topic Re: Amex… bad omen? in Credit Cards

Amex… bad omen?

HenryJumbo — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 05:37:48 GMT

So a while ago I received a solicitation to apply for an Amex Green Card a while ago in the mail, which I ignored. Personally I don’t see the appeal of charge cards over credit cards. Anyway a few months later I’m in the market for a new credit card (with a good FAKO score from Experian which I heard they usually pull). I submitted the pre-approval form thingy online and saw I was encouraged to apply for a Gold Card, Green Card, or Blue from American Express . So I applied for a Blue and was instantly approved for $2,000.

In the approval screen I saw that I’d have to wait 7-10 days for the card, which is no biggie because I didn’t need the card right away. So a few days past by and I’m wondering where the hell is my card, so I call the number and it says I have until the 20th to receive my card. I wait until the 20th and check my mail, nothing. I phone Amex and they ensured me the card wasn’t active and that they would overnight me a new card (this was on Friday btw). So I wait all day Sunday for UPS to come, mind you I don’t have the tracking number. I call Amex at 8PM and they look up the tracking, they said the card is on the track and I should be expecting my card any time now. Me knowing that UPS doesn’t deliver after 7PM was sort of disappointed that the customer service person didn’t wonder why the card haven’t been delivered since it was ‘supposedly’ shipped overnight as if that's normal.

So Saturday passes and nothing, *sighs*. I don’t blame Amex for the missing card, as I live in a not so grand area where mail theft is known to happen. Furthermore they didn’t have my apartment number, just my address the first time. However the overnight thing isn’t their fault either as the UPS guy probably was too lazy to deliver my package or attempt to deliver my package. I get the sense that when I call Amex Monday morning there going to tell me UPS attempted to deliver. I don't want to get labeled me as a trouble customer, especially since I never physically held the damn card yet.

Another interesting thing is my gf had the same problem with her Green Card which had to be reshipped.

My question is how common is this? I’m a brand speaking new customer. In business as in life first impression means a lot and I’m under the impress that getting an Amex card was a bad idea. I’m really ready to just call and cancel the card Monday as I don’t care about the drop in score.

Signed

A new Amex customer with buyers remorse.

Re: Amex… bad omen?

Anonymous — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 06:47:27 GMT

Well, first off, UPS doesn't run on Sundays. And I doubt the UPS guy was lazy, those guys move like their strung out on speed. Anyway, I assume this is an isolated case, as American Express is great with getting new cards to their cardholders. If you are having buyer's remorse, why not just call and cancel the card altogether?

Re: Amex… bad omen?

HenryJumbo — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 08:02:54 GMT

The replacement card was processed Friday (she even checked to make sure I met the deadline), which means the overnight was scheduled for Saturday, not Sunday. I recieved two USPS packages yesterday (Saturday) from the mail carrier lady. This means that Amex wasted money overnigthing a card that UPS didn't attempt to deliver (I was home the entire day). If you don't think this is possible you probably haven't ordered as much crap as I have online, for example If a postal person is running late and they don't want to do overtime they'll just say they attempted.

I went form being excited I got a new card, to waiting a week or so for a card that never came, then finally waiting for a overnight card that never came. Forgive me if the circumstances created doubts in my mind as to whether or not Amex is the right company for me. As I stated before my gf had the same issues with a card that never arrived and having to overnight a new one.

Re: Amex… bad omen?

LS2982 — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 11:46:28 GMT

Be patient, the card will come Monday.

Re: Amex… bad omen?

GST2008 — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 13:21:49 GMT

Sounds like the problem is the delivery services, not AMEX. The CRs at AMEX checked and sent it twice for you, once by overnight. You can't blaim AMEX if USPS lost it the first time or if UPS didn't deliver it. I've had the same issue with the "attempted" from USPS when I've been home the entire day. I don't blaim the vendor I did business with, I blaim the mail carrier that didn't do his/her job.

Re: Amex… bad omen?

webhopper — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 14:48:58 GMT

I think that you made a mistake when you applied when you failed to give or emphasize the apartment number. I look at this as a positive omen that they are trying to get a card in your hands despite having an incomplete address on file. How is the mail carrier supposed to deliver if there isn't an apartment number listed?

