as revolving in-store charge accounts were fading...stores like Penney's had their own charge account....
was easier to get a Penney's account, or even a Visa/MasterCard, than it was to get a Sears card...
I applied for a Sears charge, just to have on hand, was denied, 2 days later, applied again with a purchase of a washer and dryer, approved in 3 minutes...
in the mail days later, a Sears charge, Sears Charge Plus, and a Discover Card.....figure that one out....
these machines were cheaper at Penney's than what other stores sold them as, but delivery was just to the store, you had to get them home yourself....pros and cons with everything I guess.....