Credit card rant

[CBW1999]

Yeah, those Facebook friends I have really want to look out for my best interest....:laughing:

Tell you guys what my real issue is about having to call to get authorization over $500 for a charge: I cannot hear nor use a phone of any type, meaning the cell phone call probably 99% of you take for granted isn't possible for me. To contact my credit card company I need to be at home and use a TDD, and 2/3rds of the time the TDD # at Chase isn't working so I end up using the Relay Center which means I have to provide all my CC information to a third party (Relay operator) and I absolutely HATE doing that. Wouldn't you?

Sorry for any perceived insensitivity. You are dead on- we all were taking the ability to hear as a given in dealing with this. NEVER would that have crossed my mind.

I certainly see your concern over using a third party relay for any of that. I also am skeptical about paypal at the "store". I use it regularly for on-line stuff but that is it.

So, all things considered, I guess it is more of a PITA for you than the rest of us. Given that, customer service should be more accommodating perhaps.

 

[kco]

For those in a family unit where one member maxes out the CC and pays interest (probably in range of 18% - 30%) and another member hardly uses a card, sounds like an opportunity for some creative financial planning / counseling. Even if the penny saver loaned the spender money @ 10% the family unit would be further ahead.

....and you have a BIG advantage over the credit card company---you know where to find them.

 

[Artisan]

If instead of signing the back of your CC w/ your signature, which
in turn gives the nafarious a template to COPY, if instead you write;
CHECK I.D. you gain a lot of protection, IMO. If you loose the card
and someone allows it to be used, and did not check ID then your
exhonorated. I would rather flash my ID ocassionally then deal w/
a loss. Works for me!

Additionally every now and then call the CC company and tell
them you want a new number. It kills the old card and anyone who
has that number now has squat. Works for me!

Nothing is foolproof. Even w/ the above if you use the CC online
you can still be had. Happened to me, some perv in I think it was
NZ or something bought something crazy. It was caught imediatly
by the CC company for it was a transaction "out of the ordinary".

Just call first and be thankfull someone is "automatically' looking
out for you.

( The post where the guy tells you to use the wifies cc was FUNNY though...)

 

[Mousefield]

Bird - we are still old fashioned enough in Canada that a lot of stations will let you pump gas first, then go inside to pay with CC, debit, cash. Bad areas are all pre-pay, some 24x7.

I seriously object to how they pre-authorize for $100, then take a long time (days) to release the hold when you pay at the pump. The airline scenario I would find hard to believe, if I had not been talking to a major CC company.

My favourite truck stop still allows you to pump more than $100 of fuel, then go in and pay for it - at least during the day. Nice if you have a good sized tank, having to do split transactions on pumps limited to $100 is a PITA, esp. if you are in a hurry, and want a full tank.

Rgds, D.

In the Province of British Columbia prepaying is the only way you can fill up. We had a person dragged to death by a gas and dash fellow, all for $12.00. So they made it the law that you have to prepay. I have a card from my local coop and fill it with $300. I get a 3% discount by doing this, I pay for it using my credit card and get money on it. When getting gas or diesel I have to go into the station and give them my coop card, they check to see how much is on it and then I go out and fill up. Sure cuts down on gas thefts by drive offs.

 

[timster2]

If instead of signing the back of your CC w/ your signature, which
in turn gives the nafarious a template to COPY, if instead you write;
CHECK I.D. you gain a lot of protection, IMO. If you loose the card
and someone allows it to be used, and did not check ID then your
exhonorated. I would rather flash my ID ocassionally then deal w/
a loss. Works for me!

I'm not so sure you get exonerated using this method. I sign the card and NEVER show ID. The merchant agreement between the CC and the merchant requires them to complete the transaction if the card is signed. They can call for authorization or do it electronically but that's all that is required. Why not show id you say? If indeed the person at the check out has nefarious intent showing your id just gave them the address that all the good stuff you just bought is going to. Think new big screen TV or bunch of tools they tell a friend who tells another and then your place gets broken into. I have never had a problem leaving the store with my purchases doing this.

 

[dmccarty]

Yeah, those Facebook friends I have really want to look out for my best interest....:laughing:

Tell you guys what my real issue is about having to call to get authorization over $500 for a charge: I cannot hear nor use a phone of any type, meaning the cell phone call probably 99% of you take for granted isn't possible for me. To contact my credit card company I need to be at home and use a TDD, and 2/3rds of the time the TDD # at Chase isn't working so I end up using the Relay Center which means I have to provide all my CC information to a third party (Relay operator) and I absolutely HATE doing that. Wouldn't you?

