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Beware the Juniper VISA Card!
- Thread starter ioff13
- Start date
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Im about to get a card... but now I'm scared. I plan on paying half of it off when I resell my iMac and the balance over the next 6-9 months or so. I don't see how people are getting charged interest if they are paid well in advanced. I want to get the 1yr no interest... but that expires the at the end of the month. Crummy part is that I applied yesterday and I'm still awaiting an answer. My luck it wont come till after the 30th and they will not honor the 1yr no interest offer.
Also... Ann Arbor is a chill town. Lived there for a moment.
After having talked to them on the phone recently, I can totally relate to all these stories. I decided to get this card just to spread out the payments on my new iMac over 12 months at 0%. I applied online and got a pretty speedy response, IIRC, but they only gave me a $1,500 credit limit, which is, obviously, not enough to put a new iMac on (at the top end, anyway).
So I figured I'd call and speak with someone and get it bumped up. My household income is in the six-figure range, and we have no debt, save the mortgage, and a spotless credit history, so I assumed this would be no problem. When I got them on the phone, however, the rep told me that I needed to send proof of income over $150,000 to get approved for over $1,500 on the card. I totally couldn't believe this. Most credit cards I've opened in the last 10 years have started at ~$8,000 and I've had to make calls to keep them from automatically increasing the credit limits. I've got one that had a limit of at $20,000 at one point.
I told her to forget it and just cancel my card, as it wouldn't work for my purposes. Much to my surprise, she didn't bat an eye and went ahead and canceled it right away. I agree that this is the craziest credit card company I've ever dealt with...
So I figured I'd call and speak with someone and get it bumped up. My household income is in the six-figure range, and we have no debt, save the mortgage, and a spotless credit history, so I assumed this would be no problem. When I got them on the phone, however, the rep told me that I needed to send proof of income over $150,000 to get approved for over $1,500 on the card. I totally couldn't believe this. Most credit cards I've opened in the last 10 years have started at ~$8,000 and I've had to make calls to keep them from automatically increasing the credit limits. I've got one that had a limit of at $20,000 at one point.
I told her to forget it and just cancel my card, as it wouldn't work for my purposes. Much to my surprise, she didn't bat an eye and went ahead and canceled it right away. I agree that this is the craziest credit card company I've ever dealt with...
I Applied, NO REPLY
I applied for a Juniper CC on 22 Apr 2009 because I'm thinking of buying the 24" IMAC & wanted the 12 months 0% financing.
I have credit scores of 773 or higher with all 3 credit reporting agencies, have been employed for 4+ year, have lived in the same place 4+ years, & have no negative information in my credit file.
I never heard anything from Juniper, I was neither approved or disapproved. I know they requested my credit file on 22 Apr, because there is the "hit" in my credit file.
I wrote a letter to Apple & sent a copy, via certified letter to Juniper, complaining to Apple that I'm as creditworthy as anyone & hadn't heard anything, that I couldn't believe I'd not been approved in the first 30 seconds.
I mailed the letter on 4 May to Apple & Juniper, explaining that I WILL NOT buy a computer unless I'm approved for the 12 months 0% financing Juniper card with a limit of at least $3,000.
Am waiting to hears something
Has anyone else with good credit been ignored in an application to Juniper?
I applied for a Juniper CC on 22 Apr 2009 because I'm thinking of buying the 24" IMAC & wanted the 12 months 0% financing.
I have credit scores of 773 or higher with all 3 credit reporting agencies, have been employed for 4+ year, have lived in the same place 4+ years, & have no negative information in my credit file.
I never heard anything from Juniper, I was neither approved or disapproved. I know they requested my credit file on 22 Apr, because there is the "hit" in my credit file.
I wrote a letter to Apple & sent a copy, via certified letter to Juniper, complaining to Apple that I'm as creditworthy as anyone & hadn't heard anything, that I couldn't believe I'd not been approved in the first 30 seconds.
I mailed the letter on 4 May to Apple & Juniper, explaining that I WILL NOT buy a computer unless I'm approved for the 12 months 0% financing Juniper card with a limit of at least $3,000.
