First..........a bit of background.................
My Grandparents (who I lived with during a great deal of my growing up after my mother died when I was 8), had always told me to be a cash and carry type person. If I didn't have enough money to buy it outright, or make payments to the person I was buying from, to save money and wait to purchase it because if I couldn't pay for it outright, I didn't need it. Cash and carry was pretty much the system they operated on, and taught me to do the same. And, for the most part, that's how I've lived my life.
Fast forward to now...............
I recently decided that I wanted to buy a house, so I contacted the VA to see about my guaranteed home loan. The person who I was talking to said they would be more than happy to help me out, but for one problem........my credit score was zero. There was nothing in my file about ever having had credit (like I said, cash and carry was how I lived almost all of my life), and since I had no credit history, I had to establish one. So, I applied for a credit card through my credit union (had been with them for over 30 years), got approved, and was told I'd be getting a credit card in the mail in 7-10 days. After that period had gone by, I called them back and asked about the credit card, and was told that it was still in production, to call back in another week or so if I hadn't received it by then.
Now? Its' been almost a month and a half, and still no card. I called them today and asked why it was taking so long, and was told the most interesting thing. Seems that there is a shortage of plastic and microchips to make the cards. They then told me that they would call me back in a few days to check if I had my card yet, but if I didn't, they were going to see if there was some other way they could expedite getting it to me, as, like I said, there is currently a shortage of materials to make them.
I was curious about what they told me, and it seems that it's true! Looked it up on the Google machine after I'd talked to them, and yes, there IS a shortage of materials to make credit and debit cards because of a microchip/plastic shortage right now!
www.digitaltransactions.net
So, just thought that I'd let other members know that if you are looking to get another credit card, or replace a credit/debit card, there may be a bit of a wait, as there is currently a shortage of the materials to make them.
Fortunately, because I've been a member of my credit union since 1993, they are going to see what kind of measures they can take to try to expedite and get my credit card to me. I now see that I kinda need it so I can start building a credit history, because I really want to buy a home in the near future, and need it to do so.
First credit card I've ever had, and I'm at the ripe old age of 58. Go figure! Cash and carry might be a good policy in general, but apparently, in order to do major things nowadays, having a good credit history is crucial. Shouldn't have much trouble building one though, as I've never had anything repossessed or had any of my bills cut off for not making timely payments. But boy! What a pain this is turning out to be!
My Grandparents (who I lived with during a great deal of my growing up after my mother died when I was 8), had always told me to be a cash and carry type person. If I didn't have enough money to buy it outright, or make payments to the person I was buying from, to save money and wait to purchase it because if I couldn't pay for it outright, I didn't need it. Cash and carry was pretty much the system they operated on, and taught me to do the same. And, for the most part, that's how I've lived my life.
Fast forward to now...............
I recently decided that I wanted to buy a house, so I contacted the VA to see about my guaranteed home loan. The person who I was talking to said they would be more than happy to help me out, but for one problem........my credit score was zero. There was nothing in my file about ever having had credit (like I said, cash and carry was how I lived almost all of my life), and since I had no credit history, I had to establish one. So, I applied for a credit card through my credit union (had been with them for over 30 years), got approved, and was told I'd be getting a credit card in the mail in 7-10 days. After that period had gone by, I called them back and asked about the credit card, and was told that it was still in production, to call back in another week or so if I hadn't received it by then.
Now? Its' been almost a month and a half, and still no card. I called them today and asked why it was taking so long, and was told the most interesting thing. Seems that there is a shortage of plastic and microchips to make the cards. They then told me that they would call me back in a few days to check if I had my card yet, but if I didn't, they were going to see if there was some other way they could expedite getting it to me, as, like I said, there is currently a shortage of materials to make them.
I was curious about what they told me, and it seems that it's true! Looked it up on the Google machine after I'd talked to them, and yes, there IS a shortage of materials to make credit and debit cards because of a microchip/plastic shortage right now!
The Card Crunch - Digital Transactions
The chip shortage plaguing POS terminal makers is starting to inflict pain on payment card manufactu
www.digitaltransactions.net
So, just thought that I'd let other members know that if you are looking to get another credit card, or replace a credit/debit card, there may be a bit of a wait, as there is currently a shortage of the materials to make them.
Fortunately, because I've been a member of my credit union since 1993, they are going to see what kind of measures they can take to try to expedite and get my credit card to me. I now see that I kinda need it so I can start building a credit history, because I really want to buy a home in the near future, and need it to do so.
First credit card I've ever had, and I'm at the ripe old age of 58. Go figure! Cash and carry might be a good policy in general, but apparently, in order to do major things nowadays, having a good credit history is crucial. Shouldn't have much trouble building one though, as I've never had anything repossessed or had any of my bills cut off for not making timely payments. But boy! What a pain this is turning out to be!
