Eligibility checker conflict

whats_retirement

Three months ago I obtained a balance transfer MBNA card after my chances of acceptance was 90%.
Email from Credit Karma offering to do a check for balance transfer cards today and Virgin came out at 90%
However on this site Virgin comes out at 0%
How does that work?

D3xt3r5L4b

Eligibility checkers are just “best guesses” in essence. 

skinnish

my opinion, some of these "eligibility checkers" will use their own formula different to the lenders which includes a result based on the commission they will get if you made an application

cymruchris

I was given a 0 percent chance of a Virgin card on the multi-card generic eligibility checker sites - but on Virgin's own website - I was approved and accepted. I now have a Virgin credit card sitting in my wallet. Try the direct checker to see what it says for you. 

born_again

whats_retirement said:

Three months ago I obtained a balance transfer MBNA card after my chances of acceptance was 90%.
Email from Credit Karma offering to do a check for balance transfer cards today and Virgin came out at 90%
However on this site Virgin comes out at 0%
How does that work?

Because Credit Karma are getting a nice kick back if you take out the card.....

ilikewatch2

MSE Credit Club gives me 0% eligibility for any Virgin card, Credit Karma gives me a 90% chance, Virgin's own site gives me 100% guaranteed acceptance.

whats_retirement

So the cynic in me says 'you've got 0% chance of this card because their commission to us is rubbish'  or 'you've got 90% chance as they pay us a nice commission'
Sort of makes the comparison sites and credit checkers a waste of time.  Go direct and carry out soft search.

adamp87

Have to agree go direct to the company. That’s the most accurate way to see the picture. A comparison site uses different mechanisms & has differing incentives on what to promote.

MalMonroe

Another vote here to go with the credit card company's own site. In my experience (and not having a squeaky clean financial background by any means), it just depends which credit agency you're looking at. I decided to plump for the cards that were near the top with a couple of agencies. I then did soft searches with the companies direct and was 90% accepted for two 0% balance cards. One of them was Virgin and their own site only gave me 90% but I was accepted when I applied officially for a 0% transfer card. Taking my own experience into account (pun intended!), I say go for it! Good luck - but I'm sure you won't need it.