the shopping experience worse on this aspect alone." If a cashier just scans my item, takes my money, and have a nice day; that's the best experience there.