Finance•6 days ago

photo_library26

Halva Buy Now Card

Tired of choosing between what you want and what you can afford? The Halva Buy Now Card lets you buy now and pay later, making it a super flexible payment option. It's perfect for those times when you want to treat yourself but can't swing the upfront cost.

chevron_right

My Wild Ride with the Halva Card: A Cautionary Tale

Name: My Wild Ride with the Halva Card: A Cautionary Tale
Item: Halva Buy Now Card
Rating: 3
Author: tomWalker7

summarizeEditor's Summary

The Halva card may seem like a great option for those who need a little extra credit, but trust me, it's a wild ride. I've had my fair share of struggles with this card, from unexpected fees to questionable customer support. The free service and zero-interest installment plans are nice perks, but they're not enough to make up for the headaches I've experienced. If you're considering the Halva card, be warned: it's not all sunshine and rainbows. I've been using it for two years now, and I've learned a thing or two about what to expect. If you're looking for a hassle-free credit card experience, keep looking. But if you're up for a challenge, go for it – just don't say I didn't warn you. To be honest, the card can be a slippery slope into debt, and the customer support can be unhelpful and unresponsive. But hey, it's not all bad. The card is relatively easy to get approved for, and the consultants at the bank are helpful and knowledgeable. The app is user-friendly and easy to navigate, and the list of partner stores is constantly growing. So, what's the verdict? Is the Halva card worth the risk? That's up to you to decide.

settingsSpecifications

VerdictKötü

Abonelikler2/10

Hizmet Kalitesi3/10

Kart Ortakları1/10

Fiyat Performansı2/10

Kullanım Kolaylığı4/10

Kullanım Sınırlaması1/10

Be warned: my experience with the Halva card has been a total nightmare, and I'm not exaggerating. It's a two-year story of struggle, and it's not a pretty one.

Product Name: Halva Card

WHERE TO GET THE HALVA CARD?

Getting the Halva card is relatively straightforward. Just head to the bank (you can also set it up in the app), but I got mine set up in a local electronics store. They've got consultants who'll help you out while you're there.

Here's the thing - they give the Halva card to anyone, but they don't always approve the credit limit. I got approved for 50,000, then they bumped it up to 75,000. My brother got the full 150,000 right off the bat, but my husband didn't get approved at all because he had a few outstanding loans at the time.

I was planning on writing a super long, detailed review of my two-year struggle with the Halva card, but I'm writing this on the fly instead. I might get some things wrong or not entirely accurate, but the consultants will set me straight in the comments, I'm sure.

How does the Halva card work?

The way it works is pretty cool - the cost of the purchase is split over 10 months (or sometimes 12 or 24). You don't have to pay any extra fees like you would with a credit card or a store's financing option. It's all upfront and honest - for example, if you buy something for 10,000, you pay 1,000 a month for 10 months. It's really convenient and hassle-free.

I'll be the first to admit that there are a lot of downsides to this card.

Card Partners are a Major LetdownFirst off, not all purchases are split into 10 months, only those made at partner stores. They're listed in the app or on the Halva website. By the way, Sovcombank, which Halva is affiliated with, got sanctioned, so the iPhone app was down for ages, and I had to deal with the website, which is super inconvenient. Later, they released a third-party app called 'all cards,' which basically replaces the native app, so I can live with it.

Here's the thing - in my small town, there aren't that many physical partner stores for Halva. There are more online stores, but still, not a huge number. I'm not sure exactly how many, but I remember it being a hassle - I wanted to order something right now, but none of the suitable stores were partners.

Why is this a big deal? Because if you don't shop at a partner store, you don't get the purchase split, and be careful! You end up paying an extra commission, and it's not a small one!

I fell for it a couple of times, and I ended up paying around 500 rubles, I think. This is the first thing that limits the card's usage.

Halva SubscriptionsSecondly, this isn't the only commission Halva takes.

There are two subscriptions that let you split all purchases at partner stores exactly into 10 months (by default, partner stores usually have a 3-month payment plan).

The first subscription, 'Halva Decade,' allows you to extend the payment plan to 10 months, which is pretty straightforward.

Secondly, the "All and Everywhere" subscription gives you more flexibility - you can get installments even with non-partners.

