I want to let everyone know that I am SOOOO glad that I found myfico.com! It was by default and thru the recent class action settlement. I received 3 months of Score Watch free. So I became obsessed with the boards. Well, before I go into all of that - let me give you a snapshot of my current situation:
Chapter 7 BK - 3/02 - discharged 7/02 (I had to forego some accounts that I'd had for years....AMEX green, Discover, Dillard's, Macy's, JC Penney's, Chase, Citi Plat Select, Citi Dividends, Shell, Texaco, Vic Sec's, NY&Co, Limited, Old Navy, Zales, Phillips 66....) Basically had too much credit card debt and was sinking FAST!
Chapter 13 BK - 1/07 - currently still in
Between the Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 (5 years) sold my previous home and bought a new one in '05. I obtained new credit cards (sub prime - First Premier, Orchard) and did okay for a while, but I had some family emergencies, expensive car repairs and other unforeseens and once again I slipped and started being late on some CC payments and started spiraling out of control again. My scores were in the very low 500's shortly after filing Chapter 13 roughly 16 months ago.
Since that time, I have obtained the following cards, in this order:
New Millenum Bank ($300 CL secured) March '07
Orchard (Started with a $500 CL & with good payments my CL is now $800)
Salute Visa (Started with a $400 CL and with good history CL is now $700)
I hadn't applied for credit since obtaining these cards above and rarely checked my credit scores because I just knew they were tanked and I didn't want to be even MORE depressed. I just continued to pay 3 credit cards on time, double or triple the min payment and kept the util fairly low.
When I joined Score Watch on 4/3/08 I looked at my scores and was ASTONISHED!!!! I had the widest grin on my face. Granted, they're not like they once were, but it was a drastic improvement and proved that paying on time and being patient pays off!
My scores are now:
Equifax - 595 (up from 592 on 4/3/08 when I joined. Got a msg today that I'd gained +3 pts!)
TransUnion - 612
Experian - 602
I figured that since I'd been patient for a year, it was time to try out some of the BK friendly cards that you guys talked sooo much about. I would log on to this forum and browse for HOURS on end and I still do. I researched, pondered and finally said, "WHAT THE HECK, JUST DO IT!" So, with that said, here are the cards I've obtained in the last 2 weeks:
Hooters $600 CL (they gave me the 7-10 day message when I applied - I wasn't hopeful, and when I called twice they told me it was still under review - got home today and it was in the mailbox!!!!)
Crown Jewelers $1,500 CL (I know you have to use it for them to report - I will buy something cheap soon and pay it off in a few months)
Orchard MC $500 CL (I now have two cards with them. By the way, they MUST be BK friend and don't blacklist because I've included them in both of my BK's and they immediately gave me a card after filing each time!)
Credit One $350 CL (This is the lousiest limit I've had, but I'll take it! It'll help me!)
I applied and was turned down for Juniper.
I've applied for Target but they gave me the 2 week message, so I'm straddling the fence on that one.
I applied for Discover following a link in one of the forums thinking they'd re-direct me to the HSBC Discover, but they didn't - just a flat denial.
I applied with the soft pull on BOA, but wasn't offered anything - I was hoping for the $99/$500, but no such luck. When I applied with them shortly after filing BK last year for the SECURED card, they denied me and said they don't issue the cards if you have a BK. WOW - even a SECURED???? I bank with them and have a checking and substantial savings - I was a bit miffed at that.
I applied with the soft pull on Spiegel, but received a denial.
Even in the midst of the few denials, I still feel very successful in obtaining the cards that I did get. I wouldn't have known about them had it not been for the FICO FAMILY! Thanks guys and keep the tips coming!!!!!!!!!!!! Any advice or easy cards to obtain are welcome! Door's open!
TU - 612
EX - 601
EQ - 595