What the...has anyone had a credit card thru Orchard Bank?

Maiko · Post by **Maiko** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 11:46 am

Someone PLEASE tell me YES and that you've had nothing but good dealings with them, because I am seriously beginning to doubt.

I'm a late credit-bloomer. I've only had credit cards for a year now, and I eventually forced myself to start getting them to build up credit because I've already tried to buy a new car, and without an established credit history, no one will trust you. They will give cars to people with BAD HORRIBLE credit over me, simply because I have none.

So anyway, I have 2 small credit cards with Capital One and Chase via Visa, and last month accepted an offer for a Mastercard through Orchard Bank. I don't usually go for cards with an annual fee, but seeing as my danna once had a card through them, I thought it would be okay.

So anyway, my account was set up around December 13th. I can log in to the account online and see that of course, the annual fee charge is already on the card. Other than that, I have no information as to what my actual card number is, when it expires, and what it's security code is..because...I have never received it.

I called after 2 1/2 weeks to find out what was going on ( told me card would arrive in 7-10 days ) and they said the holidays slowed down the process. Okay, fine. However, I received ANOTHER pre-approved offer during this time from Orchard Bank just fine. Go figure.

Then, last Wednesday, they called me and asked me why I haven't activated my card yet. I told them, duh, you haven't sent me the damn thing yet. Oh, so sorry, it's on it's way for sure, they say.

Okay, so today I get the mail, and I have received yet ANOTHER pre-approved offer from them. But not the original card for the original offer I accepted last month. I called them again and the first thing out of their mouth once I give them my name is, "Why haven't you activated your card yet?"

I tell them I still haven't received it, and then they tell me the reason is because they ran out of plastic, so they couldn't print my card.

They ran out of plastic!!!????

Which is exceptionally amusing, considering that pre-approved offer that came in the mail today had one of those fake 'Lee M. Cardholder' cards in it, which is...you guessed it...printed on plastic.

Even more infuriating is EVERY TIME I have talked to those people, they run through that horrible spiel all over again about car loans and buying protection for my card account. Like I'm going to buy cardholder protection for a card I can't even get in the mail.

Wooo..I *had* to get that rant out, but now I'm seriously starting to get worried. If it's already this much trouble, if I ever get this stupid card, are dealings with this company going to get any worse? Does anyone here have or have ever had a card through Orchard Bank? What are your dealings with these people like?

kymaera · Post by **kymaera** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 1:43 pm

If you have this many problems with them so far, get out now before it gets
worse. You already have two cards and you don't need this hassle.

Never dealt with them, but this is scary.

zerospace · Post by **zerospace** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 1:52 pm

^^ agreed. Two cards is plenty to build credit.

lys · Post by **lys** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 1:57 pm

Ah, welcome to the annoying world of credit card companies.

I have to admit I have never heard of a credit card company running out of "plastic". That is just hilarious.

I feel wierd every time I have to talk to somebody from my CC company. About 99% of the people you talk to have to run though the whole "we want to add services you don't need to get more money from you" type of speil. It is very annoying (considering I have been a member of the same CC company for about 9 years) but I know its their job so I always listen through it.

As far as this company goes I would agree with kymaera and just say forget about them. I have 2 credit cards (not counting my debit) and I would agree that is more than enough.

Good luck with your new "power".

graymouser · Post by **graymouser** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 2:17 pm

Two CC are more than enough to establish a credit history.

Capital One and Chase are fairly big name and shouldn't be any trouble (relative to the CC world in general

) I would drop the Orchid one. I've never heard of them, and I have never heard of any company running out of plastic. That sounds really fishy.

As for the repeated mails, I'm not surprised. I get offers all the time from companies I already have cards with. I think its pretty universal that the sales department and the accounting department don't communicate.

Cloud · Post by **Cloud** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 2:17 pm

So I am teaching you something new. So I am teaching you something new.

Zag · Post by **Zag** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 6:03 pm

I agree, drop them like a hot potato.
What's next?
*imagines*

Orchard Bank: This is a courtesy call to remind you that your account is 3 days overdue.

Maiko: How can that be? I haven't even gotten my first statement yet!

OB: Oh, we ran out of paper, so we couldn't mail it to you.

Krafty · Post by **Krafty** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 9:19 am

You shouldn't sign up for a credit card that charges a fee, there are dozens of other competitors that will offer you the same deal, if not better for free. As least that's the case here in the UK and I assume banking works the same accross the board.
I have 3 credit cards and have never had a problem with any of them, even when I've gone over my limit.

kittens · Post by **kittens** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 9:40 am

Yap 2 CCs are enough..... and I garantee that you ganna get a lot of pre-aproved CC offers

That stinks and it is such a waste of papers......

I have 4 cards (we got joint 2 CCs with my hubby and my old cards.....) So I am going to cancel two of them but I got lazy and I have not......

(I paid all off so I can cancel any time....) But in order to cancel I am totally hesating to go thru bunch of BS....... Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagggg....

Maiko · Post by **Maiko** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 8:46 am

Zag wrote:
Orchard Bank: This is a courtesy call to remind you that your account is 3 days overdue.

Maiko: How can that be? I haven't even gotten my first statement yet!

OB: Oh, we ran out of paper, so we couldn't mail it to you.

It's both funny and sad at the same time- because it will probably be true.

I just logged into my account and saw that they already have a "due date" for me, along with a minimum payment due. For a card I DON'T EVEN HAVE!!!?? That makes me madder than hell.

I'm going to call them now and have it cancelled. I know they are going to make it hard on me. But I'm sick of this. Here is the website for their card:

http://www.orchardbank.com/ccssa/OBCust ... t=HomePage

Everyone stay away from this bank and their credit cards. THEY RUN OUT OF PLASTIC LIKE THERE'S NO TOMORROW.