Unhelpful Apple Purchase Options

[canuckRus]

I would have paid by a bank transfer if that had been allowed. As it is I would have been able to pay by a debit card and so avoid this spurious credit card rule you invented.
[doublepost=1498253089][/doublepost]

Not a bad idea. Didn't think of that !

Re:tentales spurious 30% rule He is absolutely correct.

https://www.usa.gov/features/three-ways-to-maintain-good-credit #3

 

[drsox]

Re:tentales spurious 30% rule He is absolutely correct.

https://www.usa.gov/features/three-ways-to-maintain-good-credit #3

Here's the following paragraph :

" You can decrease your credit utilization ratio over time by paying as much of your credit card balance as possible each month. If you can, pay more than the minimum balance due; this will increase your available credit and decrease your utilization ratio faster. "

So, a clear conflict with the original precept. Paying off the whole balance each month of a high usage card is what ? Good or Bad ? I got an instant doubling of my card limit when the service rep accessed my repayment history. So much for US government advice !

But, yes he is correct.

 

[tentales]

Here's the following paragraph :

" You can decrease your credit utilization ratio over time by paying as much of your credit card balance as possible each month. If you can, pay more than the minimum balance due; this will increase your available credit and decrease your utilization ratio faster. "

So, a clear conflict with the original precept. Paying off the whole balance each month of a high usage card is what ? Good or Bad ? I got an instant doubling of my card limit when the service rep accessed my repayment history. So much for US government advice !

But, yes he is correct.

Where’s the conflict?
“Paying as much of...as possible” = Good
Ergo
“Paying off the whole balance” = even better!

It appears for you taking well intended advice is difficult and you keep complaining that Apple should permit your favourite method of payment, bank transfers. Despite everyone’s assurance that a high credit limit != “Bad” you rather accuse me of “inventing rules”.
Do what you will, I’m “hanging up” on you now.

 

[canuckRus]

Here's the following paragraph :

" You can decrease your credit utilization ratio over time by paying as much of your credit card balance as possible each month. If you can, pay more than the minimum balance due; this will increase your available credit and decrease your utilization ratio faster. "

So, a clear conflict with the original precept. Paying off the whole balance each month of a high usage card is what ? Good or Bad ? I got an instant doubling of my card limit when the service rep accessed my repayment history. So much for US government advice !

But, yes he is correct.

When was the last time you tried to rent a car or check into a hotel without a credit card with enough room to cover the bill? They couldn't care less how much cash you have in your hand or access to in a bank. Fund transfers good in theory but require 24 hours or more.They are NEVER instantaneous.

 

[drsox]

Where’s the conflict?
“Paying as much of...as possible” = Good
Ergo
“Paying off the whole balance” = even better!

It appears for you taking well intended advice is difficult and you keep complaining that Apple should permit your favourite payment method of payment, bank transfers. Despite everyone’s assurance that a high credit limit != “Bad” you rather accuse me of “inventing rules”.
Do what you will, I’m “hanging up” on you now.

No. According to the reference - maintaining a 1/3 usage = good as is paying off as much as possible - these contradict. I guess what is actually being said is : " If you have a continuing high balance on your card (i.e. not reducing the balance and paying lots of interest) that would indicate that you have a financial problem. Paying off the balance each month, even though that is close to the limit of the card - indicates you are in control of your finances. "

I have no preference for how to pay, just trying to understand the options. Not complaining about anything. Just surprised at the attitudes. Anyway, purchase made, using it now, good night Irene.
[doublepost=1498333019][/doublepost]

 

[canuckRus]

No. According to the reference - maintaining a 1/3 usage = good as is paying off as much as possible - these contradict. I guess what is actually being said is : " If you have a continuing high balance on your card (i.e. not reducing the balance and paying lots of interest) that would indicate that you have a financial problem. Paying off the balance each month, even though that is close to the limit of the card - indicates you are in control of your finances. "

I have no preference for how to pay, just trying to understand the options. Not complaining about anything. Just surprised at the attitudes. Anyway, purchase made, using it now, good night Irene.
[doublepost=1498333019][/doublepost]

The lower the Utilization % the better your credit rating and creditors are thereby less nervous of future default.

 

[Floris]

Just a comment for people to think about.

Q : How do I buy something with a larger value than my credit card will allow ?
Apple's Answer : Tough, you can't.

This was the basic gist of my conversation this AM with Apple's UK (Irish actually) support line. I asked whether I could pay by Bank Transfer (used to be able to do this) - nope, can't do that. I asked again and the guy said - I've answered your question and hung up. Arrogant or what !

So I have 2 options, go to a local store (or Apple store) and pay by a Debit card (OK, except I might have to wait a few weeks for the stuff to arrive (plus it's 20+ miles away) - and reducing Apple's margin in the process). OR, get on the phone to VISA and get my credit limit raised - which I did.

Other folks' experiences ?

My experiences with their twitter support is that their a.i. bots suck, and if those are humans, they should go back to school.

The rest, 99% excellent.

Not 100%, because their waiting times in the Amsterdam store are 45+ minutes sometimes and then when you prepare for the appointment, make one, show up, and patiently wait, ask about payment options over the phone first etc. One day they tell you that you can't pay with cash for a repair, other moments they say only with a card. But they DO allow cash. It's just confusing when they just want to give you an answer and don't want to double check.

