topic Re: Since when does Macy's Hard Pull for a CLI?? in Credit Cards

Since when does Macy's Hard Pull for a CLI??(((UPDATE)))

Fresh-Start — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 15:40:24 GMT

I am so annoyed right now. I called Macy's for a CLI and the entire conversation was a HUGE HEADACHE! First the CS Rep said Did you know we JUST increased your CL?? So I thought? HUH?? No, the last increase I recieved was back in September and I don't consider that "Just received a CLI"...so she checked and so."Oh" So then she went through to ask me the normal questions....Income, last 4 of your social security etc... then she said, Okay do I have your permission to pull your credit? So I said What? I thought CLI's were SP's?? This is the kicker right here....She said "Honey, there is NO SUCH THING as a Soft Pull." I said, Yes there is. Now if Macy's changed their CLI process FINE, but it "Used" to be soft pull. She said again..."I don't know what your talking about....there is no such thing as a Soft Pull" then she proceeded to "School" me about when you apply for credit we have to pull credit etc... I said MAME pardon me...I am quite aware of how credit works, and the last two Increases I received from Macy's were soft pulls, meaning there was NO inquiry on my credit. She said once again, Macy's has ALWAYS done Hard pulls for everything." UGH!!!.

So it was obvious to me our conversation was not going anywhere so I said, NO, I do not want a hard pull so please disregard the request for increase. She said " HUH? You don't want the increase??" I said YES I want the increase but I don't want the inquiry!" LOL!!!!!!!

So is she correct?? Macy's does hard pulls NOW? Or should I call back in to talk to another Rep? LOL!!

Re: Since when does Macy's Hard Pull for a CLI??

Anonymous — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 19:49:32 GMT

I can't answer your question, but I can empathize with your pain lol... I called BofA yesterday (back door number mind you) and the rep told me that it was against the law for lenders to initiate a CLI on their own without a direct request from the consumer and up to date financial proof that they could pay their debts lol

Silly CSRs!

Re: Since when does Macy's Hard Pull for a CLI??

JustJen — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 19:52:08 GMT

As far as I know....you can request a CLI with Macy's every 6 months with a soft pull; anything before that would be a hard pull. This is what I was told by a representative when I asked, and received, a CLI in October 2012. I'm planning on calling and asking again later this month (not quite 6 months exactly yet/might wait until May just to make sure!).

I would call back and ask a different representative and see what they say because obviously the woman you spoke to has no idea the difference between a HP/SP so I wouldn't take her word for it.

I'm sure other people will chime in that have hopefully requested SP CLIs more recently and can share their experience.

BTW I've got a normal Macy's card...don't know if there is any difference for the AMEX version.

Re: Since when does Macy's Hard Pull for a CLI??

tattooedhusker — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 20:09:10 GMT

I have a Macy's story for you. I called in for a CLI last October (I've been stuck at $100CL since I got the card), while speaking to the CSR, I made completely sure that it would be a SP, and she assured me that it was. Went through with it, and was denied, not sure why. I get a notification the next day that it turned out to be a HP. Oh hell no! I called in and got into an arguement with another rep about the difference between a HP and SP. I was transferred to a manager who quickly resolved the issue by removing the HP from my EX report. You never know what you're going to get with reps who aren't very informed in the credit world. I would say that they moved to HPs for CLI's.

Re: Since when does Macy's Hard Pull for a CLI??

LisaJ — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 21:10:11 GMT

I was granted a CLI in December, and it was most definitely a soft pull.

The only HP I accepted for CLI was Chase, because they are nearly impossible to get a CLI without a HP.

Re: Since when does Macy's Hard Pull for a CLI??

Anonymous — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 21:13:20 GMT

I get the same story everytime I call. I think anyone would have better luck communicating with a cow than with those reps

Re: Since when does Macy's Hard Pull for a CLI??

Anonymous — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 21:30:06 GMT

Just a few weeks ago I called in for a CLI since I had this $100 limit since i remember probably 1-2 years. Give her my information, name, ss, income. Asked if it was going to be a soft pull she said yes. went ahead with it and was given a new Credit limit of 1500. So i believe it should be a soft pull. However, If you have a amex branded macys card it could be a different story.

Re: Since when does Macy's Hard Pull for a CLI??

