without a hard inquiry. I stopped by the local Macy's and telephoned the credit department on their courtesy phone to confirm that they had received my last payment. Then I mentioned that I intend to purchase some additional furniture etc. this month and requested to know the procedure for a "credit guideline" increase from the sales staff if my purchases should exceed my $1500 current guideline. The rep said "let me take care of that for you now Mr. Jim". "Would a $3000 guideline be adequate?" I said yes and it was a done deal just like my Robinsons-May thread from the other day. No questions were asked about my income or other finances. BTW - Macy's was the only other credit account that survived my BK in 1998. It is my second oldest tradeline after Robinson's-May. The account is about 20 years old. My credit guideline in 1998 was $600. It was increased in June 2001 to $1500. Now in July 2002, it is $3000. The sales rep mentioned that a big sale is scheduled for August ( I believe) with many items at -0-% financing for 3 months, 6 months and 12 months depending on the item(s) purchased. So this may be a good time for you other Macy's account holders to check on your Macy's credit limit. Please keep in mind that I have never been a day late or dollar short on my payments with either Macy's or Robinsons-May during 20+ years of doing business with them. Therefore, my increases have been based on their internal scoring model(s). As always, I am a believer in contacting the credit department from inside the store. It provides an atmosphere of anticipation of sales ($$$) in the credit rep's mind. I have successfully done this now with Bloomingdales, Macy's and Robinsons-May. I may do this with Nordstrom next February - my 2 year anniversary with them. Best regards, Jim
Your post was very helpful. I think I may try that with Nordstrom because they've left my cl the same since 1995. Part of it is my own fault because I havent bought much there. I never quite know how to think about their merchandise or their place in the marketplace. They clearly aren;t middle of the road like macys, but they certainly arent the same as Neiman Marcus or Saks either.
Nice going Jim. As you may already know, Macy's is my FAVORITE place to shop. They have been good to me and helped me tremendously when I was trying to re-establish. I went from $300 in 1992 to ZERO in 2/99 to $200 in 10/2000 to $2500? today. It might be higher.
Jim, You bring up a good point re asking for guideline increases in the store. I hadn't thought of that before. MP$40, I think the Federated stores will hook people up. Rich's took me from $200 to $3500 in 18 months (and this from an account reopened after being in collections). I keep Rich's for the furniture and b/c it is my oldest account.
I'll have to try for an increase next time I am shopping. I think credit can only be called M-F. Congrats
