Capital One limit increase woes

ShelfStacker_3

Hi,

Have been with Capital One since September, and have paid every single statement off on time and in full, earned them money, generally been a good customer. As such, I was expecting to, in line with what their website says, receive a credit limit increase today, as this is my 4th statement date. So I call up Capital One and...

Denied. Because, back in December, I went a pound over my limit by accident. Even though I paid it back, in full. What ensued was me essentially having a barney at them; they refused to budge, saying that as I had not stayed within the terms of the "deal" (by going over my limit by such a small amount that they didn't even bother to charge me) I would not be entitled to an increase no matter what. I also got told that because I had made over £100's worth of transactions in several months (for instance by paying out £75, paying in £25 and then when the payment clears paying out £50; not over limit, but £125 going out of the account), I would also not be considered, which is frankly outrageous. I asked to be put through to a supervisor, and apparently nobody was there to take the call and "they'll tell you the same thing again". I was planning on making a large purchase depending on the size of the increase, so this has really stuffed things up for me...

So; what, if anything, could I do? IS there anything I could do? I realise they're not required to lend to me, but I do think it's entirely unreasonable to deny a limit increase to someone whose only misstep has been to withdraw a pound too much...

Midnight_Tboy

while I'm not sure how Capital Ones computer system works....from my time at barclaycard years back, when a customer would call up, we would fire up a part of the program where we type in how much credit we would like to increase the limit to.

That would then let us know if we were able to apply the increase...and if not then sometimes try to give an indication as to why not. In all cases if a customer had gone over or late any time within the past 3 months no matter for how long, then it will be declined. Presuming the person then saved the info on the search, it would then disallow a credit limit increase for a further 3 months from the date of trying.

Unfortunately, it is usually beyond the reps ability in the software to override the credit limit as even tho it was only a small amount, you did still go over the limit.....the supervisor could only increase the limit in extreme circumstances and would often refuse to do so. Of course getting hold of a supervisor would be another matter. Quite often if would try to get hold of one for a customer, they'd either quickly scarper, or say they're too busy while sitting there eating their mini eggs and chatting..leaving the frustrated CSR to deal with the angry client. One of the many reasons I left the place

If you really need this overriding then insist on a callback from the supervisor, they're obligated to respond within 48hrs (or was it 24). When you do get a call back, make sure it really is a supervisor though...the amount of times we were left with no resolve but to get the guy sitting next to us to say that they were the supervisor (but of course wording it by saying they're in charge of this area etc....simply cos the supervisors were too bone idle and sniffing around their bosses to care about anything other than themselves

Bismarck

"Quite often if would try to get hold of one for a customer, they'd either quickly scarper, or say they're too busy while sitting there eating their mini eggs and chatting.."

oh how I remember those days......I didn't work in a CC environment but in a technical review department where the only time the supervisor's showed any interest in a technical course was when it involved any sort of jolly...then they'd go o n the course "to see what the work was all about" and come back and refuse to get their hands dirty with anything as gritty as customers...they could only take personal phone calls apparently and the internet was for booking holidays...the poor things must have gone home exhausted from running away from making any decisions.

ShelfStacker_3

I had no idea Barclaycard were based at my work...

I was offered a callback, but stupidly I refused. And ended up thoroughly destroying the card out of anger. It now sits in my locker in a delightful shape somewhat approximating an origami bird.

clio

ShelfStacker or anyone else can you tell me what this actually means please?? ie: what were they referring to!!!

" because I had made over £100's worth of transactions in several months (for instance by paying out £75, paying in £25 and then when the payment clears paying out £50; not over limit, but £125 going out of the account), I would also not be considered"

ShelfStacker_3

Say I paid for a £25 item or something on my CC. So the balance is 25 quid. Then I pay back £25, bringing the balance back down to nought. Then I make a £100 purchase, bringing the balance up to £100.

The total going out of my account, therefore, was £125, which even though I didn't exceed my limit at any point is used by Cap1 as a stick to beat me with, saying that having more than £100 going out in a month is a bad thing. Which, frankly, is ridiculous.

clio

S-S
Yeah thats not on is it,ive had my Cap 1 CC for 4 years and never came across that comment by them before,credit cards are for using lol. what is the point in having CC if it,s not being used for goods etc!!

Tori_Bellatrix

I got my Cap 1 card and I know it says on the T&C's that you must stay within your credit limit for those first few months to get an increase. Although it does sound harsh for just £1

inmypocketnottheirs

If it is any consolation my wife applied for a Cap 1 card on the same basis almost a year ago. She has rigorously remained within her limit and paid her statements off in full every month and she has not been given the 'guaranteed' increase after six months. She has not bothered to contact them as she clears the balance in full and an increase would only lead to temptation.

Perhaps Cap 1 are saving you from yourself too!

jamalfatty

I did exact same thing when I opened mine 3 years ago, went overlimit 2 months after opening it by £3 (even though I'd put through purchases and payments over 4x my credit limit that month) - they refused then to increase limit and still do to this day. Only kept it because I have a funky smarties design card.

Money_Man

Why don't you simply apply for a card elsewhere or I am missing something here?