topic Re: BARCLAY APPLE ROLLERCOASTER- Review- Mystery Phone Call- Denial- Letter- Phone Call- Approval! in Credit Card Applications

BARCLAY APPLE ROLLERCOASTER- Review- Mystery Phone Call- Denial- Letter- Phone Call- Approval!

Anonymous — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 01:58:31 GMT

I've been reading these forums but this is my first post! Apologies if I break a rule! You can skip to last paragraph to read about my wierd Barclay app experience only.

I completely destroyed my credit in my very early twenties. As in credit card charge-offs, medical collections, car repossession, utilities in collections, just so many collections. By time 2008 rolled around I couldn't have gotten credit for even a candy bar. I was working as a bartender making 50k, which is a ton for an 18yo with no responsibilities. When I cut back my hours when I finally enrolled in college at age 20 I couldn't keep up with my payments anymore, I had no family to help, so everything went to collections. I moved to an apartment that only required income verification, all utilities required high deposits, and I couldn't even get cable/internet because I owed a ton of money to the only place that served my current apartment.

Anyway blah black blah, I finally decided to work on my credit score this time last year. There wasn't one redeeming factor on my credit report. I wasn't really aware of secured cards and so in March I was approved and opened the almighty First Premier card- $99 processing fee, $75 annual fee, 36% apr, for a $300 CL, woohoo! I didn't care, I'm financially stable now and just needed something positive to report. I didn't app for anything else until I got the Cap One Platinum offer in the mail, around October. Much better terms than FP and a 300 CL enrolled in credit steps; they give an increase after 5 months of on time payments. Got another offer for the same exact Cap One Plat the next month, thought why not, approved for 500 in credit steps. Got excited and apped for the Quicksilver One at the same time, 500 approval. I did another app for the QS1 right after the first, 300 CL. Called it quits with Cap One apps after that seeing as I was approved for 4 cards in 4 weeks, and 3 were wishing an hour total of each other. The next week Cap One send a preapproval for their GM card and same thing- 500 CL in credit steps program. I know Cap One pulls all 3 reports but these were all approved with the 2 sets of reports. They didn't pull each time. I was on cloud nine and thought Cap One would be knocking on my door soon letting me know they made a mistake and wanted their cards back. My score was around 560 according to their Credit Tracker. I apped for a few more cards after doing some research on what I would be approved for (nothing special) and mainly did store cards- Target, Walmart, Kohls, and Overstock (before I learned the shopping card trick,) and got a Victoria Secret, NY&C, and Express using the Shopping cart trick. I was magically approved for all I applied for and was stunned since my score was about 580 at this point. I did however rack up a ton of inquiries! TU- 14 inq, EQ- 6 inq, EX-?. I didn't care about the inq because my score sucked anyways and my plan was to see what I could get approved for now and then use those cards to garden and build over the next 2 years. I know this isn't the recommended way to go.

So on to the Barclay Apple app (finally!) This was my last app, and I was denied for a different Barclay card 2 weeks prior. I need a new laptop in the near future, browsing the Apple Store, and see the Barclay offer. I debate applying and spent 2 weeks looking at reviews and posts of those who were approved or denied. I learned Barclay can be wierd with their approvals and the one thing they hate to see is lots of inquiries. I realize with my sub-600 score and over 10+ inquiries in the last 60 days, most the last 30 days there is a .1% chance I'll get approved but said screw it and apped anyway so here's what happens:

Jan 11- Applied and got the dreaded app needs more review message

Jan 11- later same day, I have a missed call from Barclay, no message. Googled number, saw it was them and called back. The woman I spoke with was kind of rude. I explained I had a missed call, she only says that she sees I applied and my app was denied. I ask if she knew what the missed call was for, she just kept repeating that I was denied. Okay then. I end the call. I assume Barclay doesn't personally call people let them they weren't approved and I don't know why they called. I was hoping it was a good sign.

Jan 12- I log into the app status function and my status went from pending to declined.

Jan 13- I call once again to see if someone else knew why they called and maybe I just needed to answer a few questions they had. Spoke with a much nicer girl who said she had no idea why they called, yes my app is denied, wait for letter in the mail. Okay bye.

Jan 20 (today) Barclay letter comes and I almost didn't even read it. I knew from beginning my approval chances were minuscule at best and know why I was denied, I don't need the letter to tell me why. But I read it and it only says I need to call and verify some info. I debate calling because it's much easier to get denied by a computer than a human.

- Log back in to see my app status and it still shows denied.

-I have some pizza, decide I already have the inquiry anyway, what's the harm in calling. Based on other posts I assumed if they had questions it would be about my old collections and charge offs, and my many recent inq's, I was preparing the answers in my head.

- Got a really nice rep! We chatted for a bit about how she was off work in 5 min and random small talk. She verified my name, phone, and social. Put me on hold for 4 long minutes. She came back on the line and wanted me to verify any of my last known addresses. Zero questions about my credit report. Back on hold...

- Finally she comes back and let's me know my card will be here in about a week and my CL is 1500!!