Am waiting to hears something
Has anyone else with good credit been ignored in an application to Juniper?
Beware the Juniper VISA Offer
If Juniper approves your credit please be aware that they will ding you for a hefty finance charge even though you pay the agreed amount on time each month, and you pay off the loan on or before the due date.
There is a hidden (you MUST READ the fine print) finance charge that must be paid on a day that is not the same as the final payment.
I was one of the original victims who posted in this forum several years ago and I will NEVER EVER (yes, I'm shouting) use this scam finance company again. It's amazing and shameful that Apple is still doing business through them.
Bill
If Juniper approves your credit please be aware that they will ding you for a hefty finance charge even though you pay the agreed amount on time each month, and you pay off the loan on or before the due date.
There is a hidden (you MUST READ the fine print) finance charge that must be paid on a day that is not the same as the final payment.
I was one of the original victims who posted in this forum several years ago and I will NEVER EVER (yes, I'm shouting) use this scam finance company again. It's amazing and shameful that Apple is still doing business through them.
Bill
I absolutely hated that card. I paid mine off, and closed the account. They had some really shady practices and interest rates through the roof, and I have good credit. I advise anybody and everybody to stay away from Juniper. 
This company sucks! I went over my limit one billing cycle which was my fault. I agreed to pay the minimum amount which came on my next statemetn which I thought would bring my account current. The following billing cycle I was surprised to see I was still over my limit and was charged an overlimit fee.
When I called Juniper Visa to find out why I was still over my limit dispite paying what I was told they informed me the minimum payment is calculated based on the balance owed and does not take into account being over your credit limit. The manager specifically told me it was my job to contact them and ask how much I need to pay to bring my account current regardless of what the statement says.
Oh did I mention that on the most recent statement their "minimum" wasn't enough to bring my account current.
I promptly closed my account.
I'm a huge fan of Apple but am disappointed they would align themselves with such a bad company.
When I called Juniper Visa to find out why I was still over my limit dispite paying what I was told they informed me the minimum payment is calculated based on the balance owed and does not take into account being over your credit limit. The manager specifically told me it was my job to contact them and ask how much I need to pay to bring my account current regardless of what the statement says.
Oh did I mention that on the most recent statement their "minimum" wasn't enough to bring my account current.
I promptly closed my account.
I'm a huge fan of Apple but am disappointed they would align themselves with such a bad company.
Jeez people, google "Credit Crunch" to find out why you aren't getting all the credit in the world handed to you (much less another VISA card.) Seriously, if you can't pay for a Mac in cash, you can't afford it. Consumer credit is the next big bubble to pop so you're gonna be forced to pay in cash anways.
I learned my lesson with credit cards the long and hard way. Mine are only used now for online purchases and are paid off before the bill comes due. I had one card that was so bad that no matter what you made payment wise your total due was always higher the next bill (HBSC card). ??? Higher? This was also a card that had a three month grace period on my purchase that never existed. Needless to say I went to the bank and took out a line of credit to pay the thing off in full all at once.
Attention: goglobal
I am very aware of your earlier post goblobal & I'm aware of the games they play when people mail in their payment in plenty of time only to have it get posted a day after the due date. At least this is what is being alleged
I was approved, for a $3,500 limit; 12 months 0% financing.
I should have the card in the mail next week, & have decided to file it away & not use it, for the following 2 reasons:
It is most troubling to me that a bank would take timely payments & hold on to for several days only to post it a day after the due date. I don't know, for a fact, if they do, however there mere suspicion is enough to cause me to shy away from using the card.
I'm going to keep the card because it would hurt my credit if I closed the account.
The only way around that would be to set up EFT payments, however, I've read some comments that casts suspicions on whether the EFT payments would be taken, timely.
thank you goglobal, & others for taking the time to give people such as myself, a heads up
I am very aware of your earlier post goblobal & I'm aware of the games they play when people mail in their payment in plenty of time only to have it get posted a day after the due date. At least this is what is being alleged
I was approved, for a $3,500 limit; 12 months 0% financing.
