ORCHARD A MESS

[Anonymous]

I HAVE THIS ORCHARD CC FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS WITH A MEASLE 300 LIMIT. I CALLED THEM AND ASKED FOR AN INCREASE. THEY ASKED ME TO PAY 25.00 TO GET 100.00 INCREASE, SO I REFUSED. WHY SHOULD I PAY TO GET AN INCREASE. THEIR INT RATE IS ALREADY SKY HIGH. THE REP SAID THE CARD IS USED FOR REBUILDING CREDIT...SO I GUESS I CAN CLOSE MINE NOW BECAUSE I DON'T NEED IT ANYMORE. ANYONE HAD ANY GOOD EXPERIENCES WITH THEM?

[llecs]

I have one of their secured cards and it is serving its purpose: to help rebuild credit and to be temporary. Asking for $$$ in exchange for a CLI isn't uncommon for them. Now some had success in threatening to close it only to be couter-offered a CLI or lower interest or a waived AF. However, be prepared to follow through with your quit-threat.

[Anonymous]

Sorry you are having such a hard time with them. I've had them over 2 years and went from $500 CL to $1100.  My CLI fees are $20, not $25 and they waived that and the AF for me, so that's why I have been holding on to it.  I actually didn't find them to be that bad, I've gone from $500 to $600, $800, $1000 and then when I called to cancel, they waived my AF, gave me another $100 CLI at no charge and then went back and waived my $20 CLI fee from the month or two prior. Since I don't have any more fees and the CL is over $1000 I'm keeping them until the next AF is due.

[Uncle_Money]

Tryin,

Unfortunately, this is not a growing card and no good experiences with it here. I've had it for 3+ years now, my scores are 700+ across the board and my limit is just $700. I doubt they will waive any CLI fees, either.

On a positive note, they do report to all 3 credit bureaus so I'll never close it due to the history and reporting. You should consider that.

[Anonymous]

Yeah don't expect much from them you might get a $100 here an $100 there. Like someone stated above there re builder cards when you can do better move on.

[Anonymous]

I had them for awhile.  Started out at 700 then 900---1100--1300.  After three years I asked them to waive a/f. They wouldn't--I closed.  CLIs were all automatic with no fee.  When they sent me card a month later I got a card from HSBC with no fee.  So I still have that one.  Not much better but no fee.

[Anonymous]

I think the key with Orchard and getting them to waive stuff is to not ask for it and just call to cancel. As somone stated above you need to be prepared to actually do it. I truly called to cancel the card and all of sudden they were throwing things at me and I never asked them too.

I have to wonder if the cards that start out either secured or at $300 never grow at all. I've seen some folks like me, who have had some success, in my opinion rather good success for a rebuilder card and then others that report after 2-3 years they can't get anything.

Regardless, it's a positive TL on your credit report, with now 3 years of history, so I wouldn't shut them down unitl you have something better first.  Good luck. I know that credit rebuilding seems like a an endless, tedius, frustrating task!

[Client9]

I am the Exception to the Rule when it comes to Orchard.  I opened it in Nov of 2005, got a $400 CL. Now it is up to $2700.  I have only paid once ($600 TO $1000) for a CLI.  the interest rate is 14.99%

I use it to buy credit scores from MyFico.  I make double payments on it.  It can grow, but you might be The Rule, not the Exception

[Koffee]

Overall I've had a good experience with Orchard. I've had my card since 10/2006. I started out with a $300.00 CL.  Increased to $450.00 then  $600.00 and yesterday I called the back door number and got another $400.00. So I'm sitting at $1000.00 after 22 months. I've never been charged a CLI fee with Orchard Bank. Most of the time I PIF each month.

Hoping for a B of A real soon!!!

Message Edited by Koffee on 08-16-2008 04:30 PM

[Anonymous]

Koffee do you mind sharing the back door # so i can get this increase. I just need the TL. I don't plan on using the amount.