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Considering closing some store cards

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westo12
Established Contributor

Considering closing some store cards

I have 8 Visa/MC/Disc cards and 8 store cards - 3 of which are about 4 mos old that I got through comenity bank through shopping cart pre approvals.  I am considering closing 2 of these, a $250 Express and $250 Buckle.  I don't know why I opened these.. Anyway, they are paid in full now and I'm considering closing them.  Not going to affect my util much, approx .50%.  

I have 20 total positive tradelines, I just feel these are cards I should close just to have 2 less to stay on top of.  Any reason I should keep these? 

Chap7 discharge 07/2015
Fico 5/1/19: TR:650(73% util)
Cap1(Plat+QS) 3500+4500/Merrick 1600/Express 4100/Overstock 4900.
Message 1 of 11
10 REPLIES 10
gdale6
Moderator Emeritus

Re: Considering closing some store cards


@westo12 wrote:

I have 8 Visa/MC/Disc cards and 8 store cards - 3 of which are about 4 mos old that I got through comenity bank through shopping cart pre approvals.  I am considering closing 2 of these, a $250 Express and $250 Buckle.  I don't know why I opened these.. Anyway, they are paid in full now and I'm considering closing them.  Not going to affect my util much, approx .50%.  

I have 20 total positive tradelines, I just feel these are cards I should close just to have 2 less to stay on top of.  Any reason I should keep these? 


I usually dont recommend the closing of any cards unless they have an AF, but if you are not going to use them and you dont want the hassle of keeping track of them then I say go ahead, they were SP approvals so no HP hit with them.

Message 2 of 11
Cleanmachine
Frequent Contributor

Re: Considering closing some store cards

It's not a good idea to close cards unless they are carrying an annual fee as stated above.

Just sock drawer them.

Message 3 of 11
westo12
Established Contributor

Re: Considering closing some store cards

No, I don't believe they have an AF, I just read where they'll close them after a while if you don't use them.  I guess I could use a couple times per year and then PIF.  Then I could move them to the bottom of the spreadsheet I use to track them all.  I guess part of the reason is looking at those $250 limits remind me of where I've been and not where I want to go..

Chap7 discharge 07/2015
Fico 5/1/19: TR:650(73% util)
Cap1(Plat+QS) 3500+4500/Merrick 1600/Express 4100/Overstock 4900.
Message 4 of 11
coldnmn
Mega Contributor

Re: Considering closing some store cards


@westo12 wrote:

No, I don't believe they have an AF, I just read where they'll close them after a while if you don't use them.  I guess I could use a couple times per year and then PIF.  Then I could move them to the bottom of the spreadsheet I use to track them all.  I guess part of the reason is looking at those $250 limits remind me of where I've been and not where I want to go..


Also if you keep them a reminder not to apply for a card you will never use!

Discover IT $17k / US Bank Ace (VSig) $13.5K / US Bank Cash+ (VSig) $13.5k
Sam's Mastercard $15k / Walmart Mastercard $10k / Blispay $7.5k PayPal Ex MC $10.8k
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Gardening Date 7/01/16 / MyFico 08: EQ 801 / TU 777 / EX 771 / 06/08/17
Message 5 of 11
westo12
Established Contributor

Re: Considering closing some store cards


@coldnmn wrote:

Also if you keep them a reminder not to apply for a card you will never use!


Point taken lol.  I was curious about the shopping cart trick, it was around Christmas and I had 90% util at the time. :/  They never should have approved me to begin with, but YES. I've learned my lesson.  Thanks for the input!!  Smiley Happy

Chap7 discharge 07/2015
Fico 5/1/19: TR:650(73% util)
Cap1(Plat+QS) 3500+4500/Merrick 1600/Express 4100/Overstock 4900.
Message 6 of 11
Cleanmachine
Frequent Contributor

Re: Considering closing some store cards

Just use them to make small purchases about every three or four months to keep them active.

 

Great comment regarding the spread sheet (looking at those $250 limits remind me of where I've been and not where I want to go.).

Message 7 of 11
westo12
Established Contributor

Re: Considering closing some store cards

Thanks Clean, I went back a few nights ago and re-read ALL of my original forum posts from 2009 on.  Talk about coming a LONG way.  I'm learning. Smiley Happy 

Chap7 discharge 07/2015
Fico 5/1/19: TR:650(73% util)
Cap1(Plat+QS) 3500+4500/Merrick 1600/Express 4100/Overstock 4900.
Message 8 of 11
SunriseEarth
Moderator Emeritus

Re: Considering closing some store cards


@Cleanmachine wrote:

It's not a good idea to close cards unless they are carrying an annual fee as stated above.

Just sock drawer them.


+1

 

If they're just a burden or too hard to track, then you might be better off.  I'd recommend SD and consider either closing them at the year mark or just letting them fade away. 



Start: 619 (TU08, 9/2013) | Current: 809 (TU08, 3/05/24)
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Message 9 of 11
CreditMagic7
Mega Contributor

Re: Considering closing some store cards

I'm keeping ALL mine because they came with semi acceptable SL's. After a full year I'll simply evaluate them logically according to their percentage of CLI's i'm satisfied with. I find their online accounts site Very Sound, and better then even a couple of my Primes where concerns SECURITY. I worked in PC Security and am very sensitive to sites that don't measure up to my own standards and any glitches, or distortions whatsoever i immediately jump right on them over it.
Now that aside, other Prime lenders that ask me about them, i simply explain my reason/purpose for these catalog retail cards which is the truth.

They are strictly for Holiday purposes with their huge discounts (50-70% off) (Free Shipping) offered during those advertised months, nothing more, nothing less.

No brainier for me and lenders completely understand. They are hardly useful for just util. purposes anyway.
Message 10 of 11
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