BearsAndTurtlesRtheBest — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 22:58:33 GMT

Man thats the reason why my sister holds back on requesting a CLI on her macys card. But I trust that it will be SP and she will request one next month as soon as her balance lowers. Hoping for it to go from $300 to the $1k range

Re: Since when does Macy's Hard Pull for a CLI??

zerobacan — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 23:54:34 GMT

I got a CLI from 100 to 500 in November last year, SP

and a CLI from 500 to 1200 About two weeks ago from 500 to 1.2k, also a SP

HOWEVER

I went and apply for a joint account for my wife, and got HP (nothing wrong with it) but got denied, called the backdoor number, and rep approved us (problems with the address, I dont know why) but! it was another HP for both of us in EXP.

go figure

Re: Since when does Macy's Hard Pull for a CLI??

Fresh-Start — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 01:03:55 GMT

Thanks everyone for your input! I think Macy's may be going to the HP's for CLI's....UGH! I'm going to give it ONE more shot tomorrow. Gonna call again and see what happens..LOL!!! I'll let you all know. Oh and I have the Store card, not the Amex version.

Re: Since when does Macy's Hard Pull for a CLI??

BearsAndTurtlesRtheBest — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 01:07:06 GMT

great !! keep us posted!

Re: Since when does Macy's Hard Pull for a CLI??

solstice00 — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 01:14:30 GMT

I called two weeks ago.

She asked me how much am I looking for. I said twice the amount.

She said that its done and i ll see it in my next bill.No questions asked or anything

I was shocked because it didn't look like she pulled anything. Kinda like she typed the credit limit. It was over in 10 seconds.

This month's bill did have the credit limit increase. And no hard pull.

The entire episode was weird.

Re: Since when does Macy's Hard Pull for a CLI??

Anonymous — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 01:19:20 GMT

i think it really depends who you talk to.

the time it takes to reach a live operator + chances of getting useful help makes me dread calling them. my experiences thus far have been terrible.

Re: Since when does Macy's Hard Pull for a CLI??

FinStar — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 07:03:25 GMT

@Fresh-Start wrote:
I am so annoyed right now. I called Macy's for a CLI and the entire conversation was a HUGE HEADACHE! First the CS Rep said Did you know we JUST increased your CL?? So I thought? HUH?? No, the last increase I recieved was back in September and I don't consider that "Just received a CLI"...so she checked and so."Oh" So then she went through to ask me the normal questions....Income, last 4 of your social security etc... then she said, Okay do I have your permission to pull your credit? So I said What? I thought CLI's were SP's?? This is the kicker right here....She said "Honey, there is NO SUCH THING as a Soft Pull." I said, Yes there is. Now if Macy's changed their CLI process FINE, but it "Used" to be soft pull. She said again..."I don't know what your talking about....there is no such thing as a Soft Pull" then she proceeded to "School" me about when you apply for credit we have to pull credit etc... I said MAME pardon me...I am quite aware of how credit works, and the last two Increases I received from Macy's were soft pulls, meaning there was NO inquiry on my credit. She said once again, Macy's has ALWAYS done Hard pulls for everything." UGH!!!.

So it was obvious to me our conversation was not going anywhere so I said, NO, I do not want a hard pull so please disregard the request for increase. She said " HUH? You don't want the increase??" I said YES I want the increase but I don't want the inquiry!" LOL!!!!!!!

So is she correct?? Macy's does hard pulls NOW? Or should I call back in to talk to another Rep? LOL!!

It varies. DSNB, the private label arm of Citibank, does the primary underwriting for Macy's and Bloomingdale's CC accounts and they pretty much follow Citi's underwriting guidelines to the extent of their private label portfolio. Therefore, for any individual-initiated CLIs, if your account is elegible and qualifies it will be a SP.

If your account is not elegible under the SP conditions, then it will be a HP. Keep in mind, you can argue back-and-forth with the CSRs on what was said or what you've read or heard - granted, not all CSRs may be well-informed of the CLI guidelines. Bottom line, always assume it will be a HP. You are giving permissible purpose to review your credit file for any extension of unsecured credit, for which DSNB reserves the right to HP.

Re: Since when does Macy's Hard Pull for a CLI??

Anonymous — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 07:12:37 GMT

so DSNB = CITIBANK?! or is it like a separate company / subsidiary?

are they using the same phone staff? If so, there's no way in hell I'm ever going to apply for a Citi card until the service improves.

Re: Since when does Macy's Hard Pull for a CLI??

FinStar — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 07:30:48 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
so DSNB = CITIBANK?! or is it like a separate company / subsidiary?

are they using the same phone staff? If so, there's no way in hell I'm ever going to apply for a Citi card until the service improves.

DSNB = Department Stores National Bank (Citigroup subsidiary/private label bank) is based in Cincinnati, OH. Other Citi Card products are serviced separately under their own umbrella in various geographic locations across the U.S.

