Tesco Credit Card application

MediaFrenzy

Hi,

I've recently applied twice for the Tesco CC - after the application I receive an error message, not a decision.

We are sorry but the service is temporarily unavailable, please try again later.

If you have any queries please call our technical helpdesk.

Will I have been credit searched (twice)? I can't find an email address to ask.

MF

izools

Call them tomorrow, and ask them to check if they've received an application from you - they can find this with your surname & postcode (or whatever other info you ask for).

If there's no record of the application on their system chances are you won't have been searched.

MediaFrenzy

Cheers Izools - look forward to spending my lunch hour on the phone!

partan

i got exactly same message when i tried to apply. Tried again a few days later and it worked ok. only got one search on my file. The day after i applied, i got a till spit in tesco for 1000 bonus points if i applied for their CC

tigerlily44

Its worth checking they haven't searched you - I had this with Aqua and they've searched me 6 times on the same day - now having the devil's own job to get them removed

tiger

Dru2

I too have just been refused a Tesco Credit Card while applying online. I wanted to take advantage of the 13months interest free on purchases, plus the 500 extra clubcard points on offer at the moment, and I wanted an additional card on the same account for my partner. I got right to the very end of the online application only to be told I had not met the criteria. I should have printed that screen but, in temper,:mad: I deleted everything. I have an excellent credit score (or did have!) having all my current cashback credit cards paid off -in full -every month. I haven't paid interest to a credit card for years. Is this the problem does anyone know? Am I too good with money (as Martin has taught me to be -over the years)?
I have recently cancelled a Tesco Credit Card. Someone has just told me that you can't apply for another one with Tesco for 8 months.!!! This is certainly not clear on their website. They should make this clear on the first page if this is correct Can anyone enlighten me on these points? Also, is my credit report ruined because of this refusal? thanks to all - in anticipation

izools

What do all of the limits add up to on your existing credit cards? What is your gross annual income?

Note also that credit card companies report whether you pay minimum, full, or other amount, and also whether you are in a promotional offer period - so anyone you apply to will be able to deduce from your payment habits whether you are likely to be profitable. They'd rather lend their money to someone who incurs interest

Dru2

Thanks Izools. My limits are low. I don't want to put the exact amount here but, roughly 2K+ on each of the three cards. Gross annual is not huge but, I've been getting cc on it before (when I stoozed). Yep - I'm a good Yorkshire gal (and Martin groupie). I pay off everything in full , every month.
Maybe they don't earn owt on me so this is why I was refused. By the way do you know about this 8 month 'trap' that Tesco set?
I'm really cross that their refusal will have left me unable to get another credit card anytime soon and this could prove difficult going forward as my current cards have low limits.
Let's hope I don't have to make a big purchase anytime soon. :eek:

izools

OK well it is vital to remember that being granted further credit against having 6K available in the past, doesn't mean you will now.

Bottom line is, if all the limits added up on your cards & overdrafts gives a figure over about 1/3 or 1/2 of your annual salary, there is a high chance your application will be declined due to affordability issues.

Creditors are concerned now to know if can afford another credit facility on top of all your existing credit facilities being maxed out even if you've got low / zero balances. In previous years they weren't so interested in limits as they were present and past balances.

Other things that will have an impact:

How many times have you applied for a credit scored product (phone, loan, card, utility, etc) in the last six months?
How many new accounts have you opened in the last year, and how old is the newest?

Dru2

thanks again izools. I've calmed down a bit now. I will do these 'sums' you have set me. I will have to look back on the oldest/newest bit.
However, I've just remembered that, last week, Debenhams opened a store card for me as there were deals on this as well as the sales. I paid it off, there and then and consequently it's slipped my mind.
Maybe this had an impact as well.
Thank you again. I'm signing off now but, I will look at this forum tomorrow.
I'm always really grateful to all forumites who answer me. I've only every asked for advice a few times and you all - always come good. :T

Dru2

The saga goes on. Having rung Tesco Customer Services they tell me that you can't apply for a Tesco Credit Card if you have had one in the last 8 months. ie this time has to pass before you apply again. I fear this is the real reason I was refused (though all the other factors highlighted by izools may have played a part). What concerns me is this. I closed my last Tesco Credit card by letter but, have yet to receive a reply from them (hence ringing them to enquiry that it was actually closed). My last card with them was to take advantage of extra points and the 0% on interest free which was offered in 2009 (I think). I wanted to do this again, of course, which is why I closed the old one when the interest free came off and tried to open another one. NOWHERE on the Tesco finance site does it says that you have to wait 8 months before re-applying. If it does say it on their website, it's not clear and, I can't find it. May I put this concern forward as a thought.
If TESCO are going to make this 'rule' but, not make it clear (unless you ring them) folks could close a credit card account with them and then (a few months later) re-apply only to be refused on this '8 month time-limit trap' and not for any other reason. Anyones prefectly good credit score could be ruined by this as I believe mine has been. It's clear I can't apply again for many months thereby missing the current offer of 13 months interest free on purchases and the 500 points with Tescos. I actually now need an 'interest free on purchases' credit card so I can money manage this year properly. It's not to be I'm afraid. Surely, this is really damaging of Tescos or, because it's my first refusal - is it sour grapes on my part?