Rooms To Go uses a third-party financing company, not direct payment to the store

When you buy furniture at Rooms To Go and choose a payment plan, you are not paying the store directly. Instead, Rooms To Go partners with Synchrony Bank (formerly GE Capital) to handle the financing. Synchrony issues a credit account in your name, and you make monthly payments to Synchrony, not to Rooms To Go. The store receives its money upfront from Synchrony; your job is to pay Synchrony back over the term you agreed to.

This matters because it changes who you contact if something goes wrong, where your payment goes, and what happens if you fall behind. It also means your payment history reports to the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — just like any other credit account would.

Rooms To Go advertises several financing options at checkout, usually including 12-month, 24-month, and 60-month plans. Some promotions offer zero interest if you pay in full within the promotional period; others charge interest from day one. The interest rate and term depend on your credit score and the promotion running at the time of purchase.

Key Takeaways

  • Synchrony Bank, not Rooms To Go, collects your monthly payments and reports your payment history to credit bureaus.
  • You can set up automatic payments through Synchrony's website or app, or pay by phone, mail, or in-store at a Rooms To Go location.
  • Missing a payment triggers late fees and credit reporting within 30 days, and Synchrony can pursue collection action if you fall 60 or more days behind.
  • Zero-interest promotions require you to pay the full balance before the promotional period ends; if you don't, interest backdates to the original purchase date.
  • You have the right to dispute charges or request a payment arrangement if you face hardship, and Synchrony must respond to disputes within 30 days.

How to make a payment to Synchrony

Once your Synchrony account is open, you have four main ways to pay. The fastest and most reliable is automatic payment through Synchrony's website or mobile app — you link a bank account and set the payment to go out on a date you choose each month. This removes the risk of forgetting and incurring a late fee.

If you prefer to pay manually, you can log into your Synchrony account online and make a one-time payment using a bank account or debit card. You can also call Synchrony's customer service line (the number is on your statement or in your account) and pay over the phone with a bank account or card. Payments made by phone or online typically post within one to two business days.

A third option is to pay by mail. Write a check or money order, include your account number, and send it to the address on your statement. Mail payments take longer — usually five to seven business days to post — so mail early if your due date is approaching.

Finally, some Rooms To Go locations accept in-store payments to your Synchrony account. This is useful if you prefer to pay in person, but confirm with your local store that they offer this service before you go.

What happens if you miss a payment

A payment is considered late if it arrives after the due date shown on your statement. Synchrony typically charges a late fee — the amount varies but is often $25 to $40 — and reports the late payment to credit bureaus once you are 30 days past due. A single late payment can lower your credit score by 50 to 100 points, depending on your current score and credit history.

If you are 60 days late, Synchrony may freeze your account, preventing you from making new purchases. At 120 days late, the account may be sent to an internal or external collection department. Synchrony can then pursue collection action, which may include phone calls, letters, or a lawsuit if the balance is large enough. A judgment against you can result in wage garnishment or bank account levies in some states.

If you know you will miss a payment, contact Synchrony before the due date. Many customers are able to negotiate a payment arrangement — a temporary change to your payment schedule — or a hardship deferment that pauses payments for a set period. These options do not erase the debt, but they can prevent late fees and credit reporting if you follow the new terms.

Zero-interest promotions and how they work

Rooms To Go frequently advertises "12 months same as cash" or "24 months interest-free" promotions. These are real — you will not pay interest if you meet the condition — but the condition is strict: you must pay the entire balance in full before the promotional period ends. If you make only the minimum payment and one dollar remains unpaid on the last day of the promotion, Synchrony charges you interest on the entire original purchase amount, backdated to the purchase date.

For example, if you buy $3,000 in furniture on a 12-month zero-interest promotion and pay $250 per month, you will have paid $3,000 by month 12 and owe nothing. But if you pay only $240 per month, you will owe $120 at the end of month 12. Synchrony will then charge you interest — typically 18% to 29% APR depending on your creditworthiness — on the full $3,000, retroactive to the purchase date. That interest can amount to $300 to $500 or more.

