Question on qualifying for the Barclays card to get a MacBook through Apple?

[Anonymous]

Ok, so I've tried a few times, and kept getting denied, both when I did it online, then when I called in and they sent me to someone who pulled my Credit Report.

Right now, I have, according to Credit Karma, a 645 TU, and 678 EQ, the last time I called they said no because the credit card I had on file was 1. a Charge card(GameStop), and high balance, which has since been paid in full, have had it for a year now, made payments on time, or even befoe due date each month, now have a $1,050 Limit on that, but have no intentions of using that card again, I didn't even use that much, they upped my limit twice this year, from 250 top 650, then 650 to 1050.

Anyway, what are some requirements, I read about recon department, but I have no idea what that is, would it be useful to call them, and see if they can approve my application? 

Thanks to anyone who has any information and help.

-Jason

[Anonymous]

Well I tried a new app, and the recon number, because of the Charge Card they won't approve me, they want more activity, and an actual CC, yet every time I get a Pre Approved from Citi, Capital One, etc... they say 9/10 get it if pre-approved, but I'm the 1/10 that doesn't get it.

They said to do another charge card, does anyone know how difficult it is to get approved for a BestBuy or Amazon CC? Just the ones for the store, all I'm trying to do is upgrade my 2014 MacBook Air to a new MacBook Pro.

Thanks for any help.

-Jason

[Anonymous]

Why do you need the card to upgrade your computer?

[Anonymous]

I can't afford the laptop outright, so I need to finance it. But they want me to get an actual credit card, but as I said I get those pre approved 9/10 get them, but I get rejected, so I'm thr 1/10 that doesn't get approved. She didn't even budge, it's ridulocus. I recently had my student loans discharged, I'm disabled, so I don't have the money to buy it outright. You would think they'd be willing to to do something. I paid off my Gamestop card, no other debt, I'm very frustrated. 

[Anonymous]

Also I've had the GS card since last may, made every payment on time or before the due date, in the last 3 payments I sent over 500 to pay it off. Then they upped my limit this month to 1050. It seems the only way I will be able to get a MacBook is to some how qualify for a BB or Amazon card, which I'm unsure of the difficulty of being approved, or somehow find one on eBay and I guess use the GS card to buy eBay GCs, I don't want to do this.

I want the 0% interest if paid in X amount of months, I can do monthly payments no problem.

One more thing, it's been since October 2015 that I got approved for my discharge, I'm completely in Oct 2018. Befofe then, my credit was horrible, the lowest it could be, or at best in the 400s, now, according to CK, it's 638 TU(-9 due to the application) and 678 EQ. I'm not sure what more I can do to show them I'm worthy of being given a CC.

[Anonymous]

Welcome to the boards, Jason.

One way or another, it looks like you are going to have to be patient. Either you should start saving for your computer needs or you will need to build/clean up your credit history.

To start, you want to get your actual FICO scores. The ones from CK are worthless and can easily be off by 100 or more points from what you need to know. Then, as the credit rep said, you'll want to open an actual credit card. With your scores you may need to go with a secured card to start but try Cap One's pre-qualification. They may get you a card that isn't secured. That would get you off to a good start although the limit is unlikely going to be high enough to help with your current desire for a laptop.

Lastly, I don't understand the part about your student loans being discharged. If that means you did not pay them as agreed then that may be showing up on the credit bureaus as well and hurting your chances. A look at your credit bureau reports is in order to see exactly what all needs to be addressed.

[UncleB]

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@Anonymous wrote:
Welcome to the boards, Jason.

One way or another, it looks like you are going to have to be patient. Either you should start saving for your computer needs or you will need to build/clean up your credit history.

To start, you want to get your actual FICO scores. The ones from CK are worthless and can easily be off by 100 or more points from what you need to know. Then, as the credit rep said, you'll want to open an actual credit card. With your scores you may need to go with a secured card to start but try Cap One's pre-qualification. They may get you a card that isn't secured. That would get you off to a good start although the limit is unlikely going to be high enough to help with your current desire for a laptop.

Lastly, I don't understand the part about your student loans being discharged. If that means you did not pay them as agreed then that may be showing up on the credit bureaus as well and hurting your chances. A look at your credit bureau reports is in order to see exactly what all needs to be addressed.

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When used to describe student loans, the term 'discharge' isn't negative... basically the loans are forgiven.  This is done in some cases of total and permanent disabiltiy.  More info can be found here.

I agree that patience will be the key in this case... I would also certainly explore options outside of Barclays.

[Anonymous]

Forgive me in advance, not sure how to quote posts. But to the above user who mentioned that discharge is not a negative, you also mentioned other means, how hard is it to get approved for BestBuy or Amazon, which both sell MacBook's?

[UncleB]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Forgive me in advance, not sure how to quote posts. But to the above user who mentioned that discharge is not a negative, you also mentioned other means, how hard is it to get approved for BestBuy or Amazon, which both sell MacBook's?

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Welcome to myFICO! 

Hi @Anonymous, and welcome!

To quote a post, check this link: http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Community-Feature-FAQ-s/How-to-Quote-a-Post/td-p/2603189

BestBuy is Citi, and they can be picky at times.  You listed your CK scores earlier; do you know your actual FICO scores?  CK uses Vantage, and sometimes Vantage can be pretty far apart from FICO (in either direction). 

If it were me I would probably try Amazon before BestBuy (Amazon is Synchrony) since they are generally easier to get approved with than Citi.  Synchrony will use TU for your approval... the stronger your TU FICO the better your chances will be.

Regarding your student loan discharge; before moving forward with any applications you will want to make sure (if you haven't already) that your credit reports have been updated to reflect the new status.  Since the accounts are forgiven I'm not sure how your past history will be reflected... with a little luck it will be removed and the status simply updated to reflect that no balance is due.

[Anonymous]

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@UncleB wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

Forgive me in advance, not sure how to quote posts. But to the above user who mentioned that discharge is not a negative, you also mentioned other means, how hard is it to get approved for BestBuy or Amazon, which both sell MacBook's?

---

Welcome to myFICO! 

Hi @Anonymous, and welcome!

To quote a post, check this link: http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Community-Feature-FAQ-s/How-to-Quote-a-Post/td-p/2603189

BestBuy is Citi, and they can be picky at times.  You listed your CK scores earlier; do you know your actual FICO scores?  CK uses Vantage, and sometimes Vantage can be pretty far apart from FICO (in either direction). 

If it were me I would probably try Amazon before BestBuy (Amazon is Synchrony) since they are generally easier to get approved with than Citi.  Synchrony will use TU for your approval... the stronger your TU FICO the better your chances will be.

Regarding your student loan discharge; before moving forward with any applications you will want to make sure (if you haven't already) that your credit reports have been updated to reflect the new status.  Since the accounts are forgiven I'm not sure how your past history will be reflected... with a little luck it will be removed and the status simply updated to reflect that no balance is due.

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Thanks for the link, didn't even see the Quote button lol.

I just applied for the Amazon.com Store card, got approved, $400 limit, obviously not enough for a MacBook, but I've been told the more CCs you have, or more than 1, the better your credit will end up, or credit will end up going up higher.

-Jason