It sounds great, but each subscription costs 299 rubles per month.

There's a little trick here - you can add subscriptions, make a purchase, and then disable them, and they'll only be active for this month, and you'll only have to pay for one month, but the installment will already be set up and will remain active until the end of its term.

Only thing is, you need to be super careful with your subscriptions, because even a one-day delay will make you pay for the whole month.

By the way, the payment date isn't a fixed one - it depends on the date you got your card. So, my payment was due on the 15th, while my brother's was on the 28th. This can cause some inconvenience if you're working on a salary, but overall, it's easy to adjust and just pay in advance.

WHY DID I GET CHARGED A COMMISSION BY HALVA?This is the one thing I hate about the Halva card. They'll deduct money for subscriptions, purchases from non-partners, or even just transferring funds (yes, you can't just transfer borrowed money), and sometimes they'll only deduct part of the commission, and then charge you another commission for that, without even notifying you - they'll just add the cost to your next payment. And there are other sneaky commissions too.

HALVA PAYMENT SCHEDULEI love how easy it is to see exactly how much I owe and when the payment is due.

What's even better is that you can expand each payment to see exactly what you're paying for that month.

I only discovered this feature after using Halva for a while, and I was blown away.

Unfortunately, I've had to deal with some annoying split payments in the past – like when I paid 500-1000 rubles in a store and it got split over 10 months. By the time I got my next statement, I'd already forgotten what I'd bought and where I'd gone! And by the third month, I was getting frustrated that I was still paying off that tiny amount. I guess that's just on me, not Halva.

When you dig into the details of each payment, you start to regret some of your purchases.

WHEN YOU MIGHT WANT TO AVOID USING HALVAI'd strongly advise against using this card if you're not great with managing your finances. If you love spending every last penny on Wildberries, or if your salary is always delayed or you're just not good at saving and budgeting.

It's just not worth it, honestly.

My colleagues at work say I'm either working for the joy of it or because I enjoy it, because my salary is either 20,000 roubles (after maternity leave) or a normal salary, but I've been using most of it to pay off debts. Let's just say my main source of income is my husband.

I needed this card initially to buy an iPhone, since mine broke during repairs and the payment of 7,000 roubles a month was perfect for me. I didn't plan on buying anything else with it, because I'm terrified of credit cards. But then I relaxed, thinking it's not a credit card, it's a layaway card, and I went wild. Over the course of six months, my monthly payment increased to 15,000 roubles, and once I even had to pay almost 20,000 roubles! I'm seriously burned out from this, and it's finally starting to sink in that this card is a danger to me. Although it seemed like I wasn't buying anything huge, just paying off current purchases, and my payment would increase by 300-500 roubles, what's the big deal? It turns out it's a pretty big deal, and I can really feel it.

I've got to say, I'm not the only one who's fallen victim to this. My friends, who are all smart and financially savvy, have also struggled with overspending on their Halva card. They're the ones who actually work at Sovcombank and sold me the card in the first place. You'd think they'd know better, but they ended up taking out a cash loan to pay off their balance, which was almost $50,000. I'm grateful to Halva for teaching me a valuable lesson - I'm glad I didn't get sucked into credit cards right away and was able to pay off my card in installments. It was tough, but it was worth it in the end.

I mean, it's really hard to resist the temptation to overspend, but I'm glad I was able to break the cycle. My friends and I would often joke about how we'd just put a certain amount on our card and then think we could afford to spend more, but it's not that simple. The Halva consultants would always tell me to just leave the money on my card and not touch it, but I knew I'd end up spending it anyway. I'm not proud of it, but I've learned from my mistakes.

It took me around two years to pay off my Halva card, but I did it by gradually reducing my limit each month and canceling all my subscriptions. It was a tough process, but it was worth it in the end. I'm glad I was able to take control of my finances and avoid getting into debt.

I had to make the final payment in August, but there were still those pesky three remaining payments of 700 rubles, so I freaked out and closed the card entirely back in May.

Right after that, I cut up the card and headed to the office to make sure they closed all my cards and accounts at the bank. Although I'm pretty sure they just gave me a statement saying I had no outstanding debt, but they didn't actually close it.

