I just got a notice that my score went down 2 points, still in process of obtaining a mortgage, and since they pre approved me a month ago, and then pulled again for the actual process last week, I have had two inquires in a little over a month time...not too shabby, from 676 to 674, nothing else in my report to cause it to go down (if anything, it should be going up, things are starting to get seriously paid off, but I think I am at the point until I start working on new credit and waiting a few years for baddies to drop, nothing significant is going to happen to my score). ... View more

Paid cash, didn't buy much.   However, since you are on the topic of issuing instant credit in the stores, that drives me nuts !   There is nothing worse than being in a long line, and have them pushing credit applications on everyone.  UGH !  I know they have to --- but maybe having kiosks set up in store to do it instead ? ... View more

I get points for debit card...sure they may not be as great as a credit card, but still something...and when you thing about what 2000 a month on mortgage would rack up, not too shabby.  Wells Fargo Rewards program ... View more

When it rains it pours, hope the dog is ok.  If you need to, take it to UC Davis Vet school...the one time I took my poodle (meanist, nastiest dog I ever had, but you love them anyway) it was very reasonable...she had a pretty nasty collapsing trachea, they couldn't operate, but still, all the meds, etc were very reasonable.   I was thinking you situation is more like a LIFETIME movie....we always joke how they suck you in, and what should be a 1 1/2 hour movie drags into a 4 hour movie.....sounds like your situation LOL ... View more

Out of curiousity, since in am in the process of buying a home that is yet to be built....assuming I am approved under the current scoring models, and by the time I actually close (est spring) the new scoring comes in....is there a chance, all other things in my credit  stable, that it could affect my rates? ... View more

I would be carefull on this one....I did the same thing with Citifinancial thinking it would help, and it shows up as a baddie on one of my credit reports, something to the effect that personal finance loans indicate you are a higher risk because of searchiing for credit....how about a secured card? ... View more

It is my understanding that Macy's will have to tell you why...they had to have something to base their decision on - ask for that.   One time I tried to get my free reports and one of them had some weird message, not the same as yours, but in effect they couldn't get me a report.  Week or so later, tried again and it worked.  It may just be a fluke in the program?  Macy's somehow got your report...unless they are denying because they couldn't get anything? ... View more

You said at the very beginning of the post that you couldn't even get a Macys, something about waiting for a letter.  If you were denied a credit card, you are entitled to a free report.  When the letter comes, it will state that (I think this is everywhere, not just California?) and how to get it.  If you did not apply, you might just think about applying somewhere, for a minor card, and see what happens. ... View more

Ash-   Little off topic....want to apologize for they other day...my comments were not necessarily against you, more against what I feel is a dangerous game being played.   ... View more

Curious...if in a state that they check your credit for car insurance (I have Geico), wonder if you were denied their card, if it would affect your car insurance?  Every month when I pay my insurance on line they try to give me a credit card....might go for it when my mortgage is finalized.  To my knowledge, they have not checked my credit for my insurance (In california, have no idea if they do) ... View more

Wow, just found this thread.  I have a Speigel account showing on Experian, which is now paid off.....it was in collection, and was a charge off...thru my debt management plan (and even before then) I had an arranged pay off....but the Experian has it as 25 late (over 90 days) payments.  From looking at the first post on this list, it looks like the drop off date would be 7 years from the first delinquincy...about 4 years ago.  Neither of the other 2 cb show it like this...show problems, but not the 25 over 90 day payments.  I disputed it, nothing happenened (other than an email saying it was being investigated).  I tried again the other day, and  it said I can't dispute because they have already researched and is valid.   If it really will drop off in 3 years or so, no big deal, since it is my low score.  I am buying a house right now, may want to refinance in a few years when all the baddies drop off.  But, since I was making payments until a few months ago, and it reflects that, I am concerned that they might go by that date instead (although I know that is contrary  to what is indicated in the thread).  Should I try something like a GW letter, or is it too late for something like that?  and would it be to Spiegel or the CA (which is uncontactable as far so far for me, never got statements or anything).   Thanks ... View more

He posted last night in "post your equifaz score chart" ... View more

I have always heard that most credit cards companies, and the IRS, attempts to get your card (or tax refund check) in the Saturday mail...more likely you will be home and it can't be stolen.  Don't know how true ??? ... View more

Just remember (in case you have not checked, but I know you have been pretty thourough) that they might have a minimum price before they sell....don't know if you remember a month ago or so in Sacramento they rejected several bids on a condo development after the auction because they didn't meeting the minimum bid price....guess like on ebay when they have a reserve.  Hope there is still some way you can get it, but don't let it kill you, breath, there is (and will be) a lot more on the market.  I know that is easy to say, I know how much you want this house, but I am a firm believer that sometimes things happen for a reason.  GOOD LUCK !!!  Wish I could go kick butt for you tomorrow! ... View more

