Need help getting first CC

Pavel_S

Hi everyone,

I've done a bit of reading on here but given the unusual nature of my circumstances thought I would post.

I would appreciate any opinions anybody would have.

I recently tried to apply for a Tesco Clubcard Credit card, and was refused. After appealing, they maintained their decision.

I didn't realise that I should probably start off with a "beginner" credit card to build up enough of a rating to get a good one with 0% deals etc. Lesson learnt.

Basically, I'm Cypriot, I came to UK in September 2006 to study at Cambridge. I graduated last year and since them am permanently employed on 26k p.a. I lived my first two years on campus, my last year of uni lived in a flat in Cambridge (10 months), and recently lived for 6 months in Coventry (where I work), and am getting ready to move into a house I just purchased (complete next week).

Now as an international student I had a Barclays international student account without an overdraft. Just a debit card. I've had direct debits for mobile contracts and car insurance, currently also have utilities in my name. All rent has always been paid on time. My student loan still hasn't started being repaid (since it will start to be deducted from my earnings from April onwards).

I wasn't on the electoral roll for the first two years but registered in my last year of uni, and at my current address in Coventry.

I have never defaulted on any payments, have never had a credit card (or even an over draft), have never had a cheque bounce, no CCJs etc. etc.

Applying for a mortgage was absolutely no problem, so I assumed my credit rating would be okay.


Now I need a credit card for a couple of essential purchases for the house (few bits of furniture which I don't have such as a bed, sofa, washing machine etc.) which I can't afford to pay currently as a lump sum. However, as I have steady and good income, this would be paid off within 2-3 months tops. It's literally just so that I can purchase them up front.

Because of this I wanted to get a card with introductory terms so I wouldn't have to pay interest on this very short term loan.


However, as I've been rejected I find myself in a difficult situation.. I need to get a credit card, but I don't know whether it's worth applying for one now (Tesco application was about a week ago, and it was the only application). I didn't anticipate the application being problematic due to having a clean history and having no problems securing a mortgage.

As I'm with Barclays, I'm thinking of playing safe and just applying online for their Initial card, despite the crap terms, it would a) get me out of my furniture dilemma, and b) get me on the credit ladder.

I have today ordered a Stat. copy of my credit report for 2 quid so will see when that arrives if there's anything massively dodgy or incorrect on it (but I would have expected that to show up as a problem during mortgage applications)


Given my recent application.. how long should I wait before applying for a Barclay Initial Card? Is there anything I should do to improve my score? (I move to the new house in a few weeks which will show me moving yet again, but it will also show me up as a homeowner.. is it worth waiting to move or to try and secure a credit card before moving?)


Apologies for the slightly long post, but I thought I'd provide all relevant details!

Cheers,

Pavel

stephane_2

Having moved so often will probably not help and it is always advised to apply for credit before moving to a new address. Instead of applying online with Barclays then it might be best speaking to someone in a branch & explain the situation. If you've only applied once within the last month then it will have very little effect on your credit report, it is when you do too many within a short period of time that it will. Also you have 2 main Credit Reference Agencies in the UK which are Experian & Equifax so might be best getting your report from both of them. Each credit card provider will search either ones or both of them, but it is well known that Barclays only use Equifax for Credit Card application. It might also be interesting for you also to try the pre-application process for credit card on Barclaycard website, they will not do a full search on your file

dylanuk

Yeah - I'd suggest doing the pre-app check with Barclaycard too - https://letmechoose.barclaycard.co.uk/

The Barclaycard Platinum offers 0% on purchases for 3 months - which isn't a lot, but sounds like it might see you through. The minimum income is £20k which you pass.

As you're already a Barclays Bank customer, you might have an increased chance of being accepted.

Pavel_S

Thanks for the responses everyone,

I tried the pre-app check online and it told me I'm currently not eligible for a Barclaycard. I think this may partly be down to the fact that I had to put time at current address as zero years, since it doesn't allow you to input months...

So I went into the local Barclays branch today to enquire about applying for a Barclaycard, and was told that they no longer deal with Barclaycard stuff in-branch and that it's all done online... Seems a bit strange doesn't it?

I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to do now, as I know I'll be rejected if I submit a proper application, due to my specific circumstances, and it seems I can't just discuss this with someone while applying... am I left with the sole option of applying online, getting rejected, and then appealing?

Slightly starting to lose hope and more importantly I'm failing to see what actions I can take to make myself eligible to get on the CC ladder, even if it's with a really bad card.. (as mentioned before, I only really need this for a small, very short term loan, and to keep it for emergencies; I have never previousy felt in need of credit).


My only last thought is, is it worth trying to apply for a credit card in a HSBC branch (my mortgage application is with them, and it will be drawn down on Wednesday, so it is an active mortgage account)? I do not know how stringent their criteria are, and I am also wary of the fact they might simply reject it just like Barclays would if I cannot explain my circumstances in person?


Thanks again to everyone for your help!

Pavel

Pavel_S

Would just like to thank eveyrone on here once again. I paid for a Equifax online report today, and aside from not being on the electoral roll except at this last address, there wasn't a single adverse line on there.

With that in mind I bit the bullet and applied online for the Barclaycard Initial card (even though their pre-app check rejected me!).

60 seconds later I got an approved screen They say it's in the post! Very happy about that, even if I get the card with a 250 quid limit.. it's just a stepping stone, and I can not safely build up my credit score..

Funnily I think I appreciate the card a lot more now than if I were to be accepted on the Tesco clubcard application which was my first choice!

Pavs