Despite the growth of online shopping, catalog shopping has seen a resurgence in popularity. Many shoppers still choose to look at a catalog first, then go online to buy.
One factor contributing to the popularity of catalog shopping is the opportunity for instant credit approval for purchases, so you can buy items now and pay later. Instant credit approval is quick and convenient, but there are a few potential drawbacks to keep in mind before using a “choose and charge” catalog option. Most of these catalogs charge interest on purchases, which will make the total cost of your purchase higher than if you had purchased the item in full upfront. The APRs for credit lines like these can often be quite high, particularly for instant credit borrowers with little or poor credit history.
The best way to avoid late fees and penalties is to make payments on time. Late payment penalties may cost anywhere from about $15 to $40. If you miss a payment entirely rather than making a late payment, know that the missed payment may appear on your credit report. It can also lead to more fees, or your account being sent to collections. However, if you know you’ll be able to make on-time payments and pay off your purchases within a reasonable amount of time, this type of credit may help you build your credit history.
Be aware that for all of the options listed below, a credit check is required for approval. Some catalogs will do a hard pull of your credit, which can temporarily take a few points off of your credit score — this can become a larger problem if you’re applying for several catalogs and credit cards around the same time.
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What We Recommend
For the widest selection of options from companies with reputations for flexible financing options, consider shopping through Fingerhut or Montgomery Ward. Fingerhut offers the convenience of easy credit approval, while Montgomery Ward offers low rates and fees.
For more specialized purchases, consider Mason Easy-Pay or Masseys for clothing, The Tender Filet for food and kitchen needs, and Country Door for home goods. Many catalogs and companies have similar financing terms, so you should be able to find a choose and charge option that fits your needs.
Comparison Table
You can use the table below for a quick comparison, then click any store or scroll for more details.
| Store | Category | Print or Online? | Typical APR | Late Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fingerhut | Miscellaneous | Online | 30% | Up to $38 |
| Montgomery Ward | Miscellaneous | Both | 5% to 24% | Up to $15 |
| Seventh Avenue | Miscellaneous | Both | 5% to 24% | Up to $15 |
| Stoneberry | Miscellaneous | Both | 12% to 24% | Up to $15 |
| Mason Easy-Pay | Clothing | Both | 12% to 24% | Up to $15 |
| Masseys | Clothing | Both | 12% to 24% | Up to $15 |
| Gettington | Miscellaneous | Online | 30% | Up to $38 |
| Ginny's | Miscellaneous | Both | 5% to 24% | Up to $15 |
| Midnight Velvet | Clothing | Both | 5% to 24% | Up to $15 |
| The Tender Filet | Food | Both | 5% to 24% | Up to $15 |
| Country Door | Home goods | Both | 5% to 24% | Up to $15 |
| The Swiss Colony | Food | Both | 5% to 24% | Up to $15 |
| Monroe and Main | Clothing | Both | 5% to 24% | Up to $15 |
| ASHRO | Clothing | Both | 5% to 24% | Up to $15 |
| K. Jordan | Clothing | Both | 12% to 24% | Up to $15 |
| Figis | Food | Both | None | Up to $15 |
| Wisconsin Cheeseman | Food | Both | 5% to 24% | Up to $15 |
| BrylaneHome | Home goods | Both | 30% | Up to $39 |
| Ballard Designs | Home goods | Both | 30% | Up to $39 |
The List
Below, we list the most popular choose and charge catalog options. These companies sell everything from clothing to home goods to food and more; keep in mind that, as mentioned above, all instant credit catalogs in our list require a credit check. We’ve ordered the list starting with the best overall shopping options.
1. Fingerhut
- Print or online? Online
- Catalog type: Miscellaneous
- Standard APR: Around 30%[1]
- Fees: No annual fee or over-limit fees; late payment fee up to $38[1]
- Find out more or start shopping
Our article has the list of websites like Fingerhut (with easy buy now, pay later options).