To avoid this trap, set a calendar reminder for one month before the promotional period ends. Log into your account and check your balance. If any amount remains, make a lump-sum payment to clear it before the important date. Synchrony will send you a statement showing the exact payoff amount; use that figure, not an estimate.

Disputing a charge or requesting a payment arrangement

If you believe a charge is wrong — for example, you returned furniture but it still appears on your bill — you have the right to dispute it. Write to Synchrony in writing (email or mail, depending on what your statement says) and describe the error. Include your account number, the transaction date, and the amount in question. Synchrony must acknowledge your dispute within 30 days and investigate within 60 days. During the investigation, the disputed amount does not have to be paid, though you still owe the rest of your balance.

If you are facing financial hardship — job loss, medical emergency, or other unexpected expense — contact Synchrony's hardship department before you miss a payment. Synchrony has programs that may allow you to temporarily reduce your payment, pause payments for a few months, or extend your loan term. These options vary by situation and are not may provide, but they are worth requesting. The worst Synchrony can say is no, and the best outcome is avoiding late fees and credit damage.

How Rooms To Go payment plans affect your credit

Your Synchrony account is a installment loan, and it reports to credit bureaus the same way a car loan or personal loan does. On-time payments build your credit score over time. The account shows up on your credit report as an active installment account, which can help your score by showing you can manage different types of credit (credit cards, installment loans, and so on).

Late payments, missed payments, and collection activity all hurt your score and stay on your credit report for seven years. A charge-off — when Synchrony writes off the debt as uncollectible — is especially damaging and can prevent you from getting credit, renting an apartment, or in some cases getting a job for years afterward.

If you pay on time every month, your credit score will likely improve. If you struggle with payments, your score will decline, and you may find it harder to borrow money in the future. This is why setting up automatic payments or paying early is worth the effort.

Paying off your Synchrony account early

You can pay off your Synchrony account at any time without penalty. There is no prepayment fee, and paying early does not hurt your credit score. In fact, paying off an installment loan early can help your score by showing responsible credit management.

If you have a zero-interest promotion and you pay off the balance before the promotional period ends, you pay zero interest — exactly as advertised. If you pay off after the promotional period ends, you will owe interest on the full amount from the purchase date forward, so timing matters.

To pay off your account, log into Synchrony and request a payoff quote. This quote is good for a set number of days (usually 10) and tells you the exact amount needed to close the account, including any accrued interest. Pay that amount by the important date, and your account will be closed with a zero balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I return furniture and have Synchrony refund the payment?

Rooms To Go handles returns, not Synchrony. If you return furniture within the store's return window (usually 30 days), Rooms To Go will issue a credit to your Synchrony account. That credit reduces your balance, but it does not refund money to your bank account. You still owe Synchrony the remaining balance on your original purchase.

What if I want to transfer my balance to a different credit card?

Synchrony accounts cannot be transferred to another card or lender. You must pay off the Synchrony account in full to close it. Some people use a balance transfer card or personal loan to pay off Synchrony, then pay the new lender instead, but that is a separate transaction and may carry its own fees or interest.

Does Synchrony offer payment plans for damaged or defective furniture?

No. Synchrony finances the purchase; Rooms To Go handles product issues. If furniture arrives damaged or breaks within the warranty period, contact Rooms To Go directly. They may repair, replace, or refund the item. Any refund goes to your Synchrony account as a credit, reducing what you owe.

Can I change my payment due date?

Yes. Log into your Synchrony account or call customer service and request a due date change. Synchrony usually allows you to move your due date within a certain range (for example, between the 1st and 28th of the month). This can help if your due date falls before payday.

What happens to my Synchrony account if I move or change my address?

Update your address with Synchrony as soon as you move. You can do this online, by phone, or by mail. Synchrony uses your address to send statements and notices, so an outdated address can cause statements to go missing and make it harder to track your due date. Changing your address does not affect your payment obligations or account status.