To think it's unfair (argos card)

[10greenapples]

My cooker broke a few months back and I can't afford a new one out right. Aibu in thinking it's unfair that I can't have an argos card as I'm not working? Surely people not working need it more? I could pay it off as I used my sisters for £700 and I paid it off on time ( wouldn't ask again though)

It's credit scored, same as a regular credit card. If you default on payments, Argos have little chance of recovering their money if you're unwaged. So they won't take the risk.
Sucks, but that's why.

It's not unfair at all. YABVU.

They can't just give out free money, and with you not working and having no guaranteed income, they have no idea they'd ever get the money back.

If you aren't working then you are on benefits? The breadline?

You've got to kidding right??

Why would a business take a risk loaning credit to someone they know couldn't pay them back as they don't have a job?

And what on earth does the fact you once paid back your sister after you borrowed money have to do with Argos not giving you a card?!

Obviously it proves I can pay it back?! Anyway your all right just annoying really as just can't afford to buy one so me and the kids been living off microwave meals.

Have you tried on some of the freebay or freecycle type sites? You may be able to get a second hand one for free.

A lot of the people I know on benefits have more spare cash than I do though so can't understand why you can't get credit.

If you are on benefits you may be able to get some kind of grant/loan from social?

Obviously it proves I can pay it back?!

It doesn't prove anything. You have no guaranteed income, so being able to pay off £700 once does not mean you can do it again.

As PP have said, Argos don't know you can pay it back, and I understand it's a shit situation but unfortunately they don't owe you anything. If you paid back your sister last time I would've thought she'd be willing to let you do the same again (for I presume a much smaller amount) if she has the balance available.

Unfortunately on those sites you need to be quick as they are always snapped up fast and you always need to collect yourself (so a van) which would cost quite abit and I would have to rearrange it and by the time you do the items always gone. I've had 2 loans from the budgeting people before so doubt they would give me another. (think there's a limit)

You're too much of a risk to lend to without a guaranteed income from employment.

Your sister lending you money is not reflected on your credit reports and is therefore not relevant to any lender.

Your sister is probably not affiliated to any of the credit reference agencies, and hence they have no way to know that you paid her back impeccably, and it doesn't count towards your score.

I wouldn't ask her again as we fell out around the time I borrowed it last time (about 2 years ago), and she demanded I paid the whole thing off instantly. We are talking now but due to that I wouldn't ask. (though it was actually her who offered at the time I had just moved home.)

Unless your sister is a financial institution it doesn't count

There are always cookers on Facebook and gumtree. Keep your eye out and ask a friend in advance to help you pick it up.

My car has a big boot and I've moved all sorts for friends.
If you can afford credit card repayments you can afford £50-£100 for a cooker.

There are also grants available in different circumstances so check out the turn2us website to see if you qualify for any.

Yeh I can see why they wouldn't give it to unemployed people. Oh well wishful thinking I suppose.

How about getting a single or double electric hot plate. They are cheap - you can pick one up for £15 - £25 It will save you the cost of microwave meals and would mean it would be easier for you could cook more healthily.

How about getting it fitted though? It's £100 on top of even just buying the cooker which really bumps up the price.

Ah I understand why you wouldn't want to then. Worth searching for any credit cards that will lend small amounts to you while unemployed, the rates may well be terrible though.

Failing that, I agree with PelorusJack's idea of a hotplate until you've saved enough.

I've lived for a couple of years with only a microwave oven to cook with. Once you've got the hang of it you can cook almost a full range of meals from scratch. I had a couple of incredibly 80s microwave cookbooks, but nowadays of course there's loads of online sites.

You can get a cooker into a medium size car... or you turn up ads say s it won't fit can you hold on till tomorrow? I'll come with my van mate to pick it up!
On the other hand... some places do little mini ovens with 2 hot plates on top for around £ 50-70. They are usually marketed as camping gear. That would give you some breathing space to save up for a new one.
Plenty of options, you just have to be creative and forget about credit cards.

Double Hot plate £16.99

How about an induction hob and a halogen oven? They use much less electricity than a conventional electric oven and hotplates.

Aldi and Lidl have them periodically.

www.andrewjamesworldwide.com/kitchen-c1/small-kitchen-appliances-c7/mini-hobs-c128/andrew-james-single-induction-hob-p248

www.andrewjamesworldwide.com/kitchen-c1/kitchen-electricals-c7/halogen-ovens-c126/andrew-james-12-litre-premium-halogen-oven-p261