Quick Facts

• Minimum income: R2,000 per month required
• Monthly service fee: R34 (additional club fees may apply)
• 6 months interest-free at Edgars stores
• Can be used at 30,000+ stores nationwide
• WARNING: Many customers struggle to close accounts

1. What is an Edgars Account?

An Edgars account is a store credit card. You can buy items now and pay later. The account is managed by RCS (a credit provider, not Edgars directly).

Think of it like a credit card. But you get special deals at Edgars stores. You can also use it at many other stores in South Africa.

Where Can You Use It?

You can shop at:

• All Edgars stores
• Legit and Beaver Canoe stores
• Pick n Pay and Checkers
• Game, Makro, Builders
• Shoprite and other major retailers
• Over 30,000 stores in total

2. Who Can Qualify for an Edgars Account?

You must meet ALL of these requirements to apply:

Requirement	Details
Age	18 years or older
Income	Minimum R2,000 per month
Employment	Permanently employed, self-employed, or pensioner
Bank Account	Must have a bank account in your own name
Credit Record	Good credit score required
ID Document	Valid South African ID

3. Documents You Need to Apply

Prepare these documents BEFORE you start your application:

✓ Required Documents:

• South African ID – Green barcoded ID book or smart ID card
• Proof of residence – Not older than 3 months (municipal account, lease agreement, or utility bill)
• Proof of income – Latest 3 months’ payslips OR bank statements showing your salary
• Bank account details – Your bank statement showing your account number

✅ 4. How to Apply for an Edgars Account

Step 1: Apply for Account Protection (MANDATORY)

You CANNOT skip this step. Before you can apply for the Edgars account, you MUST first apply for Account Protection Insurance through Hollard.

You have two options:

• Apply for new insurance through Hollard
• Transfer your existing insurance to cover the account

Step 2: Complete the Main Application

After the insurance section, you will be redirected to the main application form.

Step 3: Provide Your Information

You will need to enter:

• Your personal details (name, ID number, address, contact details)
• Your employment information
• Your bank account details
• Upload clear copies of your documents

Step 4: Credit Check

RCS will check your credit record with the credit bureaus. They look at your payment history and current debts.

Step 5: Wait for Approval

You will receive feedback within a few days. If approved, you will be told your credit limit.

⚠️ 5. All Costs and Fees (Very Important)

Understanding the costs is VERY important before you apply. Many customers are surprised by all the fees.

Monthly Fees

Fee Type	Cost
Monthly service fee (RCS)	R34 per month
Edgars Club VIP (optional)	R50 to R120 per month
Account Protection Insurance	Varies by cover amount
TOTAL MONTHLY CHARGES	R34 to R200+ per month

Interest Rates

• At Edgars stores: 6 months interest-free if you pay on time
• At other stores: Up to 55 days interest-free
• After interest-free period: 24.5% per year (this is high)

Real Example: What You Actually Pay

Other Fees

• Late payment fee: R50 to R200
• Replacement card: Usually free with your ID
• Statement by email: Free

✅ 6. Benefits and Features

Shopping Benefits

• Shop now, pay later in manageable installments
• 6 months interest-free at Edgars stores
• Use at over 30,000 stores across South Africa
• Shop online at Edgars.co.za
• Get up to 3 additional cards for family and friends

Account Management

• Check balance online 24/7
• Download statements anytime
• Set up debit orders for automatic payment
• Check balance via USSD: Dial *120*1430*card-number#

Edgars Club Benefits (Optional Membership)

• Monthly discounts and special offers
• Birthday month specials
• Exclusive early access to sales
• Rewards points for purchases

🚨 7. Common Problems – READ THIS BEFORE YOU APPLY

Many South Africans have had SERIOUS problems with Edgars accounts. These are real issues reported by thousands of customers.

Problem 1: Extremely Difficult to Close Accounts

This is the BIGGEST problem. Many people report:

• Even after paying the full balance, charges keep coming
• Account closure takes many months to process
• Monthly fees continue while closure is being processed
• Customers are handed to debt collectors for small amounts (even R0.72)
• Some accounts have been closed for years but still get charged

Problem 2: Unauthorized Edgars Club VIP Charges

Many account holders complain about being charged R50 to R120 per month for “Edgars Club VIP” fees that they never agreed to sign up for.

