I Need to close some credit cards - which ones?

[AndySoCal]

JC Penney started me with the same limit as you have with credit scores close to what is in my siggy below. After a few months a $400 then I did CLI request later then I received a  CLI over times my limit. ie 500 to 2700.  Keep working or start working on your student loans and get them fixed sow your socres will go up.

[SunriseEarth]

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@mgs2010 wrote:

They're so annoying to deal with! The online system auto declines me every single time, so does the front line care reps. I called in this evening to request one via the backdoor numbers and they said I need to unlock my transunion report because it's frozen. So then I ask if it's a soft or hard pull and the lady had no idea what I was asking (she was definitely in an overseas call center)---needless to say, I got iritated and just hung up. I will keep them for a little bit longer and call in a couple months. I hate to close credit cards but I just feel like those accounts are holding me back. Walmart is a good card to have when you just need to get some eggs and bread or something. Lowes is OK for small home repairs that come up. Target....eh, I don't know what the advantage is of having a 300 dollar target card. Free shipping? lol

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Yeah, I think the frozen TU report is preventing you from any luck with the GE backed cards, since they almost exclusively pull TU. Have you considered unfreezing that report? GE CLIs are all SPs.

My JCP CL started at $250 last November and I'm currently at $1100.   I use my JCP card frequently at CVS and Rite Aid, so I actually find mine very useful.  

[mgs2010]

Wait, what? you use your JCP card at CVS and rite aid? huh? Please explain!!

[SunriseEarth]

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@mgs2010 wrote:

Wait, what? you use your JCP card at CVS and rite aid? huh? Please explain!!

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Yes, both Rite Aid and CVS both accept the JCP store card as a form of payment in their stores.  

Why? JCP used to own Eckerd's Drug, which took the JCP card as payment.  Eckerd's was split and sold to CVS and the Jean Coutu Group, who later sold their portion to Rite Aid.  Both CVS and Rite Aid elected to continue acceptance of the JCP card.  

(edited for typo)

[KoolDev]

I remember hearing my mom say she would use her JCP card at those stores !  I had forgotten about that.   Only time i use mine is for back to school clothes, winter coats and shorts for the summer.   Balance is 51 bucks and my next payment is 35 LOL.   CLI is 600 tho

[mgs2010]

Wow, thanks for the info - I had no idea! What an easy way to utilize that card more often, I have a CVS right up the street.

[SunriseEarth]

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@mgs2010 wrote:

Wow, thanks for the info - I had no idea! What an easy way to utilize that card more often, I have a CVS right up the street.

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No prob.   That's definitely a good way to use it, especially as you can make small purchases and not run up UTIL too much.  

So I was curious about your frozen TU.  Is unfreezing it something you've considered or is that not an option?

[mgs2010]

I did unfreeze it for the day for GE to do the soft pulls. They only approved me to increase the Lowes card. idk why, I've always been good to GECRB. The agent on the line made it seem like I didn't use it enough to justify but said I'll get a letter. I'll try again in a few months. I put all of my credit reports on freeze because I get into these app frenzy modes sometimes and figured if I had a barrier it would save me some inquiries....Thinking about removing them entirely though becuase it used to be $5.00 to add it and $0 to lift it temporarily, now they charge $5 to lift and $5 to add. Ripoff.

[SunriseEarth]

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@mgs2010 wrote:

I did unfreeze it for the day for GE to do the soft pulls. They only approved me to increase the Lowes card. idk why, I've always been good to GECRB. The agent on the line made it seem like I didn't use it enough to justify but said I'll get a letter. I'll try again in a few months. I put all of my credit reports on freeze because I get into these app frenzy modes sometimes and figured if I had a barrier it would save me some inquiries....Thinking about removing them entirely though becuase it used to be $5.00 to add it and $0 to lift it temporarily, now they charge $5 to lift and $5 to add. Ripoff.

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Well, the letter might give some good tips on what to work on.  My last CLI denial mentioned high utilization and I realized a CO was showing 324% UTIL!  That one falls off in Feb/March, so I'm in the Garden until then!