I should have the card in the mail next week, & have decided to file it away & not use it, for the following 2 reasons:
It is most troubling to me that a bank would take timely payments & hold on to for several days only to post it a day after the due date. I don't know, for a fact, if they do, however there mere suspicion is enough to cause me to shy away from using the card.
I'm going to keep the card because it would hurt my credit if I closed the account.
The only way around that would be to set up EFT payments, however, I've read some comments that casts suspicions on whether the EFT payments would be taken, timely.
thank you goglobal, & others for taking the time to give people such as myself, a heads up
Low and behold we get approval via email yesterday for a $3500 limit. Tho we applied well before the end date, they wouldnt honor the 1 yr no interest. So my gf canceled the card. Kinda sucks you have to take the ding but who would honestly expect such a long reply from such a ****** credit card? She can get financed to buy a car within an hour but can't get an answer on a credit card. Since it obviously wasn't a credit issue, their timely processing should be improved.
And I must add... their customer service sucks. They wouldnt even answer a question of mine unless my gf added me to the account and they had to re verify the account info when my gf spoke on the phone. They said it was a requirement for when passing the phone off... little did the dumb broad know we were on speakerphone....
Wow, I am so surprised about all these complaints. I got my Juniper card about three years ago. It was only for $1500 and was not enough to buy the Mac I wanted at the time so I went down and bought an HP laptop with it at CircuitCity. I paid off the card a few times then they increased my limit to about $2000. Last June, I called after I payed off the card again and asked them to lower my interest rate and increase the limit. They did both and I went down and bought a Mac Pro.
It's actually been my most favorite card to use.
It's actually been my most favorite card to use.
Be aware that NOT using the card can actually hurt your credit rating as well.
http://blog.cleveland.com/business/2009/02/credit_score_can_be_affected_b.html
My experience with their costumer service was very positive. I called asked them a question, they were very honest with me, even though at the time it wasn't the answer I wanted to hear. (I had applied to see how much credit they would give me, but it wasn't enough. They informed me that i had to wait until i got the card to cancel. I wanted to cancel right then.) A couple days later, I called explained my situation humbly and the woman I spoke with was very nice to me. They closed the account like I asked and that was it.
interesting to see this....missed it before.
i bought an iMac and decided to use the, then, 3-month no interest. I figured it was like many cards that have 3 months to equal 3 billing cycles....it was not, it was in fact 3 months from purchase.....though i do notice lots of interest-free credit card companies do this all the time.
I read my terms and understood them. i paid in full before the three months (not the third billing cycle). i have not used it since but did so because rather not have another card to put debt onto.
Many people tend to be ignorant and think they should get things for nothing and not pay for anything they may do wrong. You need to accept responsibilities for your actions.
for those whose payment wasn't accepted by the due date, i truly feel sorry for you....it could have been the "awesome" postal service or Juniper/visa/whomever is in charge. And it really is a bummer that you were not given a one-time grace....it happens, a one-time thing is nice.
i bought an iMac and decided to use the, then, 3-month no interest. I figured it was like many cards that have 3 months to equal 3 billing cycles....it was not, it was in fact 3 months from purchase.....though i do notice lots of interest-free credit card companies do this all the time.
I read my terms and understood them. i paid in full before the three months (not the third billing cycle). i have not used it since but did so because rather not have another card to put debt onto.
Many people tend to be ignorant and think they should get things for nothing and not pay for anything they may do wrong. You need to accept responsibilities for your actions.
for those whose payment wasn't accepted by the due date, i truly feel sorry for you....it could have been the "awesome" postal service or Juniper/visa/whomever is in charge. And it really is a bummer that you were not given a one-time grace....it happens, a one-time thing is nice.
I went the route of using the BestBuy no interest for 18 months, otherwise I would have gone to Apple but when Bestbuy was offering the same product for 18 months no Interest (But I made the minimum payment each month Plus) it was a no brainer. I have had many issues and I will be paying the card off months before it is due because HSBC owns the BB card business and they are pulling out of the USA because they lost money and have found ways to cheat people.
