@Anonymous wrote:I am completely thrilled right now!
I took a chance and applied online since it has been 6 months since the last app and I don't really have a recent pull history. I was declined online and crossed my fingers as I called the backdoor number. They acrtually reviewed all the good I have been doing, asked me more questions and then approved me for $1000! I said $500 would be fine when asked initially, so I was SHOCKED!
Doing a happy dance!!! I am going to put $600 on it now, but pay $200 of it as soon as the first bill comes around and pay well over the min. each month, keeping it around 10-20% rolling utilization.
Congrats! In case you haven't already read this here: Be sure you DON'T app for any other CCs for at least 6 mos. And don't ask for a CLI with them either. Barclays is extremely sensitive about new accounts being opened after theirs.
Your plan of making a purhcase and making payments sounds like a good one. That's what I did in November: I got an iPad2 w/0% interest and am paying it off over time, in the hopes of building a positive history with them. 
Congrats OP...
Word of caution, keep this happy dance as your last for at least 6 months :-) Barclays can be a devil if you go on app spree. I have seen people getting their accounts close with just one new account.
Congrats again
@Anonymous wrote:OP, what do you mean, they're giving you a chance? Your the customer and they should be happy you are picking them to do business with. These companies want your money and business. They make money off of you, so people should stop with feeling "blessed" that a bank is giving them credit. It's all about making money off you.
YOU are giving them a chance at your business.
+1
@Anonymous wrote:I am completely thrilled right now!
I took a chance and applied online since it has been 6 months since the last app and I don't really have a recent pull history. I was declined online and crossed my fingers as I called the backdoor number. They acrtually reviewed all the good I have been doing, asked me more questions and then approved me for $1000! I said $500 would be fine when asked initially, so I was SHOCKED!
Doing a happy dance!!! I am going to put $600 on it now, but pay $200 of it as soon as the first bill comes around and pay well over the min. each month, keeping it around 10-20% rolling utilization.
Congrats!!!
You need to garden now for at least 6 months. Don't rock the boat with Barclays.