I purchased a laptop from Best Buy and I would like to change my method of payment so they return my $1,800 and use their Fairstone financing option instead. This way I don't have an $1,800 charge on my credit card injuring interest since it will take me a couple months to pay it off with my current expenses.

The way it works is you have to pay a $70 add-on fee which apparently goes to Best Buy if you're going to finance for 12 months And then you don't have to make any payments for 12 months or you can pay however much you want or everything out right whenever you feel like it as long as it's before the 12th month deadline.

I did a quick research on Fairstone and found some scary results. Maybe that's only to do with the loan portion of their business. I'm not requesting a loan (Even though this financing option technically is kind of like a loan but it's not).

Is it safe dealing with them? Specifically for my purpose. What if I were to return that laptop within the return window? Best Buy said I can return the laptop by January the 12th, 2025. I love the laptop and the only reason I would return it is if I find a better deal for around the same amount of money. So far nothing gets even close to the good deal that I got so I'm likely keeping it.

Best Buy and Fairstone's website said that a return would be honored even under the financing option with them and it will not affect me negatively in any way. I'm just doing my research to make sure it won't affect my credit score and anything else. I know that they will have to run a credit check on me when I open an account with them and generally when anyone runs a credit check on you, it might lower your credit score a tiny bit but it's temporary and not a big deal if you do it rarely.

Literally every post I come across says to stay away from them. I don't understand why. If I'm going to pay off the entire amount within three or four months when I have 12 months to do it, what's the big deal? Is it the reputation they hold and the fact you don't want to be associated with them? Just educating myself.

Edit (for everyone): First of all, I really truly appreciate anyone who came on here to help educate me and answer my questions. If I came across arrogant or anything like that it was just because I felt like people weren't really understanding why I asked the question I asked. I did not get into all the details because I did not feel it was necessary. I really just wanted to know the reputation of Fairstone And if they are okay to deal with if you pay everything on time. I know you were all just looking out for me, thank you.