Need a credit card...

I have never had a credit card. Stupid? Maybe, but that's that. I don't have bad credit, just no credit record so nobody will give me one, even my bank!
Any suggestions? I'm not an REI member so I can't get one of theirs...
Any help would be great.
Thanks,
Andrew

sounds like a blessing to me!

I believe there are some that you can prepay. Have you check with a credit union like Golden One?

-Brian G

Andrew,

Companies like "Orchard Bank" offer secured credit cards. They are fully valid Visa and Master Cards, but they are secured through your checking account or other type of account.

After 6-9 months, (well maybe a year with this economy) you'll be able to get unsecured credit cards.

Rich

Hey Andrew,

Starting with someone like REI isn't a bad idea. If you don't want to join them, the next time you buy something from someone like Sears who sources through Visa/MasterCard, apply with them. I think PayPal offers credit cards as well? Carry a small balance and pay on time for a while and you'll get all kinds of offers 

It's a shame to loose your credit virginity, but I guess we all must sometime 

Ben

Start with a Costco American Express card.

Try getting A Sears card... They are pretty good! ..Good luck

 

  My very first CC as a youngster was from sears. My very first purchase to get that card was my roll-a-way tool box which I still use.  (Way back in 1982)

Congradts for going this long without one!

wander by your friendly neighborhood college campus about Aug...you'll get plenty of offers...most will be geared toward students, but you're still likely to get one (with some abysmal interest rate)

Change Banks

Q:  How have you gone this long w/o one?  That would mean no online shopping and otherwise paying cash for everything?  I'm really curious how you've been able to do that, very commendable not to rely upon credit.  For me, I charge whenever I can and rely on cash as a secondary payment option.

Start with a Costco American Express card.

totally.  I use my costco amex as much as possible.  We end up with about $1K cash back/year. 

Household HSBC offers secured credit. You may have to supply like $500 up front (like a debit), but it will quickly improve your credit.

Best of luck to you on your search, I would look into prepaid cards like what was suggested.  After my divorce that is what I had to do, now my score is 806!  I had it ran last week to buy a house in Lodi.  Biggest thing is being current on payments.

I did the same thing.  Just never needed credit till a few years ago.  I had really good luck getting mine from my credit union.  Check with the bank you are with.  Get something with no annual fees and don't run it up over thirty percent of the balance.  Sears is good to, and don't close your cards because the length of time you've had your card reflects on your credit score I believe. 

Its interesting you are having trouble getting one. I remember while I was in college, it seemed every month there was some promotion where anyone could sign up for a credit card with a $500 limit and get a free shirt. Times have changed. I think the costco or sears is a good option. Amex might be good also because you pay it off each month. Good luck.