V A N Q U I S

replinco

Well you could knock me down with a feather.

I was discharged from a DRO last year and a lot of the debts are still showing on my credit file as defaults which is annoying.

Anyway, I really wanted a safety net, because I'm on benefits and have a Labrador that enjoys getting ear infections, the only trouble is that it cost £34 to cover the initial vets visit, so he sometimes has to wait until I can get the money. Bank won't give me a £50 OD limit so I thought I would apply for a Granite card for a bit a light relief as I have been refused by them a few times in the past.

To my amazement they rang me to punt the usual cash advance and payment insurance. It was even harder to say no to the payment insurance as they have an option for the unemployed. The lady on the phone sounded a little surprised when I said no but thank fully I resisted her feeble protestations. They offered my a £200 cash advance, I was saying yes, but the gods were smiling on me as they wouldn't accept my new Santander (ex Alliance and Leicester) sort code and account number, so I left it. So I am just waiting for the card to see what Santa is bringing.

I got a letter from them today saying that they had run out of the Granite design and would be sending me a Diamond card. To be honest it could have Noel Edmonds on the front as long as long as it has the Visa sign as well.

Speaking as someone who has survived for years on Provident and Shopacheck loans with APR's of 300+% as I have never been able to get any cards at all, I am glad that Vanquis has finally relented and given me a card because I have finally got a buffer zone each month so I am not tearing my hair out when a bill is due and the dog sticks his head in a bush which is an expensive hobby of his.

So hopefully, if I keep my head, finally my credit record is going to turn a corner and look nicer in a shade of green instead of big black circled D's all the time!

only_mee

replinco wrote: »

Well you could knock me down with a feather.

Me too, nice to start building the file back up

UnderPressure

Today is D day for me with my Granite card 4th statement due so really interestd to see if the increase my credit limit, I have no plans to spend anything it would just be nice for a change to see things moving in the right direction.................

EVanquis is down at the moment so I will check after lunch I have a nagging feeling it is not going to be increased we will see I hope so though

dazzaofdagenham

ive had my 4th statement and didnt get a increase.

Pay minimum amount via direct debit and always make a extra payment onto the account...

£250 credit limit but always leave about £50 outstanding on it....

Mainly used for petrol and supermarket shopping

replinco

Well there must be someone taking pity on me LOL

Got my Granite card today with a £500 limit and interest rate of 30.35% which I suppose looks like an odd number because I can't find it on the Tiers. It came with the Diamond design, which is the tackiest rock I have ever seen, but what the hey, its a Visa.

One thing that I found very strange is that Vanquis is part of Provident. The reason being that one of my debts on my DRO was with them and I would have thought they would have been the least likely to have given me a card, but I suppose not.

So I am now going to be very strong, and try and keep this card for emergencies. It's very tempting for someone on benefits to go and splurge on an imagined £500 free money, but I am determined to get my credit record sorted out so have to resist the urge to go to town at Amazon!

jonny1983_2

dazzaofdagenham wrote: »

ive had my 4th statement and didnt get a increase.

Pay minimum amount via direct debit and always make a extra payment onto the account...

£250 credit limit but always leave about £50 outstanding on it....

Mainly used for petrol and supermarket shopping

I didn't have one on my 4th statement but did get one on my 7th for £750.

Stupidly i applied for another credit card just after getting my vanquis card think that was the reason for not getting 1 on my 4th statement. I also paid minimum payment via direct debit like you but then changed to full amount.

If you can, try not to apply for credit and pay in full each month - you may get an increase then.

am hoping for the 1000 soon:T

BugsyBrowne

jonny1983 wrote: »

I didn't have one on my 4th statement but did get one on my 7th for £750.

Stupidly i applied for another credit card just after getting my vanquis card think that was the reason for not getting 1 on my 4th statement. I also paid minimum payment via direct debit like you but then changed to full amount.

If you can, try not to apply for credit and pay in full each month - you may get an increase then.

am hoping for the 1000 soon:T

I can't see how paying in full every month to vanquis is going to help him get an increase...

UnderPressure

Looks like my hunch was right no increase for me not this month anyhow EVanquis does not seem to have fully updated yet but the basics are there for next mnth min payment and date etc etc just not applied any interest charges yet for the very small balance I have left on the card.

OH wel onwards and upwards lets see what month 7 brings

jonny1983_2

star-fire wrote: »

I can't see how paying in full every month to vanquis is going to help him get an increase...

I,m not saying he would get an increase (hence me saying 'this may help') however thats what i did and i got one.

alfred64

jonny1983 wrote: »

I,m not saying he would get an increase (hence me saying 'this may help') however thats what i did and i got one.

I have known this tactic to work - especially when a large balance is suddenly cleared.
But why people are so keen to obtain a large credit limit from vanquis is beyond me. It is just as easy, and far less risky, to build a credit rating with a low limit as it is with a high one.