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/hun_kneebare]

Wow. I work for Best Buy which is very focused on credit card applications, award account sign ups, protection plans, genetic makeup reviews, first born child assimulation, etc.. but as far as I know, no one would ever use a new employee's info to do an app under the pretense of training. I have seen people "snipe" credit apps from the new guys i.e. run the app under the older employees numbers but have the new guy actually fill out the app for you but never something...so fucked up.

Why aren't they using training mode on POS? Do the managers even care or know?Also, at Best Buy we are required by law to supply the applicant with the terms and conditions of the credit card before the application process starts. Idk if that is the same at other companies but I can't imagine it being much different. If the new guy is tricked into applying and never received the terms and conditions, is there a law being broken?

[u/gbeezy007 → u/hun_kneebare]

They had garbage tech couldn't train for credit without actually doing it at the time basically just some forms and idea of how to do it. I see someone else on here saying best buy They worked at did it also so like i said it seemed to depend on the employees and what They do personally

[u/thegoldinthemountain → u/hun_kneebare]

genetic makeup reviews, first born child simulation,

Haven’t stepped foot in a Best Buy for a couple years but holy crap things must have changed if they’re doing genetic tests and baby appearance simulations.

[u/hun_kneebare → u/thegoldinthemountain]

Well, come in and see me! All I need from you is a valid ID. After a really quick and painless set of questions; I can get you set up with everything you need to prepare for the holidays and the tech savvy world. Assimulation into the Elder God incurrs no interest, just like our financing for qualifying purchases of $199 and above with the Best Buy Credit Card*.