Having a VERY hard time rebuilding credit here:
Back in Jan this year, I finally "unlocked" my 3 CR (did it for security reasons 3-4 years ago. Pretty much all good & bad reports were dropped, in effect leaing me with a clean slate.
Not a good thing. Clean Slate means no history, so I started to apply to reestablish history. My only criteria was to avoid using secured cards, or taking out any loans.
Jan 2015 my Score via TU & Experian was roughly in the 500's (EX reported high number 569).
Started in Jan 2015, I applied on average to 2-4 times per week. With the exception of Capitol One (3x) & Best Buy (2x - SP on both) I only applied once.
All applications were done online. Except for 1 time with Best Buy in-store, and I was told by clerk I was accepted! But I still received a decline letter from company...
After about THREE tries with Capitol One, I was approved for a Cap One unsecured MC for $300...funny thing is i applied first for the secured card, but using the "Find the Right Card" tool, it bumped me to the Unsecured card, same rate, same CL. Fine by me!
I tried several store cards, Khols, Macys, Sportsmans Guide, Sears, Pep Boys, Firestone, Barclays, Amazon & Best Buy. Either I appled for the unsecured CC or just for the store card itself. ALL of them turned me down.
I was able to open a Wells Fargo Bank Account (Checking) for Direct Deposit/Small Savings attempt...lol
Last place I tried was Fingerhut, I was approved for the Fresh Start program with CL of $180. Better and better!
Recently, I was approved for a Roadloans Auto loan, but I probably won't use it becuase the downpayment is so damn much.
Now here comes the negatives (of course).
I missed making payments on the Fingerhut account (2 payments), its showing on my CK score as 30-90 days; I've been out of work for past 3-4 months and honestly couldn't make the payments, financially wasn't the highest priority. I caught up with them now, and have another 1-2 months before payoff ($111)
I am showing a tax lien from NYS on my TU report from 2006, filed in Brooklyn - Even though, I never LIVED in Brooklyn. I did live in a different part of NYC, and filed for there, but not in Brooklyn. WTH? Dispute letter filed already via TU!
Because I wasn't working, the Wells Fargo account got closed.
But, some Positives as well!
After 9 months, my CR from TU & CK show on-time payments with Capitol One, so I applied and received an CLI from $300 to $400!. Not great, sure but its something!
SUMMARY. As of Nov, my TU 519, CK 300 (?).
I am caught up with the Capitol 1 account: even though I tend to max it out some months, I try not to carry a balance month past the monthly due date, and pay it off immediatly.
Also caught up with the Fingerhut account - still have 1-2 payment to go before ending the Fresh Start program.
Well Fargo account will be reopened soonest. Having a traditional "Brick & Mortar" institution for banking is still a need, even though "Virtual Banking" has been around for awhile (I like doing a lot of things online more) !
Now for my QUESTIONS to raise my score (if possible)
1 - Should I try to negotiate with Capitol 1 to get a 2nd increase NOW, or wait until the one year mark next year?
2 - Is it worth trying again to apply for Store CC like Kohls, Best Buy, etc? Not looking for a lot of them, maybe one or two to help establish credit history....and which card(s) can I get with my score?
3 - Should I invest in a secured card?
4 - Auto Loan - I REALLY REALLY REALLY want to avoid them; I HATE the idea of making monthly payments, I prefer to own my cars outright! But would it raise my score significantly? My instinct & research says not really...what say you?
GOALS
I am not looking to have a wallet FULL of credit cards, but I WOULD like to have at least 1-2 with a "Decent" unsecured CL. They don't have to be fancy Amex Double Titaniuam-Ruby Encrusted with a .00052% interest rate, when a Visa/MC with a similar CL works just as well!
If anything, the only "perks" I would like it to have are something like Gas rewards, Airline miles or similar!
Sorry to be so long-winded, But I wanted to be clear on my situation as it stands. I promise my replies will be MUCH more brief in the future....! 
@comebackkid15 wrote:Having a VERY hard time rebuilding credit here:
Back in Jan this year, I finally "unlocked" my 3 CR (did it for security reasons 3-4 years ago. Pretty much all good & bad reports were dropped, in effect leaing me with a clean slate.