If you don't feel as though your mail is safe why not get a PO box? I just don't understand how this is amex's fault. Maybe I missed something?

Re: Amex… bad omen?

LS2982 — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 14:50:25 GMT

@webhopper wrote:
I think that you made a mistake when you applied when you failed to give or emphasize the apartment number. I look at this as a positive omen that they are trying to get a card in your hands despite having an incomplete address on file. How is the mail carrier supposed to deliver if there isn't an apartment number listed?

If you don't feel as though your mail is safe why not get a PO box? I just don't understand how this is amex's fault. Maybe I missed something?

Totally agree.

Re: Amex… bad omen?

gettnthere — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 15:49:57 GMT

@LS2982 wrote:
@webhopper wrote:
I think that you made a mistake when you applied when you failed to give or emphasize the apartment number. I look at this as a positive omen that they are trying to get a card in your hands despite having an incomplete address on file. How is the mail carrier supposed to deliver if there isn't an apartment number listed?

If you don't feel as though your mail is safe why not get a PO box? I just don't understand how this is amex's fault. Maybe I missed something?
Totally agree.

I Concur with these two.

Re: Amex… bad omen?

jsucool76 — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 16:04:00 GMT

@LS2982 wrote:
@webhopper wrote:
I think that you made a mistake when you applied when you failed to give or emphasize the apartment number. I look at this as a positive omen that they are trying to get a card in your hands despite having an incomplete address on file. How is the mail carrier supposed to deliver if there isn't an apartment number listed?

If you don't feel as though your mail is safe why not get a PO box? I just don't understand how this is amex's fault. Maybe I missed something?
Totally agree.

He didn't say it was amex's fault, he said he knows it isn't, but he doesn't want amex to get pissed at him for calling all the time to check up on his card. Haha.

I had the same issue with capital 1, my original card after PC never got here, so they overnighted me a card which never arrived, and then another card which did, then I recieved all 3 cards within 3 days, which triggered an automated fraud alert on my account. I knew something was wrong because Cap1 never overnights anyone anything

Good luck, I'm sure you'll get the card on monday, and then you'll be in love with it.

Edit: My bad, I didnt see the previous post where he said "I don't know if amex is the right company for me..." so disregard that first part.

Re: Amex… bad omen?

steve23111 — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 15:53:43 GMT

@HenryJumbo wrote:
I went form being excited I got a new card, to waiting a week or so for a card that never came, then finally waiting for a overnight card that never came. Forgive me if the circumstances created doubts in my mind as to whether or not Amex is the right company for me. As I stated before my gf had the same issues with a card that never arrived and having to overnight a new one.

Really?! You're wondering if AMEX is the right company for you because UPS is having trouble getting your package to you?

That's like having multiple packages from Amazon get lost in the mail while stuff you order from Target.com always makes it and then saying Amazon is a bad company because the Postal Service sucks. Pardon me, but I'm having a really hard time understanding this logic.

Trust me, AMEX is going to keep doing whatever they have to do to get your card to you. If it came down to it, this is the one company that would probably go as far as to have a private courier hand-deliver your card to you if all else failed!

Re: Amex… bad omen?

HenryJumbo — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 18:51:32 GMT

I don't blame Amex. I'm saying that I see this as a bad omen. I have recived a debit card from Commerce Bank (before it was TD Bank). Another debit card from TD Bank, Capital One (debit and credit), a card from Bank of America, and a card from Chase all by mail. I know Amex is doing its best to send me a card, I just don't want to bring any noise to my account and have them give me trouble for calling and requesting new cards so early. As jsucool76 stated I don't want the drama of a fraud alert thingy on my account.

Re: Amex… bad omen?

LS2982 — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 18:54:16 GMT

They would FR if your spending close to your annual income or something along those lines. If you haven't recieved your card that's something totally different.

