Orchard Bank Secured MasterCard® Reviews
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Title: I Know The Facts
Date Reviewed: 2011-10-30 04:08:12 | Recommended?: Yes
Review: Although comments on this site say it can never become unsecured, i can tell you from my personal experience that those comments are incorrect. It may have something to do with the poorly trained outsourced customer service reps, because i was told the same thing. In addition, everytime i emailed them, they always seemed to dodge my question concerning that in specific. Ok, here's the part you have been waiting for....look at the exp date on your secured card, shortly after it expires, they send you a new unsecured card increasing your 200 dollar limit to 300 dollars and a short while later, you will receive a letter in the mail giving you the option of letting them hold on to your security deposit, or just with one simple signature from you, sign the dotted line and they will release it back to you. It was very easy and i got my money back fast. Hope this post was helpful. All of this assuming your credit was kept in good standing throughout the 2 years.
Title: Good Starter Card
Date Reviewed: 2009-02-28 22:09:33 | Recommended?: Yes
Review: I have had this card for about 5 months and I do recommend it to credit challenged or no credit people. The annual fee is reasonable and waived for the first year and the application process was smooth (didn't have to mail anything in). I was turned down by Wells Fargo and BofA for a secured card with an Experian score of 620 (which I couldn't believe), so at least they approved me.
I've heard that it is possible to unsecure after 18 long months, but many have also said that they were not unsecured, but the card does help build credit.
The customer service is horrible but the online management tools are excellent. You can pay and look as much as you want for free. If you don't mind them holding on to your security deposit, go for it. At least you won't have to worry about all the fees with the bad credit unsecured cards like 1st Premier, Credit One (1st bank of marin), and Total/Access Visa by Plains Commerce.
Title: Good And Bad
Date Reviewed: 2009-01-11 23:58:59 | Recommended?: Yes
Review: When I first applied for this card, I had no credit history. I was approved and paid $200 down. I was graduated to an unsecured card after 18 months. I received a CLI to $300.
I requested a CLI as I have a cap1 card with a $2,000 limit and another with a $1,500 limit. I also have a Bank of America card with a $1,300 limit and a Discover Card with a $500. My credit scores are around the 650s. I was denied my CLI. BoA and Discover refuse to raise my limits as they see this card with such a low low limit. If I charge more than $60, my utilization goes beyond 20% and makes my credit score go down.
This card is about to be closed!
If you have no credit and want to rebuild, this should be an easy card to get. After you get your scores where they need to be, this card is not a keeper. I have threatened to close this card if HSBC didn't waive the annual fee and give me a CLI. They still wouldn't help me out... So... I am about to say adios to this card.
This customer service is horrible as they are very hard to understand and have almost no ability to help you. They also try to sale you on credit protection products over and over and do not take no for an answer. The card has no rewards, but a reasonable APR.
The online account management system could be less clunky and could have a lot less ads. They are the only credit card co that I have seen that pastes ads all over the place when you log in. Payments take about 3 days to post so watch out!
Title: Got The Secured Card
Date Reviewed: 2008-12-03 11:32:15 | Recommended?: Yes
Review: Well I did the application with Orchard and they approved me for the secured card. It's a start on the road to repair so I am not complaining at all. I was not even going to try my luck with BoA because I had a charge off with them with my government card (long story lol). How long does it take to get the card once you send in the deposit?
Title: Not Quite Sure
Date Reviewed: 2008-11-15 12:16:26 | Recommended?: Yes
Review: I do not want to discourage anyone from applying for this card, i'll share my experience though:
Opened this card in June 2007, secured with $1000.00
I did not make any additional deposits, kept usage low but steady and paid in full prior to statement date.
Aprrox 11 months later I requested a CLI and was denied. Reason... I did not deposit $ to match the CLI. Requested CLI today, again... Denied. Reason... I have the maximum amount of cards HBC allows. Would that be 2? I know best buy is an HBC account and of course the Orchard MC.
I telephoned customer service who was very difficult to understand, heavy accent. She was apologetic and said if I make a deposit I would be granted a CLI.
No thanks, I told her. I think this card has served it's intended purpose for me and it's time to cut the cord. Any input would be appreicated, thank you.
