SmallBizGenius Analysis

Fingerhut receives overwhelmingly negative reviews, with customers frequently citing issues with account management, customer service, and unexpected fees. While some long-term customers report positive experiences, the majority of recent feedback indicates significant problems with the company's practices.

Category Breakdown

Scores based on analysis of 96 recent reviews

Account Management Issues

2.0/10

Many reviewers report problems with Fingerhut locking their accounts, often without clear explanation or notification. Customers also describe difficulties accessing their accounts, resetting passwords, and receiving accurate billing information, leading to frustration and distrust.

30 reviews mention this

Customer Service Problems

2.5/10

A significant number of reviewers express dissatisfaction with Fingerhut's customer service, describing representatives as rude, unhelpful, and difficult to understand. Customers report long wait times, unresolved issues, and conflicting information from different agents, contributing to a negative overall experience.

25 reviews mention this

Unexpected Fees and Charges

2.0/10

Numerous reviewers complain about unexpected fees, such as late fees, credit protection fees (Safeline), and return shipping charges. Customers often claim they were not informed about these fees or that they were charged despite fulfilling their payment obligations, leading to accusations of deceptive billing practices.

20 reviews mention this

Product Quality and Pricing

3.0/10

Several reviewers criticize the quality of products sold by Fingerhut, describing them as outdated, low-quality, or overpriced compared to other retailers. Customers also express concerns about high interest rates and inflated prices, making purchases significantly more expensive in the long run.

15 reviews mention this

Credit Score Impact

2.5/10

A number of reviewers report negative impacts on their credit scores due to Fingerhut's actions, such as unexpected account closures or inaccurate reporting of payment history. Some customers claim that Fingerhut opened new accounts without their consent, further damaging their creditworthiness.

12 reviews mention this

Shipping and Returns

3.0/10

Some reviewers have had issues with shipping, including items not being delivered, being delivered to the wrong address, or arriving damaged. Others report high return shipping costs or difficulties receiving credit for returned items.

8 reviews mention this

Pros & Cons

What Customers Love

Helped some customers build credit in the past Mentioned 5x
"I have been with Fingerhut for many years ever since the late 70s I never had a problem with them and what I like best is they were the first ones to help me build up my credit when I first started out with them I had none"
Easy approval for people with low credit scores Mentioned 3x
"My credit took a huge hit during my divorce and thanks to Fingerhut I was able to improve on it."

Common Complaints

Accounts locked without warning, making it impossible to pay bills Mentioned 10x
"They’ve intentionally locked my account citing that it’s locked due to too many incorrect attempts—but my password hasn’t changed and has been the same password the entirety of my account."
Poor customer service with rude and unhelpful agents Mentioned 8x
"Rude agents who will lie and say they are resolving issues and do not."
Unexpected and unauthorized fees, including credit protection and late fees Mentioned 7x
"3 months I've been trying to cancel safeline 30 dollar a month fee. I never signed up for safeline, I DON'T WANT SAFELINE and they ignore the electronic and verbal requests to cancel it."
Overpriced merchandise compared to other retailers Mentioned 6x
"The truth is that they sell merchandise at an extremely over-inflated price, charge high interest rates and then bend you over on the shipping charges."
Negative impact on credit scores due to account closures or inaccurate reporting Mentioned 5x
"Fingerhut recently closed the accounts of both me and my wife, who had her own account with them, because we were "inactive". It's caused a fairly noticeable ding on my credit report"

Common Questions About Fingerhut

Answers derived from customer review patterns

Is Fingerhut legit and trustworthy?

Based on 96 reviews, Fingerhut's legitimacy is questionable due to numerous reports of deceptive practices and poor customer service. While Fingerhut offers credit options to individuals with low credit scores, many customers report issues with unexpected fees, account closures, and difficulties in resolving disputes. The overwhelmingly negative sentiment suggests that Fingerhut may not be a trustworthy option for consumers seeking reliable and transparent financial services. Potential customers should carefully consider the risks before engaging with Fingerhut.

Based on 45 reviews

Does Fingerhut have good customer service?

The majority of reviews indicate that Fingerhut's customer service is poor. Many customers describe representatives as rude, unhelpful, and difficult to understand. Reviewers report long wait times, unresolved issues, and conflicting information from different agents. This suggests that Fingerhut's customer service is a significant area of concern and may not provide adequate support to customers.

Based on 25 reviews

Is Fingerhut worth it for small business?

Fingerhut is primarily a consumer-focused retailer offering credit options to individuals with low credit scores. It is unlikely to be a relevant or beneficial tool for small businesses. The negative reviews and reports of deceptive practices raise concerns about its reliability and ethical standards. Small business owners should seek alternative financial services and vendors that offer transparent pricing, reliable customer support, and a proven track record of ethical business practices.

Based on 5 reviews

What is Fingerhut's return policy like?

Based on the reviews, Fingerhut's return policy can be problematic. Some customers report being charged for return shipping or experiencing difficulties receiving credit for returned items. Others claim that Fingerhut denied their returns or failed to acknowledge receipt of returned merchandise. These issues suggest that Fingerhut's return policy may not be customer-friendly and can lead to frustration and financial loss.

Based on 8 reviews

Why are customers having issues with Fingerhut account closures?

Many customers report that Fingerhut closed their accounts unexpectedly and without clear explanation. Some reviewers claim their accounts were closed due to inactivity, while others allege that Fingerhut closed their accounts due to "credit issues" despite having good credit scores. These account closures often result in negative impacts on customers' credit scores and create difficulties in managing their payments and balances.

Based on 15 reviews