Credit Card Question

[JohnT]

This isn't any big thing. Just call them up and complain. They'll waive the charges if you're firm (and polite!) enough.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Nivek
I don't understand this. I have a UK credit card, got the bill today and have till fourth of February to pay.

So I can either pay in at my bank (not my card issuer) or mail a cheque in the next week or so.

I never have a problem. Are there tighter time-scales in North America?

With my specific card it's a problem.

Prior to this I had a Royal Bank Visa card, and they gave about 3 weeks for payment after I received the bill, and it never was a problem.

But they decided that they wouldn't do a no-annual fee student Visa card program anymore and wanted to charge me $20/year to use their card, with next to no advantages. So I canceled it and got a BMO Master Card. And they want the payment received (I just called them and they said they don't care when it was postmarked or dated, it's the day they get it they care about) within a week after I get it.

Stupid Frogs.

[tandeetaylor]

Originally posted by Asher
it's the day they get it they care about

More like the day they finish processing it.

[Imran Siddiqui]

I always find it odd when I go to the US and it's rare to find a place that has Interac (the system where you can pay for something using your ATM card).

If you can pay by credit, you can use your ATM card here.

[Nivek]

A charge to have a credit card?

The UK voted with its feet...result..no credit card charges.

The companies make enough on commission!

[Jon Miller]

credit cards that reuire anual fees are only for those (in the US at least) who have bad credit or no credit (and even those with these problems can usually find a credit card somewhere that will take them for no annual fee)

JOn Miller

[cavebear]

If you have a good payment record, call them. They will generally adjust such things as penalties if you have been a good customer. Speaking to them over the phone usually gets better results than writing to them. The customer service representatives have considerable leeway in making such adjustments.

[Kontiki]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui

I always find it odd when I go to the US and it's rare to find a place that has Interac (the system where you can pay for something using your ATM card).

If you can pay by credit, you can use your ATM card here.

Really? How come I've always run into problems? Don't you need to have one of those Visa Cheque Cards or something? Here, you just use your joe average ATM card and it takes cash straight out of your ordinary chequing or savings account. Is it the same in the US?

I was in Buffalo (*shudder*) a few weeks ago and tried to buy a few things at this mall. No place would take my card (and not because it was Canadian), and we're not talking mom and pop operations here - big time players like A&F and Banana Republic. I also ran into the same problem when I was in Boston. It worked a few times in NYC and in Seattle (used to go there alot when I lived in Vancouver), but it still wasn't as common as I find in Canada.

I understand why - it costs alot for a bank to offer this service, and many smaller banks that you find in the US cannot afford it, so don't take any of this as a knock against the US

[Boris Godunov]

Originally posted by Kontiki
Really? How come I've always run into problems? Don't you need to have one of those Visa Cheque Cards or something? Here, you just use your joe average ATM card and it takes cash straight out of your ordinary chequing or savings account. Is it the same in the US?

Ah, therein lies the difference. Most big banks in the U.S. have their ATM cards also double as Visa/MasterCard check cards.

[Ramo]

Whenever possible (nearly everywhere except small food stands, etc.), I use a dual Visa check/ATM card to pay. I rarely carry around cash any more.

[Sten Sture]

Originally posted by Ramo
Whenever possible (nearly everywhere except small food stands, etc.), I use a dual Visa check/ATM card to pay. I rarely carry around cash any more.

This is the kind of techno-evil that is screwing up the Feds ability to target money supply!! I suppose then that you keep a low balance in your checking account and transfer money from savings when you need it. You probably even get your paycheck direct deposited. How are they supposed to keep track of how much money is in circulation??

[spartak]

I always pay my credit card bill by phone - takes no time at all...

[Harovan]

In what poor, backward countries are bills still paid with cheques? I forgot long ago, how they look like.

[Worthingtons]

Look, why havent you paid your bill with electronic banking systems?? Have you not heard of a direct debit?? or is Canada too backwards to have them or something!?!?!

Basically, you can call your card issuer if you want, they'll probably laugh at you, and if they have any sense they'll just say 'fine' if you decide to close your account.
Have you not thought that you dont actually earn the company any money if you pay off your account in full each month, its not like youre any loss to them.


If you dont want to pay Interest , Dont use a Credit card!!!
nuff said

[loinburger]

I've had my ******* credit card company send me a coupla "questionable" bills (such as one where they chargned me $25.00 for being two days late on a $2.16 bill payment). In all cases I've sent them a letter basically saying "You are all inferior human beings who can wrap around my ass, and please cancel my card," and every time I've received a letter in reply basically saying "Oh we're sorry for sending you such an absolutely stupid credit charge, please ignore that bill we sent you and if it makes you feel better the go ahead and disembowel our accounting department." Eventually they're going to figure out that they haven't made a dime off of my business, but until that day comes I'm going to continue to send my "Wrap around my ass" letters in response to their idiotic charges.