How to get unsecured card?

Hi,
Does someone know how to get unsecured card when you are coming from overseas?
I came from Australia to LA to live, had excellent credit record in Aus., and now in USA, I even can't get store card in Robinson May- no credit record. I feel stupid! I have 38 years, work full time for the same company 3 years (worked for the same company in Aus and now in USA), have more then double national standard annual salary, and I can't get unsecured credit card!!
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Lara

 

The sad fact is that regardless if you were making $1,000,000 a year and were living in a mansion in Beverly Hills the credit industry (especially the credit card grantors) consider you less than nothing.

The only consolation you may take is that every other country runs the same way.

As for past credit history in your native country, well consider that one of the Credit Reporting Agencies called Equifax has a file sharing agreement with Britain and Canada (perhaps Australia?) though I wonder why they bother since your previous countries' credit history is worth little more than toilet paper as far as the credit industry is concerned.

Still there are some 'possible' ways.

First off, you are obviously important to this company who you have worked for for 38 years and went through the expense of transferring you here.

Taking that into consideration and presuming your company must fall into at least the medium-sized range, the officers most likely have been issued corporate credit cards (AMEX, Citibank, perhaps). Your company should have no difficultly obtaining one in your name REGARDLESS of the fact that you have no credit history, the creditor will grant it based on the corporations' credit worthiness. Once this is reported with the credit bureaus under your name (even though its a joint account) you'll be swamped with credit offers. Then you'll really need to study this site to sift through what is a good offer and what is just a plain ripoff.

Another possibility is if you hold an Australian issued big-name US bank card such as AMEX, Citibank, Capital One to convert this to a US brand. Of course you'll have to speak with and convice somebody with the authority to do so (at least an officer in the company, don't bother with any customer reps they can't do nothing for you) its not foolproof but has been done by others in the past.

I sincerely hope you have not cancelled your Australian issued cards as with online banking, statements, and payments you can still make good use of them indefinately.

Furthermore, you will not be subjected to practises that a number of the lower based prime (regarded as normal elsewhere) banks engage in and which quite frankly illegal in most other countries.

 

I might also add that if your banker in L.A. knows your employment situation you may want to go in and speak with a loan officer about a credit card. Find out if the branch can approve a card or if it's only done at a central office. If it's a central office only, then forget it.

Look don't let most of the messages on this board scare you. Most of the horror stories you will read is due to the fact that these people ruined there credit through late or non payments.

Most people on this board would wish they were in your shoes no credit with a good job!

You would be suprised how easy it will be to start up credit in the U.S. and also be suprised at how much more credit you will be offered compared with the Australian banks.

Look your in L.A. go into any Wells Fargo Branch and get a secured card, give it 90 days and then apply for a Target or Mervyn's card. After another 8 months apply for a citibank Visa card. you'll get them all!

If you want to build good credit fast then try and secure the Wells Fargo card with at least $750-1,000.00.

Also you could consider opening up a second secured account with Bank of America (Same deal go to any branch) then you have 2 trade lines active in your credit file.

No Dept. Store will say no to you!
A friend of mine started this way 14 months ago and yesterday just got a Platinum Discover Card with $10,000.00 Limit.

Go for it, and good luck!

 

RE:Great advice

She said she is 38 years old, not that she has worked for her company 38 years (she said three years). But then, you know everything...gee...I didn't know corporations just co-sign for credit cards for NON-OFFICERS of the corporation. But then again, YOU ARE THE EXPERT!

 

RE:Great advice

You know I've tried to stay quiet since this started with Kathie, and be polite as much as possible, but this is getting to be rediculous.

Kathie, you've put your self on a very high pedastool and are really asking to be knocked down.

Look everyone makes a error here and there,
and when you have a lot to say it's easy to make a slight error like Steven did, But I must say that you are the one who's acting like you know it all and are "little miss can't be wrong"!

How about your error putting those snide remarks under my posting as if I was the one who gave the incorrect advice!

I really think that if you are so thin skined you should think about the immage you are portraying to others on this board.

You frankly are comming off as a know it all who doesn't know much. It's like the saying goes "it's better that people think your a fool than to open your mouth and confirm it."

Please Kathie if you have something to add (constructivly) then please do so, but please don't get into a battle with people who correct you if you are wrong, remember no one is correct everytime.

 

Guess I'm not used to Australian slang.

But I stand by my statement that the company CAN procure her a corporate card if they wish, and feel that if they went through the huge expense of transfering her from Australia and are paying her a healthy salary (this is not some minimum wager we're talking about) that they would be amneable to doing so.

