topic Re: Didn't Even Get the Target Red Card! in Credit Cards

Didn't Even Get the Target Red Card!

adamseve — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 00:11:38 GMT

Well, I guess I won't be trying to get any credit any time soon. I tried for the Target card but because of my BK, the 2 judgements, and the collections they turned me down for EVERYTHING.

A little frustrated, but I'm not giving up. I'll give it a year and then try again. That way, any other inquires, which I don't have many, will have dropped off my report.

In the meantime, I'll move forward and make my first purchase with Crown Jewelers. At least I did get some credit.

Oh, I also applied for the Tribute card. Got approved, but they didn't disclose the fact that there's a $19/month fee. No way am I going to pay this even if I do need to build my credit. I'd rather get a BofA secured card. At least my deposit will match my CL.

Re: Didn't Even Get the Target Red Card!

llecs — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 00:49:37 GMT

Count the Target denial as a blessing. They always give a low CL to start and does very little to help utilization.

Getting that first CC is tough. I'd do the secured route. I'd also let Tribute report and suffer through it a little while (2-3-4 mo.) until you are approved for the cards you want.

Re: Didn't Even Get the Target Red Card!

Anonymous — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 00:54:07 GMT

I know this isn't going to please you adamseve and it probably won't sit well with the moderators but please take this as an intervention or tough love. I've been where you're going and I think your sense of prorities are totally wrong and you blame your creditors for your past mistakes. You've had a bk, 2 judgements, and collections and you basically blame them for not being able to get credit for your past misdeeds. I don't know you and your situation but basically what I gather is that you feel someone owes you something when all they have to go on are negative hits in your credit file. If the information is wrong you should dispute it, and if it's right you should take all the necessary steps to improve your situation. You seem to be blaming everyone else for your situation. A bit of postive advice for you adamseve....YOU TAKE CONTROL.....Don't wait a year to try again and for heavens sake don't let your emotions cloud your judgement. Why would you let a $19 fee stop you from accepting the Tribute card? Let me give you some good advice. Some secured card operations charge much more that that as a result of fees charged to your card once you're approved. I'm curious as to why you would let a minimal charge like that prevent you from getting the card? Please research some of the secured cards that's available and them make you decision. I think you'll find that $19 is nothing for helping to reestablish your credit. I'm sorry if I seem cruel but your reasoning for not paying $19 dollars baffles me.

I will give you a simple but effective plan for improving your credit. First forget about the collection, bk, and judgements for they are your past and you must concentrate on the future. Accept the tribute card with the $19 dollar fee and swallow your pride. The BoA card is a great way to go. I have the same card and it really helped me in establishing a credit history and after 9 months of paying on time they will return your initial deposit and graduate you to an unsecured card with and increased limit. Also look into Orchard bank's secured card because it's another source that reports to the big 3. Pay each of these cards on time for 1 year and leave small balances on them ( less than 10% ) and then check your scores. I guarantee you that you will thank me for this advice. I hope I don't come off as being harsh to you but you must take responsibility for your actions and don't blame others for your past. Take control of the situation and in time this will seems like a distant memory. Good luck to you and I wish you the best.

Re: Didn't Even Get the Target Red Card!

adamseve — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 01:24:17 GMT

RR, I don't know who you are, and you don't know me. You don't have the right to say the things you posted.

I wasn't blaming anyone for my past bankruptcy, the judgements, or the collections. I was simply venting that I didn't get the card even though I'm doing what I can at this time to improve my credit rating. I had hoped that since others had had some success inspite of the baddies on their CR that I might be able to also get this particular card.

RR, up until I got sick in 2001, both my husband and I had very good credit and had less than $2k in CC debt. Our only debts were our vehicles, our home and maybe 3 credit cards. So, unlike most people who simply racked up credit card debt and the like and got themselves in debt up to their eyeballs, we were very cautious and responsible with using our credit worthiness.

If you must know, I was very ill and we thought that I might be dying. Without proper insurance, my illness put us in a pickle with outstanding debts. Then, my husband had to take a huge pay cut which meant we weren't able to make ends meet. That's when we had to file BK to save our home 4 years ago. Although, none of this is your business is it?

Also, as for the Tribute card, etc., it's my decision not yours whether I decide to pay their fees. If it

doesn't make sense to me based on what I feel I want to pay in fees to rebuild my credit, and I'm not asking you whether I should do it or not, why are you baffled? I never once thought you were crazy for being so darn paranoid about applying for credit. In fact, I was empathetic and could imagine how you felt.

