PEP Boys offers financing through Synchrony, not a direct payment plan

PEP Boys does not run its own payment plan. Instead, the company partners with Synchrony Financial to offer a credit card called the PEP Boys Credit Card. When you use this card at PEP Boys locations, you can finance purchases and pay over time. The card works like any other retail credit card: you get approved for a credit limit, make purchases, and receive a bill each month.

The card is issued by Synchrony, which means Synchrony sets the interest rates, approval process, and terms. PEP Boys does not decide who gets approved or what rate you pay. If you already have a Synchrony card from another retailer (like Amazon or Lowe's), this is the same company issuing your PEP Boys card, though the accounts are separate.

You can also finance service and parts through third-party lenders at the point of sale. Some PEP Boys locations offer financing through other companies, which you would arrange at checkout. The availability of these options varies by location.

Key Takeaways

  • PEP Boys financing runs through Synchrony, not through PEP Boys directly, and you must be approved for a credit card to use it.
  • Interest rates and approval decisions come from Synchrony based on your credit score and history, not from PEP Boys.
  • You can also finance purchases through other lenders at checkout, though which lenders are available depends on your location.
  • The PEP Boys Credit Card works like any retail card: you get a bill each month and pay interest if you carry a balance.
  • Promotional financing offers (such as zero percent for a set period) are sometimes available but depend on the purchase amount and current promotions.

How to get the PEP Boys Credit Card

You can request the card at any PEP Boys location or online through the Synchrony website. At the store, an employee can hand you an application or direct you to a kiosk. Online, you go to the Synchrony site, search for PEP Boys, and complete the application there. The process takes about 10 minutes.

Synchrony will ask for your Social Security number, date of birth, income, and employment information. They will pull your credit report to decide whether to approve you and what credit limit to offer. Approval decisions usually come back within minutes, though some applications go to manual review and take a few business days.

If you are approved, you can use the card immediately at PEP Boys. If you are denied, Synchrony will send you a letter explaining why. You can dispute the decision if you believe the information on your credit report is wrong, but you cannot appeal Synchrony's decision itself.

Interest rates and promotional offers

Synchrony sets your interest rate based on your credit score. The rate is not fixed and can change over time. PEP Boys does not publish a standard rate because Synchrony treats this card like any other credit product—people with higher credit scores get lower rates, and people with lower scores get higher rates.

PEP Boys sometimes runs promotions such as zero percent interest for 12 months on purchases over a certain amount (for example, $500 or more). These promotions are temporary and change throughout the year. You can ask a PEP Boys employee what promotions are currently running, or check the Synchrony website when you apply.

If you carry a balance after a promotional period ends, you will pay the standard interest rate on the remaining balance. The rate applies to new purchases immediately if the promotion has ended.

What happens if you miss a payment

If your payment is late, Synchrony will charge a late fee (typically $25 to $40, depending on your card agreement) and report the late payment to the credit bureaus. A payment is considered late if it arrives after the due date shown on your bill. Most cards give you a grace period of 21 to 25 days from the statement closing date before interest starts accruing on new purchases, but this does not apply to promotional financing.

If you miss a payment by 30 days or more, the late payment appears on your credit report and damages your credit score. If you miss payments for 60 days or more, Synchrony may freeze your account and stop letting you make new charges. At 120 days past due, Synchrony may send your account to a collection agency.

If you know you will miss a payment, call Synchrony before the due date. They may be able to work out a payment arrangement or defer a payment, though this is not may provide and may affect your credit score.

Alternatives to the PEP Boys Credit Card

You can pay for service and parts with any major credit card, debit card, or cash at PEP Boys. You do not have to use the PEP Boys card. If you use your own credit card, you will pay the full amount at checkout and handle any financing through your own card issuer.

Some PEP Boys locations also offer financing through third-party lenders such as Affirm or Klarna. These work differently from the credit card: you choose the financing option at checkout, get approved instantly or within minutes, and the lender pays PEP Boys directly. You then owe the lender, not PEP Boys. These services often break payments into smaller installments (for example, four payments over six weeks) and may charge interest or a fee depending on the lender and your credit.

If you have a bank line of credit or a personal loan, you can also use that to pay for service upfront and avoid retail financing altogether.

How to dispute a charge or cancel the card

If you see a charge on your PEP Boys card that you did not make or that was done incorrectly, contact Synchrony within 60 days of the charge appearing on your statement. Synchrony will investigate and either reverse the charge or explain why it is correct. This is called a chargeback dispute.

To cancel the card, call Synchrony's customer service number on the back of your card or go online to your account. Canceling the card does not erase your balance—you still owe any money you charged. Synchrony will close the account and stop letting you make new charges, but you will continue to receive bills for the balance.

If you believe Synchrony made an error on your account, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) online at consumerfinance.gov. The CFPB does not resolve individual disputes but forwards complaints to Synchrony and tracks patterns of problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the PEP Boys card at other stores?

No. The PEP Boys Credit Card works only at PEP Boys locations. If you want a general-purpose credit card from Synchrony, you would need to apply for a different card (such as the Amazon or Lowe's card), but those cards work only at their respective retailers too. Synchrony does not issue a Visa or Mastercard that works everywhere.

What credit score do I need to get approved?

Synchrony does not publish a minimum credit score for the PEP Boys card. People with scores in the 600s have been approved, and people with scores above 750 are usually approved, but approval depends on more than just your score—Synchrony also looks at your income, employment history, and existing debt. The only way to know if you will be approved is to apply.

Do I have to pay interest if I pay off the balance before the due date?

No. If you pay the full statement balance by the due date, you pay no interest. Interest only applies if you carry a balance past the due date or if you are in a promotional period with different terms. Check your card agreement for the exact grace period.

Can I return something I bought on the PEP Boys card and get a refund?

Yes. If you return a service or part, PEP Boys will credit the amount back to your card. The refund appears on your next statement. If you had already paid part of the charge, the refund reduces what you owe.

What if I want to pay more than the minimum payment?

You can pay any amount over the minimum at any time. Paying more than the minimum reduces your balance faster and saves you interest. You can make extra payments online through your Synchrony account, by phone, or by mail.