I think that depends on things like the company pulling the report, and what region of the country you're in.
I agree with Butch, Transunion seems the most popular (at least for me here in the Northeast) with Equifax in second place.
TU gets the most hits for me and then EQ a close second. EX almost gets nothing when it comes to inquires, at least in Ohio or at least for me. Of course, because EX is my best score.
I agree that TU is the most popular, go figure!! I live in Texas. EX is 5 hours away in Allen and CSC/EQ is 3 hours away in Houston. TU is about 90 points lower than EQ and EX. It would seem that more companies would use the other 2. Charlie
Well I guess I'm in the minority.... Experian has the most hits for me and the lowest score. EQ is a close second in lowest score but the least hits, and TU has the highest score with a close second on amt of hits. I live in Kansas. I used to live in Michigan, so maybe that's why TU has more hits than EQ. Of course, I've been told if one CRA is down or slow, certain companies have backups and will go to an alternate CRA
It is definatley TU here in Northeast PA. I am about 1 hour from Chester. All my inquires are on there. Equifax had the EXACT same information as TU and I am a 675 TU and a 755 Equifax FICO. For me it seems to be about the score but also very important are creditors that allow household income only as opposed to individual income. I had Equifax pulled the other day and I was denied because I I had no personal income. But I qualifyed and recieved a Plat card from another company pulling TU. Go figure.
I've heard that one of the CRAs is infrequently used b/c they charge a lot more money than the other two. Not sure which one it was. I live in MId-Atlantic region and my promotional inquiries seem to be about equal on all 3 reports. On Equifax actually, most of my inquiries are on accounts I already have like Cap One and rest are promotional from AT&T and Providian. TU - Seem to be a lot more. Discover, Fleet, AMEX, MCI Worldcom, MBNA, Providian. Experian - Providian, Discover, Bank First, Collegiate Funding Services, Chase
cma, From what I know, you are correct. My fiancee applied for a Victoria Secret card and they advised they pull EX but if the line is busy, they'll jump to EQ or TU. See said she would think about applying and hung up. She will go to the store and apply at around 8:45 PM, the lines shouldn't be as busy then. We don't want anything on EQ or TU so we're going to try that. Come hell or high water, she's going to get that card!!!!!!
It is funny though from my experience it seems the Promo inquires sometimes do not have anything to do with what credit B the use to check application. On my report it does not seem to be consistant but BTW I live in the Mid Atlantic region too and Chase Toys R Us pulled TU.