Advice Wanted

[Anonymous]

     So a small hiccup. (no SSL loan) I called USF and had a long conversation with a finance manager. It went very well and we built a rapport after a 40 minute conversation about credit among other things. It was refreshing and the most interesting part is he said “You're the first person I've spoke to over the phone who could give me their exact score!”. I explained some of the lessons I've learned and he said I was on the right track.

     He then proceeded to tell me that he could check on a refinance for my current vehicle as well as a SSL, secured card or unsecured Visa all with a single pull! After finding out that they would charge to set an auto pay from the credit card to the secured loan he agreed with me it would make more sense to buy a tank of gas and PIF since I already had an installment loan; he then proceeded to say he didn't think an unsecured Visa would be problem. In fact he could cut my finance rate by over half from 21% to 10.25% if I could bring down the principle a little.

     Not only did he get me an unsecured visa but he agreed to fix my upside down car loan - keeping the same term and giving me 60 days to meet the utilization required. (1 pull!) The cherry on the cake is he gave me his personal line and email then proceeded to tell me that he wants to build a positive relationship so I’ll think about him and USF when it comes time for another auto and even a home loan.. I can only take so much good news in a day.. If you're reading this and you have access to a CU please investigate how they can work with you!.

     Well I’m off to try for EE with EX and EQ now. Wish me luck and I’ll keep this journal updated as I'm sure the success and failures will slow down in the near future.

[Anonymous]

New info.

     So my EE request with EX and TU were successful according to my new Ficos from Experians Credit Works. I just couldn't resist checking.. they were so vauge on the phone so I was unsure if EX had really performed the EE. I tried EQ but they seem to close earlier then the other two. New scores are as follows: 

EX 645 EQ 637 TU 648

     That is a 9 point jump for EX and a 8 point jump for TU. EQ is a wash until I can get them on the phone. TU was definitely much easier to deal with then EX but YMMV.

[Anonymous]

Congrats 👏👏👏

Well done...

As, I always say try to chose those first 3-4 relationships as best you can because they might be with you 40-50 years....so happy for you 🙌

(Apologize, not making it clear if you in particular already had 1 installer (car loan) another (SSL) isn't necessary )

This shows IF one can it a hold of a quality, knowledgeable, non-lazy and non hands tied financial person (generally at CU, rarely at banks anymore) POWERFUL things can happen... especially if opens their mouths and can come across as sincere ( lot ppl can't or won't do that today) no offense but that ish doesn't happen on the app ( just saying)
This made my month, thanks for sharing ☺

Keep us up on your progress 🙌

[Anonymous]

     Quick update before work. EQ took care of the PRA EE but it was by far the most difficult. I had to go from a CSR who told me "we don't do that." to a supervisor who insisted "we don't do that!". Finally I asked if there was anyone above the supervisor and she told me a manager: who would of course tell me the same thing. So I said that was fine but I'd like to ask to find out why because I know they DO do that. So the supervisor puts me on hold for what seems like a half hour ( I think sh/e was listing to my recorded conversation?) when the supervisor gets back on and says the manager took care of that dispute (lol) for you. Now, I haven't checked but the past two experiences tell me this is good news. 

     One thing I think is important to note is not once during any of my calls to any of the CRA's did I lose my own temper or become belligerent. Remember respect goes both ways and good luck if you're going up on a EE zone. For reference my PRA was set to fall off by 12/17 per TU and 1/18 per EQ if that helps. I would also suggest TU -> EX -> EQ because the small lizard portion of my brain thinks there was some sort of peer pressure going on; I wonder if the EQ manager also pulled my reports and decided to not be the only CRA going left when the others went right? There is no way to know

[Anonymous]

Congratulations keep up the great work. Eq isn't easy to deal with for EE, good job. Dv

[medicgrrl]

Congrats on your successes so far! You really got lucky on the EE with EQ, they usually won't do them that far out!

[Anonymous]

Update

EX: 670 TU: 673 EQ: 647 (8/19/17)

Inqueries

EX: 9 TU: 5 EQ: 10

AAoA

EX: 3.8 TU: 8.9 EQ: 7.1

Baddies left:

1. Cap1 charegeoff (paid), EQ only, going to try and EE on Monday since date it should fall off is 11/17

2. Progressive through CSS for $161, TU only, going to attempt PFD over the phone with an email confirmation of PFD

3. (2) x 30 day late payments for Exeter, last was 6 months ago, this seems like my real challenge as they don't seem willing to work with me at all

Good:

1. First Primier 40/300

2. JC Penny 0/1000 immaculate account from 1995, AU

3. Cap1 QS1 0/300 not reporting yet

4. Discover IT Sec. 0/200 not reporting yet

5. USF CU 0/500 not reporting yet

     I was Preapproved for Cap1 Nav Auto for 35k at 5-10% depending on term (SP) and I've found some trucks in that range that should work, I'm hoping for better terms in Dec. with USF CU as my credit should improve by then. Still going to refinance the Exeter loan from 21% to 10.25% through USF in September. No more cards until after my Truck loan; maybe i'll wait until I can get an AMEX or Citi preapproval. Kinda bummed about no Chase because of 5/24 as I think they count AU's and only EX dosen't report JC Penny AU. 

