Comments on: Financial Troubles? Bend Over.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:39:14 +0000

I just came across your blog and this post on credit card companies just got me flared up.
I used to have this problem quite a lot when I had credit cards (which are all now long gone thank heavens), and I remember how intimidated I used to feel when they started on with their well rehearsed scripts.
Now I tell people in similar circumstances not to get intimidated and to use similar tactics back by threatening to complain to the credit card control governing authority and consumer affairs.
For anyone with a large credit card debt you can actually call the credit card co. and tell them that one of their competitors has offered you a reduction of (whatever % decrease is in-keeping with what others are offering… research that first) and that whilst it’s attractive you thought you’d call them first before you take up the other company’s offer. You’ll find they usually always will grant you the lower rate that you sought,.. or at least one that’s better than your current rate.
.-= Barbara´s last blog ..How to Get a Better Job =-.

By: Z

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 14:01:59 +0000

Um, UGH. That just SUCKS! I've had similar things happen (late due to technical glitches, once in the distant past -ie before online bill pay - a lost payment in the mail) and it's ALWAYS been easy to deal with and they've been reasonable on their end... Of course, that was before all of this economic crisis crap, so, if it happened again now? Who knows... I am so sorry this happened, and agree that it is total bullshit. WTF indeed. Zs last blog post..bwahaha

By: Joe

Joe — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 03:06:55 +0000

When you call them back, tell them that you’ll be posting your story to the Consumerist website (http://consumerist.com/), then do so. The LAST thing any bank or creditor needs is bad publicity.

Or, you can call them back and tell them you want to close your accoun t (they may tell you that you can’t do so until your account is paid off, and I can’t remember if that’s true or not). Sometimes they’ll transfer you to their “retention” department, and that’s when they may start making deals.

In the end, do you really want to give them your finance charges every month now that you know how they treat people. You’re probably best off transferring your balance to another card and closing your account.

Good luck.

Joes last blog post..Suck On This – Part II

By: Issa

Issa — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 02:57:06 +0000

I just got something saying they were raising my rates for no reason. I think they suck. Must be going under or something. Issas last blog post..Friend's don't let friend's go to play dates

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 02:19:22 +0000

You know, I hear of these nightmare stories from people and their credit cards. I gotta stand up for one cc provider. Wells Fargo has been our bank for almost 10 years now, and we have on occasion been late (gasp) with our payment. As long as it's not more than once a year or so, they have ALWAYS reversed the late fee, apologized for my inconvenience and been very nice. The interest rate has never been raised, and we are very happy with their level of customer service. I don't even work for WF, but I wanted to let you know - you might want to switch to WF and see if you get better service. I always have!! Sorry for your nightmare - collections people are the WORST!! Suzannes last blog post..On not getting a job today

By: Maura

Maura — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 20:58:48 +0000

I had the same problem with BofA not getting the bill from Capital One last month. I get the bills online but I don’t have them pay automatically so that I have to sign on and see what’s going on, otherwise this same thing would’ve happened to me.

When I went to BofA, they’d sent me a message saying they couldn’t get the bill from Capital One & I needed to go to the Capital One site to fix it. The stupid site just wanted me to update my security questions! They wouldn’t send a bill for that? I was surprised, but I fixed it, let BofA know and it got sent and paid on time.

I don’t think we should have to put up with this shit just because other people have made a complete mess of their credit — granted, sometimes it can’t be avoided, but sometimes it can — and people get punished for one-time things like this.

I paid off my Capital One card a couple years ago and since then they’ve been trying to get me to use it more. I’m not going to cancel it because I don’t want to reduce the amount of my available credit in the eyes of other lenders, but I’m going to stop using it. I don’t even use the stupid rewards.

I’m sure they’ll eventually send me another enticement to use their card and I’m going to tell them that I won’t because I don’t like the way they’re treating good customers.

By: christy

christy — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 19:46:05 +0000

I had this same exact problem a few months ago. However, Discover did reduce my interest rate for 25% to 12% when I called to complain.

By: Susan

Susan — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 17:41:29 +0000

I am livid for you just from reading that. TRANSFER THE BALANCE! I agree, F them. Susans last blog post..What day?

By: Luckily Heather

Luckily Heather — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 16:24:24 +0000

Capital One sent out a big mailing about how they've reveiwed people's accounts and were raising our interest rate to 23% effective 3/17 and you could call this number if you don't want to accept the changes and cancel you card. So I called thinking that once i threatened to cancel my card they might offer me something lower. NO! You don't even get to speak to a real person to cancel your card anymore. You just get an automated system and you card is cancelled. What happened to customer loyalty being something companies were after? Luckily Heathers last blog post..1/4 of a good hair day

By: PsychMamma

PsychMamma — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 00:53:32 +0000

Ugh. SOOO sympathizing with you! Except, instead of a credit card company, my very similar hassles have been with health insurance companies. Dealing with issues like this is just so infuriating. I hope your situation is ironed out soon and that it doesn't put you in a bad mood for a week like it does me. Sigh. PsychMammas last blog post..Success