B&H Payboo Credit Card Review: Useful in 2024?

I put together this B&H Payboo Credit Card review based on my extensive research on the topic.

Since I’m not based in the US, I was unable to apply for a Payboo card for the purposes of writing this article.

However, I’ve researched Payboo extensively on channels that are typically considered to be (brutally) honest, like Reddit.

I’ve also included all the most frequently asked questions about the Payboo credit card below, so you can decide if it’s right for you.

The information provided in this Payboo review article is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice.

What is the Payboo Credit Card?

 

B&H Photo Video is an American photography equipment retailer that started in the early 70s and gained popularity over time.

It’s widely considered one of the best camera stores, especially if you live in the US.

As time passed, the company expanded and, recently, decided to launch its credit card: the B&H Payboo credit card.

The Payboo credit card allowed many photographers to pay for their equipment fully without worrying about the money.

Moreover, it offers a sales tax refund benefit, which is perfect for those living in states where the sales tax is more than just 3% or 4%.

The credit card also guarantees unique financing plans that help customers purchase whatever they want from B&H and pay for it more comfortably and conveniently.

Payboo isn’t limited to cameras and lenses; you can also purchase computers, accessories, mobiles, and even drones.

Learn more about how does Payboo work in the below sections.

What are the Benefits of the Payboo Credit Card to Photographers & Filmmakers?

The main reason B&H created this credit card was to help their customers get better deals and generally make purchasing easier.

As a result, they offered the following benefits:

1. Immediate Sales Tax Relief

Many states in the USA suffer from sales tax going over 5%. This means if you’ve purchased something for $1000, you’ll pay an extra $50, rounding up your total to $1050.

Over time, you’ll notice this extra money adds up to a large amount. So, B&H offered its consumers complete tax relief upon any purchase from B&H made with their B&H credit card.

The way this works is that you’ll pay for the items normally with the sales tax counted on top of your purchase. Immediately afterwards, you’ll get credited back the extra tax amount you paid.

As a result, no matter your state’s sales tax amount, your total would be the same as the price of the items bought as Payboo credit.

For photographers and filmmakers out there, this little thing could help in so many ways, including:

• Increase their savings significantly, which can help them save up for expensive equipment like cameras, lenses, tripods, and lighting tools.
• It lowers upfront costs, making it much easier for photographers and filmmakers to acquire the necessary equipment for their work. This is particularly helpful for those just starting their career or anyone looking to update their gear.

2. Budget-Friendly Purchases

Because of the unique sales relief option and the special financing plans B&H’s card offers, it’s easier now for photographers and filmmakers to get their gear at an affordable price.

How so, you might wonder? After all, the sales tax is only tangible after a period of time. Well, the Payboo credit card also offers an up to 12 months financing plan.

This could help industry professionals manage their business expenses better and lower the overall cost of their business investments. Hence, it could potentially improve their business’s profitability and growth prospects.

3. Enhanced Gear Acquisition

Finally, one of the best aspects of having a Payboo credit card is that it allows you to stay on top of the latest gear and equipment constantly.

You see, one of the biggest challenges in this industry is the constant development and changes in technology, yet only a few people understand this.

From one year to the following, you might find yourself with outdated equipment that doesn’t function properly or simply isn’t as good as the new ones on the market.

With Payboo’s benefits, you can combine the saved tax money and the exceptional financing plans and help yourself by expanding your kit.

How Do I Apply for the Payboo Credit Card?

Applying for a Payboo credit card is a relatively easy process. All you have to do is follow the steps I’ve outlined below.

To start, you need to be over the legal age to apply for this credit card. It differs from state to state, ranging between 16 and 18, so it’s best to look up what’s yours.

You’ll also need the following documents at least:

• A valid tax ID
• A valid photo ID
• A valid mailing address

Once you have all those papers ready, head to the B&H site and create an account. After that, you can click on the credit card web page and click on “Apply.”

Though the previous papers are essential, the bank responsible for the application process might ask for more data.

You can find yourself being asked to enter your email, birthday, or phone number as well.

But you may ask what’s B&H credit card approval odds? It totally depends on your financial position and credit score.

You Should Know These Important B&H Payboo Card Caveats

So far, in this Payboo card review we’ve discussed the benefits of the B&H Payboo card and how to get it; now it’s time to understand the hidden terms and caveats of owning one.