Re: Amex… bad omen?

jsucool76 — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 18:56:50 GMT

@HenryJumbo wrote:
I don't blame Amex. I'm saying that I see this as a bad omen. I have recived a debit card from Commerce Bank (before it was TD Bank). Another debit card from TD Bank, Capital One (debit and credit), a card from Bank of America, and a card from Chase all by mail. I know Amex is doing its best to send me a card, I just don't want to bring any noise to my account and have them give me trouble for calling and requesting new cards so early. As jsucool76 stated I don't want the drama of a fraud alert thingy on my account.

Can't hate on the fraud alert too much. I would be suspicious if a bunch of cards were ordered for the same account. I think the main reason was because I had them shipped to my at school address, not my home address (Which wasn't on my account). All i had to go was go to the bank and get my identity verified, and I even got a second CC.

You should get the card by monday, don't worry about alerting amex, if worst comes to worst and they give you a fraud alert, it's for your own good to make sure no one jacked your cards.

Re: Amex… bad omen?

HenryJumbo — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 20:04:08 GMT

Thanks guys I'll just wait for my card Monday. I hope I don't have to make another phone call to Amex for a year lol. When it comes I will definitely remember how I came about getting my blue card.

Re: Amex… bad omen?

OptimalFICO — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 22:16:20 GMT

HenryJumbo, UPS doesn't automatically deliver on Saturdays unless that service is selected as it costs extra. With FedEx for example, there is a difference between "next day" and "next day with Saturday delivery." The AmEx rep may not have known there was an additional box to check. I have experienced this with Verizon several times. It will probably come on Monday. It's great that you are being diligent, but don't cancel your card as another suggested. AmEx typically has amazing customer service and it has always been my favorite credit card company to deal with for everything - CLIs, disputes, etc. I have the Blue Cash card and I am a very happy customer. I think it'll be worth the wait. If your area has a lot of mail theft, as you mentioned, consider getting statements electronically only (no paper statements) as this will help reduce the threat of ID theft.

Re: Amex… bad omen?

HenryJumbo — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 23:20:41 GMT

Thx I don't think I'll cancel the card. I have no ill-will towards Amex as I know it must of just been a fluke. And the delivery thing on Saturday makes a lot of sense. I'll keep you guys posted if anything else comes up, hopefully I can finally get around to enjoying the card Monday.

Re: Amex… bad omen?

Repo-ed — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 00:12:14 GMT

Whew - in a world where instant gratification test our logic and thinking

I'm sure we've all had the same crazy thoughts.

Re: Amex… bad omen?

jsucool76 — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 00:14:59 GMT

What they need to do is simply let everyone print out their credit cards at home as soon as they're approved. Give us special plastic (or metal for those of you with ur cool CSP) printers and stuff so we don't need to wait. The only thing worse than waiting for ur CC in the mail is when you're waiting for a decision.

Re: Amex… bad omen?

iMacDrew — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 00:28:02 GMT

Did Amex send you the pre package letter? Before I got the BCP I gotta letter a few days earlier with my EX Fico score and a letter saying why I was approved and when I should expect the card and 'welcome package'.

Re: Amex… bad omen?

HenryJumbo — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 07:26:49 GMT

@iMacDrew

No. The funny thing is when I got accepted for my Chase Freedom and Capital One Rewards card I didn't receive any letter showing my FICO score and reason ahead of the TOS and welcome. I read on the forums of people getting those letters showing the FICO pulled but I never received a single letter like that. As for Amex I didn't even receive the card let alone a letter showing the FICO pulled. I did however receive a pre-approval letter for the Green Card before I applied for the BC and recently (while I was desperately checking the mail for my BC) I got a RSVP for a Gold Card in the mail.

Now that I check the preapproval letters again I see that they do have my apartment number on it. I don't know why the customer service rep told me that they didn't have my apartment number. Ugh, did someone forget to mail out my card... and now their covering their butts by saying I didn't have the apartment?

I officially blame it on the Mercury retrograde.

In any case I'll be looking forward to finally having my card tomorrow. Hopefully this was just a fluke and not a sign of things to come. I will continue to have a positive attitude. This is the strangest card I ever got.