"Fake" activity on credit cards?

[juggalo9er]

as macy's is generally way overpriced i would buy and return myself...then again i participate in activities which a lot deem to be bad ideas with credit cards..

[Themanwhocan]

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@SunriseEarth wrote:

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@TatorTodd wrote:

I havent used my Macy's card since 11/13, and really dont plan on using it anymore as they will not up my minimal limit, and I really dont shop there.  I got this to start credit history.  I would like to keep it just due to the length its been open.  If i go purchase things, then return them maybe a week or 2 later, would they see this as activity, or do they notice the returns? Or am I just better off buying needed socks and whatnot there every once in awhile? Thanks everyone

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Technically, yes, it's activity.  But it's already too much effort to go to the store, it seems like an unreallistic solution.

Do Xmas shopping there.  Or buy some needed basics every now and again.  Or yes, order something online.  You don't need to use it too often just to generate activity.

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Here you go:

http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/holiday-lane-babys-1st-christmas-bear-in-bootie-ornament?ID=96257...

[RushXTC]

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@TatorTodd wrote:

I havent used my Macy's card since 11/13, and really dont plan on using it anymore as they will not up my minimal limit, and I really dont shop there.  I got this to start credit history.  I would like to keep it just due to the length its been open.  If i go purchase things, then return them maybe a week or 2 later, would they see this as activity, or do they notice the returns? Or am I just better off buying needed socks and whatnot there every once in awhile? Thanks everyone

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Yeah, Just buy something small. It's best that way.

[MrMurphyBrown]

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@TatorTodd wrote:

I havent used my Macy's card since 11/13, and really dont plan on using it anymore as they will not up my minimal limit, and I really dont shop there.  I got this to start credit history.  I would like to keep it just due to the length its been open.  If i go purchase things, then return them maybe a week or 2 later, would they see this as activity, or do they notice the returns? Or am I just better off buying needed socks and whatnot there every once in awhile? Thanks everyone

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If you aren't going to use it anymore - either SD it or just close it.  It will remain on your CR for ~10 years as a positive TL.  I don't know about anyone else, but I'd rather not have socks someone else bought and stored for a few weeks, just to return them because they wanted to work on their credit

[JKSIMMONS]

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@TatorTodd wrote:

I havent used my Macy's card since 11/13, and really dont plan on using it anymore as they will not up my minimal limit, and I really dont shop there.  I got this to start credit history.  I would like to keep it just due to the length its been open.  If i go purchase things, then return them maybe a week or 2 later, would they see this as activity, or do they notice the returns? Or am I just better off buying needed socks and whatnot there every once in awhile? Thanks everyone

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I like the sock idea. Ask yourself if keeping the card is worth a $20 purchase of something you will actually use. Everyone needs socks and undies dawg. Personally, if it were my oldest trade line, I'd drop a twinkie spot to keep it open and active.

I feel your pain though.

[JustMe77]

In extreme cases some stores blacklist shoppers who return too much (I know Sephora does this, not sure about Macy's). That issue aside, it just seems like a waste of your time. I don't think store credit cards need as frequent activity as 'regular' credit cards, so I wouldn't worry too much about it. If it were me, I would just try to use it every 4-6 months or so. There's always holiday shopping, birthday gifts, socks..

[gh17]

I understand your situation; I just made myself spend $20 with a store card I hadn't used in a year to keep it open.  However, that was at a store I do like and do plan to shop at in the future - it's just that I don't really need anything from there right now.

Since Macy's does have stuff like socks and underwear, you could probably find something on clearance that would be worth having.

Purchasing and returning before the bill came would appear as $0 of use on your credit report, I think.  If you purchase something towards the end of your bill cycle, then return after the bill comes, that might work.  Your goal here is mainly just to keep Macy's from closing your card though, so it doesn't really matter if it shows up on your credit report.  I think so long as they have to send you a bill, it will probably count as use.

Everyone always says, "just use every 4 or 5 months," but honestly it seems silly to go buy something you don't need or want that often, even if it's cheap.  I think you can probably stretch it longer than that, and I'd try to find something you'll actually make use of.  It's a department store, not a specialty store, so you'll probably find something.  Worst case, the returning thing will probably work though.

[striehl8212]

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@JustMe77 wrote:

In extreme cases some stores blacklist shoppers who return too much (I know Sephora does this, not sure about Macy's). That issue aside, it just seems like a waste of your time. I don't think store credit cards need as frequent activity as 'regular' credit cards, so I wouldn't worry too much about it. If it were me, I would just try to use it every 4-6 months or so. There's always holiday shopping, birthday gifts, socks..

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Target does this too. You have to show your drivers liscense when you return something and I've seen people turned away for returning too much. 

[TatorTodd]

Thanks again everyone for the comments.  Looks like i'll be buying a sweet little bear in the boot ornament for Aunt Evelyn

[maiden_girl]

I had a Macys card from 2011-2014. Last activity was in 2012. I never got CLD'd but I did eventually close it because the card served no purpose for me anymore. It was one of my oldest tradelines but...I had other cards that served a much better purpose. If you don't need it, SD it or close it. There's no point in charging something to return it two weeks later to keep a card open.