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Ivan Smith Credit Card: What you need to know in 5 minutes or less

PFG's Rating:

Recommended in specific cases. Use the Ivan Smith Credit Card very cautiously. Requires special attention to on-time payments to avoid very high APR and/or fees. If you need to pay for a large furniture or appliance bill right now, but don’t have another way to pay, this can provide a stop gap.

Pros and Cons: Ivan Smith Credit Card

Pros

N

Effectively a temporary 0% interest loan for auto repair if used correctly (make monthly minimum payments and payoff full balance during the promo period. 6 months promotional 0% financing for purchases from $299+ 

N

No Annual fee

N

They claim they will give a credit approval decision within minutes

N

Reputable issuer (Synchrony Bank)

Cons

s

Very high APR – 29.99%+ – like most store co-brand cards. Be careful to pay off your bill fully each month 

s

Only able to use this card at furniture and appliance stores participating in the Synchrony Home Care network 

s

Only works in the U.S.

s

No rewards! 

  • This card does not offer rewards 
  • 29.99% APR – this is extremely high, but not uncommon for store co-brand cards
  • No annual fee – $0 annual fee.
    • Applications are subject to credit approval
    • While they will take into account your total application, we recommend a credit score of at least 520 to be likely for approval
    • Be 18 years old (or the age of majority in your state or territory)
    • Have a government issued photo ID and tax identification number (for example a social security number)
    • Be willing to provide a non-PO Box mailing address
    • None – just the promotional financing

    Interested in other credit cards?

    Check out our credit card hub!

    Executive Summary: Ivan Smith Credit Card

    This card has no rewards and no real perks other than the interest-free promotional financing. It can be a way to spread out payments of a furniture purchase over 6 months, if you have limited other options.

    If you do this, make sure you fully payoff the balance on time, or face extremely high interest rates (29%!). Also ensure you make the monthly minimum payments along the way, remember the promotional financing still means you have to make small monthly payments.

    Overall, since furniture is a discretionary purchase, it’s hard to say there’s a good scenario to get this card.

     Let’s get into the details ⏩ 

    Features and Benefits of the Ivan Smith Credit Card

     Let’s take a quick looks at the very limited benefits this card offers

    Ivan Smith Credit Card benefits
    • 6-months, no interest promotional financing on purchases of $299 or more (still requires minimum monthly payments!)
    • No annual fee
    • Likely an easier credit decision than other credit cards. Potential way to build credit by making on time payments
    • And …. that’s about it! This is a bare-bones card

    Note: the specific amount of your minimum monthly payment depends on your balance. You can go to Synchrony bank’s website to find a calculator to estimate what your minimum monthly payment will be based on your projected balance.

    Ivan Smith Credit Card Drawbacks

    Ivan Smith credit card cons

    While you can use the promotional financing essentially as a small interest free loan to make a furniture purchase, remember there is still a cost of opening another credit account. You will have to remember to make the payments on time, or else face very high interest charges, for example.

    You’re also foregoing the rewards you might earn on another card, like 2% cash back, for example. Some of those cards offer promotional financing as well, but they can be harder to qualify for than a store card like the Ivan Smith Credit Card.

    Like most credit cards, one of the most important things to consider when assessing the Ivan Smith credit card is the interest rate. The Annual Percentage Rate, or APR, is a big factor in making any purchase with a credit card. 

    The Ivan Smith credit card APR is 29.99%, typical for most store credit cards, but still very high. Make sure you avoid paying interest on the balance by paying off the full balance each month. During the promotional financing window, if applicable, you will still need to make minimum monthly payments AND payoff the full balance by the end of  the promotional period.

    If for whatever reason, you are late making a payment, there are fees involved. The late fee for the Ivan Smith credit card is up to $41. If you pay by check and the check bounces, there is an additional $30 fee.

    To learn more about interest rates and how to factor them into your buying decisions, visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau website.

    Who should and should not apply for the Ivan Smith Credit Card?

    Who is the Ivan Smith Credit Card good for?

    Should I Get An Ivan Smith Credit Card?

    Ideally, you would rather avoid paying interest on a big purchase. However, there are instances when you need new furniture or appliances and don’t have the necessary cash to pay for them in full.

    Ivan Smith, like a lot of furniture stores, has occasional promotions when they offer zero-interest installment plans. But when you need furniture or appliances and they aren’t running one of these promotions, you may be faced with the decision of whether or apply for this credit card offer from Ivan Smith and Synchrony Bank.

    Before accepting these credit terms, ask yourself a few basic questions:

    Can I Afford the Monthly Payments?

    You should know your monthly budget before shopping for an expensive purchase such as furniture or appliances. If the monthly payment stretches you too thin, maybe you should reconsider. Missing payments will not only add late fees but also hurt your credit rating.

    Is This Purchase Really Necessary?

    Everyone wants nice furniture and appliances. But depending on your circumstances, adding another monthly bill for an extended period may not be a good idea.

    Can This Purchase Wait?

    Sometimes circumstances are out of your control. For example, if your refrigerator or oven suddenly goes out, you can’t wait too long before replacing it. But if your buying decision is just an upgraded living room suite or something similar, you can probably wait.

    Furniture stores routinely run interest-free promotions or deeply discounted items at certain times. Or you can wait until you have enough cash saved to pay for it outright and save hundreds if not thousands in interest.

    What Are My Alternatives To Getting an Ivan Smith Credit Card?

    Anytime you prepare to make a significant purchase, such as furniture or appliances, you should consider how you will pay for it. If you have the cash on hand, great! If you don’t have the cash to pay for it but still need to make the purchase, Ivan Smith has several other options besides the Synchrony credit card. 

