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I've been trying to get both my Orchard cards AF removed last week. Called twice and they declined.
Third time, told them I would cancel if they don't credit the $79 AF on both cards. To my surprise, the CSR said "I can certainly do that for you, sir."
I thought to myself, these cards have my oldest trade lines and I don't want to do that... I was just playing the game.
The CSR had to transfer me to another department to finalize the cancellation. Right after the transfer, I complained about the high AF to the next CSR. The rep then said, she can halve it for me. Told her, "If you can do half, then I am certain you can take the entire AF off. If you can't do it, I want to speak to someone that can." Also told her that I can feed my family for 2 weeks on the AF they charge me. She put me on a 5 minute hold, came back and told me that she will credit the AF back to both my accounts.
Moral of the story:
If you are having a hard time getting AF removed, be persistent. And due to current economic conditions, creditors are willing to close account if requested so I wouldn't recommend using the "threaten to close" tactic nowadays. Be truthful and tell them about how you are trying to cope with current economic crisis.
Also told her that I can feed my family for 2 weeks on the AF they charge me.
Where do you do your grocery shopping?
Congrats on getting your AF dropped. My closest friend just opened a HSBC CC that has an AF of $79. How long after having the CC should he begin negotiating the removal of the $79?
Congrats- I called last wk to cancel (2 yr anniv= 3/09) + all I got was
200 cli W/O the 20 fee
Af waived by 50- cs said he could not waive the af totally
Will call again before 3/09 + see if they will totally waive af
Oh yeah, I got a free CLI when I called to cancel, too. Mine was only $100 though. Brought me up to a whopping $1100CL. LOL
Oh and don't ASK to have the annual fee waived. When you call you want to say that you'd like to cancel the card because you just can't justify the annual fee anymore. Your credit has improved considerably and it seems silly to pay an AF for a non-rewards card that you don't get any benefits from. This approach will yield better results as opposed to calling and asking to have the fee waived.
I’m jealous of your 1.1k cl upup. Mine is 800- and it is only that high b/c I comboed 2 300 orchards into 1. 200 cli took 22 MONTHS to get. I’m leaning towards canceling them @ the 2 yr mark (3/09) anyway- my ba 99/500 will unsecure by then, I have higher cls, etc.
When I called, I was pretty much done/ready to cancel, so I said I want to close b/c
no clis
atrocious af
low cl
just not sure orchard @ 800 cl is really worth it for another yr fico wise.