Furthermore, there have been any number of postings here from officers and company management of various corporations doing just that for company employees who required a card (typically AMEX for expenses) and could not obtain one due to having very bad credit.

BTW, this is how you respond directly to the individual in question, you should try it sometime.

 

Michael, I will not dispute these effective methods you suggest, but will point out that Lara did specify unsecured card so I kept my input to that.

However, I am always in favor of the approach of attempting to convince a loan officer or other management personnel, as DOGMAN demonstrated with his AMEX experience you can find reasonable people at financial institutions.

As for horror stories. The many crooked practises of such prime companies as First USA, Fleet, Providian towards their "prime" customers with no bad credit nor bad practises of any sort are not to be dismissed summarily.

 

I realize that Lara wants unsecured credit, so does Keisha who just posted a request for advise, but what both Lara and Keisha need to remember is that you have to start somewhere.

My sugestions were merely to tell Lara my advise. Look it's no good to anyone just to tell them what they want to hear, or only show half the picture. Almost like going to a doctor and having him/her tell you you will live to 125yrs and never get sick right.

The fact of the matter is that if Lara is working in a good job as she says, investing $600.00 or more into 2 secured cards might be money well invested for her.

Frankly speaking I don't know if anyone has stopped to realize it, but we are now experiancing the best opportunity to aquire consumer credit in history. With all of the banks on the Internet offering Platinum lines at $10,000.00 a person could easily aquire $90,000.00 in under 3 years. But like everything in life what is worth getting takes some work to get it.

To everyone who wants instant credit just by applying is equal to a fat man going into a gym signing up and expecting to have lost 20lbs in doing so!

 

I am well aware that the best path to unsecured credit is via secured cards (preferably with a respectable, large bank).

But it would be disengenous to say that this is the only way.

Case in point, MYSELF.

I've never held a secured card (offshore cards withstanding and having no relevance) nor a sub-prime card and managed to 'talk my way' into a prime unsecured. I have known and read about others who have done the same.

Now I will not deny this will either take luck, creativity, a silver tongue or contacts to achieve this but it most certainly is possible, certainly easier than losing 20lbs in a day

Would I advise this path NO, but if a person INSISTS on it I will be most happy to give all the help I can.

 

Steven, understood, but I still think we owe it to a person to let them know the whole picture.

Your post had good info, but someone could get the idea that they can get unsecured credit real easy, not bother with a secured card until they've dammaged their credit by exsesive inquiries.

Let's face it most people don't have the contacts to get this type of credit established, and even I would say I would be one also!

 

One final note on this.

The reason I feel so strongly on this issue is because 1 1/2 years ago it was I who came on these credit sites asking the same question.

The responses were of the "your only option is sub-prime (ripoff) secured cards", no mention was EVER MADE of the prime bank secured option (at least you had that), incredibly nobody even brought up Western Security Bank.

Left to my own devices and NO CONTACTS I managed to use the words of an incompetent rep of a company that had declined me as ammunition with Equifax to embarass the bank and have them eagerly grant me the card.

I will note that I was aware of the impact of inquiries long before I was ever interested in applying for credit.

Speaking of, I have noticed in the past year that it is slowly dawning on the general mass that inquiries are extremely negative to one's credit health. No doubt this is a major factor in what has led to the steep dropoff of pre-approved offers being filled out which in turn has led to fewer being sent out by the creditors.

 

RE:Great advice

Just as I suspected. I'm sorry you are so bitter over your ex-wife, but maybe therein lies the problem. You, Michael, and StevenZ, give all the really great men of the world (like my husband)a bad name. Can't you guys just try to be decent, don't the numerous posts complaining about the belittling, name calling, and rudeness from you guys even make a dent?
What makes for a legitimate debate is the ability to be civil. Respectfully disagreeing, acknowledging that like minds may disagree, is the mature adult way to proceed. I've tried to ignore Michael and StevenZ as others have. I finally had enough and actually lowered to StevenZ's level by posting an open letter to him, although it was in no way as offensive as his daily barbs -- it was erased (I wonder how long it will take for this reply to be erased -- careful ladies don't talk back). The "Good old boy" locker room approach doesn't work Edgar, it only makes people think of you as Red Neck jerks. Rather than offering help...you guys look for ways of "gotcha", ridiculing people for making an error in posting, not doing "research" ( not everyone sits on this board 24/7), or just being rude for the sport of it.

 

RE:Great advice

Kathie:
I have been watching this drama of words between you and Steven Z. for a few weeks now. At times, I think that Steven Z. may go on just a bit too much, however, I agree with him in much of what he says. There have been a few posts in which I think he is harsh at first but the majority of his posts are well thought out responses full of valuable information.

