Retailing: Credit for Kiddies

If his allowance is only 50¢ a week, what is a seven-year-old to do when he wants a $20 toy or a $ 125 toy? Well, he can always walk into the store and say, "Charge it." Buffums, a Southern California department-store chain with 15 outlets, now offers children's charge accounts. The store requires no minimum age or source of income. The precocious applicant need only find a parent or guardian with a good credit rating to co-sign the application and guarantee any debts. The Buffums card is identical to ones the store issues...

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