ORCHARD A MESS

[Koffee]

The backdoor number is 1-800-395-6090. I got it from the sticky at the top of the forum.

http://ficoforums.myfico.com/fico/board/message?board.id=creditcard&thread.id=65717

Good Luck

[Lucid08]

I got approved for the Orchard card in July of this year with an initial 300 CL, a 39.00 processing fee, and a 79.00 AF. A week or two later I was able to get my membership with NFCU reinstated after nearly 18 years and was instantly approved for their nRewards Visa and MC, each with a 2500 limit.

Needless to say, I called to cancel the Orchard card but was met with an offer to up my CL from 300 to 500 if I would keep the card. So I kept the card and made a couple of gas purchases. 3 weeks after getting the card I called to make a payment over the phone using my checking account. The CSR told me that a 15.00 fee would apply due to using the phone payment method(this was not a last minute payment situation either, as I hadnt even received a statement yet). I was shocked and stunned to say the least as the 15.00 fee was not taken from my payment amount, but rather the 15.00 fee was added BACK to my card -AFTER- I made the payment(PIF'd). So far this card has cost me the 39.00 processing fee, the 79.00 AF, and the 15.00 payment fee. So that's 133.00 in fees for less than a month of card ownership. Ridiculous.

The only reason I have yet to cancel the card is that it helps with my utilization at the moment. As soon as I can get another no fee card to give me 3, no fee, revolving accounts, I will be cancelling this card asap.

These kind of cards do serve a purpose, but I do, and will continue to question the outrageous nature of their fee system.

[Anonymous]

try WAMU

[Anonymous]

I used Koffee'a number and got bumped from $300 to $500. The lady on the other end didn't even review the application or anything. YEAAAAH!!!!

[Anonymous]

After doing a search for Orchard Bank CLI on the forum- here are the most effective ways to get a CLI with them

1-Call backdoor #

2-Complain about low CL

3-Flatter them by saying that you would love to use the card more if you had a higher CL(I threw that one in for good measure:

3-Threaten to cancel

I called yesterday and pretty much used all of these tactics with the "threat to cancel" being the most effective tool for this company" and the rep was so nice and agreed to increase my limit by $200(she also said this is in house increase so no credit pulls and no CLI fees or charges). I think I will be doing this every 4-6 months, at least until I can get a $2000 CL from them. Ok we have to be careful not to all call them the same day else the might catch on!!!

Message Edited by tryintorebuild on 08-19-2008 08:03 AM

[Anonymous]

Thanks Koffee and others. This # did not work for me. I called the back door # and treaten to payoff and cancel, first the guy acted like he was willing to do someone about it. He said I had the card for 3 years and in good standing. Never reported to the CRA only one late payment. So I asked why was I not given the increase I requested and a lower int rate? I asked why am I treated differently? He stated that I wasn't treated different from anyone else because it's a credit rebuilding card and they're very tight with the CLI. All he offered to do was reverse the late fee of 30.00 if I intend to keep the account open and fee to process the payment over the phone WTH???. So I paid it off. It was good while it served the purpose. He said he I was refused last week I should give it sometime. WHATEVER!!! FORGET THEM ANYWAY. I DON'T NEED THAT CARD ANYMORE. I THANKED THEM FOR THE TIME. THEY THANKED ME FOR BEING A VALUED CUSTOMER!!! I WILL CLOSE IT BY DECEMBER BECAUSE THE ANNUAL FEE IS DUE JANUARY!!!

[Anonymous]

So sorry to hear about your experience tryin2rebuild08. I only had my card since 6/21/08 and have only received 2 statements but I did pay down most of my balance before my statement dates(don't know if that makes a difference). Honestly I think it has more to do with what rep you get and what kind of mood they are in at the time you call-maybe mine was feeling a little generous yesterday.

Message Edited by tryintorebuild on 08-19-2008 09:38 AM