Visa Classic (Providian Bank)

Pros: none, it's a trap
Cons: all you can imagine

WHY YOU SHOULD STAY AWAY FROM PROVIDIAN:
I was a student at college and got the credit card very easily, but once I got into debt they WERE NEVER willing to work with me to help me pay them. Apparently all they wanted was to see this debt...

Pros: Helps to re-establish your credit. Nice credit limit.
Cons: High finance charge

Providian Visa (Classic)! This card is really great to help you re-establish your credit if you've had some minor mistakes in the past. This card offers a great credit limit, deferred payments if you are injured or out of work.

There is a...

Pros: Helps build credit
Cons: Everything you can imagine as being bad about a credit card company

As a newcomer to the States, I needed to build a credit history. Providian Visa Classic helped me to do this, but boy, it was ugly.

Their customer service has to be the worst I've ever experienced. They don't do what you ask them and when they...

Pros: No Annual Fee/Online Access and Bill Pay
Cons: 23.99% APR/No Grace Period

July 12th 2001 Update

Unwilling to take the word of one and all of the extremely unhelpful and useless Customer Service Supervisors I called the Presidential Appeals office and spoke to a very nice lady who listened to what I had to say and...

Pros: The chance to rebuild
Cons: High interest, etc.

I have been a card holder for several years now and I'm wondering what all the yelling is about? In this time, so long as I have paid my bill on time, there have been no problems. Customer Service has been available and generally helpful. Granted, you...

Pros: Providian is an excellent company if you are trying to rebuild credit
Cons: High interest rates and annual fees

After having a horrible time with my credit, I got an offer for a Providian Visa Gold card, along with one for a Capital One Visa Classic. I applied for both, and within a few weeks received them both. I had to deposit $50 into a savings account for...

Pros: First to offer credit to me after divorce.
Cons: Never reduce your APR!

I got approved for this card THREE years ago. During that time...they tried to SELL me credit line increases. (When I ignored the offers....they gave them to me for free). I paid EVERY bill ahead of time for three years. I wrote this company to ask them...

Pros: Easy to obtain
Cons: Nothing but trouble

My fiance signed up for a Providian Visa Classic, and I didn't think to look here to find out anything about them, but I sure wish I had.
We got a bill the first month, and I promptly sent them a check. The next month, we got another bill, with a...

Pros: None that I can see...
Cons: Typical corporate greed and complete disregard for my time and privacy

I receive (via snail-mail) credit card offers from Providian every week. I would never be stupid enough to get a card that charged 24% interest, among other undesirable features, so I never respond, but the offers just keep coming. I'm registered with...

Pros: WHAT!!!
Cons: Big time cons

I have had "THE WORST" service from this company!!! Not only do they send me late notices ( of which are not late!) I receive phone calls ALL the time!! The customer
service people are nice...but nothing seems to get resolved!! This...

Pros: I think they're great. Never had a problem.
Cons: You got to check extra charges for late fees, extras, etc. But they fix it.

Had a Providian card since it was introduced to me a few years back at 7.9%. It has never gone up! I still pay a low 7.9%! My payments are timely and I make more than the minimum. Unlike Fleet, where they up your apr to a ridiculous rate. I cannot think...

Pros: I don't think they are affiliated with the mob. The website isn't bad.
Cons: They have learned much from the mob...loan sharks in particular. Poor customer service.

We actually have good credit, but had a balance on another credit card. We received their "offer" at 0% and despite my best efforts, I missed that the offer is only for purchases (easy to miss with shysters). The balance transfer was 8.75%...still okay.

We made our payments regularly, then missed one in March. They jacked up the rate to 23%. Since I had long "closed" the account out of protest for the 8.75% fiasco, they said they have no recourse. Well, hello...who won't let them? They make the rules. They have clearly decided the customer is not important. Imagine taking this action after one late payment. It proves everyones worst fear about credit card companies.

Shame on you Providian. We are sending in a payment in full, and we will be through with you!

Pros: rates lower than margin rates
Cons: 3% fee's bring the intro rates close to prime

Providian is a very good card for people who do have good credit. They have very good rates plus they are the only company I know of that will give you points for using the intro rates. I also managed to get an ebay card with a perminate rate of less than 6% (now titled washington mutual since the merger). I had called about my balence and mentioned I was being harrased about my finances and they gave me an extra 500 points even though it isn't thier fault in any way.

Pros: don't even consider them
Cons: Now owned by Washington Mutual a sleazy bank

Providian is now owned by Washington Mutual one of the worst lending companies in the nation. There are hundreds of lawsuits and complaints against WASMU. They left my Providian card alone while I had no balance but as soon as I used it ($700) they bumped the interest up to a mafia like 28%. I have since cancelled the card despite their offer of 15% and then 9%. It sounds good but they make no promises on how long these rates would apply. Most likely as long as it takes me to charge a large amount. Expect problems to increase as Washington Mutual applies their questionable banking practices to Providian. Keep an eye on your credit reports. WASMU has a habit of attacking your credit if you dare to stand up against them.

Pros: Good introductory APR for longer terms
Cons: Arrogant, sneering customer service

Basically, I have at least one credit card from each major company: AMEX, Bank One / Capital One, Citi, Discover, Fleet, USAA, Providian, etc.

All of these companies are professional, courteous, and respectful on the phone except one: Providian. Providian customer service is condescending at best. It's like talking to a police officer. This is not the way a company should be, and, thankfully, there are plenty of better options.

Tip: Providian customer service likes to hide behind the computer. You'll hear, "I'm sorry, but the computer isn't allowing your request." "I'm sorry, but the system is preventing me from _______." It's just a tactic. Threaten to cancel the card, and, miraculously, "the computer" changes its mind!