customers

Encouraging customers to apply for a credit card

Q: I work in a department store, and as part of the job we are obliged to encourage customers to get a store card, which is a credit card, and if they do, to open accounts for them. I too have to sign their contracts which states they must pay interest if they miss or fail to make their payment on time. What is the ruling on credit cards, and is this work permissible?

Gifts from customers

Q: Please advise on the permissibility of the following two gifts:

1. I recently went to Asia on a business trip on behalf of the company for which I work. I visited numerous Asian customers who gave me a small gift. I assume that this is part of the Asian culture.

2. One of the sales managers who gives out year-end gifts to our customers, gave me one of these gifts. I believe that this was surplus stock. Please advise in each case whether it is permissible to keep these gifts.