I had an HSBC for my GM rewards card, needless to say I will never use either card again, and GM can keep my $250 bonus rewards to buy a new vehicle, because it seems every month HSBC changes their policy also my due date changes every month so sometimes I pay twice a month to avoid a late fee, but I am about to pay off both cards and be done with them. Also as with Juniper do not expect a one time grace, they don't even know what the word kind is, although I have not incurred any additional fees.
Be careful if you sign up for the BestBuy card it is owned and backed by HSBC and they will alter your due date, rate, and some other terms without even sending you a notification, and they are absolutely impossible to negotiate with, thus why I am paying both cards off quickly.
Wicked1
I had an HSBC for my GM rewards card, needless to say I will never use either card again, and GM can keep my $250 bonus rewards to buy a new vehicle, because it seems every month HSBC changes their policy also my due date changes every month so sometimes I pay twice a month to avoid a late fee, but I am about to pay off both cards and be done with them. Also as with Juniper do not expect a one time grace, they don't even know what the word kind is, although I have not incurred any additional fees.
Be careful if you sign up for the BestBuy card it is owned and backed by HSBC and they will alter your due date, rate, and some other terms without even sending you a notification, and they are absolutely impossible to negotiate with, thus why I am paying both cards off quickly.
Wicked1
Write to Apple regarding your complaints with Juniper
I'd like to suggest you write, directly to Apple regarding your problems with Juniper. Here is a copy of a letter I mailed to the Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Peter Oppenheimer, via certified mail, return receipt requested
====================================================
To: Apple Inc.
1 Infinite Loop
Cupertino, CA 95014
Attn: Peter Oppenheimer, Chief Financial Officer
Re: BAIT & SWITCH COMPLAINT AGAINST JUNIPER
I submitted a 12 month, 0% credit application, online through the Juniper website on 22 April.2009. I received a phone call from Juniper on 7 May 2009, verbally telling my $3500 credit limit & 0% financing for 12 months had been approved.
When my card arrived, I carefully read the terms & discovered my $3,500 limit had been approved, however, my 0% financing for 12 months had been denied & no reason was given. Enclosed is my recent credit scores of 773 or higher for all 3 credit reporting agencies + I have 4+ years of employment with the same employer & 4+ years of living in the same place. Rock solid credit.
Considering the multiple reported problems with Juniper, I’ve decided I’m not going to activate the card & I decided NOT to buy $2,500 worth of Apple Products until such time as you sever Apple’s business association with Juniper.
Here is a list of message boards with people complaining about Juniper, for years & years & years:
• https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/400493/
• http://www.complaint.tv/juniper-1378.html
• http://discuss.pcmag.com/forums/thread/1004421876.aspx
• http://www.my3cents.com/showReview.cgi?id=44821
• http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/401/RipOff0401725.htm If you don't use your Juniper iTunes Rewards VISA (issued by Barclay's) for an entire year, they close the card and report to the credit agencies that you requested to close it.
• http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x2565575
•http://www.epinions.com/msg/sec_~fo...~24/id_~11552/forum_id_~159/pp_~1/pa_~1?nli=1
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/454/RipOff0454685.htm Report #454685 BAIT & SWITCH
https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=7695766#post7695766
Looking over all of the complaints over a long protracted period of time, I’ve decided there are too many questionable business practices & problems with Juniper:
• Too many people reporting they made a timely payment, which was not posted by Juniper in a timely manner resulting in late charges
• Interest rates being increased without notice
• Credit limits being reduced without notice resulting in overcharges
I’m certain you are well aware of the long list of complaints & questionable lending practices of Juniper . I do not understand why Apple Inc continues to maintain a business relationship with them.
I just discovered Barclays bank acquired Lehman Bros in 2008:
http://group.barclays.com/Country/1231781206400.html
Your business relationship with Juniper has turned me off & I will not buy the $2500 worth of products.
I’m lucky, in that I encountered problems with Juniper during the approval process & will not even activate the card I received.