RR, before you start giving people advice and making assumptions as to why they're in the midst of credit rebuilding or even why they may have filed BK, you should think first and consider that you don't know their situation. Also, don't make assumptions about why people are venting. Just try to show a little compassion because your brand of tough love is just plain rude and judgemental.

Re: Didn't Even Get the Target Red Card!

diva0969 — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 01:37:55 GMT

Extremely well said, adamseve. And by the way, I didn't get the Target Card either, or Macy's! But I have been approved for others. Keep your head up and take care of yourself; things will get better soon.

Re: Didn't Even Get the Target Red Card!

Anonymous — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 01:42:30 GMT

I wonder if RR thought the fee was a $19 annual fee..... $19 a month is a $228 annual fee and that DOES seem a little excessive to me. Maybe I'm just picky.

You have the right to pay what you want to. Heck, I'd turn that down unless it was the absolute last bit of credit anyone would give me, but I'm extra picky on fees. I don't see myself ever holding a card that will charge me if I don't use it. Fees are one thing, but annual fees turn me off. $19 a month is a gym membership or a nice movie plan at blockbuster, etc.

Re: Didn't Even Get the Target Red Card!

Kris1228 — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 01:53:50 GMT

I will never apply for target again!!! applied last year and jan 08, DENIED! I apped for walmart and got 300.00 and at lease you can request a cli, unlike target.... You can do better. what really gets me is my girlfriend who also has a BK (filed after me) and probably collections and unpaid charge offs got a pre-approval reciept... I have a few paid CO's but geeshh..

OMG!!! The nerve of some people. you do not have to explain yourself to someone like that. We are all here for the same reason, to correct our past mistakes, rebuild our credit, etc.... I would have ignored his/her post, which is much easier said than done! Anyways i think Macys is a great rebuilder card also. They gave me 600.00!!! yippee

Message Edited by Kris1228 on 06-03-2008 06:53 PM

Re: Didn't Even Get the Target Red Card!

Anonymous — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 02:37:44 GMT

Please try to be supportive and non-judgmental

Thank you-

Message Edited by Timothy on 06-03-2008 07:37 PM

Re: Didn't Even Get the Target Red Card!

adamseve — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 02:56:03 GMT

Diva,

Thank you for your feedback. What cards have you been approved for?

I have several AU accounts, but I'd like to replace these with my own accounts before the FICO '08 changes occur.

Thanks again.

Re: Didn't Even Get the Target Red Card!

fishbjc — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 03:08:25 GMT

Oh darn it...that stinks! Have you thought about adding Crown Jewelers as a line? It's a $1500 line. That may help a bit.

I'm sorry to hear of your illness and your financial difficulties. Your health is EVERYTHING. Finances will improve along with your scores. Stay strong and don't give up, we're here for you.

Re: Didn't Even Get the Target Red Card!

adamseve — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 03:24:14 GMT

Hi there,

Thanks for all the well wishes for my health. I'm soooo much better now. I finally got a diagnosis in late 2005 and have been well since December 2005.

We're still trying to get our footing and we know it's going to be an uphill battle. Lots of DVs, GCs, and more fun stuff.

RR, thank you for your kind PM. I too apologize.

Re: Didn't Even Get the Target Red Card!

creditreformer — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 05:53:34 GMT

Life happens and until you’ve walked a mile in someone’s shoes (impossible to do via a message board), really you can’t know the ‘full story.’ There’s no need to explain what got you here adam- it is what it is and really, it’s not our business imo. It can get depressing being rejected, but we’re here to learn and here to share.

I was denied 2x for the target red- and I didn’t have a bk or judgments (though I had some baddies in the form of charged off ccs, lates, and an unpaid but trying to resolve tax lien). Finally on time #3, target approved me. the CL isn’t impressive (200), but supposedly it will rise to 500 @ mo. 3, there are NO fees, it reports to all 3 bureaus, and it may convert to a visa (not guaranteed, but it’s happened). Not to mention, it DIVERSIFIED my reports as all I had on there were a closed (but paid off/fairly good standing outside of 3 old lates) car loan, charged off ccs, and a slew of subprime ccs. Btw, you may want to use a cc or debit card @ target and see if they offer u a preapproval receipt- that often leads to approval.

Here are some things I’d recommend-

Try cleaning up your reports if at all possible- sometimes reports contain errors (such as date of delinquency, date of drop off, balance, etc.).