Yes, Yes, I would. Can you login into your CC account and update the information from a PC?

Later,
Dan

 

[BrandonR]

Yeah, those Facebook friends I have really want to look out for my best interest....:laughing:

Tell you guys what my real issue is about having to call to get authorization over $500 for a charge: I cannot hear nor use a phone of any type, meaning the cell phone call probably 99% of you take for granted isn't possible for me. To contact my credit card company I need to be at home and use a TDD, and 2/3rds of the time the TDD # at Chase isn't working so I end up using the Relay Center which means I have to provide all my CC information to a third party (Relay operator) and I absolutely HATE doing that. Wouldn't you?

Texts are an option too. I had to use my Amex to buy a set of pickup tires on my last trip, they sent me a text when they got the transaction, I only had to reply to it to free up the transaction.. I think it took 20 seconds or so out of my day.

 

[JDgreen227]

Texts are an option too. I had to use my Amex to buy a set of pickup tires on my last trip, they sent me a text when they got the transaction, I only had to reply to it to free up the transaction.. I think it took 20 seconds or so out of my day.

WELCOME TO TBN...and thanks for making your first post in a thread I started. Chase refuses to let me inform, inquire about, or verify any over $500 transactions via text messaging although I would prefer to do that. And CBW1999, you WERE NOT in the least insensitive with any of your responses...I should have made it clear in the initial post about my inability to use a phone to inform my card issuer about over $500 charges.

 

[Pixguy]

Why not just use another card? I've never had a bank question my purchases and have never had any stolen ID issues, but then again I use Lifelock.

I asked the same back when BOA started their charging ATM visits...... you don't like the rules, change the ruler.

Just saying......

 

[3930dave]

"Chase refuses to let me inform, inquire about, or verify any over $500 transactions via text messaging although I would prefer to do that."

Wow JD, even by Canadian standards, that is really lousy service.

I vote to ditch Chase too.

Rgds, D.

 

[JDgreen227]

"Chase refuses to let me inform, inquire about, or verify any over $500 transactions via text messaging although I would prefer to do that."

Wow JD, even by Canadian standards, that is really lousy service.

I vote to ditch Chase too.

Rgds, D.

Yes I agree....the problem is that the Chase card is the only once I have had long term and credit reporting agencies take a negative view (score wise) if you don't have any long term credit card accounts.

 

[Pixguy]

Yes I agree....the problem is that the Chase card is the only once I have had long term and credit reporting agencies take a negative view (score wise) if you don't have any long term credit card accounts.

True, but close the account, just use another and leave a zero balance. And at this age, is losing 5 or 10 points off your fico a big deal? But that won't happen anyways by just starting to use another.

 

[dave1949]

True, but close the account, just use another and leave a zero balance. And at this age, is losing 5 or 10 points off your fico a big deal? But that won't happen anyways by just starting to use another.

Unfortunately, credit scores get used in setting things like your home owner insurance rates, auto, etc. I think it's a scam, many older people don't have active revolving accounts, loans, etc. That lowers your score and raises your rates.

 

[MossRoad]

It's like saying they beat me with a stick. They've been beating me for 15 years and they don't do it very well anymore... so I'll let them keep beating me on thier terms, not mine. DUMP CHASE!

Go to a local credit union. Alway better service.
We have two cards. One has a $2500 max purchase and can only be used in neighboring states. If we go on vacation, we call them and tell them we'll be making purchases out of the normal area. That card is a debit/credit card tied to our checking account. We also get points back with purchases on that one. We pay it off every month. They call us to verify large internet purchases. They called us a couple months ago because the card was compromised, shut down the account before we knew about it and sent new cards that arrived in three days. That's great service. The 2nd card is for major purchases and is tied to our home equity loan. We use that one for purchasing cars, tractors, college tuition, etc....

 

[rtimgray]

Why not keep the Chase card and just get another one from another issuer? If the card you have costs you nothing to use, it will likely cost you nothing to keep and not use? I've got a couple of cards from Chase and a couple from other banks - I've not had any problems yet.

Good luck and take care.

