CrossCheck Blog

Recently, I saw a survey taken by CrediCards.com showing that large retailers offering new store credit cards have increased the interest rates on those cards substantially in the last few months. The article noted that this is particularly ironic as the Federal Reserve has lowered interest rates during this same period. This article demonstrates how merchants using CrossCheck services help consumers avoid debt traps. This is what the survey found: The average APR on store-only credit cards has increased to 27.52%. The average APR for new co-branded store cards (that can be used at other stores) has risen to 23.39%. The average APR for all retail store cards is 26.01%. Like other things in life, these store cards have a good side and a bad side. First, the good.

No matter what kind of car you drive, at some point you are going to need to buy auto parts. A modern car can have a few thousand parts, of which about a third are moving and will wear out over time. Most of the time, these parts would be considered normal wear and tear, but sometimes not. You will need to buy auto parts at either a franchise dealership or an auto aftermarket store. Let’s start by taking a look at what you will have to replace if you keep your car for a few years or longer.

It’s Saturday morning on Memorial Day weekend. The inflatable tube man is in perpetual motion, burgers are sizzling on the outdoor grill, and the television ads have been running for days. Your auto dealership is ready for its big, big marathon holiday sales event. You close out the preparations with a sales meeting. It’s “all hands on deck.” There are boxes of gooey donuts, pots of hot coffee, and a cadre of sharp-dressed sales people with their chins up. Your general manager delivers a pep-talk that would make the legendary Knute Rockne take notice.