How To Make Sure You're Getting the Best Credit Card Rates
by Max Anderson
Are you getting the best credit card rates possible? You'd better hope so. If you're not, you could be throwing thousands of dollars down the drain without even realizing it. Want to know how to make sure the best credit card rates are on your monthly statements? Here are four tips that will help you do just that.
1. Watch Those Payments
The first and most critical step towards getting the best credit card rates is making each and every one of your credit card payments on time. One late payment and it's like a credit card domino effect. The card you paid late experiences a rate increase and then your other cards' interest rates are jacked up too.
How exactly does one credit card payment affect a totally different credit card? Welcome to the world of the Universal Default Agreement. When you default on one credit card, your other credit cards are given license to act as if you defaulted on those as well. As a result, your rates begin to jump. At this point, even the best credit card rates can soar to 20-percent or more.
Do yourself a favor -- if you want the best credit card rates, make on-time payments priority number one.
2. Don't Be Afraid To Ask
Sometimes getting the best credit card rates is as easy as asking. Think your credit card company is charging too much? Tell them you want a rate decrease. If you're a good customer who makes on-time payments each and every month (and you're not already enjoying the lowest rate they can offer) your credit card company may be willing to reduce your rate to keep you as a customer.
If, at first, the person on the phone balks, tell them you want to talk to the manager. Explain to the manager that you can get a lower rate elsewhere (and will) if your needs are not accommodated. If it's at all possible to lower your rate, they usually will.
3. Transfer Your Balances
If your current credit card company isn't willing to lower your rates, don't be afraid to jump ship. There are many companies out there that offer the best credit card rates and if your credit is up to par, they'll be happy to transfer your balance over to a new account.
When transferring balances, just make sure you don't get sucked in by a "teaser" rate. If the low rate jumps up six months from now, you'll be back to square one. The best credit card rates are fixed rates -- not limited-time offers.
4. Don't Balk at Annual Fees
Sometimes getting the best credit card rates requires paying an annual fee -- especially if you have less-than-perfect credit. If your credit situation isn't exactly ideal, don't balk at paying a low annual fee in exchange for getting the best credit card rates. If you have high balances and a lower rate allows you to pay your debt off for less, the annual fee can pay for itself.
The best credit card rates aren't just a pipe dream. They're there for the taking if you know how to get them. Don't overpay for finance charges. Use the above four tips to make sure you're getting the best credit card rates possible.
For more tips on credit cards, saving money and avoiding getting taken, check out CreditCardTipsEtc.com, a website that specializes in providing credit card tips, advice and resources.
Article Source: http://www.myaddirectory.com
4 Reasons To Accept Credit Cards By Phone
4 Reasons To Accept Credit Cards By Phone by Philip Ritchie
Accepting credit cards by phone is a smart choice for the small business owner. Below are 4 reasons to consider this option as an integral part of expanding your business and putting more money in your bank account.
Convenience
Accepting credit cards by phone adds a powerful convenience factor to your business. If you don't have a formal office or place of business for your customers to come in and pay, Dial Pay service is an excellent and essential tool. Or, maybe you do have a shop or store but would simply like the ability to close the deal with your customer no matter where you are. Either way, you will likely see your profits and customer satisfaction increase. Just think of the advantages of being able to accept payments by phone, on a job site, in a restaurant or even while at the grocery store. Because of todays fast paced "do it now" mentality, over the phone payment can provide the solution you and your customers are looking for.
A Call to Action
Another advantage to having a dialpay account is that it allows you as the business owner to finalize the transaction. In other words, your customer may verbally commit to you on the sale or service you are providing but unless you can finalize that agreement with payment, you may risk losing the customer to other day to day distractions or worse yet, to another competitor. Having a merchant account that can work on any phone, including a cell phone gives you this powerful advantage and again will only increase your profitability as a business.
Cost Effective
Keeping costs down is vital for any small or new business. Your standard merchant account requires you to have a credit card machine which can cost you hundreds of dollars, not so great for the little guy or the new business owner who would rather be spending his money on advertising or more important things. Extra fees are another area of high cost that you can expect to have with a typical merchant account. Many times these accounts have $25.00 to $35.00 monthly minimums as well as annual fees. Oh yah, did I mention a whopping $250.00 to $450.00 account cancellation fee if you close your account within the first 2 years? Fees, fees, fees. On the other hand, if you accept credit cards by phone, you usually only pay one rate, a low monthly statement fee and a minimal application fee.
Fewer Headaches
Because there is no equipment needed to set up or use a pay by phone merchant account, you don't have to worry about technical equipment issues such as malfunctioning terminals or programming errors that inevitably happen with merchants that have credit card machines. If you ever had to deal with such a problem you understand the significance and value of having a simple credit card processing by phone solution.
If you are a small business owner on the go, accepting credit cards by phone can be a complement to your business and a boost to your bottom line.
