"Denied For CLI As Well..."
JCPenney Credit Card® Review
Written by: brian23 on 2008-08-14
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brian23's review: 
I think GEMB is being very stingy with CLI on all their accounts. I too have had this card since March 2008 (started with a $100 CL), asked in the store if they could increase it and they said they needed 4 months of payment history before they are able to do so. I waited 5 months and last week called in and was denied for a CLI. The rep told me to wait until I received the letter before calling in and disputing. Well, the only thing that they are referencing in my letter is quote on quote "past or present delinquency on trades." Yes, its true I have had some late payments, but none in over 3 and half years. I called in today to speak to a rep who than transferred me to a very rude supervisor who said that everytime I request an increase they pull my CR and score me to determine if I am eligible for an increase and I didn't meet their scoring criteria. If I didn't meet your scoring criteria 5 months ago, than why did you give me a card to begin with? This is total bs and I am very upset, I am going to wait until after the 6th statement closes, and if I don't receive an increase, the card is going bye-bye. I like Penney's a lot and I buy a lot of things from there (and PIF every month), but I can use my debit card to continue on making purchases there is this is how its going to be. Feedback please?
I think GEMB is being very stingy with CLI on all their accounts. I too have had this card since March 2008 (started with a $100 CL), asked in the store if they could increase it and they said they needed 4 months of payment history before they are able to do so. I waited 5 months and last week called in and was denied for a CLI. The rep told me to wait until I received the letter before calling in and disputing. Well, the only thing that they are referencing in my letter is quote on quote "past or present delinquency on trades." Yes, its true I have had some late payments, but none in over 3 and half years. I called in today to speak to a rep who than transferred me to a very rude supervisor who said that everytime I request an increase they pull my CR and score me to determine if I am eligible for an increase and I didn't meet their scoring criteria. If I didn't meet your scoring criteria 5 months ago, than why did you give me a card to begin with? This is total bs and I am very upset, I am going to wait until after the 6th statement closes, and if I don't receive an increase, the card is going bye-bye. I like Penney's a lot and I buy a lot of things from there (and PIF every month), but I can use my debit card to continue on making purchases there is this is how its going to be. Feedback please?
6 Comments
Comment 1 by colonative
Don't Close 
on 2008-08-14
You have already had an inquiry in March that will not fall off until 2010 and from what the rude supervisor said you have another hit from August so closing the account would be a waste.
People get really crazy about credit limits (and I have been there, believe me) but you have to give these things time. Just sock drawer it until March 2009 and ask for a limit increase then. Or, during the holiday season in December ask for a limit increase. People on the board have mentioned successful CLI's during the holidays. Tell them that you really want to buy some Christmas presents on your JCP but if they don't give you an increase you will have to go to Kohl's or something like that.
on 2008-08-14 You have already had an inquiry in March that will not fall off until 2010 and from what the rude supervisor said you have another hit from August so closing the account would be a waste. People get really crazy about credit limits (and I have been there, believe me) but you have to give these things time. Just sock drawer it until March 2009 and ask for a limit increase then. Or, during the holiday season in December ask for a limit increase. People on the board have mentioned successful CLI's during the holidays. Tell them that you really want to buy some Christmas presents on your JCP but if they don't give you an increase you will have to go to Kohl's or something like that.
Comment 2 by thomas1
I AGREE on 2008-08-14
Sockdrawer that puppy!! Ask around the holidays or later. Right now, the problem is that you have yet another inquiry, and Colo is right, won't drop until 2010. However, lenders don't look at it heavily after 12 months, but you can't keep racking up inquiries. They are gonna kill you, and knock major points off the scorelines.
It could also trigger a denial on the mortgage because it looks like you are desperately shopping for more credit. I would pull my scores even before applying for the mortgage... Rates are also determined by the score range you fall in, and it would be a shame if you missed the cutoff score due to excessive inquiries and paying a higher rate point.
on 2008-08-14 Sockdrawer that puppy!! Ask around the holidays or later. Right now, the problem is that you have yet another inquiry, and Colo is right, won't drop until 2010. However, lenders don't look at it heavily after 12 months, but you can't keep racking up inquiries. They are gonna kill you, and knock major points off the scorelines. It could also trigger a denial on the mortgage because it looks like you are desperately shopping for more credit. I would pull my scores even before applying for the mortgage... Rates are also determined by the score range you fall in, and it would be a shame if you missed the cutoff score due to excessive inquiries and paying a higher rate point.
Comment 3 by arod
Not Surprise !!! on 2008-08-14
I applied a while ago and they denied me so Ok no problem I also have there Paypal Card from GEMB request a credit line increase and the same thing
I also have ShopNBC card and I have it for a awhile and I don't see a credit line Increase near but be aware that they really keep an eye on the economy and are also cutting jobs this is in Bankrate.com so they will be very conservative so I will wait like by the end of this year or more and try again that's my advise.
Take care,
Alex
on 2008-08-14 I applied a while ago and they denied me so Ok no problem I also have there Paypal Card from GEMB request a credit line increase and the same thing I also have ShopNBC card and I have it for a awhile and I don't see a credit line Increase near but be aware that they really keep an eye on the economy and are also cutting jobs this is in Bankrate.com so they will be very conservative so I will wait like by the end of this year or more and try again that's my advise.
Take care,
Alex
Comment 4 by cireone
GE on 2008-08-14
I have been faced with the same reasons as you but with AMEX. They decreased my CL an one main reason is that my score was too low. Well, then how did I get approved??? CC companies can be wishy-washy when giving you credit or increases.
on 2008-08-14 I have been faced with the same reasons as you but with AMEX. They decreased my CL an one main reason is that my score was too low. Well, then how did I get approved??? CC companies can be wishy-washy when giving you credit or increases.
Comment 5 by thomas1
Cli on 2008-08-15
This is true, they can be wishy washy. Sometimes, it looks like they didn't even know they approved you, lol!!
on 2008-08-15 This is true, they can be wishy washy. Sometimes, it looks like they didn't even know they approved you, lol!!
Comment 6 by brian23
Re: Denied For CLI As Well... on 2010-04-08
Hey everyone! Sorry I've been out of touch lately, but I'm back. Listen, I don't know what's going on with GE today, but with this card, I've been at a $500 CL for almost a year. I haven't requested in increase in probably about a year because I gave up. But today I figured why not give it a try and low and behold, I hit the love button online and I went from a 500 CL to an 1800 CL. They actually asked me online if I wanted to request a lower limit, I was like; H*ll no, I'm taking the full increase lol. I just wanted to share that information.
on 2010-04-08 Hey everyone! Sorry I've been out of touch lately, but I'm back. Listen, I don't know what's going on with GE today, but with this card, I've been at a $500 CL for almost a year. I haven't requested in increase in probably about a year because I gave up. But today I figured why not give it a try and low and behold, I hit the love button online and I went from a 500 CL to an 1800 CL. They actually asked me online if I wanted to request a lower limit, I was like; H*ll no, I'm taking the full increase lol. I just wanted to share that information.
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Disclaimer: This content is not provided by Synchrony Bank. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by Synchrony Bank. Review content is powered by Finance Globe.
