If you’ve run into some money issues in the past, it doesn’t have to affect your shopping habits today.
While shopping responsibly is always a must, catalogue credit accounts can help you spread the cost of items and shop with credit, helping you work your way back up to a good credit score so you can buy what you need, when you need it.
Luckily, there are plenty of catalogues out there that offer instant credit, even if your credit history isn’t the best. That way, you can bypass the long approval process and buy things instantly without having to save.
Today, we’ll go through a list of the best catalogues that provide instant credit so you can find a flexible and manageable credit account that meets your needs. Just make sure to only borrow what you can afford to pay back.
Quick answer: What are the best catalogues with instant credit?
Do you just want a quick, straightforward recommendation?
If so, we’ve summarised the best credit accounts based on your situation and what you’re planning to use your credit account for.
| Catalogue | Best for | Credit limit and payment options | Credit check? |
| Studio | General shopping, homeware, electricals, and clothing | Frasers Plus | Yes |
| Very | Electricals, home furniture, and fashion | Very pay and Buy Now Pay Later | Yes |
| Freemans | Homeware, fashion, and electrical items | Flexiway and Buy Now Pay Later | Usually yes |
| Yes Catalogue | Bad credit (all credit types are considered) | Up to £500 credit, which is subject to status and flexible payments | Assessment applies |
| Mad For It | Tech, gadgets, and appliances | Up to £1,200 credit, which is subject to status, 0% interest, and flexible payments | Assessment applies |
| JD Williams | Everyday shopping, fashion, and home products | JDW pay with spread-the-cost payments | Yes |
What does instant credit actually mean?
When we say ‘instant credit catalogues’, what we really mean is that you can apply for the credit account online and be accepted quickly, sometimes even in minutes.
So the registration and approval process is the quick part. Once you’re accepted, you may be given a credit limit that allows you to place an order straight away and spread the cost over time with flexible repayments.
However, instant credit doesn’t mean guaranteed credit, as not everyone will be accepted. While most do accept people with poor credit history, there may be other circumstances that prevent you from being accepted, such as incorrect or mismatched details when registering.
The provider will also need to confirm that you are in a position to afford repayments and whether they are happy to lend to you based on their own criteria.
We’ve got a whole blog post on reasons you may not be accepted for instant credit, so you can read it first and improve your chances of approval later!
Does instant credit mean no credit check?
Not usually, as most catalogues that offer instant credit still carry out some form of credit or affordability check before allowing you to open an account.
This may include checking the following:
- Your address history
- Your income and affordability
- Your identity
- Your previous repayment behaviour
- Your existing borrowing commitments
- Information from previous credit reference agencies
Some may do a soft credit check, which doesn’t affect your credit score, while others may complete a hard credit check, which can appear on your credit file, so it’s always best to check the terms and conditions before applying.
While you can find catalogues without credit checks, beware that they often come with higher interest rates, which can catch you out if you’re not careful.
6 best instant credit catalogues for you
So, if you’re ready to commit to a catalogue credit account and start buying your way to a better credit score, then here are the ones that we recommend.
1. Studio
Studio is probably one of the catalogues that you’ve heard the most about in your day-to-day life.
It’s quite popular in the UK because it offers a wide range of products, allowing you to buy everything from home furniture to clothes, toys, and gifts, with flexible payment options. It’s a great way to spread the cost of bigger purchases, especially around christmas.
With Studio, you can apply and receive acceptance in minutes after a search with credit reference agencies.
Who is it best for?
Studio is a good fit for shoppers who want a flexible catalogue-style account rather than paying for everything up front. Customers can pay the full balance or pay the minimum amount and spread the cost.
Are there any cons?
If the balance is paid in full and on time, no interest is charged, but paying less than the full balance means interest will apply to the remaining amount.
Interest on a fixed payment plan is charged at 39.9% per year, variable on the outstanding balance from the date the plan is created.
2. Freemans
Freemans combines traditional catalogue-style shopping with a modern online shopping experience, offering you the best of both worlds.
Many people find it handy for buying items across a wide range of categories, such as clothing, homeware, electronics, and shoes, with flexible ways to pay.
It currently offers a Flexiway credit account to spread the cost, with a representative APR of 39.9% variable.
Who is it best for?