Philip Ritchie is a National Consultant for hundreds of sales reps in the merchant bankcard industry. To learn more about setting up a merchant account with dialpay service visit http://www.chargeonphone.com
Article Source: http://www.myaddirectory.com
Accepting credit cards by phone is a smart choice for the small business owner. Below are 4 reasons to consider this option as an integral part of expanding your business and putting more money in your bank account.
Convenience
Accepting credit cards by phone adds a powerful convenience factor to your business. If you don't have a formal office or place of business for your customers to come in and pay, Dial Pay service is an excellent and essential tool. Or, maybe you do have a shop or store but would simply like the ability to close the deal with your customer no matter where you are. Either way, you will likely see your profits and customer satisfaction increase. Just think of the advantages of being able to accept payments by phone, on a job site, in a restaurant or even while at the grocery store. Because of todays fast paced "do it now" mentality, over the phone payment can provide the solution you and your customers are looking for.
A Call to Action
Another advantage to having a dialpay account is that it allows you as the business owner to finalize the transaction. In other words, your customer may verbally commit to you on the sale or service you are providing but unless you can finalize that agreement with payment, you may risk losing the customer to other day to day distractions or worse yet, to another competitor. Having a merchant account that can work on any phone, including a cell phone gives you this powerful advantage and again will only increase your profitability as a business.
Cost Effective
Keeping costs down is vital for any small or new business. Your standard merchant account requires you to have a credit card machine which can cost you hundreds of dollars, not so great for the little guy or the new business owner who would rather be spending his money on advertising or more important things. Extra fees are another area of high cost that you can expect to have with a typical merchant account. Many times these accounts have $25.00 to $35.00 monthly minimums as well as annual fees. Oh yah, did I mention a whopping $250.00 to $450.00 account cancellation fee if you close your account within the first 2 years? Fees, fees, fees. On the other hand, if you accept credit cards by phone, you usually only pay one rate, a low monthly statement fee and a minimal application fee.
Fewer Headaches
Because there is no equipment needed to set up or use a pay by phone merchant account, you don't have to worry about technical equipment issues such as malfunctioning terminals or programming errors that inevitably happen with merchants that have credit card machines. If you ever had to deal with such a problem you understand the significance and value of having a simple credit card processing by phone solution.
If you are a small business owner on the go, accepting credit cards by phone can be a complement to your business and a boost to your bottom line.
Philip Ritchie is a National Consultant for hundreds of sales reps in the merchant bankcard industry. To learn more about setting up a merchant account with dialpay service visit http://www.chargeonphone.com
Article Source: http://www.myaddirectory.com
Building Your Credit From No Credit or Bad Credit
Building Your Credit From No Credit or Bad Credit
Building Your Credit From No Credit or Bad Credit by Paul Basco
Building credit from no credit or bad credit often seems to be a catch-22. Most credit card companies and lenders will not open an account for you or give you a loan if you don't already have an established credit history, but you can't establish a credit history without opening a credit card account or applying for a loan! Luckily, there are ways to break into building your credit score, even if you have no history or bad credit history. The secret is to start small and stay responsible.
Know the Score
Especially if you are recovering from bad credit, it is important to settle up on all of your lingering credit issues. If you have many debts or have recently gone through a bankruptcy, it can be difficult to keep track of how much you owe and to whom you owe it. To take care of this problem, you'll need to order a credit report from each of the three major credit agencies. They are:
Experian Equifax TransUnion
These are the exact same credit bureaus that lenders and credit card issuers are going to order your credit score from, so it is important to know what they are going to see when reviewing your history. By looking over them yourself first, you get a chance to explain any bumpy spots in your history or dispute any inaccuries.
Dispute Inaccuracies and Settle Unresolved Issues
Once you get your credit report, review it carefully. If you find any debts you have not paid off yet, pay them off right away. If you find any inaccuracies or mistakes on the lenders part, dispute them right away.
First, make sure you keep a record of all your correspondences with the company. If you are writing letters, print off two copies of each and date them. If you are calling on the telephone, be sure to get the name of each representative you speak with and keep a log of all the calls you make.
First, notify the credit agency that reported the issue that there is an inaccuracy. Write a letter to each credit agency notifying them of the inaccuracy and let them know that you are disputing it.
Next, contact the business that reported the false claim. Call them on the phone at first and let them know you will be mailing them a letter as well. If possible, ask if there is an appropriate department to address your letter. Also, let them know that you have already contacted the credit reporting bureaus about the matter.
Call the agency, or include in your letter that you would like them to contact the business in order to resolve the dispute. Once you get the business and the credit reporting agencies in a dialog, things will go much smoother for you.
Once the matters are all resolved, get a hold of each credit agency again and make sure they include a record of the dispute and the inaccuracies resolution on all of your future credit reports. This lets lenders know that you have addressed all issues that appear on your credit report.
Learn about Secured and Unsecured Credit Cards
Depending on your situation, you may want to get either a secured or an unsecured card. A secured credit card is isssued by a bank or credit union and has a credit line that corresponds to a balance in another account. This balance acts as collateral for your loan in case you default. This minimizes the risk for the lender and can get you better terms on your loan.
