Is the Juniper Visa Credit Card a good solution to pay off a macbook?

Question

I'm 18 and getting my first credit card seems a little intimidating but I need a new computer, and fast for college but do not have $1,299+ on hand to just go out and buy it.

Paying monthly is a perfect solution (I'm employed so there isn't a problen with that), but is the Juniper credit card the best way to go or is there a better credit card out there?

Answer 1

Juniper sucks. I have a Juniper card and I hate it and when I get it paid off I am closing the account.

They have a paperless system which means they don't send you a bill in the mail they send you an e-mail reminding you when your payment is due, so you either have to pay online or over the phone. Which is ok I guess if you don't have alot of different bills to remember and always have internet access.

You can request a paper bill which is what I did and they sent me one and then stopped and then they added a bunch of late fees, and then I got a letter from them saying they had done this to a bunch of people and were reversing the charges, so no I don't like them.

EDIT: Financing the computer from the store you bought it from is a bad idea!!  Say for instance Dell, their interest rate is almost 30%, if you are going to use a credit card make sure the interest is way below that and make double payments because on 1200$ the payments would only be around $20 a month and if you pay $40-50 a month you will have it paid off sooner. But you have to be disciplined to do this.

Answer 2

Well you wont get $1299 for your first credit card most likely it will be about $300

its only good if its interest free.  Bestbuy credit cards are usually easier to get and will usually start you out with a higher limit and sometimes have no interest for 1 year but you would have to have some credit before to open one up

Answer 3

Paying off the Mac Book with any credit card could make paying for it easier if the terms at the computer store are unreasonable, like a high interest rate. But this depends on how disciplined you are and how well you can manage money. You are more likely to be approved for a credit card as a college student because you are seen as a better risk than your counterparts who went right into the job market after high school.

Establishing credit now could be one of the best decisions you could make, BUT if your not a good money manager and you rack up a ton of debt, this will backfire on you!! I would only do this if you can get a good interest rate and your disciplined enough to pay off the entire purchase in a year or less, but this is up to you.

If your honest with yourself and you will keep a job while in school, then this will be a good move. you will have established a good credit history when the odds are in your favour and when you graduate, you will find yourself in a better position to get a good interest rate on a home mortgage when you land a job in your field while others your age are paying rent!

I understand the needs for a computer and they are justified for a student enrolling in college. Now is the time to ask the really tough questions....starting with how responsible are you?

Answer 4

If you can't pay cash for something, then you can't afford it!  

Answer 5

I hate to say it - but you getting a credit card is a VERY BAD IDEA.

I had to learn the hard way... and I had to learn it twice.

The only credit card that MIGHT be an ok idea is if you get one straight from the company that you're buying the computer from - given the interest rate isn't too high and you never miss a payment. That way you can't spend money on something else.

You gotta figure, 1299 on a credit card will take you years to pay off if you only do the minimum payment... And I know you have a job and blah blah - but trust me - paying the minimum will be what you do and the reason is because there is always going to be something else going on that requires money... You'll just figure "Oh, I'll pay the minimum this month and double it the next..." NO YOU WON'T!

And the minimum payment is designed for the credit card to make the maximum return. In the end, your 1299 computer will most likely cost you  more around $2200. Is it worth it to you?

My numbers may be off by a bit - but if you ever miss a payment your going to get slammed with a $30 plus fee and triple the interest rate. I can't imagine it will even be good to start out with since your credit is just being established.

If you want a computer that bad - save your money monthly... and pay it in cash.

Juniper is just the bank... doesn't matter much and most here probably haven't even heard of them.

I'm not trying to be mean, rude or unsupportive... But listen when I tell you - this is a bad decision.

Good luck

Answer 6

If you're employed, why haven't you saved the cash to buy it?  Thus the debt snowball begins its roll.  Next it'll be a car, then a house, then a cup of coffee at Starbucks... you will work to pay for what you already have, and never for what you want or need for your future.

Grandpa

Answer 7

It is ok...it is nice cause they can approve you in the store and you can walk out that day with the MacBook. However...I am almost POSITIVE that they only offer you interest free for 3 months. Then you get back interest plus the new interest. $1,299 + is alot of debt for someone in college.

If I were you, I would apply for a card online or if you get offers in the mail, check them out, one that offers a more sensible no interest period, 12 to 18 months. -Or- if you are part of a credit union or a bank, see what terms they can give you on a $1,600 or so loan to buy it. They are usually more flexible and put you on a payment schedule so you don't let the balance linger out there.

Good Luck!

Answer 8

Never heard of it, but compare rates with other companies.  Also, check with your bank.  Maybe you can get a short term loan that will be much, much cheaper than credit card rates.

Also, watch out for the small print.  Most credit cards will double your interest rate if you are late paying.  Ouch.