Freemans is a great option for people who want plenty of choice of what they can buy with credit. It also offers a Buy Now Pay Later option, and eligible customers can get up to 12 months to pay interest-free when they spend £100 or more on a Flexiway account.
It’s also great for those who want to split payments into three with no interest, with its flexi3 option.
Are there any cons?
Not everyone will be accepted, so if you have bad credit, check whether applying could leave a mark on your credit file and avoid making several applications at once.
Credit is also subject to eligibility and checks, so not everyone will get the same.
3. Very
Very is another catalogue that offers a wide selection of products, including larger or higher-value items, such as gaming devices or electronics.
Its monthly payment option lets customers pay at least £5 or 6% of their balance, though interest is added, so try not to let it accumulate. It also offers Take 3, which allows eligible shoppers to split the cost over 3 months with no interest if payments are made on time.
Who is it best for?
Very is best suited to shoppers who want plenty of choice and flexible ways to pay, especially for larger purchases.
A lot of people find it very useful during stressful financial times, such as Christmas or birthdays, when you need to buy a lot of things at once but don’t have the money in one go. That way, you can buy now and pay later without the stress.
Are there any cons?
The biggest thing to watch is the cost of borrowing. Very Pay currently shows a representative variable APR of 44.9%, which means carrying a balance can become expensive if you don’t repay on time.
4. Yes Catalogue
With over 80,000 products to choose from, Yes Catalogue allows you to buy things flexibly from a range of categories, and it also accepts people who have bad credit scores.
Customers can apply for up to £500 in credit, subject to status, and repay weekly on a date that suits them. It also offers both regulated and unregulated credit agreements.
Who is it best for?
Yes Catalogue is handy for shoppers who have struggled to get accepted elsewhere or who want a catalogue that considers a wider range of credit profiles.
It’s also great for customers looking for a smaller starting credit limit, rather than a large credit account that may be harder to manage.
Are there any cons?
Be careful when applying, as Yes Catalogue isn’t the same as a traditional high-street catalogue account.
Prepayments may be required before an order is dispatched, based on the customer’s credit score and credit risk assessment, so you may need to pay some money upfront.
5. Mad For It
Mad For It isn’t a traditional fashion or homeware catalogue; it’s better suited to people who want to spread the cost of higher-value products such as games consoles, Apple products, headphones, household appliances, or TVs.
It offers up to £1,200 credit, subject to status, and all credit types are eligible to apply. The best part? It also offers 0% APR and 0% interest, which can help ease the stress of buying now and paying later.
Who is it best for?
Mad For It is great for people who want a more tailored repayment plan.
They offer options such as VIP, Premium Plus, and Premium, with differences in dispatch times, repayment frequency, finance terms, and available credit.
Are there any cons?
While it’s a more flexible catalogue account, people on the premium plan may need to make payments before the goods are dispatched, which is calculated and shown at checkout.
This is a bit of a setback for people who want to buy products when they don’t have any money to spend right then and there.
6. JD Williams
JD Williams also offers a wide range of products across categories such as fashion, homeware, gadgets, and everyday lifestyle items.
Its JDW Pay options let you order items without paying anything upfront, up to 6 weeks before the first payment is due. Repayments can also restore credit for future purchases.
Who is it best for?
JD Williams is great for shoppers who want more choice than a niche catalogue and prefer shopping with a well-known UK retailer.
This is great for people who want a lot of choice and flexibility and are confident they can make repayments on time.
Are there any cons?
The potential cost of borrowing is a bit of a downside if you don’t clear your balance quickly.
Since it currently has a 44.9% APR variable, carrying over balances can make payments a lot more expensive, which can make you fall into more debt, if you’re not careful. If you don’t pay in full by the date shown on your statement, you will incur an interest charge.
Shop responsibly with Catalogues Bad Credit
Finding the right catalogue with instant credit can make shopping feel more manageable, especially if you’ve got an occasion coming up.
Before committing to a catalogue account, weigh up the options available, check the repayment terms, and only apply for credit you can afford to repay.
At Catalogues Bad Credit, we make it easier to explore catalogue options for different credit situations, including poor credit, limited credit history, and flexible payment needs. Take a look at our catalogue credit guides and find a catalogue that works for your budget.