Target Red Card Debit Card

[MissMaryQC]

So, I'm having a baby and a friend of mine suggested I get the Target Red card; she said there are lots of perks. My credit isn't great; still paying off a few loans, I was wondering if anyone on here has used the Red Card Debit Card. I've looked on Target's web site but it isn't super clear on whether or not the perks are the same with the debit card as they are with the credit card. Thanks in advance!

 

[MissVeronica]

You get the 5% off purchases with the debit card, which is worth it to me. Which perk are you looking for?

 

[descovy]

You also get free shipping at Target.com.

I use that to send Christmas gifts to out of state family (buy on target.com and let Target ship it to them!)

You could use it to ship items to yourself, saving a trip to the store. Many things like diapers you can even "subscribe" to come at a specific interval and you can save an additional 5% there.

 

[MissMaryQC]

I like the 5% in store but the online offer sounds great; I use ebates A LOT so any online promos I'm a fan of. I appreciate the advice!

 

[disneychrista]

Be warned though they DO pull a credit report when you get the Debit Card.

 

[jmartinez1895]

Be warned though they DO pull a credit report when you get the Debit Card.

My husband and I both have one and did not get a hit on our credit. When I applied I called to verify that they do not do this because I was getting ready to buy a car and did not want a hit on my credit. I check my report often and when I opened the debit card it never showed as an inquiry on the report. My friend applied and got one a few months after filing bankruptcy ( which included the Target credit card in her fillings) and she was approved and she checked her credit and it was not pulled either.
When you apply you will supply them with a blank check from the account you wish to have the money taken from, your drivers license and your social security number. They do run your info through a system to see if you have bounced checked with them and other retailers.

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

Be warned though they DO pull a credit report when you get the Debit Card.

No, they do not for the debit card. I was in the process of purchasing a home when I got mine and they did not run my credit. All they asked for was a check. I don't even remember them asking for my SSN.

 

[disneyfab]

The 5% and free shipping are a great. Our credit report wasn't pulled for our debit card either. We have had it 3 years.

Just note, Target has been known to have a per day or transaction cap amount put on purchases. This hasn't happened to us and our first purchase was a TV.

Also, the debit takes 3-5 days to come out.

 

[DisneyDanielle85]

I have HORRIBLE credit due to some personal things that happened when I was in my late teens, early 20's, and I was approved for a Target Debit Card. So I don't think the credit check is too severe.

 

[mybestieismickey]

I got the Target debit card this year because my baby didn't do so well with breast feeding and we had to go with formula. If you end up having to do this too, sign up for coupons from the company of choice. I get $5 off Enfamil coupons frequently in my email or in the regular mail and that combined with the frequent deals and the 5% from the red card saves me TONS! A friend who had twins around the same time as me did the math and with a coupon and the 5%, Target is the cheapest. If not, she said Sam's or Costco.

Often they run deals where you buy two or three pack and they give you a $5 or $10 target gc. I seem to always have one of those in my wallet these days and just use them the next time I go to purchase baby things.

Last month they did a deal where you got $20 off a baby purchase of $100 or more, plus they had a ton of stuff on sale. I got two cans of formula ($25 each), 3 3-packs of Tommee Tippee bottles ($20 each), a toy, baby bowls, and some disposable place mats for $58 after coupons and red card. Pretty darn awesome if you ask me.

Also, remember that the 5% is good on clearance too, so when they change their clothes from season to season, you can pick up some good deals for next year, or even right now.

But truly, the best part about the Red Card, is that it makes it almost as inexpensive to shop at Target (at least in Baby) as Walmart, and any remaining difference is an acceptable cost to not have to shop there (we live in a two university area and the closest one to us is the same for the students, so it is always a nightmare).

 

[MissMaryQC]

Thanks everyone! I applied, was approved!