Not a good thing. Clean Slate means no history, so I started to apply to reestablish history. My only criteria was to avoid using secured cards, or taking out any loans.
Jan 2015 my Score via TU & Experian was roughly in the 500's (EX reported high number 569).
Started in Jan 2015, I applied on average to 2-4 times per week. With the exception of Capitol One (3x) & Best Buy (2x - SP on both) I only applied once.
All applications were done online. Except for 1 time with Best Buy in-store, and I was told by clerk I was accepted! But I still received a decline letter from company...
After about THREE tries with Capitol One, I was approved for a Cap One unsecured MC for $300...funny thing is i applied first for the secured card, but using the "Find the Right Card" tool, it bumped me to the Unsecured card, same rate, same CL. Fine by me!
I tried several store cards, Khols, Macys, Sportsmans Guide, Sears, Pep Boys, Firestone, Barclays, Amazon & Best Buy. Either I appled for the unsecured CC or just for the store card itself. ALL of them turned me down.
I was able to open a Wells Fargo Bank Account (Checking) for Direct Deposit/Small Savings attempt...lol
Last place I tried was Fingerhut, I was approved for the Fresh Start program with CL of $180. Better and better!
Recently, I was approved for a Roadloans Auto loan, but I probably won't use it becuase the downpayment is so damn much.
Now here comes the negatives (of course).
I missed making payments on the Fingerhut account (2 payments), its showing on my CK score as 30-90 days; I've been out of work for past 3-4 months and honestly couldn't make the payments, financially wasn't the highest priority. I caught up with them now, and have another 1-2 months before payoff ($111)
I am showing a tax lien from NYS on my TU report from 2006, filed in Brooklyn - Even though, I never LIVED in Brooklyn. I did live in a different part of NYC, and filed for there, but not in Brooklyn. WTH? Dispute letter filed already via TU!
Because I wasn't working, the Wells Fargo account got closed.
But, some Positives as well!
After 9 months, my CR from TU & CK show on-time payments with Capitol One, so I applied and received an CLI from $300 to $400!. Not great, sure but its something!
SUMMARY. As of Nov, my TU 519, CK 300 (?).
I am caught up with the Capitol 1 account: even though I tend to max it out some months, I try not to carry a balance month past the monthly due date, and pay it off immediatly. Try to pay it down BEFORE the statement closing date. Letting it report a high closing balance will sink your scores - pay it to 30% or less.
Also caught up with the Fingerhut account - still have 1-2 payment to go before ending the Fresh Start program.
Well Fargo account will be reopened soonest. Having a traditional "Brick & Mortar" institution for banking is still a need, even though "Virtual Banking" has been around for awhile (I like doing a lot of things online more) !
Now for my QUESTIONS to raise my score (if possible)
1 - Should I try to negotiate with Capitol 1 to get a 2nd increase NOW, or wait until the one year mark next year? There is no "negotiating". Request it online as often as you like, it won't hurt your scores. They will give CLI's every 6 months.
2 - Is it worth trying again to apply for Store CC like Kohls, Best Buy, etc? Not looking for a lot of them, maybe one or two to help establish credit history....and which card(s) can I get with my score? Not a fan of store cards.
3 - Should I invest in a secured card? Absolutely. I would suggest SDFCU - you can get both a secured personal loan AND a secured credit card for the same $500 bucks.
4 - Auto Loan - I REALLY REALLY REALLY want to avoid them; I HATE the idea of making monthly payments, I prefer to own my cars outright! But would it raise my score significantly? My instinct & research says not really...what say you? Only do it if you NEED to. Do NOT do it simply for scoring reasons. You only need one installment loan for scoring so see point 3 above.
GOALS
I am not looking to have a wallet FULL of credit cards, but I WOULD like to have at least 1-2 with a "Decent" unsecured CL. They don't have to be fancy Amex Double Titaniuam-Ruby Encrusted with a .00052% interest rate, when a Visa/MC with a similar CL works just as well! I would suggest applying for a second Capital One card. Also go online and do an online chat - ask if your card can be upgraded to reward status.
If anything, the only "perks" I would like it to have are something like Gas rewards, Airline miles or similar!
Sorry to be so long-winded, But I wanted to be clear on my situation as it stands. I promise my replies will be MUCH more brief in the future....!
Are you more stable now, employment-wise?