Personally, I have not had any negative experiences with either Citibank or DSNB. I currently have about 8 different products with Citigroup (Macy's AMEX Preferred & Store, Bloomingdale's AMEX Reserve & Store, Citi AAdvantage AMEX, Citi Dividend World EMV MC, Citi Sears MC, Home Depot CC).

Re: Since when does Macy's Hard Pull for a CLI??

dodfire — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 07:48:15 GMT

The last time that I increased my Macys card the rep told me this.....

If I wanted to increase it to what the system generates for me it would be a SP

If I wanted to request a certain amount that it would be a HP

I told them that I would accept whatever they wanted me to have and it was increased from $500 to $1200

Re: Since when does Macy's Hard Pull for a CLI??

Anonymous — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 08:10:42 GMT

is there a frequency of CLI increases? Like every 3 months?
I'll give them a chance when I'm free sometime this weekend

Re: Since when does Macy's Hard Pull for a CLI??

Fresh-Start — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 09:58:40 GMT

@FinStar wrote:
@Fresh-Start wrote:
I am so annoyed right now. I called Macy's for a CLI and the entire conversation was a HUGE HEADACHE! First the CS Rep said Did you know we JUST increased your CL?? So I thought? HUH?? No, the last increase I recieved was back in September and I don't consider that "Just received a CLI"...so she checked and so."Oh" So then she went through to ask me the normal questions....Income, last 4 of your social security etc... then she said, Okay do I have your permission to pull your credit? So I said What? I thought CLI's were SP's?? This is the kicker right here....She said "Honey, there is NO SUCH THING as a Soft Pull." I said, Yes there is. Now if Macy's changed their CLI process FINE, but it "Used" to be soft pull. She said again..."I don't know what your talking about....there is no such thing as a Soft Pull" then she proceeded to "School" me about when you apply for credit we have to pull credit etc... I said MAME pardon me...I am quite aware of how credit works, and the last two Increases I received from Macy's were soft pulls, meaning there was NO inquiry on my credit. She said once again, Macy's has ALWAYS done Hard pulls for everything." UGH!!!.

So it was obvious to me our conversation was not going anywhere so I said, NO, I do not want a hard pull so please disregard the request for increase. She said " HUH? You don't want the increase??" I said YES I want the increase but I don't want the inquiry!" LOL!!!!!!!

So is she correct?? Macy's does hard pulls NOW? Or should I call back in to talk to another Rep? LOL!!
It varies. DSNB, the private label arm of Citibank, does the primary underwriting for Macy's and Bloomingdale's CC accounts and they pretty much follow Citi's underwriting guidelines to the extent of their private label portfolio. Therefore, for any individual-initiated CLIs, if your account is elegible and qualifies it will be a SP.

If your account is not elegible under the SP conditions, then it will be a HP. Keep in mind, you can argue back-and-forth with the CSRs on what was said or what you've read or heard - granted, not all CSRs may be well-informed of the CLI guidelines. Bottom line, always assume it will be a HP. You are giving permissible purpose to review your credit file for any extension of unsecured credit, for which DSNB reserves the right to HP.

I am well aware that companies have the right to Hard Pull; however, in my experience and many others, that has not been Macy's normal process for CLIs. If Macy's now HP's for CLI's that is fine, as I am well aware that is their right; however, I was just wondering when it started since that had not been my experience with them in the past. I was not arguing with the Rep to get her to do a SP. The bottom line to the entire post was that the CSR said that Macy's ALWAYS Hard Pulled and there was NO Such thing as a Soft Pull.....this is NOT correct. That was the point of my main confustion with this CSR. So I am not going to always "assume" it will be a Hard Pull when that may not be that companies particular practice.

Re: Since when does Macy's Hard Pull for a CLI??

Fresh-Start — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 10:02:14 GMT

@dodfire wrote:
The last time that I increased my Macys card the rep told me this.....
If I wanted to increase it to what the system generates for me it would be a SP
If I wanted to request a certain amount that it would be a HP
I told them that I would accept whatever they wanted me to have and it was increased from $500 to $1200

Sounds like the process changes with whomever you get on the phone! LOL! But I'm glad you got your CLI! My CSR said Macy's ALWAYS hard pulls. She said nothing about me not qualifying for a soft pull so if I wanted to move forwad it woud have to be a hard pull. I've never been told anything like that. It's always been yes your approved for the CLI or No we can't increase your limit at this time.

I'm calling back today to see what I hear...lol