Well, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you at the auction.  You put a lot of hard work into this....but in any case, will pay off eventually for some house.  Its a buyers market where we are....sometimes things happen for a reason, maybe something even better will crop up. ... View more

Brammy - I think we are on the same wave length....while the subprime mess has created a lot of problems, it has also created a lot of opportunities....I live in one of the Bubble areas (Sacramento area), and prior to moving here two years ago, lived in one of the most expensive housing markets in the country  where I felt home ownership was a dream.  So, I didn't even try for...maxed out cards, took out cards to pay off cards, and drove a 15 year old car.  For the first time, I am able to purchase a home (hopefully, keeping fingers crossed on the loan process) because the prices have dropped so dramatically, while I fortunatly, started working on my credit repair 3 years ago...my scores are pretty similar to yours right now.  In my cleanup, everyone of creditors were paid what they were due.  Its been a long haul, in about 9 months all will be paid.   I have no credit card at this point, part of the debt managment agreement.  Yes, when the house comes down the line (it isn't built yet, so 5-6 months off at least), and everything paid off, I will be applying for judicious credit, 2 or 3 cards to help build my credit even more.  I am not trying to preach, in some ways I am in awe of some with these massive amounts of cards....   But  a lot of the problems, and hight rates are because of irresponsible credit use.  And we all pay for it.  I remember reading in a post recently someone complaining about a cc company closing their accounts, they had only been late 5 times in the past year, but never more than 30 days, and their astonishment that there account was closed.  Someone was pretty frank with them....and they got it.  I guess with some of the recent posts, I am concerned some don't.  This is probably off topic.... ... View more

Brammy, I totally agree.  From what I have seen, 95% of this site is very useful and educational, and I have seen many times discussion about legality, etc....and I have learned a tremendous amount.  And, believe it or not, I have a pretty good sense of humor (or so I am told).  My problem is that I see some trends that I am concerned that are just clean it up, so I can get right back into trouble.  I realize the site is educational...but when I see posts bragging about how many cards they can get, walking away from debt, etc...it just kind of fries me.  I have had to deal with collection agencies, and I wish then that I knew what I now know.      I guess its a feeling of personal responsibility.  And I am very grateful to the site for educating on my rights.  But I just can't help but feel some out there are making a mockery of the credit process. ... View more

I am glad you have cancelled the card...however, I just have to throw my $.02 in.  I think people on this site tend to  make a mockery of the whole credit process...this is not necessarily to ash, but to many on this site.  Its how I can get something off my report without paying - that I truly owe.  Its not, boy, I screwed up, what can I do to fix it. Some people just seem unwilling to take personal responsibility for what they have done.  For #^$&#$ sake, if you owe someone, pay it, or at least make a settlement offer.   I know this is not strickly keeping with the current theme, and yesterday's irritating theme, but the whole idea of how many cards can I get, etc....to  me is just encouraging people to get in trouble.  It seems to have turned into "how can I buck the system."   ... View more

Yeh, it was around 1956 or so, just before I was born.  Out in the hills, brand new development.  My mom said you could put your hand on a light switch and tell the weather outside.  They sold that and bought in town right around the time I was born....2 story colonial, my Moms dream house, swimming pool, carriage house, etc.   Was a fixer upper...7 years later Mom had to sell when dad split....for about 22,000 !!!  It sold for 1.2 million about 15 years ago, only can guess what now !!!  After few years in Burlingame, moved to south bay, cause it was much less expensive LOL. ... View more

Don't know about federal, but as someone else has mentioned, Wachovia is offerring up to a 25,000 grant for first time homebuyers in California.  Also, don't know what her reitrement, CALPERS has some excellent programs, CALSTRS (I think thats the teaching equivalent) may have some as well.  Boy, hard to think of $525,000 as a first time house....my parents paid 14,000 grand for their first house in San Mateo on the Penninsula ... View more

Waiting to hear --- hope all is going well.  We are almost neighbors, house I am buying (hopefully, still going thru the loan) is in Lincoln....we can have a work party !   Keeping fingers crossed for you ... View more

I don't think we can also leave out the constant search for property taxes and retail sales tax by our local government as a factor as well.  Working on this side of the industry, its amazing to see how much the almighty search of the tax dollar is a factor in the massive amounts of development that have occurred in the Sacramento region.  In California, its pretty much a given that residential does not pay for itself in the long run, so all of the communities are in major competition for retail sales, yet housing developements are also rampent, because, despite what it seems, its a relatively affordable area for California (and getting more so by the day !).  ... View more