Question about late payment on CC

[49erinnc]

I really have no excuse other than it being a pretty new card (Office Depot) and I just flat out forgot to make a payment on time. I was 2 days late. Hadn't missed one before that but just hadn't set up my BillPay yet at the time of missing the payment which I have since done. Stupid on my part but just one of those things that happened and I regret it.

I don't mind the late fee ($29) but I was wondering if making a phone call to them could possibly get them to not mark it as late, as to not affect my credit report. I've worked my butt off to get my credit back in decent shape and haven't had any dings to it in years. Has anyone had any luck/experience with getting off the hook in similar situations? Or will I be wasting my time even calling them?

 

[Reckoner]

Originally posted by: 49erinnc
I really have no excuse other than it being a pretty new card (Office Depot) and I just flat out forgot to make a payment on time. I was 2 days late. Hadn't missed one before that but just hadn't set up my BillPay yet at the time of missing the payment which I have since done. Stupid on my part but just one of those things that happened and I regret it.

I don't mind the late fee ($29) but I was wondering if making a phone call to them could possibly get them to not mark it as late, as to not affect my credit report. I've worked my butt off to get my credit back in decent shape and haven't had any dings to it in years. Has anyone had any luck/experience with getting off the hook in similar situations? Or will I be wasting my time even calling them?

They'll probably let it slide the first time, if you give them a call.

 

[Unheard]

Worst you would do is waste your time like you said, make the call.

 

[Mill]

999/1000 times you will not see you credit report "dinged" by a 2 day late payment.

 

[Reel]

Call them and explain the situation. Many places will let you get one freebie. Be respectful and remorseful and honest.

 

[Sphexi]

Originally posted by: Mill
999/1000 times you will not see you credit report "dinged" by a 2 day late payment.

It normally takes a 15+ day late payment to show up on your credit score. Not worth their time or effort to report on 2 days. Some credit agencies will only show 15-30 days or more late (I think).

 

[KarenMarie]

It happened to me on more than one occasion...not with the same card, either.

Normally, they don't mark your credit report with a late payment unless it happens two payments in a row.... or unless you are habitual.

Call them an explain, they will probably tell you the same thing.

 

[courtjester123]

It's a tough call since it's a pretty new card and you have not had the time to establish yourself as a good customer, but it's definitely worth a phone call. They don't want to piss off their customers. I've had good luck getting several different CC companies to reverse late fees and remove finance charges since I almost always pay in full. Just tell them you got it into the mail late, you were on vacation or whatever.

 

[49erinnc]

Well, I just called. The lady was VERY nice and even offered to waive the late fee but I told her I had already paid that and didn't mind doing so since it was my fault. But she told me that the late payment was already reported to the Credit Bureaus and there was nothing she could do at this point to reverse that.

So, now I'm just really hoping that those of you that said a 2-day late payment isn't gonna hurt me much are correct. Just makes me sick considering how good I've been with stuff like that over the last several years after screwing up my credit so bad in the early 90's.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Originally posted by: Mill
999/1000 times you will not see you credit report "dinged" by a 2 day late payment.

I believe a late payment is 30-days late. I've been 1 day/2days late many times. I'm about to call because I missed my payment by 32 minutes. Stupid lunch with a friend went too long and I logged on at 2:32 PM, which is 5:32 PM EST, which is past the 5PM deadline. I'll call Citi and make up an excuse.

I'm late like 1/3 of the time on this CC because its my first one due, my AMEX comes a week later so usually I freak and pay my Citi and log right into the AMEX and schedule it so I don't forget. Bleh. Same with my parents. They forgot this time around too and I believe my mom amde up some random excuse and got the fee waived for her Citi.

And no, we don't have financial issues. We pay our balance in full. I ought to start using scheduled payments or something..

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: 49erinnc
Well, I just called. The lady was VERY nice and even offered to waive the late fee but I told her I had already paid that and didn't mind doing so since it was my fault. But she told me that the late payment was already reported to the Credit Bureaus and there was nothing she could do at this point to reverse that.

So, now I'm just really hoping that those of you that said a 2-day late payment isn't gonna hurt me much are correct. Just makes me sick considering how good I've been with stuff like that over the last several years after screwing up my credit so bad in the early 90's.

You are freaking out over something you shouldn't be worried about. They are not going to mark you 30 days late over 2 days. That rarely, if ever, happens.

 

[crt1530]

Here's the deal. Most credit cards have a 20 or 25 day grace period. What this means is that you have 20 or 25 days past the statement date to pay the bill. If you pay within this period, the payment is credited as on time. If you pay in full (and paid in full the previous period), you will pay no interest. The payment is not 30 days late until 5-10 days after the "due by" date. So, if you pay a day or two late, it will not screw up your credit report, but it may screw up your standing with that particular company.

 

[Flashram]

They might jack your interest rate, but you won't get reported to a CRA for a 2 day late payment.

 

[jlbenedict]

Most creditors will not report "late" until after 30 days. There are laws in place explaining what is expected of "data furnishers" to the credit bureaus. If anything is reported, it must be correct and valid. Don't sweat over 2 days. Just make the payment and be done with it, and try to be on time next time.

Fair Credit Reporting Act explains this.