Abbey Credit Card while unemployed

[OrangeSquasher]

While in the Abbey branch the other day I was offered a "guaranteed" credit card... all I had to do was go to the front desk, apply, and I'd get one...

 

I'm not employed, but have never been in any financial difficulty, no debts, and no credit cards.

 

It would be very useful for to use a credit card solely for the consumer protection it affords - I'd be paying off any payment due imediately.

 

Any chance I'll actually get that guaranteed CC??

 

Thanks!

Edited October 24, 2008 by OrangeSquasher

[slick132]

Hi OS,

 

I would expect the guarantee would be subject to conditions like employment.

 

However, you could always speak to them at the desk and ask if they think you'd qualify. If they do and you want it for the sensible reason you state, go for it.

 

[OrangeSquasher]

Will do. I wonder if this is one of those situations - ie the consumer protection - where the 'poor' are disadvantaged yet again.

 

Poor? Hey, just realized... that's me... damn!

 

-

 

SJ: Money gives a buzz, just like any other drug. Keep yourself safe and housed, and attempt to be sensible, but do not beat yourself up about past mistakes...

 

Remember the old adage: if you owe the bank ten quid they are mean to you, if you owe them ten million quid they are very, very nice to you.

 

Take care.

[slick132]

Hi OS,

 

Sorry for the hijack of ya thread, but SJ needed responses.

[stardust_john]

Thanks slick and orangesquasher.

Sorry for pinching thread

ps. loved the if you owe the bank ten quid as apposed to millions:D

[OrangeSquasher]

Just coming back with an update...

 

I was in a supermarket in-store branch today [yes there's been a credit crunch since my original post] to put a cheque in, no other customers around, time on my hands... got offered the guaranteed credit card again... so I went for it.

 

I said I wasn't working.

The lad said that if I'd been offered the card, that had already been taken into account.

 

He got me to just sign the little form twice, they had all my details on file... and when I came back from shopping, gave me the letter accepting my application for a credit card, up to £2500.

 

 

Complete madness...

 

But, there you go.

 

 

 

.

[poppynurse]

I think it's disgraceful - I would report them! They are just trying to get their claws into you!

[OrangeSquasher]

Well, it's certainly surprising, bizarre even. I can't even see what's in it for them, really.

 

Nethertheless, I hope it will come in handy if there's a largish purchase from a company that goes bust without delivering, or similar.

 

Have to say, though, that I wouldn't have bothered had they not offered.

Edited March 10, 2009 by OrangeSquasher

[big blue one]

chances are if you signed twice, you also signed for ppi which you won't be covered for.

[OrangeSquasher]

PPI?

 

So you think they might have signed me up to pay an insurance fee?

 

Can't see anything in the docs to say that - and certainly nothing was said to that effect - but we'll see, I guess.

 

I do see there's a 'dormancy fee' of £10 every six months...

 

-

 

As I said - there's an advantage in Consumer Protection over my Debit Card, but if it turns out that they're [causing problems] me I'll cancel it.

[OrangeSquasher]

Nope... just checked when I phone to activate: no PPI....

[slick132]

Looks like you got a deal then.

 

Please use it wisely, like when you need the cover it offers.