Good Credit Builder
Written: Mar 10 '00
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Great additional programs
Cons: Has a yearly service charge
|
|
|
| BlackBear's Full Review: Aria Visa Card (Providian Bank) |
A few years ago, my credit had been hurt when I suddenly found myself without the government paid funds from college GIBill, student work study program through the VA and VA Disability Payments for almost four months. These three things were my sole means of support at the time, so I wound up losing almost everything that I owed money on and nearly had to drop out of school just to keep my home. What little savings I had went to keeping the power turned on and the landlord with at least some kind of meager payments until the US budget was back in operation.
What this really meant was that the MasterCard I used to purchase books and pay tuition (then would pay off over the course of the semester as the monthly checks came in) had to wait to get paid until everything was back to normal. By the time that happened, they had canceled my card and given me a bad credit rating. I had worked very hard to get a credit card and thought I would never be able to recover from that blow.
But a mere two months later, Providian sent me a letter giving me a pre approved card with a whole $300 limit! Sure, that's not much, but it was enough to buy books and easy to pay off. After about six months, they called me at home to ask if I was interested in one of their programs. They have about five different programs and they are offered to the customer as a bonus for having good credit history. I politely listened to the representative then instead of saying yes or no, asked for them to mail me a information packet with the details.
Over the years I have been with this company, I have done the same thing each and every time they have offered me one of their programs. Most of them are good benefit or protective programs, and I am currently enrolled in all of them. Yes, there is a cost to be in the programs, sometimes it is a once a year charge sometimes every other year, but each time the payment comes due it increases your personal credit line by the same amount.
I am very confident in the company. Whenever there has been a problem of any kind with my account, the customer service people have been extremely helpful and courteous. They always seem to know exactly how to solve any problem that may arise and handle it professionally and quickly. On the rare occasion that I have either been late on a payment (due to the US Mail Service) or needed a little more time to make a payment, they have always worked with me and I suspect they always will.
The company even has a direct payment plan and gives you the option to wire your payments to them directly through Western Union. The second method costs about $13, but is really handy if your payday doesn't hit until the day before the payment is due.
I would recommend this company to anyone who is just getting started on building good credit or someone who is trying to recover from a damaged credit rating. Or even those who just want a single, reliable credit card company, instead of the four or five that most people seem to have. These guys are good people and will take care of you.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
BlackBear
|
 - Top 500 |
|
Member: Joseph Black Bear
Location: Kansas City, Kansas
Reviews written: 783
Trusted by: 122 members
About Me:
Just a guy who loves reading, videos, RPGs and collects various toys.
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.