Credit scoring and Mobile phone Companies!

Bosie

Tonight I had a phone call from 3 Mobile, I've been with them about a year on contract. They offered me a good deal on a mini laptop, plus 14 days to cancel if I wish.
Now even though a customer had to go through a credit check, also for ID purposes I gave them my Sygma credit card to take £1.95 off.

Was shocked when it came back declined:eek: I'd got Halifax full current account, Ikano store card? I'm sure bank accounts with overdraft are scored higher?

Anyway, he said he would ring their credit control and ring back ,he did about 10 mins later. Anyway, credit control passed it and the laptop and dongle are due next week.

I'm wondering if they couldn't verify my Sygma card? Or the fella put the wrong number in? Also, when I gave him the first 4 digits he said is that an M&S card?

Just confused, any ideas?

Bosie

Just checked the bin number for my Silver Sygma card and 5299 is also the first 4 digits for an M&S card, but can't find a Sygma card in the bin list?

Brian1966

I have looked on the Three website a few times recently.
At the moment I use 2 PAYG phones, one with Three and one with Tesco. Used to have contracts with 02 and Voda years ago but back then prices were much higher, used to pay £45 for 200 mins and 250 texts, used a lot making my average bill well over £120 per month. :eek:
Don't use half as much now hence the PAYG has suited me but 3 seem very good price wise and don't mind a 24 month contract, in my job, sometimes miles from home at night on a motorway a mobile can be a life-saver
Have heard that they are flexible as regards scoring but would appreciate any advice.
All of my accounts are bang up to date, no late payments but still have 2 old defaults (nearly 5 yrs old) on file.

Bosie

I've just done a google and there are other posts on different forums that say when they use your debit/credit card that is part of the credit check?

So wondering if they can't recognise my Sygma card?
Because it does come up 5299 as an M&S credit card.

I've got a good mobile deal with 3, 700 mins, 300 3to3 calls.
I recommended my friend and she gets unlimited internet on her phone too.

3 are different, because with Orange they do extra phones on your account etc on account behaviour. So do T Mobile.
But 3 treat you as a new customer!

Brian1966

Really tempted to apply. giving card details is no problem and the price plans are very appealing compared to other networks.
Do I waste a search?? Presume they use Experian?

Bosie

hi, yes it's Experian, if you do it online you don't get an instant reply:o But if you phone them, ask them to repeat your card details back. Because it is part of their credit check, think it was my card details that brought on a decline:eek:
They soon over turned it though:D
laptop due next week.
I only pay £15 a month for phone.

Brian1966

Bosie wrote: »

hi, yes it's Experian, if you do it online you don't get an instant reply:o But if you phone them, ask them to repeat your card details back. Because it is part of their credit check, think it was my card details that brought on a decline:eek:
They soon over turned it though:D
laptop due next week.
I only pay £15 a month for phone.

How long to get a reply online?
Hate rejection on a phone

fawinds

Brian1966 wrote: »

Really tempted to apply. giving card details is no problem and the price plans are very appealing compared to other networks.
Do I waste a search?? Presume they use Experian?

Last year I applied for a SIM Zero monthly SIM only contract and was accepted with almost 0 credit history. By then I had no credit cards and paid the £1.95 with a cashplus prepaid card.

Now I have applied for a second SIM only contract (300 anywhere minutes + 2000 three to three minutes + 3000 texts @ £12 per month) and got it no problem.

I believe they are very flexible, at least with SIM only contracts where they have little to lose.

They tell you if you were accepted by email within 48 hours of placing your order. At least that has been my experience with them.

Bosie

Brian1966 wrote: »

How long to get a reply online?
Hate rejection on a phone

Hi Brian, when I did mine last year I got a thanks (but not saying I'd been accepted) email immediately, then a day later got the welcome to 3 email!
Now my friend applied a few month's ago and got the Welcome to 3 email about 20 mins after applying. So they must have altered their system a bit. I used to be with Orange, over 8 years, but the signal was awful and only 3 works where I live!

Bosie

I'm sure applying for credit cards and a full bank account requires a higher score than a mobile contract. That's why I felt slightly dismayed when the chap said it's declined. Plus month's of being a good customer, no missed payments etc.
So having the decision overturned by their credit referral dept and no deposit asked for, I believe it's a higher score for a laptop deal.

I'm going to check Experian tomorrow morning to see if they have gone as far as a full credit check. Because if wrong card details were entered at their end it would decline immediately.
That's what I think, unless anyone knows different:eek:

Brian1966

Got the bug to apply now
They do have some really good deals, I ring a lot of mobiles from my landline so the savings would pay for the contract in reality
How far back do they search, is it 3 years? Got my Asda card with 3 yr Experian search and nothing bad at all in that time?