llecs: On the REDcard - About two weeks ago I was able to get every single statement from my checking account and REDcard and organize them into binders. I started looking at the statements month-to-month. After the CLI two months in, I noticed that about 5 months ago the APR started dropping from 24.24% to (as of the last statement) 21.99%, which, coincidentally, is the highest APR for the Target Visa. Also, my Target Card is almost one year old. (I think that happens sometime this week.) IIRC from reading the forums, 6-12 months is when Target likes to covert, so I'm pretty sure it'll happen soon. And paying it down to 5% can't hurt. But I could be wrong on everything. 
Unfortunately, my credit is not without blemish. I have a 30/60/90 days late on my old CC on April/May/June 2006. That's almost two years ago now, and since I did PIF, I don't expect that to haunt me too badly. Again, I could be wrong on this, too. I'm still new to this game. The account was closed in 5/06 and the bank last reported in 1/07.
If you'd like to see how three years of checking account statements look, I'd be happy to snap a photo. I can't believe I still have every single one!
Unfortunately, my credit is not without blemish. I have a 30/60/90 days late on my old CC on April/May/June 2006. That's almost two years ago now, and since I did PIF, I don't expect that to haunt me too badly. Again, I could be wrong on this, too. I'm still new to this game. The account was closed in 5/06 and the bank last reported in 1/07.
If you'd like to see how three years of checking account statements look, I'd be happy to snap a photo. I can't believe I still have every single one!
Typogrammer wrote:
llecs: On the REDcard - About two weeks ago I was able to get every single statement from my checking account and REDcard and organize them into binders. I started looking at the statements month-to-month. After the CLI two months in, I noticed that about 5 months ago the APR started dropping from 24.24% to (as of the last statement) 21.99%, which, coincidentally, is the highest APR for the Target Visa. Also, my Target Card is almost one year old. (I think that happens sometime this week.) IIRC from reading the forums, 6-12 months is when Target likes to covert, so I'm pretty sure it'll happen soon. And paying it down to 5% can't hurt. But I could be wrong on everything.
Unfortunately, my credit is not without blemish. I have a 30/60/90 days late on my old CC on April/May/June 2006. That's almost two years ago now, and since I did PIF, I don't expect that to haunt me too badly. Again, I could be wrong on this, too. I'm still new to this game. The account was closed in 5/06 and the bank last reported in 1/07.
If you'd like to see how three years of checking account statements look, I'd be happy to snap a photo. I can't believe I still have every single one!
Huh! I never noticed the APR change before. I think they are responding to interest rate cuts only and has nothing to do with card graduation.
Here's why:
DW's rates My rates
9/3 24.24% --------------
10/3 24.24% --------------
11/3 23.74% --------------
12/3 23.74% 12/5 23.74%
1/3 23.49% 1/5 23.49%
2/3 23.24% 2/5 23.24%
3/3 21.99% 3/5 21.99%
DW got the card in August and I in November. I've read posts from at least 2 people who had scores in the 800's and couldn't even get past $200, yet alone a Visa graduation. This is one of the great mysteries of Target: when do they give CLIs and when do they graduate? DW got a CLI before her first statement by maxing the card out at the check-out and reducing the number of items bought to keep under the $200. Her CL went from $200 to $500 her first week. I use 10% and PIF at least a week early and still stuck at $200. Go figure.
Killing those lates will improve your score big time. Send GW's over and over and over again. One of my mottos is: If they haven't sent a restraining order yet, you haven't sent enough GWs.
This APR change is based on the prime rate being reduced.
llecs wrote:
Typogrammer wrote:
llecs: On the REDcard - About two weeks ago I was able to get every single statement from my checking account and REDcard and organize them into binders. I started looking at the statements month-to-month. After the CLI two months in, I noticed that about 5 months ago the APR started dropping from 24.24% to (as of the last statement) 21.99%, which, coincidentally, is the highest APR for the Target Visa. Also, my Target Card is almost one year old. (I think that happens sometime this week.) IIRC from reading the forums, 6-12 months is when Target likes to covert, so I'm pretty sure it'll happen soon. And paying it down to 5% can't hurt. But I could be wrong on everything.
Unfortunately, my credit is not without blemish. I have a 30/60/90 days late on my old CC on April/May/June 2006. That's almost two years ago now, and since I did PIF, I don't expect that to haunt me too badly. Again, I could be wrong on this, too. I'm still new to this game. The account was closed in 5/06 and the bank last reported in 1/07.
If you'd like to see how three years of checking account statements look, I'd be happy to snap a photo. I can't believe I still have every single one!
Huh! I never noticed the APR change before. I think they are responding to interest rate cuts only and has nothing to do with card graduation.Here's why:DW's rates My rates9/3 24.24% --------------10/3 24.24% --------------11/3 23.74% --------------12/3 23.74% 12/5 23.74%1/3 23.49% 1/5 23.49%2/3 23.24% 2/5 23.24%3/3 21.99% 3/5 21.99%DW got the card in August and I in November. I've read posts from at least 2 people who had scores in the 800's and couldn't even get past $200, yet alone a Visa graduation. This is one of the great mysteries of Target: when do they give CLIs and when do they graduate? DW got a CLI before her first statement by maxing the card out at the check-out and reducing the number of items bought to keep under the $200. Her CL went from $200 to $500 her first week. I use 10% and PIF at least a week early and still stuck at $200. Go figure.Killing those lates will improve your score big time. Send GW's over and over and over again. One of my mottos is: If they haven't sent a restraining order yet, you haven't sent enough GWs.
Aw, and I thought I was special.
The GW letter seems like a good idea. Any other tips?
The GW letter seems like a good idea. Any other tips?
We're all special. 
Send GWs over and over and over and over again. I'd start with the address listed on each CR then graduate to other addresses found on their website, Google, these forums and elsewhere. I'd also progress to faxing and emailing. Then I'd focus on targeted individuals like execs-types. I usually send 1 GW as my first volly to "Dear Sir/Madam" then follow-up with 2-3-4 letters at a time from there on out every 30 days or so. You'll get 'em.
Alright. I sent my first GW letter yesterday. I'm known for writing novels instead of letters so I had to restrain myself in writing it.
I've already decided that I'll use my $300 tax rebate check for a secured credit card, probably with BoA as was suggested. But, in the meantime, would it be alright to get a small personal loan through my bank or even a local credit union to bump my credit? I could easily pay $2k in six months. Or should I just stick to credit cards until I get my car loan?
I thought I had this figured out, and now it seems like I'm back at the start line. Yikes.
I've already decided that I'll use my $300 tax rebate check for a secured credit card, probably with BoA as was suggested. But, in the meantime, would it be alright to get a small personal loan through my bank or even a local credit union to bump my credit? I could easily pay $2k in six months. Or should I just stick to credit cards until I get my car loan?
I thought I had this figured out, and now it seems like I'm back at the start line. Yikes.