Anyway, my shopping experience with Apple has basically been the best of all stores. Going to tmobile for a phone "free" repair, has been nail biting and utterly frustrating, you have to put up a smile and play their game and trick them to guide them to the right result. And then still they back out of everything they say or have on paper. And that's the good provider, the other providers in the NL like KPN are utter liars, and cheaper smaller ones are just terrible to even communicate with.

Customer satisfaction with apple has been amazing when it comes to pre and post sales, and support.

Just their twitter responses are so utterly stupid and bad, they should be called twitter.com/microSoftSurfacePlusSupport or something.

 

[drsox]

The lower the Utilization % the better your credit rating and creditors are thereby less nervous of future default.

Maybe. As I said, my VISA telephone contact was 100% impressed with my large monthly repayments of the card balance so granted instanter a doubling of the limit. Maybe if you keep a high debit balance and just about manage to pay the interest then creditors would worry.

 

[A Hobo]

Yes, I thought about that. That used to be possible I remember. However, VISA told me that when a call would come through to authorise the transaction, they would still only allow up to the level of the card limit - not card limit + whatever was available as extra.

Using multiple cards or getting the card limit increased seem to be the only feasible option.

Just overpay the card, when i wanted to buy a motorbike earlier this year, but only had 3500 limit on the card, i just paid AMEX another 3000 more than i should have. then the available balance was the two combined. although my actual CREDIT was still 3500.

Simple.

 

[drsox]

When was the last time you tried to rent a car or check into a hotel without a credit card with enough room to cover the bill? They couldn't care less how much cash you have in your hand or access to in a bank. Fund transfers good in theory but require 24 hours or more.They are NEVER instantaneous.

True, but I'm not a fanatic wrt bank transfers. If I again travelled for a living, then I would make sure my Company (not mine) credit card would be adequate. If I was going on holiday then of course I would ensure that I had adequate funds ( and I wouldn't rely on bank transfers). Why do people think I am obsessed with bank transfers ? It's just that Apple used to accept these and no longer do, as I now know.
[doublepost=1498335756][/doublepost]

Just overpay the card, when i wanted to buy a motorbike earlier this year, but only had 3500 limit on the card, i just paid AMEX another 3000 more than i should have. then the available balance was the two combined. although my actual CREDIT was still 3500.

Simple.

Yes, but VISA UK don't allow that - see post # 28.
[doublepost=1498335920][/doublepost]

My experiences with their twitter support is that their a.i. bots suck, and if those are humans, they should go back to school.

The rest, 99% excellent.

Not 100%, because their waiting times in the Amsterdam store are 45+ minutes sometimes and then when you prepare for the appointment, make one, show up, and patiently wait, ask about payment options over the phone first etc. One day they tell you that you can't pay with cash for a repair, other moments they say only with a card. But they DO allow cash. It's just confusing when they just want to give you an answer and don't want to double check.

Anyway, my shopping experience with Apple has basically been the best of all stores. Going to tmobile for a phone "free" repair, has been nail biting and utterly frustrating, you have to put up a smile and play their game and trick them to guide them to the right result. And then still they back out of everything they say or have on paper. And that's the good provider, the other providers in the NL like KPN are utter liars, and cheaper smaller ones are just terrible to even communicate with.

Customer satisfaction with apple has been amazing when it comes to pre and post sales, and support.

Just their twitter responses are so utterly stupid and bad, they should be called twitter.com/microSoftSurfacePlusSupport or something.

I had a 100% good experience with a local (20 miles away) Apple reseller - so they'll get my business again except in circumstances where I might return the item. Then I would plod though the Apple on-line store.

 

[kiwipeso1]

Apple call all cards credit cards a debit card would have been fine, it's that simple and you just misunderstood (a lot of websites call all cards credit cards, but accept debit cards just fine).

That is technically inept as a description, and not helpful to make a sale.
[doublepost=1498641839][/doublepost]

You should be interested in increasing your credit score, it's one factor in how a mortgage lender determines whether you're a safe bet for their lower rated mortgages, or whether you're riskier and therefore not eligible for lower rates.

It's also a factor in how much credit limit you'll be offered.

When you spend on a credit card, you're borrowing (and hopefully paying back responsibly or in full). And if you're not borrowing, you won't have a credit score, and thus can't borrow more when you need to (mortgage, the big one!). Hell, your credit score even matters to assess whether you're a safe tenant for renting, or whether you can work in finance.

A relative of mine has worse credit than I do, but has millions in the bank. Credit scores can only be improved by showing that you pay debts on time, not that you pay bills before they are due. Therefore my relative has the same spending limit on their bank cards that I do regardless of how much they actually have in assets.

 

[drsox]

That is technically inept as a description, and not helpful to make a sale.
[doublepost=1498641839][/doublepost]

A relative of mine has worse credit than I do, but has millions in the bank. Credit scores can only be improved by showing that you pay debts on time, not that you pay bills before they are due. Therefore my relative has the same spending limit on their bank cards that I do regardless of how much they actually have in assets.

Glad to see someone with good sense.