CJ Experiences/Qs

[creditreformer]

I've been anti CJ for various reasons (security concerns/horror stories about id theft; quality of jewelry; fact i NEVER shop for jewelry except for once in a very blue/rare moon; etc.), but am minimally tempted now that they're giving out CLs of 2.5k. i've read the various CJ threads, but was curious, for those who have CJ,

1) how much did your tu/ex rise once cj began reporting? when did your tu/ex rise b/c of cj? was it just a 1x/mini boost or has it steadily risen as cj's aged?

2) if i buy say a $30 pair of earrings (or whatever CJ's cheapest thing is- fossil watches tempt me b/c i LIKE fossil, but CJ's ridiculously overpriced) and PIF, will CJ automatically report 2.5k CL?

3) is it true i can just buy 1 CJ widget every 6 mos. and that's all i need to do to keep the TL open?

4) has anyone here had ID theft/security problems buying on CJ and paying through PayPal?

5) does anyone here REGRET opening CJ?

6) do any of you plan to CLOSE CJ? if so, when?

[LeslieR]

I've been anti CJ for various reasons (security concerns/horror stories about id theft; quality of jewelry; fact i NEVER shop for jewelry except for once in a very blue/rare moon; etc.), but am minimally tempted now that they're giving out CLs of 2.5k. i've read the various CJ threads, but was curious, for those who have CJ,

1) how much did your tu/ex rise once cj began reporting? when did your tu/ex rise b/c of cj? was it just a 1x/mini boost or has it steadily risen as cj's aged?

The second thing you said; it was my first larger TL and I believe it helped me be more attractive for "regular"/prime cards that came soon after (in combination with my other efforts)

2) if i buy say a $30 pair of earrings (or whatever CJ's cheapest thing is- fossil watches tempt me b/c i LIKE fossil, but CJ's ridiculously overpriced) and PIF, will CJ automatically report 2.5k CL?

Yes. You will have to charge most of the purchase on another form of payment (CJ has a "downpayment" policy that you can search for here and that will be explained to you when you make your purchase) ... but the 2500 limit will be reported.

3) is it true i can just buy 1 CJ widget every 6 mos. and that's all i need to do to keep the TL open?

Yes.

4) has anyone here had ID theft/security problems buying on CJ and paying through PayPal?

I didn't pay through PayPal - I used my online billpay via my bank and I had no problems. Just don't go to their site to pay..that's where the horror stories have emerged from, I believe.

5) does anyone here REGRET opening CJ?

Absolutely not; I don't.

6) do any of you plan to CLOSE CJ? if so, when?

I don't.

I see nothing to be concerned about re. CJ. I am more than glad I got it.

[AboveAverage]

I've been anti CJ for various reasons (security concerns/horror stories about id theft; quality of jewelry; fact i NEVER shop for jewelry except for once in a very blue/rare moon; etc.), but am minimally tempted now that they're giving out CLs of 2.5k. i've read the various CJ threads, but was curious, for those who have CJ,

1) how much did your tu/ex rise once cj began reporting? when did your tu/ex rise b/c of cj? was it just a 1x/mini boost or has it steadily risen as cj's aged?

Ummm...like Leslie said, it was really more useful for me to get other TLs as I had the 1500 limit with a 100 Macys TL. The score jump initially was minimal at best.

2) if i buy say a $30 pair of earrings (or whatever CJ's cheapest thing is- fossil watches tempt me b/c i LIKE fossil, but CJ's ridiculously overpriced) and PIF, will CJ automatically report 2.5k CL?

Yes just buy the cheapest p.o.c. you can find and PIF immediately ...and perhaps times have changed that you will see it in a couple of weeks. I do remember a couple of months.

3) is it true i can just buy 1 CJ widget every 6 mos. and that's all i need to do to keep the TL open?

I waited 8-9.....but I had a feeling I was due, so I bought some p.o.c. earings for the DF

4) has anyone here had ID theft/security problems buying on CJ and paying through PayPal?

This is the first I have ever heard of it, can you please point me to the threads you got this from? AFAIK, I have never had any issues...and I check my accounts with a fervent paranoia. I don't have any qualms paying with a credit card. In fact it is safer for me to do so, as I have liability protection. With a checking account, I would have to jump through hoops...PLUS, when you buy something from CJ they take forever for a payment to post, so I prefer to pay by CC. BOA is pretty good with disputing charges that aren't yours (not that I've had to do that yet, but I hear they are).

5) does anyone here REGRET opening CJ?

I can't regret opening CJ, as they have helped my TU and EX, but I do hate the fact that my EQ cannot benefit from the TL.

6) do any of you plan to CLOSE CJ? if so, when?