I too tire of the same questions being asked when the answer is only 2 or 3 posts down. I doubt that Steven Z. is expecting hours of research,however, a few minutes to look at the board structure will reveal a search option that even basic computer skills and a little common sense would lead to a conclusion that maybe one should take the initiative to start their quest for knowledge at the obvious.

I would venture to say that those who jump straight to the questions "have bad credit, now what" probably found themselves in their current situation because they expect others to help without giving any effort of their own. I believe,(and correct me if I'm wrong
Steven Z.)that the message he is trying to convey is one of personal responsibility for your learning, coupled with alittle effort, will go a long way in bringing your credit back under control.

You posted just last week that the constant criticisms of others posts needed to stop and if a post wasn't one of good will and words of wisdom, don't post at all. So what if Steven Z. misunderstood how old she was, it wasn;t relevent in the context of his response anyway. You, my dear, instigated this round of verbal conflict.

one last thing: To make such a trite comment as "you, Michael, Steven Z., give all the really great men in the world(like my husband) a bad name" leads me to believe that when in a debate you loose focus on the issues and revert to childness name calling. By doing so you, Kathie, you give women who struggle to prove that not ALL of us are petty and mean-spirited when confronte, a bad name. And as far as the "good ol'boy" approach, I have no problems being "one of the guys". Then again, I don't piss and moan when I have to carry my own clubs, defend myself against rudeness or constructive criticism, and I don't need to be stroked and complimented every 5 minutes.

Please understand that this is not intended to be mean- spirited. I am hoping that hearing these things from another woman will help you to see a different perspective.

God Bless,
leamen

Kathie wrote:
-------------------------------
Just as I suspected. I'm sorry you are so bitter over your ex-wife, but maybe therein lies the problem. You, Michael, and StevenZ, give all the really great men of the world (like my husband)a bad name. Can't you guys just try to be decent, don't the numerous posts complaining about the belittling, name calling, and rudeness from you guys even make a dent?
What makes for a legitimate debate is the ability to be civil. Respectfully disagreeing, acknowledging that like minds may disagree, is the mature adult way to proceed. I've tried to ignore Michael and StevenZ as others have. I finally had enough and actually lowered to StevenZ's level by posting an open letter to him, although it was in no way as offensive as his daily barbs -- it was erased (I wonder how long it will take for this reply to be erased -- careful ladies don't talk back). The "Good old boy" locker room approach doesn't work Edgar, it only makes people think of you as Red Neck jerks. Rather than offering help...you ....

 

I agree that inquiries are very damaging, but I was under the impression that Most (not all) banks have already done an inquiry on you before they send out these pre approved offers?

Please share with us how you embarised the card company into giving you the card, or at least e mail it to me!

Thanks.

 

RE:Great advice

When you take the time to chime in on one of StevenZ's putdowns, or the post you put up for me, what other conclusion am I supposed to come to? You do post some very well thought out and intelligent posts. For the most part I have found your information informative and presented with with care, and, you are right, I do not see you as having much in common with StevenZ. I do not like losing my cool and usually do well blowing off the jerks, but even us ladies have our limits.

As far as the post to StevenZ as a new topic; where is it? It was erased shortly after I posted it. Read the above post to Leamen -- criticism of StevenZ, Michael, and you seem to have a way of mysteriously disappearing. If only my posts in response to my being crucified are what remains, it presents a pretty biased picture. I'd venture to say that your opinion of me has no basis in truth either. I don't dare expose my professional or personal information, because based on previous posts it will only become fodder for more "gotcha".

 

RE:Great advice

Leamen.
I have been observing this board for months and have posted rarely, and for specific reasons. What I have observed is that there are a few individuals (who post as males) who seem to lie-in-wait for people they can put forth as targets. I suppose if the board were a fulltime occupation (as it seems to be for those we are discussing) it would become annoying to have people ask, what for them, is a stupid question. The reality though is that most people are still not that computer savvy to know that they should first use the search option (I know I didn't until I saw one of StevenZ's putdowns). I think it is unfair to assume people who make this mistake do so because they have not been able to manage their credit responsibly. Most people become upside-down because of medical bills or job loss, or other personal catastrophies.
Several people in the last few days have posted complaints regarding StevenZ and his condescending and offensive posts. I copied them yesterday, and much to my shock, watched as they suddenly disappeared. I'd be happy to forward the entire posts to anyone who is interested. They are:

bbarlow (63.91.68.155)RE: Bank First Action
07/17/2000 14:15

FISH (12.1tlanta-36.ga.dial-access.att.net_
RE: Bank First Action 07/17/2000 18:29