An unsecured credit card has no collateral, thus making it harder to be approved for and riskier to use. However, some predatory card issuers will lure vulnerable borrowers in with overblown offers with the anticipation that they will rack up huge balances and accrue interest. Unsecured credit cards can also come with hidden fees and special interest rates that are designed to get more money from you.
If you are just starting out or already have questionable credit, a secured credit card is a better way to go. Secured credit cards ensure that you always have enough money to cover your debts, which means less liability both for you and your credit card company.
Practice responsible borrowing habits
Pay off the entire balance each month. This will keep interest from building up. Always pay on time. Just one late fee can be a blemish on your credit report that can take a long time to go away. Don't spend what you don't have. Forget about cash advances, super checks, or keeping a balance over a long period of time. This leads to debt, debt, debt and interest. Stick with one credit card company. The longer you keep an account in good standing, the better it will look on your report. Keep an eye on your statements. Report any unauthorized activity or errors immediately. Negotiate better terms once you have stayed in good standing for about 2 years. Let your credit card company know that you are a responsible customer and deserve better rates.
Paul Basco provides expert opinions and reviews to help you Apply for a Credit Card and Compare Credit Card Offers with GettingaCreditCard.com.
Article Source: Free Article Directory Submit Your Article
Building Your Credit From No Credit or Bad Credit by Paul Basco
Building credit from no credit or bad credit often seems to be a catch-22. Most credit card companies and lenders will not open an account for you or give you a loan if you don't already have an established credit history, but you can't establish a credit history without opening a credit card account or applying for a loan! Luckily, there are ways to break into building your credit score, even if you have no history or bad credit history. The secret is to start small and stay responsible.
Know the Score
Especially if you are recovering from bad credit, it is important to settle up on all of your lingering credit issues. If you have many debts or have recently gone through a bankruptcy, it can be difficult to keep track of how much you owe and to whom you owe it. To take care of this problem, you'll need to order a credit report from each of the three major credit agencies. They are:
Experian Equifax TransUnion
These are the exact same credit bureaus that lenders and credit card issuers are going to order your credit score from, so it is important to know what they are going to see when reviewing your history. By looking over them yourself first, you get a chance to explain any bumpy spots in your history or dispute any inaccuries.
Dispute Inaccuracies and Settle Unresolved Issues
Once you get your credit report, review it carefully. If you find any debts you have not paid off yet, pay them off right away. If you find any inaccuracies or mistakes on the lenders part, dispute them right away.
First, make sure you keep a record of all your correspondences with the company. If you are writing letters, print off two copies of each and date them. If you are calling on the telephone, be sure to get the name of each representative you speak with and keep a log of all the calls you make.
First, notify the credit agency that reported the issue that there is an inaccuracy. Write a letter to each credit agency notifying them of the inaccuracy and let them know that you are disputing it.
Next, contact the business that reported the false claim. Call them on the phone at first and let them know you will be mailing them a letter as well. If possible, ask if there is an appropriate department to address your letter. Also, let them know that you have already contacted the credit reporting bureaus about the matter.
Call the agency, or include in your letter that you would like them to contact the business in order to resolve the dispute. Once you get the business and the credit reporting agencies in a dialog, things will go much smoother for you.
Once the matters are all resolved, get a hold of each credit agency again and make sure they include a record of the dispute and the inaccuracies resolution on all of your future credit reports. This lets lenders know that you have addressed all issues that appear on your credit report.
Learn about Secured and Unsecured Credit Cards
Depending on your situation, you may want to get either a secured or an unsecured card. A secured credit card is isssued by a bank or credit union and has a credit line that corresponds to a balance in another account. This balance acts as collateral for your loan in case you default. This minimizes the risk for the lender and can get you better terms on your loan.
An unsecured credit card has no collateral, thus making it harder to be approved for and riskier to use. However, some predatory card issuers will lure vulnerable borrowers in with overblown offers with the anticipation that they will rack up huge balances and accrue interest. Unsecured credit cards can also come with hidden fees and special interest rates that are designed to get more money from you.
If you are just starting out or already have questionable credit, a secured credit card is a better way to go. Secured credit cards ensure that you always have enough money to cover your debts, which means less liability both for you and your credit card company.
Practice responsible borrowing habits
Pay off the entire balance each month. This will keep interest from building up. Always pay on time. Just one late fee can be a blemish on your credit report that can take a long time to go away. Don't spend what you don't have. Forget about cash advances, super checks, or keeping a balance over a long period of time. This leads to debt, debt, debt and interest. Stick with one credit card company. The longer you keep an account in good standing, the better it will look on your report. Keep an eye on your statements. Report any unauthorized activity or errors immediately. Negotiate better terms once you have stayed in good standing for about 2 years. Let your credit card company know that you are a responsible customer and deserve better rates.
Paul Basco provides expert opinions and reviews to help you Apply for a Credit Card and Compare Credit Card Offers with GettingaCreditCard.com.
Article Source: Free Article Directory Submit Your Article
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