We even celebrated my card closure with my coworkers - they'd been teasing me about it for months!And here's another example with my brother - he's also super responsible with his finances, bought a year's gym membership with his Halva card, then I added to the debt (I'm basically carrying a burden for my friends), and we struggled with it for ages before finally paying off everything yesterday, despite some pesky subscription fees and a surprise 99-ruble commission that popped up after the last payment.

Closing two Halva cards and hoping I'll never have to deal with them again, because it was a total nightmare!

Okay, I'll admit it - this card has saved me a few times, and if you're good with managing your finances, keeping track of expenses, and handling credit cards, then this card could be super useful for you. But let me tell you, I was both relieved and exasperated when I closed my Halva card.

One thing I want to mention is that the bank's consultants are super polite, but they'll do everything in their power to convince you not to close the card. They'll ask you questions, tell you why you shouldn't close it, and then bombard you with offers for loans and other deals. It's pretty pushy, just like at other banks.

But I do have to give the consultants credit - they did cancel a fee for me once that I wasn't even aware of, and nobody had warned me about it. So, I guess that's something.

Important note: the consultants won't tell you about all the fees when you're signing up for the card, so be sure to keep an eye out and learn from your own experience.

Thanks for reading! I'd love to hear about your experience with the Halva card in the comments below.

Now that I've had a chance to really put this product through its paces, I'm even more impressed with its ease of use. The intuitive interface makes it a breeze to navigate, and I found myself getting into a rhythm with it in no time. I've been using it for a week now, and I'm still discovering new features and capabilities that make my life easier. The customer support has been top-notch too - I had a question about a minor issue, and they responded promptly with a helpful solution. All in all, I'm thoroughly enjoying my experience with this product, and I think you will too if you're in the market for something that's easy to use and offers great value for money.

live_helpFeatured FAQ

What is the Halva card and how does it work?

The Halva card is a credit card that offers free service and zero-interest installment plans. It's designed for people who need a little extra credit, but it's not for everyone. The card is issued by a bank, and you can apply for it online or in person. Once you're approved, you can use the card to make purchases and pay bills.

How do I get approved for the Halva card?

Getting approved for the Halva card is relatively straightforward. You can apply online or in person, and the bank will review your credit history and income. If you're approved, you'll receive a credit limit and can start using the card. However, the credit limit may not be as high as you expect, and you may not be approved for the full amount.

What are the benefits of the Halva card?

The Halva card offers several benefits, including free service and zero-interest installment plans. The card is also accepted at a wide range of stores, and the app is user-friendly and easy to navigate. Additionally, the consultants at the bank are helpful and knowledgeable, and they can answer any questions you may have.

What are the drawbacks of the Halva card?

The Halva card has several drawbacks, including the risk of debt and high fees. The card is not accepted at all stores, which can be frustrating, and the app is not available for iPhone users. Additionally, the consultants can be pushy and aggressive, and the customer support can be unhelpful and unresponsive.

Can I use the Halva card to pay bills?

Yes, you can use the Halva card to pay bills. The card is designed for everyday purchases, but you can also use it to pay bills and make payments. Just be sure to keep track of your spending and make payments on time to avoid high fees and interest charges.

How do I make payments on the Halva card?

Making payments on the Halva card is easy. You can pay your balance online or by phone, or you can set up automatic payments to ensure you never miss a payment. Just be sure to make payments on time to avoid high fees and interest charges.

What happens if I miss a payment on the Halva card?

If you miss a payment on the Halva card, you'll be charged a late fee and interest charges will be added to your balance. This can add up quickly, so it's essential to make payments on time to avoid high fees and interest charges.

Can I cancel my Halva card?

Yes, you can cancel your Halva card. Just contact the bank and let them know you'd like to cancel your account. You'll need to pay off any outstanding balance before you can cancel your card.

How do I contact customer support for the Halva card?

You can contact customer support for the Halva card by phone, email, or online chat. The consultants at the bank are helpful and knowledgeable, and they can answer any questions you may have.

What are the interest rates for the Halva card?

The interest rates for the Halva card vary depending on your credit history and income. You can check the interest rates on the bank's website or by contacting customer support.