[Anonymous]

Mid September update:

It would seem my app spree caught up with me a little bit as my score took a small score hit from the inquiries and I lost Citi Costco on a prequalify due to too many. Total drop was roughly 5 points but since I’m on the cusp of fair/good this was very disappointing. I tried to recon Citi twice but no dice. Amex came back the same. I’m putting these on hold for at least 6 months. Did I mention I went on a spree?

The only cards on my radar at all are the NFCU Amex which is at least 90 days out and preferably 90 days plus an AR and the Penfed Rewards for the gas but only because I’m looking into them for a truck loan and could possibly use the same hard pull. Speaking of truck, my auto enhanced scores are doing better and my Fico 09 is looking strong so maybe DCU is an option.

I did get CapOne auto completely off through EE but EQ was a real pain about it. It took two weeks of solid calls until I was escalated to a US rep who decided to take pity on me. That or they just wanted me to stop calling everyday lol. I still have Progressive on TU only for which I got a PFD on through CCS; waiting for an update and no email since “they don’t send emails stating PFD”.. They did send me a message through their site though that it’s their policy to delete items which are paid in full and then sent me a paid in full receipt. I promptly sent these off to TU certified to try and expedite the removal, we’ll see.

The only other derogatory remarks are my two 30 day lates from my current Exeter loan. These guys need their own paragraph. I just sent off a round of GW letters following the saturation technique: 10 letters to 10 address in all. I also sent out 2 emails to execs but the actual email address are shaky at best. All I could come up with and of the 10 emails I sent 8 came back undeliverable. In addition I had Lexington Law escalation send out 3 notarized letters (one to each bureau) disputing at the same time; I called them first they said the dispute letters would not interfere with my GW letters, we’ll see.. Exeter so far shows no willingness to budge and will be the last item keeping my reports from being clean in October. It's going to be another battle of the wills but I’m persistent. It’s been six months six the last 30 day late for reference.

On a side note NFCU was really good to me. Highest CL of $3500 plus a CLOC for $15k seem like outliers on my reports and I fully intend to protect and grow my relationship with Navy.

Another Chase 5/24 data point. I was over 5/24 when I got the Freedom Unlimited but since my other cards took so long to report it went through.

Fico 08 per myFico: EQ: 677 TU: 665 EX: 668

Inquiries: EQ: 13 TU: 7 EX: 12

AAoA: EQ: 5.2 TU: 7.2 EX: 2.6

Utilization: 6% on one card

Credit

1. First Premier Bank $0/$300 April 2017
2. JCPenny AU $0/$1000 July 2017
3. Capital One Quicksilver One $19/$300 August 2017
4. Discover IT Secured $0/$200 (2500 max) August 2017
5. USF CU $0/$500 August 2017
6. Chase Freedom Unlimited $0/$500 August 2017
7. NFCU CLOC September $0/$15000 September 2017
8. NFCU Go Rewards $0/$3500 September 2017
9. PayPal 2% CB $0/$700 September 2017

Choices

  1. Find out why JCPenny is not reporting on experian: filed request on Sept 5th to find problem

1. Discover: September 24th raise limit by $300 ($500)
2. Join PenFed after CapOne Auto falls off equifax on October 1st (November: same hard pull for new truck loan?) Explore DCU for Fico 09
3. PenFed Rewards October/November 5% gas/try for PLOC with membership HP
4. NFCU/PenFed refinance requires $2,000 for DTV, roll negative equity into truck with rebate and save for larger down payment?
5. NFCU PC Go Rewards to Amex ask about lower rate, found out I can't convert but can apply in 91 days: November 4th
6. Truck in December
7. Garden/grow current credit and apply for lifelock or other cedit protection service, no more apps 6-12 months

Pending: None

Declined

1. Citi Costco decline Sept 1st pending recon 2017: to many inquiries had prequalify from site called twice
2. Amex BCE pending August 2017, to few accounts paid as agreed, to many inquiries

Derogatory Remarks: 2x 30 day lates on current auto loan 6 months since last (saturation 1st round)  and Progressive through CCS on TU (PFD waiting on update)

[Anonymous]

Awesome! Glad to hear the update. Keep up the good work!

[Anonymous]

All derogatoryTL's are removed. Only negative left is two 30 days lates now and TU jumped 30+ points. No new credit until November truck loan. My 09 and 05 score have not been updated yet. Any advise on truck loan? I'm thinking PenFed still with my 09's being much higher then any other scores. I guess they are counting the lates differently?

08 on 9/18

EQ: 677 TU: 697 EX: 668

09 on 9/12

EQ: 723 TU: 662 EX: 726

05 on 9/12

EQ: 712 TU: EX: