topic Re: AMEX FR Scare in Credit Cards

AMEX FR Scare

Anonymous — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 22:13:40 GMT

It's official, I'm living in fear of AMEX. Two nights ago I bought my girlfriend a gift from Saks and the cashier had to swipe my AMEX three times. The first two times she said it was "rejected." I had used it earlier in the day for three small purchases (<$100) so after the first mis-swipe I just assumed the cashier put it in the wrong way -- as it turns out, a lot of them get confused by the Clear card and which side the strip is on. After the second mis-swipe I started to panic a little.

I know the whole AMEX FR/declining cards issue is overblown on these forums, but for some reason I can't seem to use the card without worrying about it. I've only had it for 7 months, but I've never carried a balance, and before this month I had never charged more than 10% of the CL. I haven't paid for the purchases from Saturday yet, but right now it's around 40% util.

I can't be the only one worrying about their AMEX card right?

Re: AMEX FR Scare

Anonymous — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 22:44:11 GMT

I'm beginning to feel most of the hype is a result of Amex marketing itself as the "I've arrived!" card. Sure,

FRs happen. That's no reason to enjoy the product less. If they close it, they close it.

Re: AMEX FR Scare

LS2982 — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 22:48:57 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I'm beginning to feel most of the hype is a result of Amex marketing itself as the "I've arrived!" card. Sure,

FRs happen. That's no reason to enjoy the product less. If they close it, they close it.

AMEX is not the only CCC out there. Yea you feel like you've accomplished alot with your credit getting one, but by no means are they the be all end all of CC's.

Re: AMEX FR Scare

Anonymous — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 22:51:24 GMT

Could it be something as simple as the reader at Saks be bad ?

Re: AMEX FR Scare

Anonymous — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 23:00:58 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Could it be something as simple as the reader at Saks be bad ?

Yup, that's exactly what it was. I know I shouldn't worry about a FR, I just can't help it. I've decided to make AMEX my primary card. I figure the more I use it, the less I'll worry.

Re: AMEX FR Scare

Anonymous — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 23:10:32 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Could it be something as simple as the reader at Saks be bad ?
Yup, that's exactly what it was. I know I shouldn't worry about a FR, I just can't help it. I've decided to make AMEX my primary card. I figure the more I use it, the less I'll worry.

Maybe. Maybe not.

Re: AMEX FR Scare

Anonymous — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 23:15:10 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Could it be something as simple as the reader at Saks be bad ?
Yup, that's exactly what it was. I know I shouldn't worry about a FR, I just can't help it. I've decided to make AMEX my primary card. I figure the more I use it, the less I'll worry.
Maybe. Maybe not.

I'll let you know how it goes

Re: AMEX FR Scare

Anonymous — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 23:48:44 GMT

I posted a similar issue on another post earlier today....

i cant live in fear.... ill use it and if i get FR ill throw a visa down and deal with it....

in the past ive had a VISA declined for no reason at all as well. they claimed fraud but there was no abnormal use. that was their version of a FR

Re: AMEX FR Scare

Anonymous — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 00:10:45 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I posted a similar issue on another post earlier today....

i cant live in fear.... ill use it and if i get FR ill throw a visa down and deal with it....

in the past ive had a VISA declined for no reason at all as well. they claimed fraud but there was no abnormal use. that was their version of a FR

That's actually one of the largest factors contributing to my AMEX anxiety. Currently the only place I use my AMEX is Costco, and recently Saks, both of which only accept AMEX. I don't have a debit card, and I typically don't walk around with enough cash to cover a trip to Costco (or a gift from Saks). My logic going forward is this; if I use AMEX frequently and show them that I'm capable of using it and also pif, they won't bother me

Re: AMEX FR Scare

bostonte — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 00:46:46 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Currently the only place I use my AMEX is Costco, and recently Saks, both of which only accept AMEX.

That's odd, since not only do I rotinuely make purchases at Saks with my Visa, but the Saks co-brand card is a MasterCard.

Re: AMEX FR Scare

Walt_K — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 00:50:36 GMT

@bostonte wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Currently the only place I use my AMEX is Costco, and recently Saks, both of which only accept AMEX.

That's odd, since not only do I rotinuely make purchases at Saks with my Visa, but the Saks co-brand card is a MasterCard.

Yeah, never heard of Saks not taking Visa. Neimans accepted only Amex, but I thought I read recently that they were doing away with that.

In any event, to the OP, do you have other credit cards? If so, why let this bother you. If Amex gets shut down, just use a different card. There's no sense worrying about it.

Re: AMEX FR Scare

LS2982 — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 01:09:36 GMT

I never heard of any business accepting just AMEX. I thought MC was accepted everywhere.

Re: AMEX FR Scare

Anonymous — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 03:47:51 GMT

@Walt_K wrote:
@bostonte wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Currently the only place I use my AMEX is Costco, and recently Saks, both of which only accept AMEX.

That's odd, since not only do I rotinuely make purchases at Saks with my Visa, but the Saks co-brand card is a MasterCard.
Yeah, never heard of Saks not taking Visa. Neimans accepted only Amex, but I thought I read recently that they were doing away with that.

In any event, to the OP, do you have other credit cards? If so, why let this bother you. If Amex gets shut down, just use a different card. There's no sense worrying about it.

Oh, right. I always confuse Saks/Neiman in regard to the AMEX only thing. Yes, I do have other CCs, and I do use them everywhere I can. However, Costco doesn't accept anything but AMEX.

@LS2982 wrote:
I never heard of any business accepting just AMEX. I thought MC was accepted everywhere.

Costco.

As in a previous post, I don't worry about AMEX getting declined when I know I can just use a different card. I just don't want to be at Costco (or anywhere else, though I can't think of another store) where AMEX is my only option. I'm sure some of you have been through it, but I can't imagine having my one and only form of payment declined at the register with a line of people behind me!

Re: AMEX FR Scare

bichonmom — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 03:53:35 GMT

I don't think you have anything to worry about. I think it is because we're reading so much about it here. And of course, people are *only* going to post when they *are* FR'd and not when they're not.

On a side, I shop at Costco at least 1x a week and just pay by check. (The Costco Amex is on my goal list.) If heaven forbid something did happen, you can always just pay by ck. Since you're a Costco member, they don't even ask for I.D.

Re: AMEX FR Scare

Anonymous — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 03:58:50 GMT

@bichonmom wrote:
I don't think you have anything to worry about. I think it is because we're reading so much about it here. And of course, people are *only* going to post when they *are* FR'd and not when they're not.

On a side, I shop at Costco at least 1x a week and just pay by check. (The Costco Amex is on my goal list.) If heaven forbid something did happen, you can always just pay by ck. Since you're a Costco member, they don't even ask for I.D.

Yea that's what I keep telling myself. Like so many others have said, some people (myself included) are just paranoid.

And yes, bringing a check is a great idea -- this is what I used to do before I got an AMEX. I actually bring a check with me everytime I go to Costco, just in case!