Kathie (ip237.syracuse7.ny.pub-ip.psi.net)
RE: Bank First Action card 07/18/2000 06:42

Rock (207.15.57.6) RE:Bank First Action card
07/17/2000 15:01

Stormie (1cust69.tnt2.tucson.az.da.uu.net)
RE:Bank First Action card 07/17/200018:26

FISH (12.atlanta-36.ga.dial-access.att.net)
RE:Bank First Acion card 07/17/2000 18:21

Kathie (ip237.syracuse7.ny-pub-ip.psi.net)
RE:Bank First Action card 07/18/2000 18:31

The ones posted under RE:NEW SECURED-UMBRELLA BANK have so far survived. The open letter I posted to StevenZ 07/17/2000 was erased shortly after it was posted. This is a trend I have observed for some time, criticism is carefully edited, the same people tend to post, and women usually don't fair too well if they assert any authority. I suspect several of the male posters are actually female....

Your comments are appreciated and taken in the spirit in which you intended.

 

RE:Great advice

Well, well. Another useless and off-topic little squabble involving my favorite collectivist. This board is for the serious examination of credit issues; and yet it seems to continually fall victim to the flame wars initiated by blimp sized, super sensitve egos of a few clinically insecure nuerotics. In other words, this is the perfect opportunity for me to toss in a few gratuitous insults and random thoughts. Thank God for Kathie, and you thought she was just good for laughs!

K wrote:
>"You, Michael, and StevenZ, give all the really great men of the world (like my husband)a bad name."

Hey, I pretty much resent being left off the little feminazi list. I know I have not been around much lately but by God that is no reason to dis me by omission. What am I, a feminist?

By the way, if your husband is a "Great Man", do you have his supper waiting on the table for him when he gets home?

J wrote:
>As for 'locker rooms', don't get me excited....

HaHaHaHaHaHaHahah!!!!!Naughty boy!!! I nearly broke a tooth on that one.

What might even be just a wee bit funnier is the image I got in my mind while reading Kathie's post to J Edgar, of a Kathie wailing and flailing away with a baseball bat at her detractor, while wearing a blindfold, utterly without a clue! If she walked into the G&L Bank how long do you think it would take for certain facts to penetrate that thick skull?


J wrote:
>An finally there are just some posts that are so off the wall, outlandish and downright dumb, that I just can't pass them up.

You are "from the President", aren't you? It will do no harm to confess to a nom de guerre from an era never to return.

J wrote:
>Good ol' boy? Red Neck? I'll take that as some kind of sarcastic put-down as once again, you probably didn't take the time to read any of my previous posts. That is perhaps the last term anyone who knows me well would use to describe me.

Well, J Edgar I think you have have put your finger on a serious deficiency in K's brain functioning here. Redneck? You? Yeah, right. And the Pope is a Jew. Bill Clinton is a family man. Hillary is hetero. Puhhhhhleeeeease! Let me demonstrate by contrast that you are, in fact, woefully unqualified to merit the redneck moniker. Sorry, no offense intended, but we have to maintain our standards. You see, I are a redneck. Now notice the difference in the way a true, God fearing redneck would respond to a sandal wearing, dirty legged, unwashed marxist bloviate like Kathie:
"Just what passes for a redneck in whatever left wing, pinko, ghetto you do your pot smoking in now-a-days, sweetcakes? I am thinking that if a fellow of J Edgar's particular disqualifications is a redneck then what the heck are they calling my people now? Stockbrokers? Artistes? What planet are you from, bimbo? Have you been sniffing your tie died T-shirts again? Do you ever get out of the organic grocery store long enough to ride your eco-cycle out to the country? You know, THE COUNTRY!! Where rednecks cover lettuce with pig dung, call it organic, and sell it to the liberals for twice the price. Lookie here, scrumptious, in THE COUNTRY, we don't even let people like J Edgar into the redneck program; which begins, BTW, with the "hayseed" designation that one is granted as soon as one is old enough to attend school. Usually around 10 or so. If one is speaking English by then. Previous to this age all future rednecks are universally designated by thier elders as a "brat".

Why don't you skip the next meeting of the Man-Haters Club, Your Plumpness, and peddle down to Wal-Marts and barter some of your crystals and beads for a country CD. Then, compare that to the Village People reunion tour CD. See the diff yet? By the way, I think I figured out why your hubby is a "Great Man". I figure it is because He has dinner ready for You when You get home. I don't think he can cut it as a redneck either, toots. But maybe you could introduce him to J Edgar!"

Hope this Helps!