I have no idea how I got approved and still can't believe it, and I'm so happy I needed to tell someone!! 1500 certainly isn't much, especially to those of you who have 20k limits out there but it's my highest limit on the card I thought I had the least chance of getting. She was so quick about giving me my approval and limit and getting off the phone (prob cuz she said she was off in 5 minutes, and that was 7 min ago) that I thought I misheard. Logged back in to the Barclay app status and it was there, approved for 1500! Well over 10 inq and sub-600 score so thought it was impossible. I know I apped for way more cards than I need, or deserve, the last 2 months but I'm using them to help me get better cards. I really only use my Cap One cards and pay them in full. Others are sock drawered and set up to pay small bills like Netflix and my Audiobooks subscription. I use Target and Walmart for household things I need and pay those in full. I'm hoping in 2 years I can get much better cards with better terms and limits. I won't be applying for anything else until then. Thanks for reading. This forum been such a great source for help and info. I usually read through the forums at least once a day and everyone here seems so great! It's like every single person is here to root each other on, offer help, give guidance, and friendly. That's almost impossible in an Internet forum. I've learned way more about credit and the way it works from the contributors on this forum than any other source. Sorry for my novel!!

Re: BARCLAY APPLE ROLLERCOASTER- Review- Mystery Phone Call- Denial- Letter- Phone Call- Approval!

KSK1912 — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 02:27:11 GMT

Great job on the following up with Barclays. I have that card too, and that card, along with their rewards mastercard were both apped the same day and they are my first set of unsecured cards. I went thru the same thing you did, except my credit was not full of inq's or collections, but not much to report (only 1 secured card from Wells Fargo) and some baddies. And of course low 500 scores.

Even though most people say don't open too many accounts within a short time, it is almost inevitable when you are trying to rebuild. I have done exactly the same thing and got over 10 comenity cards thru shopping cart at the beginning. Even though most people are not so fond of store cards, they definitely rebuilder, and from june to december, in 6 months, i went from just $1500 revolving secured credit to almost $60K unsecured, and from low lo 500 credit scores to right around 700 border, (TU as high as 723)

Now i have:

Cap One $3K - Wells Fargo $2500 - Dillards Amex $5K - Barclays Rewards MC $1500 - Barclays Apple Visa $2K - AmEx BCE $1000 - Lowes $12K - Sam's Club $8K - Amazon $6K and Walmart $6K Macy's $2K and some other smaller accounts.

Just keep up the good work and stay focused. No more new accounts, go to the gaden and enjoy your achievement andlet your accounts age for at least 6 months to a year. Try soft pull CLI's occasionally. You did what you can for the moment, and time and patience will take care of the rest.

Good Luck!

Re: BARCLAY APPLE ROLLERCOASTER- Review- Mystery Phone Call- Denial- Letter- Phone Call- Approval!

Anonymous — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 02:30:05 GMT

Welcome to the board but holy moses, what a long read.. I must confess I only read the last paragraph. Good job and congrats on the approval..

Re: BARCLAY APPLE ROLLERCOASTER- Review- Mystery Phone Call- Denial- Letter- Phone Call- Approval!

Anonymous — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 02:37:03 GMT

Thanks! I'm definitely not apping for anything else! And yeah, sorry I wrote such a novel. I was a little excited.

Re: BARCLAY APPLE ROLLERCOASTER- Review- Mystery Phone Call- Denial- Letter- Phone Call- Approval!

Anonymous — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 04:17:23 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I've been reading these forums but this is my first post! Apologies if I break a rule! You can skip to last paragraph to read about my wierd Barclay app experience only.

I completely destroyed my credit in my very early twenties. As in credit card charge-offs, medical collections, car repossession, utilities in collections, just so many collections. By time 2008 rolled around I couldn't have gotten credit for even a candy bar. I was working as a bartender making 50k, which is a ton for an 18yo with no responsibilities. When I cut back my hours when I finally enrolled in college at age 20 I couldn't keep up with my payments anymore, I had no family to help, so everything went to collections. I moved to an apartment that only required income verification, all utilities required high deposits, and I couldn't even get cable/internet because I owed a ton of money to the only place that served my current apartment.