I was going to, but when I saw my current scores, I changed my mind and immediately went to buy some garbage...as I have said in other threads,

YOU ARE NOT paying for jewelry...you are paying for a TL once every few months and the jewelry is a FREE GIFT.

My answers are in red.

[LeslieR]

YOU ARE NOT paying for jewelry...you are paying for a TL once every few months and the jewelry is a FREE GIFT.

Well said.

AA, there have been some stories about CC numbers being hacked off their site. What I've read is don't ever go to their site to pay your bill.

[stilltrying]

Originally Posted by creditreformer

I've been anti CJ for various reasons (security concerns/horror stories about id theft; quality of jewelry; fact i NEVER shop for jewelry except for once in a very blue/rare moon; etc.), but am minimally tempted now that they're giving out CLs of 2.5k. i've read the various CJ threads, but was curious, for those who have CJ

[...]

4) has anyone here had ID theft/security problems buying on CJ and paying through PayPal?

This is the first I have ever heard of it, can you please point me to the threads you got this from? AFAIK, I have never had any issues...and I check my accounts with a fervent paranoia. I don't have any qualms paying with a credit card. In fact it is safer for me to do so, as I have liability protection. With a checking account, I would have to jump through hoops...PLUS, when you buy something from CJ they take forever for a payment to post, so I prefer to pay by CC. BOA is pretty good with disputing charges that aren't yours (not that I've had to do that yet, but I hear they are).

I did my best to find the most informative of the discussions that took place on creditboards:

"MY CARD # WAS STOLEN!!!!!!!!!!!!, CROWN JEWELERS?????"

http://creditboards.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=147821

date of first post: Jan 6 2006, 12:02 PM

"WTF with Crown Jewelers & Security??, The need to hire a new Webmaster!"

http://creditboards.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=220421

date of first post: Dec 7 2006, 04:29 AM

"Looks like I may have some attempted ID Theft..."

http://creditboards.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=310475

date of first post: Jan 14 2008, 02:55 PM

"NFCU DEBIT CARD SHUT DOWN!, Fradulant Activity"

http://creditboards.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=310988

date of first post: Jan 16 2008, 11:55 AM

"Identity theft on 3 cc accts!, I think it's Crown Jewelers fault..watch posting your pymts"

http://creditboards.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=310611&hl=crown

date of first post: Jan 14 2008, 11:04 PM

[Chester P. Dexter]

I've bought two things from them; the necklace is great; the earrings were kind of disappointing so I gave them to a friend.

I guess I had to use a credit card to do the down payment. (Didn't have to, but that's what I did to get the purchase rolling.) But as for actually paying the bill, I mailed them a check. Their online payment system looks sketchy so I bypassed it and paid the old fashioned way with a check in the U.S. mail.

[LeslieR]

Good job, stilltrying!

Like I said, I think the best thing to do is pay them via online bill pay (not THEIR online billpay - you're own bank's...those checks don't indicate your account number), or by money order although that seems like a huge PITA. As AboveAverage pointed out to me in PM, there all kinds of billpay methods out there, and some credit cards (like BofA) allow you to generate a one-time card number to put at a site you don't necessarily trust - but the charges go back to your "real" BofA card.

Just don't go to CJ's site and pay your bill there with a credit card.

It's funny, I just watched a rerun of the Sopranos last night...the one where Artie finds out they've been capturing credit card numbers at his restaurant.

I just read they busted a local bagel shop where all the rich kids from a known wealthy high school eat their lunch and hang out after school...one of the employees was doing this same thing. Recently, some no-name local gas station was at it.

It can happen anywhere and anytime. Just watch your statements daily (that can be obsessive) or at least weekly online. God knows we're all online.

OK so that was a bit of a

but still semi-relevant. Back to CJ...I still say it's well worth it. I don't think CJ is the one ripping people off (except with their overpriced jewels...LOL), I think it's a website security issue. But I could be wrong. Those in the Dallas area may chime in with actual stories of their physical location(s)? I wonder what they are like...if they are as jive as their website.

[AboveAverage]

Good job, stilltrying!

Like I said, I think the best thing to do is pay them via online bill pay (not THEIR only billpay - ...

I wouldn't personally mind doing that, but I just want the transaction done with them as quickly as possible. I actually have CJ set up through my bank's bill pay, but I do not want to send them a check. They take horribly long to process a regular CC payment. I've always envisioned that my funds would stay there 2-3 weeks longer than they had to. The CC payment at least I can count on. The only "checks" that I write through online bill pay is my landlady and HSBC auto.

Folks, you are still protected with your CC zero liability program if you ever get a charge that isn't yours. You even have some of those protections if not the same if you use a CC-branded credit card.

If CJ had enough complaints from folks who used the credit cards, then like Artie in the Sopranos, the CC company (which was Amex in Artie's case), would shut down their merchant account.

