Why don't I get credit cards offers?

Joan.of.the.Arch · #1 (**permalink**) 05-29-2006, 11:07 AM

I recall that around 1993 both my husband and I were getting 2- 8 credit card offers in the mail a week. At that time, everyone seemed to be getting them. But these days I still read of other people saying they get a number of offers in the mail every week. I rarely get offers any more and my husband gets few, either. We don't monitor our credit ratings, but have always gotten the best deals on car finance (0% APR) and when we openned a new bank account recently, we were told our number at one bureau was 782. I presently have three bank cards. The oldest is 18 years, the newest two years (rewards card advertised in newspaper insert). Husband has a couple of cards that I do not carry. I used to get profession related offers, but no longer. We do live in the inner city, but in one of the higher income zipcodes. Is it just my zipcode that keeps the offers from pouring in the way some people say they get them?

Ima saver · #2 (**permalink**) 05-29-2006, 01:29 PM

Gosh,I wonder. I do get between 5 and 10 a week easily, probably more than that.

sweeps · #3 (**permalink**) 05-29-2006, 05:13 PM

Did you call the number to opt out of pre-approved credit card offers? (1-888-5-OPTOUT) If so, that would do it.

jodi · #4 (**permalink**) 05-29-2006, 07:29 PM

I opted out about two years ago - haven't gotten one since, despite a credit score in the high 700s. Dh, on the other hand, still gets an offer nearly every day. Could you have opted out and forgot about it?

jmjj215 · #5 (**permalink**) 05-29-2006, 08:38 PM

I opted out about a year and a half ago and get maybe 1 or 2 per week.

Joan.of.the.Arch · #6 (**permalink**) 05-29-2006, 09:55 PM

No, I'm sure I never have opted out.

WellManicuredMan · #7 (**permalink**) 05-29-2006, 10:25 PM

I opted out several months ago and the offers stopped arriving almost immediately. I hated getting them! If I need a new credit card I research which one is best for my needs and apply. Right now I have 2 cards which is all I want at the moment.

With the opt out option, it is only for 5 years unless you tell them you want it to be for life.

cbmeeks · #8 (**permalink**) 05-30-2006, 07:50 AM

You should be celebrating. I opt'd out but it takes a while for that to take affect. I also invested (<$35 cash) into a paper shreadder to cut up the ones I do get. :-)

WellManicuredMan · #9 (**permalink**) 05-30-2006, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbmeeks

You should be celebrating. I opt'd out but it takes a while for that to take affect. I also invested (<$35 cash) into a paper shreadder to cut up the ones I do get. :-)

Same here, paper shredders are your friend

cbmeeks · #10 (**permalink**) 05-30-2006, 11:59 AM

oh yeah. I got one because I am worried about identity theft.

I've actually known three people that have had their identity stolen and/or their bank account trashed.

Plus, I know a guy that lost 4 years of savings from his PayPal account. He put all of his savings into it! Now, he's only like 24 years old so I doubt he had millions but still.

PayPal is NOT A BANK! lol

cbmeeks

WellManicuredMan · #11 (**permalink**) 05-30-2006, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbmeeks

Plus, I know a guy that lost 4 years of savings from his PayPal account. He put all of his savings into it! Now, he's only like 24 years old so I doubt he had millions but still.

PayPal is NOT A BANK! lol

Wow, that is really bad. I decided to close my PayPal account a few years ago after reading horror stories about them.

cbmeeks · #12 (**permalink**) 05-30-2006, 01:58 PM

I only use PayPal for buying things on eBay.

Never trust anyone that isn't at LEAST FDIC insured.

wwjdmsl · #13 (**permalink**) 05-30-2006, 02:04 PM

I have not opted out and get about 5 or so per week

cbmeeks · #14 (**permalink**) 05-30-2006, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwjdmsl

I have not opted out and get about 5 or so per week

I would highly suggest getting a shredder if you haven't already.
Simply tearing them up (or worse, tossing them un-opened) would be really easy for someone to pick through your trash and send them in with a change of address.

Happens all the time.

markio26 · #15 (**permalink**) 05-30-2006, 02:30 PM

same here..i receive about 5 or 6 a week.. i do balance transfers maybe twice a yr.

shengmei · #16 (**permalink**) 05-30-2006, 03:53 PM

When I used to be in college I got way too many credit card offers. It got to the point that they would constantly call me in the middle of the day when I take my nap (my roomie back then was a vampire. LOL). I used to hate credit card offers.

I think being in college is probably the quickest way to get dozens of credit card offers weekly.