About that Amex blacklist...

Nasqueron

Potbellypig wrote: »

Re the comment about Barclays. I've long since thought I was on some sort of blacklist for them, but I always thought blacklists were just a myth. I'm a previous bankrupt and Barclays was included in my bankruptcy. Everyone else seems to have forgiven me, except for Barclays. They won't even let me go on my missus debit card to make it a joint account.

So they do actually exist?

They are a commercial operation. If someone borrows and doesn't pay back then they can maintain a blacklist for life if they wish to, they are under no obligation to give you credit. The only issue would be if there was some sort of industry wide secret list (like the old abused by house building firms towards certain contractors).

ambc

beany_bot wrote: »

Also, just as comment. I've never heard of bankruptcy referred to as "an unavoidable temporary blip".

And now you have.

I was caught in the middle of a perfect storm of redundancy, industry turndown, and a spouse who disappeared. None of which I could do anything about. I'd probably have been ok if all three hadn't happened at exactly the same time. I was good before these things happened. And I'm good again now. It was unavoidable. It was temporary. And yes, I consider it to have been a blip.

beany_bot wrote: »

But bankruptcy? Just seems a bit.... well flippant if I am being honest.

I certainly haven't been flippant about it. I also lost my house at the time. I couldn't have a 'real' bank account for years. I didn't sleep for weeks on end. And it's only in the last 2 years that I've been able to buy property again at a reasonable rate of interest. And at the time it all happened, I also suddenly had sole care of a 4yo and a 1yo. The whole thing set me back 10 years and it has taken an incredible amount of hard work for me to get back to the position I was in before. That's the reality of it for many people. I don't know whether you've experienced anything like this yourself or not, but until you do you it's difficult to understand what it's really like.

But now that I'm far out the other side (at last) I'm able to look back on it with a slightly different take. And I hope that most people who've been through something like this also have the opportunity to do the same.

Without being judged.

ambc

NewToTheUkAgain wrote: »

Out of curiosity did Amex take a CCJ against you? I know it’s a low amount, but a friend had a CCJ against her from Amex for £1600.

No, they didn't do that.

Le_Fou

Similar previous experiences to you, ambc but mine was in early 2009 and occasional Amex applications since then, with similar results to you and understandably curt responses.

Prompted by your recent experience, also applied for the cashback card and was accepted immediately! Previous applications always resulted in a referral and then rejection. Amex has a lot of benefits, so really pleased with this. Thanks very much for posting your update and ignore the jibes. Some people are just perfect, don't you know.

ambc

Le_Fou wrote: »

Similar previous experiences to you, ambc but mine was in early 2009 and occasional Amex applications since then, with similar results to you and understandably curt responses.

Prompted by your recent experience, also applied for the cashback card and was accepted immediately! Previous applications always resulted in a referral and then rejection. Amex has a lot of benefits, so really pleased with this. Thanks very much for posting your update and ignore the jibes.

Fantastic! That's great to hear. I wonder if they've recently changed an internal policy or something? I guess we'll never know.

Le_Fou wrote: »

Some people are just perfect, don't you know.

Ha, yeah.

System

ambc wrote: »

Without being judged.

I don't judge people for bankrupcy. It's very serious and very distressing.

I do judge people for referring to it as a "temporary blip" and then getting annoyed that a credit card won't give you a credit card again after you stole £2000 from them.

Le_Fou

beany_bot wrote: »

I don't judge people for bankrupcy. It's very serious and very distressing.

I do judge people for referring to it as a "temporary blip" and then getting annoyed that a credit card won't give you a credit card again after you stole £2000 from them.

I am sorry but you are completely misrepresenting what the other party wrote. I suggest that you show a little compassion and appreciate that most people make mistakes (you excepted, of course) and therefore, 'mistakes' should not be held against them for the rest of their lives. Imagine what the world would be like if that were the case!

The other party was simply sharing that Amex appears to have changed its policy and therefore, others like me might benefit, as I have done. As far as I can ascertain, you have brought nothing to the table other than to pass judgemental comments. Sometimes it is best to keep one's peace.

Just for the record, I have lent money to others, which was not repaid. In at least one of those cases, I was aware that he was in dire straits and our friendship continued. Life is rarely as simple as you seem to portray but trying to do the right thing pays off far more in my experience than not doing so.

ambc

beany_bot wrote: »

I don't judge people for bankrupcy.

beany_bot wrote: »

...after you stole £2000 from them.

Wow.

Internet forum gold. :rotfl: