[palmotea]

> Agree re chicken wings but there are plenty of reasonable and responsible credit options for spreading payments for a relatively unusual purchase - at least, not a daily or weekly necessity - like a TV

That stopped being true a long time ago, at least in the US. TVs can be had incredibly cheaply nowadays. A quick Amazon search shows many models available for circa $100. That's like less than a dozen fast food meals.

If you need a TV, save your money and buy one you can afford. A predatory payment plan should not be used.

[brianmcc]

OK but US really is in a world of its own these for a lot of things. In the UK it's very common to get 0% interest installments.

Which is not to have a go at the US, but to just make the point that buying domestic appliances is not a simple "bad credit" case. Unlike chicken wings.