I had managed to get my EX and TU scores to 683 and 663 (don't ask about EQ). Both are showing an open collection of $1,774 from 2001 and I had a repo in 2000 that is showing an unpaid chargeoff of $9k, and a few other older small paid chargeoffs. And, about 10 inquiries on EXP and 5 on TU. In the last 8 months I've opened a Nordstrom account of $2k, an Orchard card of $300 (whoopee) and opened and paid off a Dell account of $1.5k at ridiculous interest (I paid it all down but about $200 and took 6 months to pay it off for the history) I marched out on Saturday convinced I could buy a new car at a decent rate. The dealer qualified me at 3.9% based on a TU auto-enhanced FICO of 632. When I got to the table to sign the papers, they said they would have to contract it at 18% due to the repo. Of course I marched right back out. (the F&I manager said the main problem was that I hadn't re-established enough credit.) Sunday morning, in my quest to rectify the situation, I applied online and was approved for a Macy's account - no limit indicated. Flush with success, I went to Fleet and applied for the e-Platinum card, fully expecting a $500 limit and/or a secured card offer. Presto, in seconds, I was approved for $5k and they gave me the account number on the spot. I immediately ordered a DVD online just to convince myself that it was real. With a song in my heart and a smile on my lips, I then sailed into Macy's to take advantage of the clearance sale - with another 15% off for opening the card that day and 10% for using it. Before I started shopping, I called the customer service line to find out the limit, fully anticipating that they would see the Nordstrom account and compete for my business. Nope. $100. Mortified and laughing hysterically, I bought a $20 shirt, saved like $1.88 - and tried to see it for what it is, another opportunity to rebuild. Just a really slow one. (The salesgirl thought I was nuts - I paid cash for about $100 worth of other stuff. If she only knew) So, in 24 hours, I was way down, way up, and back down. I just wanted to pass this on to those who may not see the light at the end of the tunnel - it's a flickering light but it's there. I'm not a frequent poster, but an avid reader - my thanks to you experts out there. You are appreciated. Regards!
I PERSONALLY WOULD HAVE ASKED THEM TO CLOSE THE "TOY" CARD ACCOUNT!!! ...but that is me... STATE FARM GAVE BIRTH TO THE "TOY" CARD I closed it WITH-OUT using it...AND I TOLD THEM WHY...and I also sent a PFB... $100 IS AN INSULT
Quick Q'? George. If you close a CC without using/activating it doesn't it get taken off your CR? Presumably because you didn't ... ahem ... consumate the deal? ??? .
Re: Re: A strange weekend NO...it will show up...you might be able to DISPUTE IT OFF---"NOT MINE" 5 or 10 times and the CRA will get tired of you and make it gone... I got a call and they said they MADE AN ERROR IN JUDGEMENT...MATCHED MY LOWEST @ $5,000 SO I TOOK IT...but then they messed up again with the NON EXISTANT BT THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE LIKE 3.90%...SO I CLOSED IT FOR GOOD.
Re: Re: A strange weekend I have had account show up on the CREDIT REPORT before I got the card... ...especially some of those that say it can take 30+ days... 32 SECONDS...30+ DAYS FOR APPROVAL...something wrong with that.
Yeah, the $100 was insulting - if I hadn't gotten the Fleet approval it probably would have bothered me more. But, having burned the hard inquiry, I decided to swallow my pride and just use the card. Other posters have said Macy's is pretty decent about increases so we'll see. The kicker was, both Macy's and Fleet pulled EXP
