What Is the Shopping Cart Trick and How Does It Work?

The “shopping cart trick” is a method for potentially receiving pre-approved credit card offers without initiating a formal application. This approach allows individuals to gauge their credit card eligibility while minimizing the impact on their credit profile. It focuses on leveraging retailers’ online systems to trigger specific offers.

Understanding the Core Mechanism

The fundamental principle behind the shopping cart trick centers on the distinction between “soft inquiries” and “hard inquiries” in credit checks. A soft inquiry occurs when a person or company reviews a credit report as part of a background check or pre-qualification process, often without the individual’s direct application for new credit. These types of inquiries do not affect an individual’s credit score and are typically not visible to other lenders. In contrast, a hard inquiry happens when a lender accesses a credit report after a formal application for new credit, such as a credit card or loan. This type of inquiry can temporarily lower a credit score by a few points and remains on the credit report for up to two years.

The shopping cart trick aims to generate a pre-approved offer based on a soft inquiry, which avoids the credit score impact of a hard inquiry. This method relies on an online retailer’s existing relationship with a credit card issuer, where the issuer may prescreen consumers based on their credit profiles. While it can indicate a high likelihood of approval, receiving a pre-approved offer through this trick is not a guarantee of final approval. The ultimate decision to extend credit still rests with the issuer, and accepting the offer will generally lead to a hard inquiry.

Executing the Process

To attempt the shopping cart trick, an individual begins by visiting a participating retailer’s website. It is suggested to use a private browsing window and ensure pop-up blockers are disabled, as offers appear as pop-ups. The next step involves adding items to the online shopping cart; a cart value of around $100 or more can be effective, though the exact amount is not fixed. The specific items usually do not matter, as the goal is to trigger the system rather than make a purchase.

After adding items, proceed to the checkout process. Enter personal details such as name, address, and email, ensuring they precisely match information on file with credit bureaus. Advance as far as possible through the checkout steps without finalizing the purchase or entering payment information. The trick is designed to prompt a credit card offer before the point of payment. If successful, a pre-approved offer may appear as a pop-up window or banner, indicating eligibility for a store credit card.

Identifying Specific Offers and Retailers

The shopping cart trick is associated with retailers that offer co-branded or store-specific credit cards. Many retailers for which this trick reportedly works have their credit cards issued by financial institutions like Comenity Bank or Synchrony Bank. Examples of retailers commonly associated with this method include Victoria’s Secret, Wayfair, Overstock, and The Children’s Place. These retailers often have established systems for prescreening customers for their store credit card programs.

Recognizing a pre-approved offer involves looking for specific visual cues and language. The offer appears as a pop-up window or banner on the checkout page. Language used includes phrases such as “You’re pre-approved” or “See if you’re prequalified,” indicating a high probability of approval without the immediate impact of a traditional application. These offers present the opportunity to apply for the store’s credit card, sometimes with an immediate discount on the current purchase if approved. If no offer appears, the trick was not successful.