My buddy has had some credit trouble in the past. He skipped out on a few CC payments, etc. when he was in his 20's.

Got into his 30's and discovered that even though he could afford the payments, noone would finance a car for him. Asked me about it and the discussion that ensued revealed these skips.

I worked with him to get all of those items resolved. All of his former credit problems were solved for less than $1K, which is sooo silly that he didn't just pay the darn bills...

Anyway - pulled his credit reports the other day, and NONE OF THE 3 agencies would provide a credit score, even when we opted to pay for same. Each gave a "system problem prevents providing your requested score"-like message.

Here's what I think is "up". He has ZERO activity on 2 of the 3 agencies. No adverse reports, but no accounts are shown either. It's like he doesn't exist as far as they're concerned, credit-wise.

I suspect "no score available" is because he has ZERO credit history.

I'm thinking he needs to get some sort of loan to get at least some activity going.

He's got some ready cash available. I'm going to suggest he purchase a CD, say for $1000 or $1500 at his bank. Get a 1 year instrument. Then turn around and borrow $1000 from the bank on an installment loan. Make regular, on-time payments for 1 year to pay off the loan.

That should establish some credit-bureau activity that should help him get going, right?

He's applied for a CC in the last 6 or so months - just a GAP (clothing store) account, but he was denied.

We're planning some joint business ventures in the next 2-3 years, and those are impossible with his current "no credit score" situation.

Any other suggestions?

Secured credit card from Chase, or Citi stay away from Capital One.

Chase and Citi are best because the report every two days.

I have had two bad experiences with Chase.

I won't tell my story over again but during my former marriage we accumulated a lot of debt. I opened up an account with Chase at 0% for like a year then something like 8%. I let the ex-wife handle the money (stupid, stupid, since I'm where I'm at now) since she would freak out when I handled the bills (I was finally like, okay fine, it isn't worth you blowing up every two days, but I guess maybe it would have been to not have so much freakin' debt ).

One month I looked at the Chase statement. The APR was at 25%!! And had been there for a few months! I know it is my fault for not checking but like I said she took care of it. There were no extra purchases or late payments or anything. I called them immediately and they then told me I could freeze the account at 25% before they raised it to 32%! I was like okay do that, I transferred the balance the next day.

A few years back they did the same thing. All of a sudden my APR was like 20% with no warning.

I have never had that happen with any other cards. But I am no longer carrying credit cards and I only have two left with balances. When they are paid off....bye...bye.

wbrian... Tell your buddy to buy an old Mercedes for cash!!

years ago i was somewhat in the same boat as your buddy.i had no credit history.i always paid cash.well one day i needed some tires,the store was advertising 90 days same as cash.i had money for 2 tires but wanted 4.so they had me fill out a credit app,well it came back denied.guy told me i needed to go somewhere and apply for credit.i told him thats what i was doing there.seems like nobody wants to be the first.he suggested buying say a t.v. from sears and making payments.i said i had gotten lots of loans thru the bank,but evidently those don't go on your credit report.

He should be able to get a Sears card, they give those away to anyone. I got one just for the 10% they give at time of purchase and never used it. Eventually it turned into a platinum Discover card all by itself.

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1984 300TD