It's a valid worry and concern, but as someone who has already gone through that hell, I have already taken and am taking steps to make sure it don't happen to me. As Leslie says, check your account at least weekly (though I personally do it daily...I'm online anyway, why not?)

[creditreformer]

some credit cards (like BofA) allow you to generate a one-time card number to put at a site you don't necessarily trust - but the charges go back to your "real" BofA card.

how/where do you do this? i'd like to pay by cc or paypal b/c frankly, i don't even have real checks any longer- all bills are paid through online bill pay or through a place like ING that cuts the check on my behalf and mails it to the co.

i think i'll go for it...i'm losing 1.2k in available credit by early 09 b/c i'm canning my orchards and first premiers, so CJ would help make up for that loss and then some. plus, it may be nice to show a CL of 2.5k (even if it's w/CJ) BEFORE my BA 99/500 graduates so they'll be more inclined to give me a nice CLI.

btw, does anyone have any recommendations for something that doesn't look/feel like a POC from CJ? i don't wear jewelry (not even a watch- but I do like the fossil watches, but they're ridiculously overpriced), but was thinking of maybe giving a friend my fabulous CJ gift. just didn't find anything that looks overly appealing. help me spend my whopping $30-50 'af' w/CJ please haha

[LeslieR]

If you can handle the inqs., you could go for the Sterling Trifecta (or even just one of them if you don't want the three inqs.) They don't require a purchase before they report. But I think eventually you do need to buy something to keep it open? Not sure?

[AboveAverage]

some credit cards (like BofA) allow you to generate a one-time card number to put at a site you don't necessarily trust - but the charges go back to your "real" BofA card.

how/where do you do this? i'd like to pay by cc or paypal b/c frankly, i don't even have real checks any longer- all bills are paid through online bill pay or through a place like ING that cuts the check on my behalf and mails it to the co....

It's called "ShopSafe". If you go into your BOA account and click on your 99/500, you should be able to see it. Basically when I use it, I create a limit that's double the amount of what I want to charge (to avoid overage) and make it last only two months. This way if someone hacks it three months later the fake card is no longer good anyway. It really is a nice feature.

As for helping you pick out your free gift, try contacting our female friends on CIC...I think DeannaTX actually likes some of the stuff.

Keep in mind though that it's all crap. I had to be talked out of NOT getting an engagement ring from there as I was going to do the $750 and make monthly payments so I wouldn't have to deal with the downpayment and get a CLI.....lmao, thank God I followed that advice.

[AboveAverage]

If you can handle the inqs., you could go for the Sterling Trifecta (or even just one of them if you don't want the three inqs.) They don't require a purchase before they report. But I think eventually you do need to buy something to keep it open? Not sure?

For me, they pulled TU once and then EQ for the rest.

I have since used the latest EQ method to get them removed. I'll be back to the 2 INQs shortly.... :lol:

[LeslieR]

I got the small "sterling silver"?? hoops. Lovebug5 swears the stuff isn't really silver - she might be right as I've had them almost a year and they haven't tarnished at all. But they are very small and look decent. And my ears haven't fallen off despite my having worn them three or four times.

[creditreformer]

If you can handle the inqs., you could go for the Sterling Trifecta (or even just one of them if you don't want the three inqs.) They don't require a purchase before they report. But I think eventually you do need to buy something to keep it open? Not sure?

Can’t really handle the inqs right now for the trifecta, but thinking about it down the road. Next inqs are probably going towards a car loan (next 1-2 mos.). Don’t foresee myself really using CJ or the trifecta much beyond ‘relatively cheap way to get a decent CL.’ Right now, I’m in the mid-high 600s. REALLY hoping to hit 700s by the end of the year/early 09. ultimate goal of course is to be more attractive to prime lenders (Citibank/chase/usaa mc) @ the time of my next app spree (probably mid-late 09).

[creditreformer]

It's called "ShopSafe". If you go into your BOA account and click on your 99/500, you should be able to see it. Basically when I use it, I create a limit that's double the amount of what I want to charge (to avoid overage) and make it last only two months. This way if someone hacks it three months later the fake card is no longer good anyway. It really is a nice feature.

As for helping you pick out your free gift, try contacting our female friends on CIC...I think DeannaTX actually likes some of the stuff.

Keep in mind though that it's all crap. I had to be talked out of NOT getting an engagement ring from there as I was going to do the $750 and make monthly payments so I wouldn't have to deal with the downpayment and get a CLI.....lmao, thank God I followed that advice.

thanks for the BA tip- never noticed that. yeah, i know it's all crap, but i figure maybe i can find something semi decent to give a friend for their bday. as long as it doesn't 'look cheap'/turn their ears/arm green, i'll be happy hahah

[creditreformer]

For me, they pulled TU once and then EQ for the rest.

