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$0
Annual fee
29.99%
Purchase APR (fixed)
300
Recommended credit score
Review by
Kevin Joey Chen was a credit cards, banking and investments writer for Finder. His work and analysis have appeared on CNN, U.S. News & World Report, Business.com, Lifehacker and CreditCards.com.
The Fingerhut FreshStart® Credit Account lets you buy items from Fingerhut and pay them off over six or eight months after a down payment. It has a $0 annual fee, but watch out for its very high 29.99% fixed APR on purchases.
After you place a qualifying order and pay off your balance, you may graduate to the WebBank/Fingerhut Advantage Credit Account. This lets you spend up to your credit limit and potentially qualify for credit-line increases.
You can’t apply for the Fingerhut FreshStart® Credit Account directly. Rather, you’ll apply through a general Fingerhut application, after which you may receive the WebBank/Fingerhut Advantage Credit Account or the Fingerhut FreshStart® Credit Account depending on your creditworthiness.
Compare Fingerhut credit accounts
Once you make a one-time purchase of $50 or more on Fingerhut, you’ll need to make a $30 down payment. Afterward, you’ll pay off the purchase in six to eight monthly payments, including finance charges.
This is an example payment structure from Fingerhut’s terms and conditions.
Cash price of product | $50 | $100 |
---|---|---|
Down payment | $30 | $30 |
Finance charge | $1.79 | $6.25 |
Terms of repayment | 6 monthly payments of $3.63 | 6 monthly payments of $12.71 |
According to Fingerhut, these are estimated monthly minimum payments. Your actual payments may be different after you’re approved for your credit account.
Get all of the information needed from the Fingerhut website before you apply.
The Fingerhut FreshStart® Credit Account is designed for customers who are rebuilding credit. You won’t find a specified minimum credit score on Fingerhut’s website.
Many customers say they’ve seen their credit scores increase after using the Fingerhut FreshStart® Credit Account. However, some customers mention it’s important to make payments on time to not jeopardize the chances to move up to a WebBank/Fingerhut Advantage Credit Account.
Fingerhut’s parent company, Bluestem Brands, Inc., is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and receives a B+ rating from the agency. As of October 2020, Bluestem Brands, Inc. has over 2,500 customer complaints. Unhappy customers complain of difficulty making payments, poor-quality merchandise, unsolicited marketing and unexpected finance charges.
If you’re looking to buy merchandise while potentially making low monthly payments, the Fingerhut FreshStart® Credit Account could be an asset. As with any credit card or line of credit, read the fine print and shop around to find a card that fits your spending habits.
How do I qualify to pay off purchases in eight months instead of six?
You may qualify for this option after you apply for a Fingerhut account. Unfortunately, you won’t know beforehand whether you qualify.
Why should I apply for this credit account?
You may have a better chance of being approved for this credit account than an unsecured card. Typically, providers want to take on customers who have good credit. The WebBank/Fingerhut Advantage Credit Account might offer better chances of approval even if you have less-than-stellar credit.
What other options do I have to rebuild credit?
You could consider a secured credit card or a store credit card, which might help you improve your credit score.
14 Comments
August 16, 2019
If you old fingherhut that didn’t pay on for about 2 years but now I am paying on it now. How can I get one of those rebuild credit cards. Or get any credit cards from fingering
Thank you Marion Lee Geary
August 18, 2019
Hi Marion,
Thanks for your inquiry.
You could consider a secured credit card or a store credit card, which might help you improve your credit score.
I hope this helps.
Kind regards,
Bella
July 29, 2019
How can I find out if someone else open a account in my name
July 29, 2019
Hi Freddie,
Thanks for your question. Fingerhut requires each applicant to submit the following information below to open an account. This is for every application to be distinct.
Your name and current residential address.
Your phone number and email address.
Your date of birth and Social Security number.
Amount of available income.
To know if someone has/can open an account using your details, reaching out to Fingerhut would be the best way to find out. Also, you can find more information on Fingerhut’s security and privacy policy on the bottom part of their website.
Hope this helps!
Best,
Nikki
September 17, 2017
I applied for a fingerhut card and was denied is there a difference between a regular card and the fresh start program
September 19, 2017
Hi Kia,
Thank you for your inquiry.
WebBank/Fingerhut Advantage Revolving Credit Account and the WebBank/Fingerhut FreshStart Installment Loan. These accounts may require a down payment. If you do not qualify for a WebBank/Fingerhut Advantage Revolving Credit Account, they will attempt to qualify you for a WebBank/Fingerhut FreshStart Installment Loan. Hence, the Advantage Credit Account is a line of credit, and the FreshStart program is an installment loan paid back over time.
I hope this information has helped.
Cheers,
Harold
June 10, 2017
I went into bankruptcy last year, I wonder because I use to be a member of your store can I get a second chance.
June 18, 2017
Hi Julio,
Thanks for reaching out. Just to confirm though, you have reached finder.com -a comparison website and general information service, not actually Fingerhut.
To know if you’re still eligible to renew your account, kindly contact Fingerhunt directly by clicking the “Go to WebBank’s Website” button. You can find their contact information under the Customer Service tab.
Alternatively, you may consider getting a loan after bankruptcy. There might be lenders who might be willing to consider you for a second chance.
I hope this has helped.
Kind regards,
Liezl
May 22, 2017
what items are available for me to buy?
July 3, 2017
Hi Scottie,
Thanks for your question.
There are numerous categories of items that you can buy at Fingerhut website using this card. Fingerhut sells home furniture, clothing, tools, toys, electronic items, outdoor gears, appliances and more.
Cheers,
Anndy