Too many cards :(

[Darrell82]

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@Shellie wrote:

I'm getting a lot of negative feedback when applying for credit because of the amount of cards.  Some say it's the number of cards and some say it't the fact that they were all opened last year.  I hope by this time next year when they are getting closer to 2 years that they will not be hurting my credit any more.  I have 4 from shopping cart tricks, 3 in-store apps and 2 CapOnes.  That shopping cart trick just gets me!  I haven't taken any in months tho.  I did have to apply for Care Credit last week for a procedure my son had to have.  It just sucks because I can't do anything about them.  The lady I just spoke with said one helps as much as 5 would as long as you're payment history is good.  It's hard to know what to do honestly, you get such conflicting information from person to person.

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I did the same thing as well. I ended up closing a few that i didnt need that was as well hurting my AAOA. so i closed a few that was most recently opened and didnt really need and saw a score increase from it.

Good Luck..

[red259]

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@Shellie wrote:

I'm getting a lot of negative feedback when applying for credit because of the amount of cards.  Some say it's the number of cards and some say it't the fact that they were all opened last year.  I hope by this time next year when they are getting closer to 2 years that they will not be hurting my credit any more.  I have 4 from shopping cart tricks, 3 in-store apps and 2 CapOnes.  That shopping cart trick just gets me!  I haven't taken any in months tho.  I did have to apply for Care Credit last week for a procedure my son had to have.  It just sucks because I can't do anything about them.  The lady I just spoke with said one helps as much as 5 would as long as you're payment history is good.  It's hard to know what to do honestly, you get such conflicting information from person to person.

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Unfortunately, this is why the theory of getting too many cards quickly to build up history is not a good practice IMO. The only way to fix this is to garden and overtime as the accounts age you will be in better shape. 

[DigitalArk]

I am in the same boat with OP. 

[SunriseEarth]

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@Shellie wrote:

I'm getting a lot of negative feedback when applying for credit because of the amount of cards.  Some say it's the number of cards and some say it't the fact that they were all opened last year.  I hope by this time next year when they are getting closer to 2 years that they will not be hurting my credit any more.  I have 4 from shopping cart tricks, 3 in-store apps and 2 CapOnes.  That shopping cart trick just gets me!  I haven't taken any in months tho.  I did have to apply for Care Credit last week for a procedure my son had to have.  It just sucks because I can't do anything about them.  The lady I just spoke with said one helps as much as 5 would as long as you're payment history is good.  It's hard to know what to do honestly, you get such conflicting information from person to person.

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My plan with my CCs is to keep using the ones that benefit me the most and SD the rest.  At the two year mark, I'll close the ones in the SD (unless they've already been closed for inactivity).   Merrick and VS are in the SD and will probably be on the chopping block for me.   You could consider a similar option.  I think it'll just take time and you'll be fine. 

[Shellie]

I saw a 1 pt boost when I opened the Care Credit.  I took the JCrew, Buckle and Express for the UTL help.  I actually shop at VS, ON, Stage, Maurices and Walmart. Wow I missed 3 Cards in the Original post...  I know I have too many.  I've never used the JCrew or Express and only used Buckle once.  I would be totally fine closing all the store cards if my CapOnes had better CL's on them.  I had been in the Garden since I think October? Can't remember for sure.  I only had to step out for the Care Credit, it was unplanned.  I will continue to Garden as planned.  I clearly do not need more cards!!  I just let the thrill get the best of my I suppose.  I had never had any credit cards prior to rebuilding.  I never applied, I never needed them.  I don't "need" them now.  It was all about getting my score up. 

[Rhaeny]

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@Shellie wrote:

I saw a 1 pt boost when I opened the Care Credit.  I took the JCrew, Buckle and Express for the UTL help.  I actually shop at VS, ON, Stage, Maurices and Walmart. Wow I missed 3 Cards in the Original post...  I know I have too many.  I've never used the JCrew or Express and only used Buckle once.  I would be totally fine closing all the store cards if my CapOnes had better CL's on them.  I had been in the Garden since I think October? Can't remember for sure.  I only had to step out for the Care Credit, it was unplanned.  I will continue to Garden as planned.  I clearly do not need more cards!!  I just let the thrill get the best of my I suppose.  I had never had any credit cards prior to rebuilding.  I never applied, I never needed them.  I don't "need" them now.  It was all about getting my score up. 

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Ahh yes, many here have fallen in that category including me.  The only thing that change that is time.  In the meantime try to get CLI's on your commenity cards every 6 months or so.  You may have to wait 9 months to get your first CLI with them, as that was the case for me.

Your Walmart card will really grow, actually just about any GE card will grow so you will see more progress in a while.  As for the "too many new accounts issue", well yes I got that too so don't feel bad.

You are doing the right thing by gardening.  This is the time that you may be able to help others by offering them advice on what NOT to do.  That's what I do now since I can't app for anything for a long long time.  But I've had some fantastic app sprees.  

I would wait about 6 months from your last app and then go for a major CC like Chase, Barclay or even Amex depending on your scores.  But truly the garden is your best friend now.

[Shellie]

I have tried to get CLI's and Comenity wont budge.  I got my Maurices card in-store at the beginning of May 2013 and they wont up it.  It have a whopping $150 CL.  VS was June via shopping cart trick and no CLI on that one either.  I have never done an app spree.  Mine are all spread out over the whole year.

[Shellie]

I just tried all my Comenity and GE cards and no CLI's. 

[ways2go]

The bad part about GE Care card is that it's a HP for any CLI. I might be wrong, but I think it's they only GE backed card that HP for a cli.

[john398]

just curious is your utilzation high? even with a lot of cards if you keep your util low it should not be a sign of desperate for credit