I think this might be a unique problem. Maybe not. Very interested in your ideas

[Anonymous]

never mind, late to the party again

[taxi818]

That's because the fako sites overlook collections. Paid collections. If so much higher than fico. Good question though. I thought he said fico.

[tavalon]

When I was young and stupid, AMEX took me to the cleaners. I've never trusted nor forgiven them. This is a means to an end. They won't ever be able to mess with me again, but I guess they are a little, because of this Costco thing. Ugh. I won't ever apply for another one of their cards after this one. Of course, that isn't saying much since I think I'm done with my plan, after this. So, no more cards.

[taxi818]

---

@tavalon wrote:

When I was young and stupid, AMEX took me to the cleaners. I've never trusted nor forgiven them. This is a means to an end. They won't ever be able to mess with me again, but I guess they are a little, because of this Costco thing. Ugh. I won't ever apply for another one of their cards after this one. Of course, that isn't saying much since I think I'm done with my plan, after this. So, no more cards.

---

Well you only know what you meant by that.

i have a lender in the past that raked me over a barrow. but it was truly my own stupid fault. as i did not even fight it. and they sued me. it was penfed.

it was 25 years ago. i burned them bad. but they came after me. but i don't blame them. 35k lost to a stupid 20 year old. at the time. so. it was my own fault. i still don't do business with them. but i don't hate them.

[tavalon]

I didn't realize it until I got through their kludgy app on line. I knew i had applied sometime, but didn't realize it was only a month ago. I thought this might be different, seeing as they were courting me. But that's Amex for you. At least I'm no longer shocked at their bad behavior. I am surprised at their bad web portal. They've fleeced more than enough people to pay for a great website. Or at least a tester or two of their web portal. They could hire and fire them on a temporary basis and probably not even have to provide health insurance.

See that's the thing. I see good corporations and bad corporations. Walmart, Sams, AMEX, Bank of America, (yes, there are thousands) are all horrible corporate "citizens". Costco, Working Assets and whatever their cell phone company, are good corporations.

Every once in a while, I choose to play with the bad corporations for my benefit, so I think my halo is certainly tarnished (though I haven't stepped into a Malwart, er Walmart in 20+ years).I really wish I'd just gotten the silly card and washed my hands afterward. I wish I didn't appreciate Costco so much.

Tavalon

Sorry about the tangent

[tavalon]

Yes, Taxi, she did say FICO (I know Tavalon is a generic name, but I'm a woman). I started my learning process at Credit Karma but this site has been so much more useful. I get where the Fako's aren't useful. And I cleaned up a number of issues thanks to you guys. My biggest problem with not having stellar scores, is applying too much this year. But I have the long view. If I hadn't gotten this stilly letter with a shiny dangly on it, I wouldn't have considered it. Wish I hadn't.

tav

[taxi818]

I understand. Apologize thinking of name. Well I want hurt to call if 31 says tomorrow. I hope you get it and maybe forgive amex. Hehehe

[tavalon]

Actually, I used "me" when it should have been "my first husband". It was a combination of his happy spending on business trips and his company's slow reimbursement. They showed no interest in working with us and destroyed our credit rating. I was very young and watching from the sidelines but I learned that they were not interested in keeping our patronage and I never forgot that.

Until last year, I followed the cash and carry model and never, ever looked at my credit rating (I'm 51). Then I realized I wanted a Prius at the end of the year and I spent this year cleaning up mistakes on my credit, things on my credit that were there because of my high wheeling ex, and learning how to play the game. But I guess, with AMEX making such an effort to screw with us at such an early age, they just really made an impact on me.

I'll call tomorrow and see. If they are as helpful as I remember them, I will dismiss them and lobby with Costco to open their options.

tav

[taxi818]

Good luck. Funny how things in life shape us. I got that loan when I was 20. I'm 50 now. But got screwed. Like you. That bank had no mercy. But I understand completely. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Well, don't give up on the CostCo/AmEx until you know for sure.

But if you want to have an AmEx primarily to use at CostCo but don't want to deal with AmEx bank, have you considered the Fidelity AmEx instead?  CostCo accepts *all* AmEx cards, not just the co-branded card.  The Fido will give you 2% CB on everything, CostCo or not, instead of the 1% on the CostCo AmEx.  And then you're not really dealing with AmEx, it's FIA (Bank of America) that's the issuer.

Chris.