Anyway blah black blah, I finally decided to work on my credit score this time last year. There wasn't one redeeming factor on my credit report. I wasn't really aware of secured cards and so in March I was approved and opened the almighty First Premier card- $99 processing fee, $75 annual fee, 36% apr, for a $300 CL, woohoo! I didn't care, I'm financially stable now and just needed something positive to report. I didn't app for anything else until I got the Cap One Platinum offer in the mail, around October. Much better terms than FP and a 300 CL enrolled in credit steps; they give an increase after 5 months of on time payments. Got another offer for the same exact Cap One Plat the next month, thought why not, approved for 500 in credit steps. Got excited and apped for the Quicksilver One at the same time, 500 approval. I did another app for the QS1 right after the first, 300 CL. Called it quits with Cap One apps after that seeing as I was approved for 4 cards in 4 weeks, and 3 were wishing an hour total of each other. The next week Cap One send a preapproval for their GM card and same thing- 500 CL in credit steps program. I know Cap One pulls all 3 reports but these were all approved with the 2 sets of reports. They didn't pull each time. I was on cloud nine and thought Cap One would be knocking on my door soon letting me know they made a mistake and wanted their cards back. My score was around 560 according to their Credit Tracker. I apped for a few more cards after doing some research on what I would be approved for (nothing special) and mainly did store cards- Target, Walmart, Kohls, and Overstock (before I learned the shopping card trick,) and got a Victoria Secret, NY&C, and Express using the Shopping cart trick. I was magically approved for all I applied for and was stunned since my score was about 580 at this point. I did however rack up a ton of inquiries! TU- 14 inq, EQ- 6 inq, EX-?. I didn't care about the inq because my score sucked anyways and my plan was to see what I could get approved for now and then use those cards to garden and build over the next 2 years. I know this isn't the recommended way to go.

So on to the Barclay Apple app (finally!) This was my last app, and I was denied for a different Barclay card 2 weeks prior. I need a new laptop in the near future, browsing the Apple Store, and see the Barclay offer. I debate applying and spent 2 weeks looking at reviews and posts of those who were approved or denied. I learned Barclay can be wierd with their approvals and the one thing they hate to see is lots of inquiries. I realize with my sub-600 score and over 10+ inquiries in the last 60 days, most the last 30 days there is a .1% chance I'll get approved but said screw it and apped anyway so here's what happens:
Jan 11- Applied and got the dreaded app needs more review message
Jan 11- later same day, I have a missed call from Barclay, no message. Googled number, saw it was them and called back. The woman I spoke with was kind of rude. I explained I had a missed call, she only says that she sees I applied and my app was denied. I ask if she knew what the missed call was for, she just kept repeating that I was denied. Okay then. I end the call. I assume Barclay doesn't personally call people let them they weren't approved and I don't know why they called. I was hoping it was a good sign.
Jan 12- I log into the app status function and my status went from pending to declined.
Jan 13- I call once again to see if someone else knew why they called and maybe I just needed to answer a few questions they had. Spoke with a much nicer girl who said she had no idea why they called, yes my app is denied, wait for letter in the mail. Okay bye.
Jan 20 (today) Barclay letter comes and I almost didn't even read it. I knew from beginning my approval chances were minuscule at best and know why I was denied, I don't need the letter to tell me why. But I read it and it only says I need to call and verify some info. I debate calling because it's much easier to get denied by a computer than a human.
- Log back in to see my app status and it still shows denied.
-I have some pizza, decide I already have the inquiry anyway, what's the harm in calling. Based on other posts I assumed if they had questions it would be about my old collections and charge offs, and my many recent inq's, I was preparing the answers in my head.
- Got a really nice rep! We chatted for a bit about how she was off work in 5 min and random small talk. She verified my name, phone, and social. Put me on hold for 4 long minutes. She came back on the line and wanted me to verify any of my last known addresses. Zero questions about my credit report. Back on hold...
- Finally she comes back and let's me know my card will be here in about a week and my CL is 1500!!

I have no idea how I got approved and still can't believe it, and I'm so happy I needed to tell someone!! 1500 certainly isn't much, especially to those of you who have 20k limits out there but it's my highest limit on the card I thought I had the least chance of getting. She was so quick about giving me my approval and limit and getting off the phone (prob cuz she said she was off in 5 minutes, and that was 7 min ago) that I thought I misheard. Logged back in to the Barclay app status and it was there, approved for 1500! Well over 10 inq and sub-600 score so thought it was impossible. I know I apped for way more cards than I need, or deserve, the last 2 months but I'm using them to help me get better cards. I really only use my Cap One cards and pay them in full. Others are sock drawered and set up to pay small bills like Netflix and my Audiobooks subscription. I use Target and Walmart for household things I need and pay those in full. I'm hoping in 2 years I can get much better cards with better terms and limits. I won't be applying for anything else until then. Thanks for reading. This forum been such a great source for help and info. I usually read through the forums at least once a day and everyone here seems so great! It's like every single person is here to root each other on, offer help, give guidance, and friendly. That's almost impossible in an Internet forum. I've learned way more about credit and the way it works from the contributors on this forum than any other source. Sorry for my novel!!

Too late. You broke it lol jk

Congrats on your approval.

Re: BARCLAY APPLE ROLLERCOASTER- Review- Mystery Phone Call- Denial- Letter- Phone Call- Approval!

djshifted — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 04:41:16 GMT

Congrats! I've been there, and since working my way out of that bad credit hole is so much work, I really appreciate my credit, even as it is now.

Re: BARCLAY APPLE ROLLERCOASTER- Review- Mystery Phone Call- Denial- Letter- Phone Call- Approval!

dms42 — Sat, 13 Feb 2016 02:25:51 GMT

OP- What number did they call you from? I have pending Ring and Princess applications and I keep missing calls from Virginia. I see Barclay's US address as Delaware so I'm not sure who's calling me. They dont leave a msg.

Thanks!