Mail order catalogues

This advice applies to Wales. See advice for See advice for England, See advice for Northern Ireland, See advice for Scotland

Mail order offers a way of buying goods by post, with payments being spread over a number of weekly instalments. You can either get your own catalogue or buy through an agent, often a friend, neighbour or relative. The agent usually earns commission on what they sell. If you have your own catalogue you can earn the commission yourself.

What does it cost

Mail order credit is usually interest free although the catalogue company may charge interest for more expensive items being paid for over a longer period. Goods bought in this way may be more expensive than those bought in high street shops.

Where interest is charged, it tends to be quite high so shop around to see whether you can get the same goods elsewhere more cheaply.

Being an agent

You may want to consider becoming an agent and taking catalogue orders from other people. If you do this, make sure you set up a separate account for each of your customers. If you don't and any of your customers miss payments, you may have to pay back what the customer owes to the catalogue company.

Further information

The Money Advice Service website has lots of useful information about borrowing and managing your money.

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