I will be posting this letter on all of the aforementioned websites encouraging all others to also write to you regarding their complaints with Juniper.
At some point in time you will come to realize Juniper is turning customers away from Apple, Inc
I'd like to suggest you write, directly to Apple regarding your problems with Juniper. Here is a copy of a letter I mailed to the Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Peter Oppenheimer, via certified mail, return receipt requested
====================================================
To: Apple Inc.
1 Infinite Loop
Cupertino, CA 95014
Attn: Peter Oppenheimer, Chief Financial Officer
Re: BAIT & SWITCH COMPLAINT AGAINST JUNIPER
I submitted a 12 month, 0% credit application, online through the Juniper website on 22 April.2009. I received a phone call from Juniper on 7 May 2009, verbally telling my $3500 credit limit & 0% financing for 12 months had been approved.
When my card arrived, I carefully read the terms & discovered my $3,500 limit had been approved, however, my 0% financing for 12 months had been denied & no reason was given. Enclosed is my recent credit scores of 773 or higher for all 3 credit reporting agencies + I have 4+ years of employment with the same employer & 4+ years of living in the same place. Rock solid credit.
Considering the multiple reported problems with Juniper, I’ve decided I’m not going to activate the card & I decided NOT to buy $2,500 worth of Apple Products until such time as you sever Apple’s business association with Juniper.
Here is a list of message boards with people complaining about Juniper, for years & years & years:
• https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/400493/
• http://www.complaint.tv/juniper-1378.html
• http://discuss.pcmag.com/forums/thread/1004421876.aspx
• http://www.my3cents.com/showReview.cgi?id=44821
• http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/401/RipOff0401725.htm If you don't use your Juniper iTunes Rewards VISA (issued by Barclay's) for an entire year, they close the card and report to the credit agencies that you requested to close it.
• http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x2565575
•http://www.epinions.com/msg/sec_~fo...~24/id_~11552/forum_id_~159/pp_~1/pa_~1?nli=1
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/454/RipOff0454685.htm Report #454685 BAIT & SWITCH
https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=7695766#post7695766
Looking over all of the complaints over a long protracted period of time, I’ve decided there are too many questionable business practices & problems with Juniper:
• Too many people reporting they made a timely payment, which was not posted by Juniper in a timely manner resulting in late charges
• Interest rates being increased without notice
• Credit limits being reduced without notice resulting in overcharges
I’m certain you are well aware of the long list of complaints & questionable lending practices of Juniper . I do not understand why Apple Inc continues to maintain a business relationship with them.
I just discovered Barclays bank acquired Lehman Bros in 2008:
http://group.barclays.com/Country/1231781206400.html
Your business relationship with Juniper has turned me off & I will not buy the $2500 worth of products.
I’m lucky, in that I encountered problems with Juniper during the approval process & will not even activate the card I received.
I will be posting this letter on all of the aforementioned websites encouraging all others to also write to you regarding their complaints with Juniper.
At some point in time you will come to realize Juniper is turning customers away from Apple, Inc
Juniper and Apple scam
My story is about the same as most. I have amazing credit 750+ from all 3 major agencies. I applied for the juniper visa to take advantage of an interest free loan. I have plenty of money to pay off the computer any time I want but I prefer to earn interest on my money while I pay the computer off(simple finance) So I get approved after seemingly being rejected online. A phone call to apple and juniper was necessary and then they approved me. I asked them who is approved for this card if someone with my credit history is not, they then gave me a $2000 limit. Even though this was not enough for the whole purchase of my 17" MBP i was ok with it. I decided to purchase online which was a huge mistake. I did so because I wanted to custom order my computer with anti glare screen and a 7200 rpm drive. I also took advantage of the education discount and the free ipod touch and also got the rebate on the cannon printer. At checkout I used the $2000 juniper to pay for the MBP I thought and the remaining balance was to go on my AMEX. I then received the statement from juniper and the ipod touch and printer were placed on a seperate $429 charge on the card as well a $1500 charge for the MBP. They then put the rest of the computer on the AMEX. They did this to charge me finance charges on the $430 while I paid off the $1500 interest free. I called apple and juniper as soon as I discovered what they were trying to do. They gave me some BS about that they billed the card in such a way to avoid returns and since the printer and touch were shipped first they told me they could not change billing because the items were "prepared for shipment". The order had not been placed more than 14 hours prior. They refused to change to charges and offered to call juniper on a conference call. I told them I was sick of being on hold an they better do so in a hurry (the call had lasted 45 mins. at this point). Finally juniper agreed to put the whole balance to 0% APR for the full 12 months. I have yet to receive confirmation from juniper that the finance charges will not be applied. I just am writing to warn others that this offer is not worth the time and energy that I have invested and to only shop for these types of offers do so in person so they cannot deceive you.
