jerry w.

I received the Montgomery Wards catalog with the pre-approved offer of $400 that nobody gets and ordered something primarily with the hopes that it would boost my credit score. As expected, I received a letter asking me for 50% down on my order which considering that the items they sell are often beyond retail and are of the poorest quality they could possibly find, the half down there requesting which includes their obscene shipping charges handling charges etc easily pay for the items for which I received. One of the items, a copper fit massager they charged me $79 for broke within the first two weeks and I have since seen them sold elsewhere even in other catalogs for $34.99 or less. This version of Montgomery Wards has absolutely nothing to do with the catalog company and department stores of the past. That company was actually reputable and decent. These people have bought various brand names but they are owned by a company called Colony Brands Incorporated which have other scam rip off catalogs where you are also pre-approved for $400 yet they never give financing for $400 to anyone ever no matter who you are. And as for the boost to my credit score I was hoping for by never being late on a payment and paying more than the minimum do, that did not occur. Apparently they do not report anything except possibly if you are delinquent. I willingly paid far more than what I received with the hopes that it would boost my credit, but I did not even get that. I will not ever be ordering or recommending anyone else to order from any catalog from these people which includes Montgomery Ward, Seventh Avenue, Swiss Colony and others. They are all just the same scam repeated. Non-existent pre-approved credit overpriced crap, super high shipping charges, and no boost to your credit score. If you really want to boost your credit score I strongly suggest requesting a secured credit card from discover or capital one. I have three credit cards from both of them and they have done a lot to boost my credit score. The interest rates may be a bit high but at least they are not criminals like the people that Colony Brands Incorporated. And with Discover, you get your security deposit back if you make your payments on time and do not go over your limit. And as an added bonus, both Capital One and discover provide free credit scores that are constantly updated. I paid on time and more than the minimum amount often double the requested amount to the Wards Catalog people and it did absolutely nothing for my credit score. It also did nothing that allowed me to actually benefit from any approved credit amount as my two orders placed since then both resulted in my getting a letter requesting 50% down which includes the obscene shipping and handling fees. Never again!