topic Re: You've GOT to be kidding me in Credit Cards

You've GOT to be kidding me

smc733 — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 17:37:35 GMT

**bleep** Amex.

I'm walking back from the gym, and my card which was supposed to arrive yestderday, didn't arrive today either, so I called to find out.

I get sent to the credit review department... **bleep**!!!!!! They need to verify and update info...

Please tell me I'm not getting F/R'ed before I even get the card!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: You've GOT to be kidding me

UFGuy2006 — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 18:02:54 GMT

Whoa that would be nuts if they are already F/Ring the card before you get it... hopefully not. Fingers crossed for you!

Re: You've GOT to be kidding me

smc733 — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 18:05:53 GMT

I know!

My apologies MarienVietVet, just got a little heated, so the editing of the post is totally understood.

Re: You've GOT to be kidding me

MarineVietVet — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 18:08:00 GMT

@smc733 wrote:
I know!

My apologies MarienVietVet, just got a little heated, so the editing of the post is totally understood.

I've been there also but we have to remember all the other folks who read these posts. Thanks for your understanding.

From a BK years ago to:
EX - 3/11 pulled by lender- 835, EQ - 2/11-816, TU - 2/11-782

"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem".

Re: You've GOT to be kidding me

mew — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 18:39:25 GMT

So if sending in something like documentation from the IRS doesn't satisfy a financial review, then what does? What would be the next level of information/documents they could possibly ask for?

Re: You've GOT to be kidding me

smc733 — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 18:46:05 GMT

So apparently, when the apps get submitted to a separate department, they don't pull down the info on file for the credit department.

As it stands, they just needed to update my income and employer, and everything should be all set. The card has NOT gone into the F/R department as of now.

False alarm, I suppose.

Re: You've GOT to be kidding me

Anonymous — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 22:07:27 GMT

To be honest smc733 after seeing you deal with them over this card for months now. It isn't even worth it. You'll realize soon that the express membership rewards has really crappy conversion at best 1% to 1.5%(if you use it on Amazon). American Express has amazing customer service and I funneled a ton of money through this card at times 4,000$ a month. I also have very good history with them but if they put me through any of what they're putting you through for this piece of plastic I wouldn't deal with them EVER. I would consider upgrading to green, gold, or pr gold (depending on your taste) but zync isn't very "rewarding". And even if you had those packs your just adding to your annual fee and in the bigger scheme of things that should be last thing you want if you're looking to optimize your rewards. But, thats just my two cent.

Re: You've GOT to be kidding me

smc733 — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 01:58:53 GMT

I realize that, but it looks like everything should be all set now.

Re: You've GOT to be kidding me

Anonymous — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 02:08:59 GMT

@smc733 wrote:
I realize that, but it looks like everything should be all set now.

Hope its worth it for you in the end. Lol, you definitely fought for that inquiry and tradeline.

Re: You've GOT to be kidding me

smc733 — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 02:35:13 GMT

Well, I want a non Visa/MC to pair with my BofA visa in my wallet, and I absolutely hate everything about my Discover card, so that leaves Amex...

Re: You've GOT to be kidding me

drsmith — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 02:39:09 GMT

I wish I could get the gold card in the form of the zync. The zync looks awesome, but the rewards really don't seem to add up to much.

Re: You've GOT to be kidding me

smc733 — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 02:55:54 GMT

@drsmith wrote:
I wish I could get the gold card in the form of the zync. The zync looks awesome, but the rewards really don't seem to add up to much.

To me, rewards are secondary.

A good mobile app/website

Good customer service

Good benefits

Showing pending charges

Are all more important to me than earning a bit extra on rewards. If I use my cards for my daily spending, get the benefits of credit, and occasionally get some $25 thrown at me for a statement credit, I'm thrilled.

Re: You've GOT to be kidding me

ScoreBooster — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 03:39:05 GMT

The folks at AMEX are the most arrogant guys out there.

When I had an account with them, made huge transactions (about $10K/month) and was always current. All of a sudden, they wanted to have a look at ALL documents and numbers of my business, claiming they got "suspicious" because the visitor-counter on my business-website (which I added a week earlier) was so low. Funny, huh?

I told them they could keep their "services" and that my business-numbers won't be shared with anybody - excpept the IRS if they ask me to.

What I learned that day is that their "no spending-limit" is a huge bogus - in fact, if you have a CL, you can at least depend on that.

Re: You've GOT to be kidding me

Anonymous — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 06:07:14 GMT

@ScoreBooster wrote:
The folks at AMEX are the most arrogant guys out there.

When I had an account with them, made huge transactions (about $10K/month) and was always current. All of a sudden, they wanted to have a look at ALL documents and numbers of my business, claiming they got "suspicious" because the visitor-counter on my business-website (which I added a week earlier) was so low. Funny, huh?

