With the economy in the hopper, even the higher end furniture folks are offering payment deals. Ethan Allen has joined the crowd with "No payments, No interest until June 2009" if you buy something through Sept. 8 when you use the Ethan Allen Finance Plus Card.

But this offer also has some tricky conditions. You have to be disciplined or you'll wind up paying the interest.
Make sure to pay the promotional purchase price in full by June 21, 2009.
And don't skip monthly payments. You have to pay the minimum monthly payments on any other balances on your account.

Here's the rub: If you fail to do these things, you will have to pay interest on the promotional purchase amount from the date of purchase at standard account terms. And it's a whooping interest rate -- The fixed APR is 23.99 percent and the default rate is 28.99 percent.

I have used these kinds of offers before and I have some advice: Put only the promotional purchase on the card. Divide the payments equally over the months you owe. And try to pay off more when you can.

XOXO -- Shopper Girl

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