General Issues

For starters, B&H changed the bank that offers its Payboo cards in early 2022 from Synchrony Bank to Comenity. Hence, you can’t use a Synchrony-issued card for valid purchases anymore.

However, any old purchases or outstanding finances between January 17th and April 3rd are still valid until they’re paid off.

Finally, as of April 4th, 2022, all Payboo Synchrony credit cards were no longer valid. So if you have an old one, you’ll need to reapply.

Besides going through the hassle of reapplying, Comenity Bank has a less-than-stellar reputation regarding a few aspects.

(For instance, users often criticize its customer service for being inefficient.)

Another thing that many users complained about is the application process itself. People usually follow the steps mentioned above and wait for days without any confirmation that their application is processing.

After that, you’ll receive a request via mail asking you to send your license, proof of residency, and SSN by regular mail or an unencrypted email.

The process is long and tedious, and most importantly, not up to par with the security standards most users are accustomed to.

Terms if You Choose the Tax-Relief Benefit

Fortunately, the caveats here aren’t as bad as you’d imagine. The main concern is that you can only benefit from it in a state that collects sales tax and remits it to the government.

This benefit is void if you live in Alaska, New Hampshire, Montana, Oregon, and Delaware. You’ll also need to pay for the entire transaction using the B&H Payboo card.

Finally, B&H gift card purchases aren’t eligible for the sales tax relief benefit, and you can’t use it while on a credit plan.

Terms if You Choose the Special Financing

To start, the financing option is just available for purchases over $199 across the period of 6 months or $599 for one year—a low threshold for most people.

Also, not all products are available under this financing option, and it’s only valid for one transaction, meaning it’s not as flexible as other options. Finally, the minimum interest per plan is about $2.00.

Should You Use the B&H Payboo Credit Card?

To be entirely fair, the B&H Payboo credit card isn’t the best deal out there. Many users are complaining about the absurdly high interest rates and APRs.

Plus, there aren’t any of the usual credit card benefits, and they don’t offer cash back or rewards. And if you live in any of the five states without sales tax, the tax-refund benefit is all but useless.

Overall, it’s not something you’ll need to pursue unless you’re a loyal B&H customer and deal with a lot of sales tax.

B&H Payboo Card FAQs

Does the Payboo card charge an annual fee?

No, there isn’t an annual fee for the Payboo credit card. However, the percentage you’ll need to pay annually to borrow the money (APR) forces you to utilize either their financing or tax-relief option.

Are all purchases eligible for sales tax savings with the BH Photo Payboo Card?

Not really. The sales tax saving only applies to any purchase you make in a state where they can collect and remit the sales tax. Also, any purchase made with a gift card is exempted from this benefit.

Can I use the Payboo Card for online purchases only, or is it valid in-store as well?

You can use the card for online purchases as well as store purchases. However, remember that this isn’t a Mastercard or an American Express. You can mainly use it for purchases made at B&H.

Are there any fees or interest charges associated with the Payboo Card?

Yes, there are. Though there aren’t any set annual fees, there’s a 30% APR percentage should you fail to pay off the money in time.

What are the eligibility requirements for the Payboo Card?

The main requirements are the following:

• Above the legal age
• Proof of employment (if employed)
• You’re a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident
• A credit score between 650–850

Can I use the Payboo Card for international purchases?

Yes, you can use the Payboo Card for international purchases made for B&H products. However, this exempts you from tax-relief benefits.

Can I combine the Payboo Card with other discounts or promotions?

You can use the Payboo credit card with discounts or promotions, but it’ll remove the sale tax benefit. This means you’ll have to pay the total sale tax for the purchase.

Are there any restrictions on the amount of sales tax savings I can accumulate?

No, there isn’t a cap or limit to your saving reward.

Is the Payboo Card available to customers outside of the United States?

Sadly, only customers from the U.S. can apply for the B&H Payboo credit card.

Can I transfer my Payboo Card balance to another credit card?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot of data regarding this specific feature. However, if you’re an old Playboo card holder, you won’t be able to transfer to the Comenity card as Synchrony refuses to do so.

How can I check my B&H Payboo Card account balance and track my savings?

You can access your online transaction history to learn about your balance through the Transactions and Statements page. You can also learn about it through the billing statement.

How can access Payboo credit card login?

You can visit the official website to find the Payboo card login page.