What the f**k?

[ExLimey]

Okay, I'm a credit counselor so I deal with credit card issues all day long but this one has me chuckling. Oh what lengths creditors will go to to mislead customers.

I just received an e-mail from one of my credit card companies stating that I could get "a fixed 1.9% APR on balance transfers". The kicker part was that it's fixed until my August 2002 billing cycle, then it goes to my regular APR.

My comment is HOW THE FUCK DO THEY CONSIDER THAT FIXED if it changes after 5 months? To me that's the same as an introductory APR! This is from a pretty decent company too, not the usual list of suspects who pull shit like this. I'd prefer not to name names but there are several companies to stay away from at all costs. They tend to go after people in trouble and end up "feeing" them into oblivion.

Not really a question here, although I worded it like one for the thread title. What I'm saying folks is READ THE FINE PRINT when dealing with credit cards, it's amazing what you'll learn. I always tell my clients, "When you get a credit card offer in the mail don't read the front, turn it over and read the back first!"

 

[Weird Harold]

I always tell my clients, "When you get a credit card offer in the mail don't read the front, turn it over and read the back first!"

Or better yet, if you get an unsolicicted "pre-approved" credit card app in the mail, feed it to the shredder unread. (If you've got a heavy duty shredder, don't even bother opening it.)


I've been known to tell tele-marketers that tell me I'm pre-approved or, "because you've got such good credit..." that the reason I've GOT good credit is becausee I hang up on people like them!

 

[phrodeau]

It's a personal affront to talk with most telemarketers, and I make sure they know it. They always start by assuming I am paying too much for a service they can offer for less. I tell them it's provoking and insulting of them to question my fiscal management.

Lately I heard from an outfit that had sent me mail offers. I asked them if they could make the envelopes thinner so I wouldn't have to open them to shred them.

 

[ExLimey]

Lately I heard from an outfit that had sent me mail offers. I asked them if they could make the envelopes thinner so I wouldn't have to open them to shred them.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you're wrong to do this because I think it's funnier than hell, but I just can't bring myself to be that blunt to people (even those that deserve it).

 

[phrodeau]

OK, ExLimey, here's a question. If you're a credit counselor, I assume you manage your personal credit pretty well. Have you ever seen an unsolicited offer in your mail, or heard of one from a telemarketer, that was actually better than your current plan?