Ok, maybe I'm stupid or something, but I just don't understand how the sonystyle card works.

Could someone who has done it please explain.

I have a sonystyle store fairly close. Does it matter?:confused:

According to my experience, if you want the $100 credit, it doesn't matter. I went into the Orlando SonyStyle store fully expecting to apply for the card, purchase a PS3, and get my $100 credit. The sales person told me it was an online process only. So I went home, applied for the card, and purchased the PS3 through sonystyle.com. The PS3 arrived two weeks later (on backorder for a week), and the $100 credit posted about a week after that.

I have read where others have applied for the card online and then took their number to the store (before the card arrived) and purchased a PS3 and got the $100 credit. Call the store first to make sure before you waste a trip.

Where can you use the $100 credit?

It puts a $100 credit on your card.

My understanding of the Sony card is that you get a $100 credit after the first $299 or more purchase at no matter where on no matter what.

Last year this time Sony card was offering $150 and the funny story was that a few AVS members bought the Toshiba HDDVD player with Sony card and got the $150 credit. So in the end they had $150 discount on an HDDVD player courtesy of Sony.

So if you are looking for the best deal right now on a PS3 here is how it can be done: buy $350 GC from Kmart today with a Sony card, so you get $420 GC from Kmart, which will be exactly the cost of a PS3 with tax. So your real out of pocket expense on the new PS3 from Kmart will be $250. Not a bad deal IMO.

I used it for a $150 credit early this year. If you use the card on anything, even a $5 purchase, when the bill comes you will show a credit for the amount you signed up for. That allows you to use the card for up to that amount for no charge, no interest.

Let's say you buy a $399 PS3 with it. You charge that amount on the card, and when the bill comes you owe $299 because of the credit. If you pay Sony the $299 right away, you will be done with your obligation to the credit card. At that point you can cut it up and never worry about it again. I got rid of the card, but kept the account open because it reflects better on the credit report.

I went to the Tampa SonyStyle store today fully expecting to open a new account and purchase a 40GB PS3 and save $100 (eventually). It didn't happen. They told me the credit application and instant approval process was on-line only but you could use the temporary account information in-store (might require a authorization call). This makes no sense since they have credit applications right there and I'm sure a lot of people walking in for big ticket items need the service.

I did learn one thing that will most likely bring me back. They are still offering a free Dual-Shock controller with any in-store PS3 console purchase through the holidays. It's a major hassle but almost worth it to save $150 in the end.

According to Sony's fine print, the $100 credit appears only after your first purchase of $299 or more at a SonyStyle store or SonyStyle.com. It appears others have used the card anywhere and still received the credit, but that seems to go against the information on the application.

You could always read all this for yourself at:

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ContentDisplayView?cmsId=sony_card

Check out this one, it says any sony authorized dealer. How can same card have such different promotions.


http://sonycard.sony.com/sonygateway/gateway.asp?offerlink=adbrit100&PID=none&SPID=B7RZ&CELL=628Y&MSC=MO001001&AFFID=&CLICK=&CID=&PROMO=DF01

So basically...

I can apply for the the card online. Buy the the ps3 for $399. And get $100 credit to use where ever?

So basically...

I can apply for the the card online. Buy the the ps3 for $399. And get $100 credit to use where ever?

Yes....I can absolutely confirm that...I got the card and bought a plane ticket, from an airliner that had zero affliation with sony, and I got a $100 credit from the purchase.

how long ago was this?

did you apply at sonystyle when it listed that term on there?

"Your first single sales receipt purchase made at a SonyStyle store, including SonyStyle.com equal or greater than $299 ("Qualifying Purchase") will automatically qualify you for a $100 Statement Credit. "
Basically it's saying that you can buy it at Sonystyle but it's not necessary to do so. Read it a couple times over closely and you can see that it's not stating that you MUST use it at Sonystyle.

I think they changed the rules. When I used it in Jan. '07 I was able to use the card anywhere for the credit to trigger (I bought two scoops of ice-cream ;)).

***UPDATE***

I purchased the PS3 from amazon on saturday with the free remote and Stranglehold collectors edition.

Today I talked to a CSR at the sony card and they confirmed that I will receive the $100 credit in 8-12 weeks but that I didnt not qualify for 0% interest for 12 months.

Hopefully the credit is posted by the time I pay off the bill at the end of the month as I dont want that $100 credit just sitting there on the card.