Nightmarish experience with Apple Upgrade Program

[mdlooker]

Well it seems the Citizens One program is an epic fail! Threads, headlines, highlights... all pointing to the failure of the system while putting inquiries on everyone's credit reports.. smdh.

The awful thing about it is that there isn't any way to "make up" the errors. Once everyone is turned away with a hard hit, thats it, no turning around.

 

[Agent OrangeZ]

 

[phpmaven]

I gave up on this program. After speaking with Citizens bank on Saturday, I was assured I was not declined due to credit worthiness. So I went back that evening and and tried to apply again - this time I did not use a Chase or Amex - but was declined again. Locked for 30 days. I said screw it and just signed up for the Next 12 program from At&t, and returned the phone I paid full price on launch day. And sorry if this might sound obnoxious to some, not trying to brag, but after I was declined, I went home and applied for a credit line increase on my Amex card just to see what would happen and boom, approved on the spot for a 10k increase, now I have a 25k dollar limit on my card (zero balance). Just happy it's not my credit, but something else. Curious to see what the official letter says when I receive it.

I think it's clear at this point that most of the denials were the result of system glitches and not because of anything negative on people's credit reports.

 

[appygirl82]

I'd be curious to see how many denials were yesterday and today?

I did the AUP both yesterday (my phone) and again today (husbands phone).

My drivers license address does not match CC & carrier billing addresses....wasn't a problem. I also used a Chase CC which also wasn't any problem.

Makes me wonder that aside from the launch day chaos, maybe things are fixed now (at least somewhat)?!

 

[Cyberguycpt]

Yeah, I was denied saying I was ineligible for the program but hasn't ever showed up on my credit report, was going to try again but didn't want to go through all the hassle. I just used my Apple Rewards visa and will get 18 months no interest so I'm good. But I did exchange my phone from silver to space gray. I settled last year because I couldn't find what I wanted. But this year I wanted what I wanted.

 

[cja1962]

I think it's clear at this point that most of the denials were the result of system glitches and not because of anything negative on people's credit reports.

I was deemed ineligible for Apple upgrade on Friday when I tried to buy iphones for myself and my son. I knew my credit was not the issue. Just got off the phone with Citizen's bank who said that the birth date on my application did not match what I gave her. Figured out that it happened because Apple sales rep had me enter my birthdate with four digits for the year (vice two digits), so the "incorrect" information then triggered a security response which then made any further attempts fruitless. It is frustrating as I had to tell the Apple sales rep that it was not taking the third and fourth digit for my birth year and that it required only two digits. Citizens rep says it will take 30 days for it to clear despite the fact they know it is not a credit issue. Major fail for whoever is responsible for this approval system.