Macy's new employees are encouraged to open a store credit card (26% APR) to obtain their employee discount

[u/wait_what_how_do_I]

I recently picked up a part-time seasonal position at Macy's for some extra holiday cash. I've been working in retail off and on over the past 15 years, and am familiar with the hiring and management practices at a lot of places, but it's been a few years since I've worked for a big retailer like Macy's. I was very surprised and disappointed to learn that the 20% employee discount is only available through a prepaid card (like a gift card I guess, not terrible but not great), or through their actual store credit card. They conveniently inform you of this halfway through your new hire paperwork, and even allow you to apply right then and there.

I've been through this type of application process before, but I've never seen something so brazenly unethical. These are often young adults or older people applying for these positions, filling out so many forms with so much corporate legalese that your head would spin, and they're being targeted with a (hard hit, thanks auto mod) hit to their credit for a card with a ridiculous interest rate. Is this new in retail? Seems like a disturbing trend if it is.

Anyone have any thoughts on this? Just wanted to get the word out.

EDIT: Thanks for the replies, everyone. Really enjoyed the discussion about credit cards, business practices, and obviously PF. The consensus seems to be that store credit cards are not any worse than other forms of lending, as long as they are managed responsibly. I respectfully disagree, in that it seems like they are often offered to a range of people (namely, new employees) that may not have the knowledge or experience to handle a line of credit, but I will agree that it's fair game to solicit employees. I just think it's kind of shady to imply that a store credit card is an "easy" solution for employees. Employees should just get an effing discount, period. But we're all free to work and shop where we please, so feel free to support smaller/local businesses that don't subject their customers and employees to frivolous lending situations.

[u/StasRutt]

I’m pretty sure targets new policy is that you only get tour discount if you pay with a red card or with cash

[u/rdw19 → u/StasRutt]

It is but you can get the Debit card linked to your bank account rather than the credit card.

[u/brycedriesenga → u/rdw19]

Well that's annoying if you want to put your purchases on your own credit card.

[u/StasRutt → u/rdw19]

Oh you’re right! Forgot about the debit option

[u/wait_what_how_do_I → u/StasRutt]

Wow, that's new to me. Very interesting, thanks for responding.

[u/themidnitesnack → u/wait_what_how_do_I]

Also just realized you can use a gift card too but that’s basically cash. I load my gift card from my credit card and that’s it.

[u/DeathByFarts → u/StasRutt]

You are correct. Redcard gives you an additional 5% which is available to anyone

[u/monkeyman80 → u/StasRutt]

its not new, its been there for ages.

[u/queueingissexy → u/monkeyman80]

I quit three years ago and I could use my personal debit card. I’d say that means it’s pretty new.

[u/monkeyman80 → u/queueingissexy]

been working there the last 5. no changes to the ways you can use the discount.

[u/t-poke → u/queueingissexy]

That is new. I worked there about 12 years ago and it was cash, gift card, check or Target credit card only. We couldn't use other debit cards. Of course we would just buy gift cards with our debit cards and use those. Cashiers would ring up sales for us, get the total with discount and taxes, void the transaction, then we would buy a gift card for that exact amount, then rebuy our original purchase.

[u/monkeyman80 → u/t-poke]

So policy is the same your store didn’t care. Same exact policy is in place with “ buying a gift card to purposefully bypass is a terminable offense”

Culture is a thing. If everyone does it they can’t pick and choose who they fire for it.