Try looking into secured cards. Be advised that some (like US bank) will NOT accept you if you’ve had BK. Read the fine print. Others (like wells fargo) will NOT accept you if you’ve had unpaid liens (which may include judgments- so I’ve heard). Another word of caution about secured ccs- some may NOT ever become unsecured. Some may require you to reapply if you want to become unsecured. Personally, I’d recommend BA, Citibank, and orchard for secured CCs. However, please be advised that BA and Citibank may be public record unfriendly, so you may want to call them BEFORE you apply and feel them out. WAMU also has a secured cc, but I don’t have any experience w/it. If you’re a member of a local credit union, you may want to go in and talk to them- explain your situation, ask if secured is an option.

Maybe there are other subprime ccs you can obtain? First premier takes nearly everyone and the fees are slightly less than tribute I believe. It’s not the most glamorous cc, but it DOES help you rebuild. Orchard is another 1. Cap 1 may help you.

Have you tried the soft pull/preapproval sites? BA, Cap 1, HSBC, and Orchard all have ‘preapproval’ links that will pull a soft report (inquiry will NOT be publicly viewable on your reports to creditors) and will tell you if you’ve got a decent shot @ being approved. Nothing’s guaranteed 110% but it’s something to consider. Also whogavemecredit.com will give you an idea of creditors that may be willing to accept you based on scores.

If you haven’t already, explore some of the other forums out there. Myfico’s great, but there are other boards and sometimes, multiple boards provide different insight.

It's a long way back to 'good credit' (it took me about 1-1.5 yrs to move from ficos of 500s to ficos of the mid-high 600s...and i'm STILL rebuilding), but w/some patience, you can get there again.

Re: Didn't Even Get the Target Red Card!

Anonymous — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 05:56:23 GMT

Adamseve, I too am somewhat in the same boat as you! I turned down the tribute card because of the fees, i felt they were ridiculous! I have baddies on my CR due to my mom going into the hospital! My at the time job fired me because I told them I couldn't come to a meeting because the hospital called me and said to come there A.S.A.P. I also had to drop out of school! Due to the fact that we did not know if my mom would live or die I had to really live upto really being a big sister! After several months of my mom being in an out of the hospital and having surgeries I was evicted from my home! So needless to say when I checked my CR I was in a state of shock. I am now in the process of rebuilding I have applied for a few cards I got a couple approvals, and denials! So I will tell you like I keep telling myself:

AND THIS TOO SHALL PASS!!!!!!!

Just know that it may take a lil time to repair your credit but it will happen! Good luck on your apps, and many stay well wishes too you!

Re: Didn't Even Get the Target Red Card!

Anonymous — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:57:01 GMT

Dont' let the Target Denial get you down. As others have suggested, try to BOA 99/500 card. A friend of mine who is rebuilding got it, and after 7 months, they converted her to a "prime" card, and gave her the $$ back.

I've never been in your shoes, but I know all to well that I could easily end up there if God forbid I ever become ill, disabled, or lose my job. Best of luck to you, and keep us updated on how you are doing.

Re: Didn't Even Get the Target Red Card!

Anonymous — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:57:42 GMT

I was approved for the Target red card and denied for Walmart. Adamseve, hang in there. It will get better. My scores were all in the low 500's when I started this process. As the others have posted, look into some secured cards. BoFA is excellent. I was also able to get a National City secured with very little trouble. Best of luck to you!

Re: Didn't Even Get the Target Red Card!

Anonymous — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:16:32 GMT

Sorry to hear about your misfourtune! But GL........ I hope you get back on track Im a Hurricane Katrinia Victim my husband and I both had on time payment history for 2yrs and we both lost our jobs so I knw how devastating uncontrolable situations can be! I wish you the Best!!!!!! Thank Gd I m ok no BK i really didnt hv much maybe 2 cards but I was re offered the same cards this yr!

Re: Didn't Even Get the Target Red Card!

Anonymous — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:03:04 GMT

Just want you to know to hang in there and don't get discourage. I am in the same boat as you because my job shut down unexpectly in 2005. I followed all the rules and had 6 months living expense. But after not having any luck with finding a job, that ran out in 6 months. So I had to pay the most important bills : mortgage, utilities, and insurance (car and health). I don't blame you, I would not pay $19 a month for a credit card. I have been denied by Target twice. But what's so funny is I had a Target card in the past with no lates and no overlimits. The card had a perfect history and I could not get approve. I have the BoA Secured card and I love it. I also have an Orchard and Household MC. They are both through HSBC. They do not give you very high credit limits, but you do not have to pay those stinky monthly fees. I would go out to their web-sites and see what cards you could get pre-approves for. But like I said, keep your head up and you will do just fine.............................