 

[JDgreen227]

Thank you to everyone who has contributed and given advice and input on this thread. I spent a half hour discussing the situation I have with a customer service manager at Chase this morning...

They are unwiling to raise my current $500-limit-without-calling-for-authorization and gave me no useful advice as to how to contact them via text or email to obtain authorization for approval. Appears they basically have little regard for me as a customer because I am a DEADBEAT who never pays them a cent in interest....:laughing: HOWEVER, as I told them today, by limiting my charging they are basically cutting their own throats because if they did let me charge 2 or 3 grand at a time I would probably end up owing them interest on the balance.

So, I am getting a new card from my credit union to use for large purchases, as others have advised. I was most of all curious if others here had the same issue with having to contact their card issuers for verification or pre-authorization of large charge amounts. Chase did tell me if I started making frequent large charges they would most likely remove my current spending limits and they frequently told me "remember you have a limit of $20,000" and I told them that had no bearing on the my issue.

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

I was most of all curious if others here had the same issue with having to contact their card issuers for verification or pre-authorization of large charge amounts.

Never, just put $6,100 on the card this Tuesday. Pop the card into the machine - press OK - enter PIN - approved - less than 15 seconds.

 

[kco]

Thank you to everyone who has contributed and given advice and input on this thread. I spent a half hour discussing the situation I have with a customer service manager at Chase this morning...

They are unwiling to raise my current $500-limit-without-calling-for-authorization and gave me no useful advice as to how to contact them via text or email to obtain authorization for approval. Appears they basically have little regard for me as a customer because I am a DEADBEAT who never pays them a cent in interest....:laughing: HOWEVER, as I told them today, by limiting my charging they are basically cutting their own throats because if they did let me charge 2 or 3 grand at a time I would probably end up owing them interest on the balance.

So, I am getting a new card from my credit union to use for large purchases, as others have advised. I was most of all curious if others here had the same issue with having to contact their card issuers for verification or pre-authorization of large charge amounts. Chase did tell me if I started making frequent large charges they would most likely remove my current spending limits and they frequently told me "remember you have a limit of $20,000" and I told them that had no bearing on the my issue.

It looks like you have come up with a good solution.

I am definitely NOT a fan of banks and credit card companies. But I use them because I have to (banks) or it is too inconvenient not to (credit card). However, I can see why your credit card company is unwilling to remove the "call for over $500 limit" on your card since it is normally used for small purchases. They have likely developed procedures and automated survellance systems base on sound risk analysis and economics. Credit card companies assume a lot of risk and pay for a lot of fraud. Of course they more than compensate for it through their interest charges (paid by card holders) and transaction costs (paid by suppliers, but ultimately passed on to buyers).

I don't believe they view you as a DEADBEAT because you don't pay them interest. They still make money on the transaction costs, which I believe average 2%. We use our cards for virtually all purchases over $20 or so and average $3k to $4k per month. Like you, we never pay interest. But we still generate transaction fees of $70 per month for the card company.

 

[JDgreen227]

Never, just put $6,100 on the card this Tuesday. Pop the card into the machine - press OK - enter PIN - approved - less than 15 seconds.

Just curious...are you telling us you made a $6100 cash withdrawal or credit card purchase on your card using a machine? Even my local credit union limits withdrawal transactions to $500 per day.

 

[Bird]

I've not found my credit card companies hard to deal with so far. At one time, someone I never heard of in another city (college town) charged 2 months of AOL Internet service on one of my cards. I have no idea how they got my information, but the card company removed the charge and issued me new cards with a new number. Another time, one of my cards had two charges that were not mine; one in New York and one in Pennsylvania (maybe online purchases for all I know, but again the card company removed the charges and issued new cards with a new number).

And only one time in my life have I gone over my credit limit.:laughing: Nearly 20 years ago, I had a card that I thought (don't ask me why I made that mistake) had a particular credit limit. And besides the routine purchases that month, I bought a new computer and printer; about $2,000 at that time. Then a few days later I went to pay for gasoline, after pumping the gas, and the card was declined. I had to use another card. So when I got home and looked at my records, I saw the credit limit was $500 less than I had thought it was. So I promptly called the credit card company to apologize and tell them I was sending a check immediately. The lady said there was no problem, that she'd just increase the credit limit so it would not show that I'd ever gone over.