I have a credit account to Best Buy, the electronic store, if i close this account while still having a balance, will it be worse than if i just waited to pay it off than close it?
2007-12-07 13:54:59 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Credit
Lot's of answers. Some pretty good and some, well..
It is "never" a good idea to close any account that you still have a balance on. Your scores will drop far more than they would if you close an account that has a zero balance no matter how thick or thin your credit file is.
If you have a thin credit file - short history and few accounts in good standing, it would be in your best interests to keep the account open after the balance is paid off.
How hard it will hit your scores, if you close it after it is paid off, depends on how limited your file is,
If you have a thick credit file - long history and many accounts, then if you truly don't want the account you might consider closing it after the balance is paid off.
Depending on how thick your file is, you may not see much of a drop in your scores.
2007-12-07 14:42:40 · answer #1 · answered by echo 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some companies will put a freeze or a block on an account without officially closing it. You could ask.
If they won't do that, you need to decide based on your spending habits. If you have the self control to pay it down and not be tempted to run use it then don't close it - as part of your credit profile is calculated by the amount of debt you have vs the amount that is available to you. The minute you close an account with a balance you still have that debt but not the availability so it either takes availability % from other debts or makes you appear over extended.
However, if you know that you will be tempted to keep using it JUST CLOSE IT. A few dings for the availability ratio are nothing compared to the dings you will suffer if you max it out and then something happens causing you to fall behind.
2007-12-07 16:08:57 · answer #2 · answered by Ilsa 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You cannot close it, if you have balance. You must pay the balance off first. Or you can call them and request that no more charges will be allowed on this card. This way the account will be still open, but not active. When you pay it off, you can close it.
2007-12-07 13:59:28 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Closing the account really means they zero out your available credit. The account still remains open. If you are worried about continuing to indulge in your lofty shopping sprees, then cut up the card and make regular payments to your account until it is paid off.
Find out if Best Buy reports to the credit bureau (most do) and by making the regular payments it will help boost your credit score.
Once your score is high enough, go down to the bank and get yourself a Gold Visa or MasterCard. Put it into your wallet and head down to the nearest pub, order yourself a nice tall pint of dark ale and slap down your Gold card to pay.... there you go Big Shot!!
2007-12-07 14:00:13 · answer #4 · answered by tapnet1 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The answer seems to be yes and no.
This advice from Experian (the people who create your credit score):
Simply closing two accounts not only lowers the number of open installment accounts (which generally will improve your score) but it also lowers the total number of all open accounts (which generally lowers your score).
It is impossible to provide a completely accurate assessment of how one specific action will affect a person’s credit score.
2007-12-07 14:05:34 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You shouldn't close the account. It is better for your credit to pay it off and keep it. Once in awhile using it to maintain the account. Closing credit card accounts negatively affect your credit.
2007-12-07 13:57:46 · answer #6 · answered by sarlha 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Even if you pay off your cards you should never close it. It is damaging to your credit score if you close your accounts. Just leave the accounts open with a zero balance and cut up the card.
2007-12-07 13:56:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
The only difference is when you close it, you can't run up the balance anymore. It also reflects on your credit report differently, because you no longer have the line open.
2007-12-07 13:57:29 · answer #8 · answered by Billy Shat 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would close it for now because one is always tempted to use it again. Once you close it and continue paying you can ask if they will reduce your interst rate as long as you are on time with your payments. Sometimes they do honor that if they see you are trying to pay it off. Good Luck
2007-12-07 13:59:31 · answer #9 · answered by sillykittylover 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, if they have a monthly fee on top of the interest rate, you would be better off to clsoe now.
2007-12-07 13:57:13 · answer #10 · answered by primalclaws1974 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