    *** Remember that with each of the options below you will pay a significant amount of interest, the purchase will end up being much more expensive than the list price ***

    We do not recommend these options, especially for discretionary purchases like furniture, but are listing them for completeness and in case you truly have no other means of payment.

    Make sure to read the fine print on these carefully and calculate the true price you’re paying with all interest charges and fees associated – you will probably be surprised at how much it is!

    Ivan Smith In-House Financing

    Ivan Smith offers up to 24 months of financing with their in-house lending program. This is pretty typical and most furniture stores offer this, in one form or another. 

    Interest rates vary depending on credit, but they will occasionally run promotions offering no interest if paid in full within a certain time.

    Lease-to-Own Options

    Ivan Smith partners with three separate lease-to-own companies that offer financing plans that require no credit check. These are usually geared toward people with lower credit scores looking to rebuild their credit.

    1. Smart Sales and Lease. This company advertises high approval rates and low monthly payments. As always, make sure you read the fine print before agreeing to their terms.
    2. Progressive Leasing. This company also offers lease-to-own terms with no credit check with financing options for up to 12 months.
    3. Uown Lease. Like the other two options, Uown boasts leasing offers with no down payment or credit check.

    Check Guarantee Program – United TranZactions

    All Ivan Smith locations offer a financing option that requires only a steady paycheck and an active checking account. Customers can spread the payment out over several months with an active checking account.

    A

    Final thoughts on the Ivan Smith Credit Card

    It’s hard to imagine many scenarios where a discretionary purchase like furniture requires you to pay now no matter what. If you find yourself in that situation, this card can provide a stop gap.

    Or if you know for sure you can make the payments, but just want to spread them out over 6 months.

    Barring that, we’d prefer to put a large purchase like furniture on a card that earns us rewards.

    Eligibility

    To get the Ivan Smith credit card, you will go through a credit check. To be eligible for a check, you must have a valid email, address, and phone number and show your social security number and annual income.

    Finally, you must have a reasonably good credit score to be considered for the card. Many store cards have lower credit requirements than average, general-purpose credit cards.

    FAQs

    Still have questions about the Ivan Smith credit card?

    Here are the answers to some frequent queries that you may find helpful.

    What are the credit requirements to be approved for an Ivan Smith credit card?

    The credit card is provided through Synchrony bank, and you must meet their credit requirements. Typically a minimum credit score of 600 and minimal delinquencies on your credit report are required for approval, but it can vary and is subject to their judgement.

    How long will it take me to pay off my Ivan Smith credit card?

    The Ivan Smith credit card has an interest rate of 29.9% and requires minimum monthly payments. However, paying only the minimum each month will take much longer to pay off the balance.

    Have a plan in place before making the purchase regardless of the minimum payment required. You should aim to pay off the balance within less than 6 months to avoid paying costly interest fees for months or years at a time.

    How To Make Payments

    There are several payment options available to customers at Ivan Smith Furniture. You can pay by mail, online, or even in person at the nearest Ivan Smith retailer. There is also the option to pay by phone, but a small fee is included for this service.

    Background on Ivan Smith

    Ivan Smith Furniture has been selling furniture in Louisiana, Texas, and Arkansas since 1961. There are currently forty-four locations. They offer furniture and appliances for every room in your house.

    Whether shopping online or in person, there is a vast selection of quality furniture for sale at Ivan Smith Furniture. If you are in the market for new furniture or appliances but need to finance the purchase, Ivan Smith partners with Synchrony Bank to offer a credit card to help you make payment arrangements.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

    Get fast answers to the most common questions 

    Where specifically can I use the Ivan Smith Credit Card?
    I'm looking for my Ivan Smith card login

    If you just need your Ivan Smith credit card log in, try navigating here.

    Or try searching Google for “Synchrony Home login” or “Synchrony Home credit card login”

    Is Synchrony Bank reputable?

    We think generally so. They’re a large, public company, that’s been around for a long time and is the bank behind hundreds of store-brand credit cards

    What are some similar cards?

    Check out all of the co-brands of the Synchrony Home Care Credit Card here

    We also have reviews of these:

    Editor's Note:

    At Personal Finance Guru, we want to help you maximize your lifestyle through personal finance. You can trust the integrity of our independent financial advice. Our opinions are our own and have not been provided, reviewed, approved, or endorsed by any advertiser or financial product provider. To support and grow the site, however, we may receive compensation from the issuers of some products.

    Meet the Author:

    Cody Beecham

    Cody Beecham

    Founder/Owner/Editor/Author

    Cody is the founder and owner of Personal Finance Guru. His day job is as a management consultant at one of the Top 3 firms (think Mckinsey, Bain), where he advises Fortune 500 C-suite clients on their most important and pressing business problems. He completed his business education at Harvard Business School. 

    After seeing the lack of personal finance education for regular people, Cody started the website with the mission to provide everyone access to information that will help them achieve their financial goals.

    Cody approaches personal finance from a maximalist perspective, shunning typical advice around simply not buying a cup of coffee instead of more effective methods like investing in yourself to quickly grow your income. 

    He believes in saving money and investing for the future, but he also knows that you need to enjoy life today. That’s why Cody approaches money with a sense of humor and a positive attitude. He knows that if you’re not having fun while you’re growing your wealth, then what’s the point?

    Cody approaches life with the same gusto that he brings to personal finance. He loves to travel and experience new cultures, and he is an avid reader and learner. He also enjoys playing sports (especially tennis) and spending time with his family and friends.