Socks, Shrimp, and Shotgun Shells

Credit Cards. It never fails, but every time I go to purchase something I get asked if I want to apply for a credit card. I can appreciate the store's need to generate extra revenue, but why ask me when I am ready to check out? Wouldn't it make more sense to ask me when I am walking into the store when my hands are free and I haven't started my shopping experience? Because when I am ready to checkout - I am ready to go...period. To confirm, I have gotten away from using credit cards and these days I only use a debit card - if we don't have the money then we don't get it (which is a far cry from my habits of youth).

So it went when I met Andrea. I had unloaded my cart and was making small talk (chipper young girl with a sweet smile, about a year out of high school, and wanting a new car) when she turned to me and asked me, "Did I ask you if you wanted to open up a credit card with us?" I answered, "No, you didn't." She said, "Well I am not sure why anyone would want one. I think they charge like 27% interest and hardly anyone ever qualifies for one. I mean, you would probably qualify, but most people don't. But we have to ask." I am gonna guess the last part of her spiel was not in the corporate hand book.

So let me get this right.......my ice cream is melting and you want me to stop and fill out a form for a credit card? I am confident I would have had ice cream soup and my milk would have turned to yogurt if I would have stopped to fill out an application. I think my mouth was hanging open and I guess lucky for her I wasn't a "secret shopper." Because a secret shopper would have had her reprimanded before I loaded my groceries in my car. I understand that some stores offer the lay-away process for Christmas gifts and seasonal items, but a charge card for Wal-Mart? Why??? Think about how long it would take for you to pay off a steak if you charged it. By the time it was paid off; I would have cooked the steak, consumed the steak, digested and pooed the steak, eaten about 165 different meals consisting of breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And probably fit a seven day vacation before the steak was paid off. Good lord, for the that price I could purchase my own cow, feed it, and have it butchered. So I turn to Andrea and say, "Thanks for the offer, but I think I will pass." And with a hint of sarcasm I added, "But what a nice offer."

Wait...maybe I should reconsider....it's not often that you can get a credit card where you can purchase socks, shrimp, and shotgun shells under one roof.