Credit Cards

[CreditHawk]

Hey frustrated fellow ORCHARD Card customers... are you tired of feeling "sub-prime" as a customer every time you have to dial LONG DISTANCE to visit with an uninformed rep in a 3rd world country about your Orchard Card?

Here's some relief... A TOLL FREE NUMBER that will get you in at no charge, and you can be routed to a rep or a manager in the United States if you demand it.

1-888-385-8916

Don't let HSBC's Orchard people lie to you and say you don't deserve toll-free assistance. Use that anytime.

[FretlessMayhem]

They don't have toll free customer service? Are you serious?

[CreditHawk]

Heck no. I just spoke with a CSR named "Mike Weber" in their Las Vegas call center, and Mike was blunt enough to say "certain card customers don't get that level of service"...

I tell ya folks, dealing with bottom feeders like Orchard (part of HSBC) is like dealing with a smelly, unshaven loan shark... the kind you see on TV in filthy dark alleys. I've rebuilt my credit enough to have much larger lines ($7500 with Chase at 0%) that I really don't need to be treated like trash any longer by the Orchard dreggs.

If they don't come back with a REALLY attractive offer next week to try and keep me as a customer, I'm cutting these cards up and sending them to them C.O.D.

Work on your credit scores, folks. Pay your bills on time. Avoid scum like Orchard reps.

[creditreformer]

ditto credithawk.  add in the fact that EVERY time i've calle orchard, they've always tried to pimp a product to me and don't seem to get that 'no' means 'no' whether they ask me 1x or 5x.

i just paid my 2 orchards in full and they're going in the sockdrawer for the next 6-12 mos.  i just got hit w/2 AFs, so will keep them until @ least early 2009 simply b/c they're my oldest TLs.  after just over a year of 'perfect history' w/them, no CLIs, no offer to waive the AFs, etc.  the only 'plus' i have from orchard is the low APRs (which isn't really an issue as I PIF nearly every month).

i needed orchard (and first premier- ack now there's a car dealer like co.) b/c my FICOs were trashed and they were the only unsecured CCs I could get @ the time.  my FICOs are now in the high 500s and i have a way to go to improving them (it's a longgggg process once you fall down down down).  i recently got a BA 99/500 secured which will unsecure in 6-12 mos. and an unsecured cap 1 card (not the best bank, but better than first premier/orchard).

fortunately my fps/orchards are all 0 balances now.  like orchards, fps are going into the sockdrawer for 6-12 mos. and will be 'dumped' (there's really nothing fp could offer to sway me to keep them open beyond early 2009/my '2 yr perfect mark' w/them).

i get the need for 'subprime' cards, but really, they leave a lot to be desired.

[jaxstraw]

Yep, everything you said is true. I went through the same thing. Scores in the low 500's, nobody would give me a card, etc.

Seven months later ,my scores are in the low 700's, and I've got CL'S from 10-15,000 range (PenFed,NFCU,USAA Thank you !!!)

After seeking advice on these boards I pulled the trigger two days ago and CANCELLED my Orchard cards.

Got a CR who would give me a 'lecture' on how sorry they were to see me go, that they report to all three CU monthly (as if others don't), that if I stay I'll see the card grow with me.

I say, 'Well if you want me so much try to change my mind. I've got other CCC's that have given me CLI's at activation, other CCC's that have given me higher CL'S at application, and they appreciate my business. How about you ???

'I'm sorry sir, we really don't want to loose you as a valuable customer but there is nothing we can do at this time. We give out CLI's after periodic reviews and if you stay in good standing like you have I'm sure you will be considered"

YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME !!!!!

I say thanks but no thanks I just want to cancel. Both times they send me to a 'Senior' CR WHO GIVES ME THE THE WORKS AGAIN!!

To sum it up, they are in the trash heap and I'm better off for it.

They served their purpose because I made it so ,not them.

Jax

Message Edited by jaxstraw on 04-26-2008 05:35 PM

[bint-bilady]

I have been with Orchard for almost 2 years and they have very generous to increase my CL by freakin $100.. it is a joke isn't it??? CS said I am not qualified for more because I have been late 2 times within a period of 18 month... no kidding.. As soon as I hit 700s I am so cutting these stinkin' cards away.

[FretlessMayhem]

It's kind of shocking that they don't have a 800 number to call for CS. Even slime like Tribute and First Premier have those.

[CreditHawk]

Everyone here is on the right track. In fact, to those of you (like me) with TWO Orchard Cards, call them TOLL FREE (at the number at the top of this post) and demand that they COMBINE two accounts into one with a COMBINED credit limit. This will save you on annual fees, and you'll still have the same CL.

The Orchard Card folks at HSBC know they've got a "captive audience" of low-credit-score customers, and sadly... when some of us leave, more new customers take our place. It's a great business "model" but it's also very "bottom-feeding"... just like pawn shops and loan sharks. They're just the lowest of the low.

CALL THEM TOLL FREE EVERYTIME!!!

[FretlessMayhem]

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CreditHawk wrote:
Everyone here is on the right track. In fact, to those of you (like me) with TWO Orchard Cards, call them TOLL FREE (at the number at the top of this post) and demand that they COMBINE two accounts into one with a COMBINED credit limit. This will save you on annual fees, and you'll still have the same CL.

The Orchard Card folks at HSBC know they've got a "captive audience" of low-credit-score customers, and sadly... when some of us leave, more new customers take our place. It's a great business "model" but it's also very "bottom-feeding"... just like pawn shops and loan sharks. They're just the lowest of the low.

CALL THEM TOLL FREE EVERYTIME!!!

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From what others have said, I don't know if you're technically guaranteed to receive the total CLs from the 2 cards when you combine with HSBC. However, I haven't read anyone that actually didn't.

[exploder3211]

Although the CL stinks, i have generally had so so luck with them.. And i had an Orchard Card in my BK and within 5 months from it they opend my old account  and offered to start fresh... I pif every month and yeah the $300 stinks, but they are good..At least they overnighted me a card FREE when i got stuck in Denver last year