I told them they could keep their "services" and that my business-numbers won't be shared with anybody - excpept the IRS if they ask me to.

What I learned that day is that their "no spending-limit" is a huge bogus - in fact, if you have a CL, you can at least depend on that.

+++1

They are a total PITA.

They're either willing to loan someone money or they're not. It shouldn't make a difference what that money is being spent on, it's none of their business.

And I'm not trying to stir something up here at all, but if somebody's claim to fame is "AMEX will allow me to borrow from them!", I think somebody's priorities are a little bit off.

I mean no disrespect, but credit limits/card types/APRs, etc. mean nothing.

What does mean something is you, and how you live on your own hook.

Re: You've GOT to be kidding me

Anonymous — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 11:55:57 GMT

@smc733 wrote:
Well, I want a non Visa/MC to pair with my BofA visa in my wallet, and I absolutely hate everything about my Discover card, so that leaves Amex...

Well if it doesn't pan out and you still want an Amex you could try one of the cards that uses Amex as a payment network... BofA, Fidelity, Citi (?), a few others. Less of the hassle same network. And I could completely understand why you had Discover..I alway pre-screen companies by calling before I apply. They didn't make the cut.

Re: You've GOT to be kidding me

Anonymous — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 12:02:56 GMT

@ScoreBooster wrote:
The folks at AMEX are the most arrogant guys out there.

When I had an account with them, made huge transactions (about $10K/month) and was always current. All of a sudden, they wanted to have a look at ALL documents and numbers of my business, claiming they got "suspicious" because the visitor-counter on my business-website (which I added a week earlier) was so low. Funny, huh?

I told them they could keep their "services" and that my business-numbers won't be shared with anybody - excpept the IRS if they ask me to.

What I learned that day is that their "no spending-limit" is a huge bogus - in fact, if you have a CL, you can at least depend on that.

I would axe them in a heart beat if they asked for verification. What matters is I get the credit and you get paid on time. And you're correct "NPSL" doesn't equal unlimited spending in fact I talked to a CSR and she said it's determined by your average payment made, credit, income, etc. Well..."duh". So they're just a credit card company that has non listed limit so you can be PIF in the month.

I'm glad they haven't gave me any of that mess.

Re: You've GOT to be kidding me

Anonymous — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 13:01:35 GMT

I tend to disagree that a specified cl is better than no specified limit in that it is dependable. In the last few months we've seen forum contributors talk aout how as they paid down a balance on a cc, their cl dropped as well (month after month until their balance was "0" and their credit line was "0.") Then last week one person said that their card was up for renewal and the ccc closed their account instad of sending new cards because of high balances on other accounts in their credit file. I also read here where a ccc cut the cl of a cardholder because of a number of inquiries in a short period of time. And if you have $3k cl, try getting a $3k cash advance. So it would seem that almost anything is negotiable anymore. A $5k credit line might pay $5k of your attorney's fees or a $5k down payment of a card or your $5k Sallie Mae balance or it might kick back "transaction declined" (and not just with Amex.)

Re: You've GOT to be kidding me

smc733 — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 14:31:01 GMT

I like the charge card mentality, it fits well with someone who PIFs both cards every month. (And I can give garbage Discover the boot).

Re: You've GOT to be kidding me

Anonymous — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 15:21:19 GMT

@smc733 wrote:
Well, I want a non Visa/MC to pair with my BofA visa in my wallet, and I absolutely hate everything about my Discover card, so that leaves Amex...

Why is this exactly?

Re: You've GOT to be kidding me

Jazzzy — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 15:38:02 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@smc733 wrote:
Well, I want a non Visa/MC to pair with my BofA visa in my wallet, and I absolutely hate everything about my Discover card, so that leaves Amex...

Why is this exactly?

I feel the same way about our Discover cards. We mostly use them for the 5% cash back rewards up to their measly rewards limits. I get irritated when they advertise about being the best reward card. Not so for us.

They don't pay cash back at all for use at stores such as WalMart. We're in a small town, and WalMart is the cheapest and best in town, yet no rewards from Discover. Also, you have to spend up to a certain amount each year until you get even their standard low cash back....like $3k before you start getting rewards??? [You'd have to read the fine print for the details...I haven't read them in awhile.]

Also, when they have a cash back offer on clothes (for example) and you buy clothes at (for example) Nike...no rewards if it is categorized as "merchandise" rather than clothing. I've talked in circles with Discover after having used the card for their specified 5% back category and then not having the charge qualify for their reward because of how it was coded.

I think their highly-touted cash back program is a scam...and most people don't pay attention to the nitty gritty details and lose out.