Problem 3: Incorrect Interest Charges

Some customers on the 6-month interest-free plan have been incorrectly charged interest. RCS says they reverse these charges, but YOU must check your statements and complain.

Problem 4: Poor Customer Service

• Long wait times on phone (40+ minutes reported)
• Transferred between departments with no resolution
• Promises to call back that never happen
• Only 8% of customers report their issues were resolved

Problem 5: Multiple Companies Involved

This creates confusion:

• Edgars – The store (owned by Retailability)
• RCS – Manages your account
• Hollard – Provides insurance
• Each must be contacted separately to cancel services

What You MUST Do to Protect Yourself

8. How to Close Your Edgars Account (Step by Step)

If you want to close your account, follow these steps EXACTLY and keep proof of everything.

Official Closure Process

What to Do If They Won’t Close Your Account

If you have problems closing your account, file complaints with:

Organization	Contact
National Credit Regulator (NCR)	0860 627 627 or info@ncr.org.za
National Consumer Commission	0860 003 600
Banking Ombudsman	0860 800 900

How to Pay Your Edgars Account

Payment Options

• Online Banking/EFT: Use your account number as reference
• Debit Order: Automatic payment from your bank account
• In Store: Pay at any Edgars store
• ATM: At participating ATMs
• EasyPay: At EasyPay outlets nationwide

RCS Bank Details for EFT Payments

Minimum Payment

The minimum payment is 3% of outstanding balance OR R50, whichever is higher.

🚨 Scam Warnings for Edgars Account Holders

Common Scams in 2024-2025

Fake SMS and Phishing Messages

• Scammers send fake messages claiming to be from Edgars or RCS
• Messages ask you to click links to “verify your account”
• These links steal your account details

Fake Websites

• Websites that look like Edgars but have wrong URLs
• Example: “edgers.co.za” or “rc$.co.za” instead of “rcs.co.za”
• Always type the website address yourself

Phone Scams

• Scammers call claiming to be from RCS or Edgars
• They ask for your card number, PIN, or OTP
• RCS and Edgars will NEVER ask for these over the phone

How to Protect Yourself

Report scams to: South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC)

Your Rights as a Consumer

Under the National Credit Act (NCA)

RCS MUST be registered with the National Credit Regulator. All registered credit providers must:

• Assess if you can afford the credit before giving it to you
• Give you clear information about all costs
• Not charge interest rates above the legal maximum
• Give you monthly statements
• Handle your complaints fairly

Right to Complain

If you have problems with your Edgars account, you can complain to:

Organization	What They Help With	Contact
National Credit Regulator	Credit agreement problems, reckless lending, unfair fees	0860 627 627
Banking Ombudsman	Banking and payment disputes	0860 800 900
National Consumer Commission	General consumer protection issues	0860 003 600

How to File a Complaint

1. First complain to RCS in writing
2. Keep copies of all communication
3. If not resolved in 30 days, escalate to NCR
4. Provide your account number and all proof
5. Be clear about what you want them to fix

✅ Alternatives to Consider

Before you apply for an Edgars account, consider these alternatives:

Other Store Cards

• Ackermans Account: Only R20 per month service fee
• Woolworths Card: Good customer service reputation
• Mr Price Card: Simpler fee structure

Buy Now Pay Later Services

• PayJustNow: Available at Edgars online
• Payflex: Split payment into 4 installments
• These have NO monthly fees if you pay on time

Best Option: Save First

The best way to buy clothes is to save money first. No interest, no fees, no stress.

• Join a stokvel for group savings
• Open a savings account at your bank
• Put away small amounts each month

Should You Get an Edgars Account?

An Edgars account can be useful IF:

• You shop regularly at Edgars
• You can pay your account in FULL every month
• You check your statements carefully every month
• You keep ALL proof of payments

We recommend you AVOID this account if:

• You struggle to pay bills on time
• You won’t check statements monthly
• You’re already struggling with debt
• You want something easy to close later

Remember: Credit is not free money. You must pay it back, with interest if you are late. Many customers have had serious problems with Edgars accounts. Only take credit if you truly need it and can afford the payments.