2. Montgomery Ward
- Print or online? Both
- Catalog type: Miscellaneous
- Standard APR: Around 5% to 24%[2]
- Fees:Â Up to $15 for late payment fees and $25 for returned payments; exact fees vary by state[2]
- Find out more or start shopping
3. Seventh Avenue
- Print or online? Both
- Catalog type: Miscellaneous
- Standard APR: Around 5% to 24%,[3] depending on your state of residence and account balance
- Fees: No annual fee or over-limit fees; late payment fee up to $15[3]
- Find out more or start shopping
4. Stoneberry
- Print or online? Both
- Catalog type: Miscellaneous
- Standard APR: Around 12% to 24%,[4] depending on your state of residence and account balance
- Fees: No annual fee or over-limit fees; late payment fee up to $15[4]
- Find out more or start shopping
5. Mason Easy-Pay
- Print or online? Both
- Catalog type: Apparel
- Standard APR: Around 12% to 24%,[5] depending on your state of residence and account balance
- Fees: No annual fee or over-limit fees; late payment fee up to $15[5]
- Find out more or start shopping
6. Masseys
- Print or online? Both
- Catalog type: Apparel
- Standard APR: Around 12% to 24%,[6] depending on your state of residence and account balance
- Fees: No annual fee or over-limit fees; late payment fee up to $15[6]
- Find out more or start shopping
7. Gettington
- Print or online? Online
- Catalog type: Miscellaneous
- Standard APR: Around 30%[7]
- Fees: No annual fee or over-limit fees; late payment fee up to $38[7]
- Find out more or start shopping
8. Ginny’s
- Print or online? Both
- Catalog type: Miscellaneous
- Standard APR: Around 5% to 24%,[8] depending on your state of residence and account balance
- Fees: No annual fee or over-limit fees; late payment fee up to $15[8]
- Find out more or start shopping
9. Midnight Velvet
- Print or online? Both
- Catalog type: Miscellaneous
- Standard APR: Around 5% to 24%,[9] depending on your state of residence and account balance
- Fees: No annual fee or over-limit fees; late payment fee up to $15[9]
- Find out more or start shopping
10. The Tender Filet
- Print or online? Both
- Catalog type: Food
- Standard APR: Around 5% to 24%,[10] depending on your state of residence and account balance
- Fees: No annual fee or over-limit fees; late payment fee up to $15[10]
- Find out more or start shopping
11. Country Door
- Print or online? Both
- Catalog type: Home goods
- Standard APR: Around 5% to 24%,[11] depending on your state of residence and account balance
- Fees: No annual fee or over-limit fees; late payment fee up to $15[11]
- Find out more or start shopping
12. The Swiss Colony
- Print or online? Both
- Catalog type: Food
- Standard APR: Around 5% to 24%,[12] depending on your state of residence and account balance
- Fees: No annual fee or over-limit fees; late payment fee up to $15[12]
- Find out more or start shopping
13. Monroe and Main
- Print or online? Both
- Catalog type: Apparel
- Standard APR: Around 5% to 24%,[13] depending on your state of residence and account balance
- Fees: No annual fee or over-limit fees; late payment fee up to $15[13]
- Find out more or start shopping
14. ASHRO
- Print or online? Both
- Catalog type: Apparel
- Standard APR: Around 5% to 24%,[14] depending on your state of residence and account balance
- Fees: No annual fee or over-limit fees; late payment fee up to $15[14]
- Find out more or start shopping
15. K. Jordan
- Print or online? Both
- Catalog type: Apparel
- Standard APR: Around 12% to 24%,[15] depending on your state of residence and account balance
- Fees: No annual fee or over-limit fees; late payment fee up to $15[15]
- Find out more or start shopping
16. Figis
- Print or online? Both
- Catalog type: Food
- Standard APR: None; customers make three deferred monthly payments with no interest due[16]
- Fees: No annual fee or over-limit fees; late payment fee up to $15[16]
- Find out more or start shopping
17. Wisconsin Cheeseman
- Print or online? Both
- Catalog type: Food
- Standard APR: Around 5% to 24%,[17] depending on your state of residence and account balance
- Fees: No annual fee or over-limit fees; late payment fee up to $15[17]
- Find out more or start shopping
18. BrylaneHome
- Print or online? Both
- Catalog type: Home goods
- Standard APR: Around 30%[18]
- Fees: No annual fee or over-limit fees; late payment fee up to $39[18]
- Find out more or start shopping
19. Ballard Designs
- Print or online? Both
- Catalog type: Home goods
- Standard APR: Around 30%[19]
- Fees: No annual fee or over-limit fees; late payment fee up to $39[19]
- Find out more or start shopping
In Summary
There are plenty of choose and charge catalogs, both in print and online. If you prefer to shop online, Fingerhut offers the widest selection of items and easy credit approval. Montgomery Ward has a comparable selection, and it provides a print catalog as well as low APRs and late fees. If you are searching for something in a particular category, consider Mason Easy-Pay or Masseys for clothing purchases, The Tender Filet for foot items, and Country Door for home goods. All of the companies listed above provide instant credit, so you can buy your items now and pay later. Be sure to understand the full repayment and fee structure before choosing where to shop, so you can be sure that you can afford to make on-time payments and avoid late fees and negative marks on your credit report.