~Tia~
Title: Ok To Start From
Date Reviewed: 2008-06-11 16:00:01 | Recommended?: Yes
Review: As per me review below more in details. Orchard is good to start from nothing extraordinary.
Goit it in May 07
Havent used them much in 6 months since been approved with so many other primes.
Good is they report to all 3 fast. Still keeping it a while more until next year even not using it, just because its got history to it. Then Saiyonara orchard.
Your Customer Service Sucks!
Title: Horrible Customer Service!!!
Date Reviewed: 2008-05-15 13:01:04 | Recommended?: No
Review: Just because we may not have perfect credit doesn't mean we have to settle for anything short of great customer service.
initial credit line of 300.00 with 59 annual fee
i was fine up until I called customer service after waiting about two hours to make a payment online but could not because it was down. Anyhow I found that I was going to be charged 15.00 to make a payment over the phone. I nicely let him (Rolland) know of the issue online and he again said I was to be charged. He told me try it later. I was upset that a small fee could not be waived, I mean their online payment feature was not working. He said I had plenty of time to pay my bill. I did not like that answer at all!! I know I had time but I just got paid and I wanted to take care of all my payments and put my mind at ease. I asked for a supervisor (Lacey operator number HPM) and she told me the same thing, to pay it later. I explained that I only wanted a one time only waive because as she could see I pay my bill online all the time and on time, early sometimes too. No she said and I asked for a manager who later called me.
She (Stacey) reiterated what the previous two people had said and she also said NO!!! Now I was upset and threatened to cancel ( I wouldn't have... It was a tactic) and then she finally gave in. Oh and of course it was a one time only!!!
Oh one more thing I'd like to add is that on most of these credit cards the initial credit line can increase if you call to cancel. They will transfer you to CRG who will give you about 200.00 more. ( you can change your mind if they say they cant- make up something)
Title: Ding Dong My Orchards DEAD :)
Date Reviewed: 2008-03-29 19:51:12 | Recommended?: Yes
Review: I FINALLY did it!! I canceled this loveless card from that wretched bank. I have had this secured card for 2 1/2 years and to be honest it has really helped rebuild my credit. I have finally inched my scores from the low 500's to the high 600's-low 700 mark and still no love! I felt guilty closing it at first because of how much it has helped me but I mean even Amex has shown me love! So I called today after debating it for months and closed it. I have never been late ever and usually pif (it had 1000 secured line and I would charge a lot like 600-800 and pif every month) once in a while I would leave like 30-40 bucks on it to carry over to give them some interest too and still nothing. Thanks for the help orchard but this card is now mulch!
Title: Had Since Early 2006
Date Reviewed: 2008-01-16 12:54:36 | Recommended?: Yes
Review: I have had this card for almost 2 years now as a secured card. It has served its purpose in rebuilding my credit rating. I have NEVER been late ever and carry a low balance. I have 1000 secured line. Does anyone know if they unsecure these cards ever? And if they do is it the same credit line you had secured? My scores are in the low 600's now (used to be high 400's YIKES) have a few good unsecured cards Barclays cap one hooters, direct rewards, best buy, macys target and some ok unsecured 1st premier plat and centinneal.
Title: Not To Happy
Date Reviewed: 2007-01-02 17:11:15 | Recommended?: Yes
Review: As long as you pay on time and stay within your limit you are fine. What I am unhappy about is not being granted a credit increase and have had this account for 13 months. They said after six they review your account for credit increases. I have not been late once and many times pay twice during one billing cycle. I don't understand. :o(
Title: Orchard Bank Mastercard
Date Reviewed: 2006-07-07 15:32:02 | Recommended?: Yes
Review: I have had this card for over 1 year and have been satisfied so far. Would recommend and has helped improve FICO score by reporting monthly to bureaus.
Title: Orchard Bank Mastercard
Date Reviewed: 2006-03-29 21:02:52 | Recommended?: Yes
Review: I have had this card for more than 6 years. It has helped me rebuild my credit from the past mistakes I made. However, even though they have done periodic credit balance increases and reported to all 3 bureaus, they are still charging me a $79.00 annual fee (which when I applied and received the card was $0.00) and my interest rate is actually going up instead of down. I have no late or missed payments on my credit report and have never so much as been a day late with my payments to this company yet they refuse to decrease my interest rate to their advertised rate or remove the annual fee. Beware. You get sucked in by their approval.
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