I have since used the latest EQ method to get them removed. I'll be back to the 2 INQs shortly.... :lol:

tu's not a problem (0 inqs yay), but EQ's a little nasty (12, but most are nearly 2 yo). got 'can't verify info' when i tried the EQ method (i had put 'inquiry' in the title), so have to wait 2-3 wks to try again w/o the word 'inquiry' in there. also using CIDP to see if that helps w/EQ inqs. my only issue w/the trifecta is i need a car loan within the next 4-6 wks, so really want to save inqs for that.

[creditreformer]

I got the small "sterling silver"?? hoops. Lovebug5 swears the stuff isn't really silver - she might be right as I've had them almost a year and they haven't tarnished at all. But they are very small and look decent. And my ears haven't fallen off despite my having worn them three or four times.

Thanks- that sounds like a decent choice for a friend’s bday gift. I’ll order today and pay by paypal or BA like Above suggested, so hopefully I’ll be ok/it will report soon.

[borgman72000]

... Those in the Dallas area may chime in with actual stories of their physical location(s)? I wonder what they are like...if they are as jive as their website.

I've only been into there Arlington location at Six Flags Mall. Imagine a glorified Wal-Mart jewelery counter and you've about got it. I pay my bill there in cash.

[LeslieR]

I've only been into there Arlington location at Six Flags Mall. Imagine a glorified Wal-Mart jewelery counter and you've about got it. I pay my bill there in cash.

That's sort of what I was imagining.

[AboveAverage]

I always imagined a store a little better than one of those mall carts selling faux-jewelry.

[LeslieR]

There's one here in Southern CA malls called "Kevin Jewelers" - they advertise on all the "urban" radio stations and the employees look like they are gang-affiliated. The stores have no seating, nothing comfortable - just counters. I never looked at what was in the cases. I doubt they serve lattes. But that's kind of what I was picturing CJ to be like.

EDIT: Just 'cause I'm procrastinating, I decided to look at Kevin Jewelers' website to see if it was any better than CJ's:

http://www.kevinjewelers.com/

It's just about exactly the same! I'll bet it's the same company, just called something different in this region (or they at least use the same web developer). I don't see anything about any in-house credit, however. And this part really cracked me up (in light of what I just said about their store), from the "About Us" section:

"Kevin Jewelers neo-classic store design presents an upscale image while creating an inviting atmosphere in which to shop. The dark green Italian Verde marble walls are complemented by the natural stained maple wood showcases. For this aesthetic look, Kevin Jewelers was awarded a $10,000.00 prize by Homart Development Co. for its outstanding store design! The look creates a warm traditional ambience making the store an impressive choice for customers purchasing important gifts such as those for birthdays, weddings and anniversaries."

[lovebug5]

I wonder if they have my giant diamond-encrusted crucifix ready as of this evening.

[AboveAverage]

DF got the "free gift" in the mail. She was not amused....

Looks like I'll be doing the "Every kiss begins with Kays" dance in October. Get her some good diamond studs.

I told DF she did not have to keep the earrings, I could just give it away to someone. (No one in my family could ever wear CJ...it has to be real due to allergies...mom, sister and niece).

[creditreformer]

I believe they have a cj in calif- or they used to. It had obnoxious lighting and tacky jewelry. think spencer's gifts quality wise. As for Kevin jewelers, lol I’ve been there. Ca has a ton of nasty jewelry stores like that. I don’t have allergies, but just never got into jewelry. i’m not proposing to anyone, so don’t really have a reason to do the kays dance/sterling trifecta. Utilization is good even w/o cj- 1-5%, but I figure CJ’s 4 digit CL will help my ficos/utilization on the mos. (like last mo.) when I have to use my ccs more than usual.

[AboveAverage]

I believe they have a cj in calif- or they used to. It had obnoxious lighting and tacky jewelry. think spencer's gifts quality wise. As for Kevin jewelers, lol I’ve been there. Ca has a ton of nasty jewelry stores like that. I don’t have allergies, but just never got into jewelry. i’m not proposing to anyone, so don’t really have a reason to do the kays dance/sterling trifecta. Utilization is good even w/o cj- 1-5%, but I figure CJ’s 4 digit CL will help my ficos/utilization on the mos. (like last mo.) when I have to use my ccs more than usual.

I think a good part of the reason I wanted the sterling trifecta as well as Hooters was because I was denied. You know the saying you want what you can't have...but then once you get them......it's conquered and on to the next thing....(just like dating, I suppose.... lmao!)

No but you obviously seem to have a good plan, I really will be using Kays or maybe even Jared's for the ring stuff. I really enjoyed getting my butt kissed....