My story is about the same as most. I have amazing credit 750+ from all 3 major agencies. I applied for the juniper visa to take advantage of an interest free loan. I have plenty of money to pay off the computer any time I want but I prefer to earn interest on my money while I pay the computer off(simple finance) So I get approved after seemingly being rejected online. A phone call to apple and juniper was necessary and then they approved me. I asked them who is approved for this card if someone with my credit history is not, they then gave me a $2000 limit. Even though this was not enough for the whole purchase of my 17" MBP i was ok with it. I decided to purchase online which was a huge mistake. I did so because I wanted to custom order my computer with anti glare screen and a 7200 rpm drive. I also took advantage of the education discount and the free ipod touch and also got the rebate on the cannon printer. At checkout I used the $2000 juniper to pay for the MBP I thought and the remaining balance was to go on my AMEX. I then received the statement from juniper and the ipod touch and printer were placed on a seperate $429 charge on the card as well a $1500 charge for the MBP. They then put the rest of the computer on the AMEX. They did this to charge me finance charges on the $430 while I paid off the $1500 interest free. I called apple and juniper as soon as I discovered what they were trying to do. They gave me some BS about that they billed the card in such a way to avoid returns and since the printer and touch were shipped first they told me they could not change billing because the items were "prepared for shipment". The order had not been placed more than 14 hours prior. They refused to change to charges and offered to call juniper on a conference call. I told them I was sick of being on hold an they better do so in a hurry (the call had lasted 45 mins. at this point). Finally juniper agreed to put the whole balance to 0% APR for the full 12 months. I have yet to receive confirmation from juniper that the finance charges will not be applied. I just am writing to warn others that this offer is not worth the time and energy that I have invested and to only shop for these types of offers do so in person so they cannot deceive you.
Ugh...glad I found this before I actually activated the card. I am currently pending approval or whatever with the juniper website, but after reading about them some more....if I get approved does that mean I'm stuck in the mess, or would I have to activate the card first? Kind of a stupid question I know, but I've never really done the online card thing...only in person...so I want to make sure that by just not taking any more action I won't have to deal with this company at all.
Thanks for the help!
Thanks for the help!
Just call the phone # on the back of the card and ask them to close your account. They'll ask you why, just tell them you changed your mind and don't want another credit card right now.
I've been worrying over this nonstop since I saw this thread. Dang it! I should've looked into this. The card hasn't arrived in the mail yet and I signed up for the card (was approved right there) and bought my Mac this Monday on June 15th.
Can I cancel ASAP or do I have to (or should) wait for the card?
Does anyone know if this'll hurt the credit score? If so, how much? :/ (Credit score is around 700.)
What's the charge for a balance transfer fee and is there a cancellation fee for the Juniper card? Anyone know how much as well?
Arghh I can't believe all these complaints! I don't think I want to take any chances either so I'm going to opt canceling.
Can I cancel ASAP or do I have to (or should) wait for the card?
Does anyone know if this'll hurt the credit score? If so, how much? :/ (Credit score is around 700.)
What's the charge for a balance transfer fee and is there a cancellation fee for the Juniper card? Anyone know how much as well?
Arghh I can't believe all these complaints! I don't think I want to take any chances either so I'm going to opt canceling.