Is it possible to "seed" future prequal's

[BallBounces]

<This is a hypothetical question and not related to me, my credit scores, or my profile, or my plans>

I am curious if there is an opinion on whether it is possible to "seed" future prequalify offers, through current requests for prequalification requests.  For example, one might go through the Cap1 auto finance SP check,  only to find 3 months down the road that Cap1 has performed a few subsequent SPs, and now has a history of SP scores generated.

One would think that the prequal response for lenders might be more favorable if they already have an applicant on file, especially if some history can be demonstrated.  Can a consumer "initiate" this in this manner?

Again, a thought experiment, not an practical question for me.

[Anonymous]

Certainly possible.  They either buy a list that fits what they're looking for and then mass market to them or they build internal lists as well based on attemtped apps / pre-quals that users initiate. 

Specifically targeting a particular product though is probably a no.

[BallBounces]

In my example, If a person were to go to Cap1s CC prequal site, and they have no data on them, two things could happen: They could  perform an SP which gives them current score info only, or they could simply say "no offers, try these cards".

However, if they first pulled an SP 6 months ago, and have made it a policy to pull 3 times  since, they might be more likely to "prequal" on the same current score, since they have some additional data history.  The corollary question is, does a bank share this data between lending groups. Given the value of the data, I would assume yes.

[Anonymous]

I think you're digging deeper than any company will be willing to divulge.  It's all speculation unless you have access to the proprietary data collection practices along with their sharing internally and within their partnerships.

[BallBounces]

That's why I didn't ask them.

[coreysw12]

I think it's possible, though I can't offer any supporting evidence.

But I *believe* that when you fill out applications or pre-qual checks, it might "put you on their radar" when you otherwise may not have been before. They might add you to a list of "people who have expressed interest in our products", and maybe SP you more often to see if you would qualify for anything yet.

I dunno, though. I get lots of pre-qual mailers from places where I've never applied for anything, and I also don't get them from many places where I have applied.

[MachoHombre]

I think the answer is "'It depends, but probable"

I'll give some anectdodal examples that don't directly answer your question, but do illustrate that there is data being crunched and shared.

[x] Finance a car, and within weeks your mailbox will fill up with Credit card pre-approval options of various value and validity.   Now, this does not specifically answer your question but it does show they're watching.

[x] I do not have any accounts with Citi.  A couple of months ago I went to Citi website to see if I was pre-approved and if so for what.  No matter the result, I wasn't going to app, but I was curioius.   I don't recall the exact result.   A couple of days ago, I got a letter from Citi (wish I would have saved it and posted it here) and it effectively said ..."we had an error on our site, if you checked for pre-approval and did not receive a pre-approval, please try again as we believe you qualify"  (in so many words)   It was weird to say the least, and I'm still not sure what to think of it, but I tore it up and filed it accordingly.   But I do wonder if there was really an error on their site, or if they've been evaluating me the last months.

I also believe that you may not get the best (quality) offers on pre-approval sites.  Rather than hitting pre-approval sites hoping to plant seeds, I'd suggest joining a reputable credit union, establishing a relationship, even if a simple one...and in doing so they're likely to be receptive to approving you with quality card soon ....IMO this would be more prudent and less drama.

$0.02 if even worht that much.

[wasCB14]

I don't put much stock in Cap1 prequals. They're downright silly.

They'll mail me a "personalized" offer for a Platinum one month, then only need two HPs to give me a $20k Savor the next.

[Jnbmom]

That "citi letter" was sent to several people on here which I believe was a glitch in itself. We got 3 letters sent to our house and 2 of us never even tried the citi pre qualify lol. Most certainly a major glitch but not sure why .

[joltdude]

A good example of a useful "seeding" using prequalifing,i s signing up for a FICO score with Discover Credit Scorecard.....

This works reasonably well for those building credit, rebuilding credit, and those folks looking to add a Discover card to their hand...

If your interested in a card.. prequalifying and walking away (not applying).. does tend to get you on that lenders radar... 

Iv used this with Chase and Discover.. not sure if I did with Citi.. Don't recall how i did that one... 

-J