App for CSP or continue gardening?

[Anonymous]

Hi all—

I've been set on gardening for 6 months before apping but some friends are trying to convince me to app now for the CSP

I realize I'm borderline (or I would be sure) but my friends seem to think I'm an easy approval and I have seen so many approvals for the CSP with 'good' not great files.

731 fico8 exp
1% util always pif
Amex BCE 6k 8 months
Chase FU 1k 15 months
Chase Amazon 500 4-5 months (I didn't realize but the week I apped this card my FICO score inexplicably dropped to 665 exp and went back up the following week. Wasn't util so I don't know what to think)

AAoA is 8 or 9 months
I have a banking relationship with chase going on 10 years
No baddies

Do you think it's worth the risk? I know my aaoa is weak but I will garden for six months in all cases, approval, denial or waiting it out.

[Anonymous]

You have a 90% approval shot. Give it a try and go for it. I would bet you get it.

No matter what happens just go in the garden right after. 

[simplynoir]

Does the prequal page for Chase have the CSP pop up?

https://www.chase.com/prequalified

[Anonymous]

Hi simply noir-

No, I have never seen a prequal offer from chase, unfortunately.

I also don't have any prequals in branch.

[simplynoir]

Hmm well the only concern I see with your profile is it's still relatively young with those three cards reporting but I think if you really wanted to you could probably app for and get the CSP because the banking relationship matters IMO. I would just make sure before you do apply that your scores are accurate so you don't have another Amazon incident where you're stuck with a possible denial because of a temporary dip in your scores. Also check to see what other bureau Chase pulls in your state for the CSP as well to make sure that score is good too; they're normally a 2 pull bank.

[AverageJoesCredit]

6 more months of gardening can only help your cause

[Anonymous]

I was relying on CK and I didn't realize that fako was not FICO when I apped for the Amazon.

My fako stayed steady at 745ish but somehow my FICO cratered for that one week. No idea why

It was bad luck and ignorance but now I know!

It's good to hear you think I could get it if I wanted to. It's almost certainly a recon effort you think?

[Anonymous]

That's definitely true!

Otoh if I get the CSP now I have all cards I want until I can qualify for the car a couple years down the line!

[Anonymous]

I think you should wait a bit more since your AAoA is only 8-9 months old.  Although banking with them certainly helps, gardening will give you a much better shot at it.  But it all up to you of course...