topic Re: Unbelievable - Macy`s Card is actually worse than Capital One in Credit Cards

Unbelievable - Macy`s Card is actually worse than Capital One

Anonymous — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 01:27:14 GMT

I cant believe it, I actually found a creditor that is worse than Capital One when it comes to actually doing anything.

In my last app spree I thought I would test Macys to see if they were still blacklisting me for the BK in 1996. To my suprise, the account was approved and the credit card arrived. When I finally went to the website to purchase something -- It came back card declined. Ok, so they changed their mind or I slipped through the cracks on the approval. So I call the number fully expecting to be told that the account was recsinded. Nope, everything looks fine on this end and it *SHOULD* be working as was given quick excuses in trying to get me off the line. When I pressed that my account was being declined, only then did the rep try to get someone to look at it. ON hold for 10 minutes... no hold refresh... but whatever. I wasnt able to get anyone ( really ????? ) but we will look into it and it should be fixed in a few days.

3 days later... My online account summary no longer works.... I try again to make an online purchase.... declined! I send in an online message hoping to get someone better [ mod cut ] ... I get a message back... Sorry but you need to call. I calll...... [ mod cut ]... You account is ok for you to go make purchase. Oh it is? I try again online.... Nope, nadda, we arent taking it.

I call back..... now the phone tree isnt letting me connect to China and offers me self service options... One is..... "Close account"...Which I press.... The auto voice comes back and says " This account has been closed at your request "... No sorry, no attempt to save. Pretty bad service .....but at least something with macy`s credit actually works at least.

Re: Unbelievable - Macy`s Card is actually worse than Capital One

azguy13 — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 01:35:24 GMT

Wow, that is terrible. I guess they did not want to work for your business. Their loss, not yours. It is hard to believe there is a lender out there worse than Cap1 though, lol.

BTW, my biggest pet peeve is heavy accents wth customer service reps. If I have to ask them to "say again" more than once I get quite angry. Most likely I will either hang up or demand to speak to their supervisor. With sprint, I just call the cancellation line and they give you whatever you want.

Re: Unbelievable - Macy`s Card is actually worse than Capital One

Anonymous — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 01:49:14 GMT

@azguy13 wrote:
. With sprint, I just call the cancellation line and they give you whatever you want.

Apparently when you select the option to cancel -- so does Macys!

Oh well, no big loss for me really. The nearest store is 45 miles in a direction I seldom travel. At least I learned they apparently dont black list like they used too, but if you have problems..... Dont expect it to get fixed.

Apprently, I`m not the only one to experience this.... The reply to this was quite interesting.

http://www.pissedconsumer.com/reviews-by-company/macys/coudnt-use-my-new-macys-store-credit-card-after-being-accepted-the-day-before-20110906260093.html

"Second, Its unfortunate that your friends referred you blindly into opening an account at Macy's. It used to be known as an excellent card to open a few years ago. But with all the changes to the card it just isnt so anymore. interest rate is at 24% and you are charged late fee's left and right. The card is through Citi bank. So there is another problem. Unlike Nordstroms who runs their card themselves, Macy's allows others to do their dirty work

Third, Anytime you want anything to be resolved with you card you must go in store if you want to get anywhere. When calling from the number on the back of your card you will get the complete run around and its a 50/50 chance anything will be resolved. However, the associates in the store have a direct number to credit where its almost always an american who is there to quickly get you in and out. Once you have the associate call you need to immediately ask... for a supervisor to resolve any issue at hand."

Re: Unbelievable - Macy`s Card is actually worse than Capital One

randeman — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 03:02:30 GMT

Wow! Sorry about your luck there. That was terrible. I haven't had any issues with Macy's (other than their belts suck). Once again, YMMV, I guess.

Re: Unbelievable - Macy`s Card is actually worse than Capital One

FinStar — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 03:30:52 GMT

@randeman wrote:
Wow! Sorry about your luck there. That was terrible. I haven't had any issues with Macy's (other than their belts suck). Once again, YMMV, I guess.

That really sounds pretty messed up. I've been a Macy's cardholder for over 15+ years (including the Bloomingdale's relationship) - and a Citi customer for over 20+ and I've never had any major issues at all. I would agree with randeman, it's probably a YEMV kind of thing.

Re: Unbelievable - Macy`s Card is actually worse than Capital One

GlocksAndCredit — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 04:00:19 GMT

WOW! Really!? "Your account has been closed, have a great day!"

Re: Unbelievable - Macy`s Card is actually worse than Capital One

09Lexie — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 04:06:27 GMT

That is horrible. I wonder what was wrong with the account?

Re: Unbelievable - Macy`s Card is actually worse than Capital One

Anonymous — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 04:45:41 GMT

@09Lexie wrote:
That is horrible. I wonder what was wrong with the account?

No idea. Probably some computer glitch that no front line outsourced call center employee would have the authority to fix, and would take multiple calls to reach resolution on. I called back later to confirm that the account was closed..... Apparently not since the auto system was telling me my balance was 0 and my limtit was $300.

Here we go again. lol

Re: Unbelievable - Macy`s Card is actually worse than Capital One

Anonymous — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 04:47:27 GMT

@collinsridge wrote:
WOW! Really!? "Your account has been closed, have a great day!"

It did ask me if I was sure and gave me the chance to say yes before that.

Re: Unbelievable - Macy`s Card is actually worse than Capital One

CreditScholar — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 06:37:55 GMT

@FinStar wrote:
@randeman wrote:
Wow! Sorry about your luck there. That was terrible. I haven't had any issues with Macy's (other than their belts suck). Once again, YMMV, I guess.
+1

That really sounds pretty messed up. I've been a Macy's cardholder for over 15+ years (including the Bloomingdale's relationship) - and a Citi customer for over 20+ and I've never had any major issues at all. I would agree with randeman, it's probably a YEMV kind of thing.

Maybe they have different levels of service based on how valuable they think you are as a customer? It wouldn't be uncommon for people to be sorted into tiers based on profitability, with the lowest tiers getting the worst service.

Re: Unbelievable - Macy`s Card is actually worse than Capital One

azguy13 — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 06:49:24 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@azguy13 wrote:
. With sprint, I just call the cancellation line and they give you whatever you want.

Apparently when you select the option to cancel -- so does Macys!

Oh well, no big loss for me really. The nearest store is 45 miles in a direction I seldom travel. At least I learned they apparently dont black list like they used too, but if you have problems..... Dont expect it to get fixed.

Apprently, I`m not the only one to experience this.... The reply to this was quite interesting.

http://www.pissedconsumer.com/reviews-by-company/macys/coudnt-use-my-new-macys-store-credit-card-after-being-accepted-the-day-before-20110906260093.html

"Second, Its unfortunate that your friends referred you blindly into opening an account at Macy's. It used to be known as an excellent card to open a few years ago. But with all the changes to the card it just isnt so anymore. interest rate is at 24% and you are charged late fee's left and right. The card is through Citi bank. So there is another problem. Unlike Nordstroms who runs their card themselves, Macy's allows others to do their dirty work

Third, Anytime you want anything to be resolved with you card you must go in store if you want to get anywhere. When calling from the number on the back of your card you will get the complete run around and its a 50/50 chance anything will be resolved. However, the associates in the store have a direct number to credit where its almost always an american who is there to quickly get you in and out. Once you have the associate call you need to immediately ask... for a supervisor to resolve any issue at hand."

I am sure many others had bad experiences just based off what happened to you. I don't really like to read those review websites only because 3/4 of the time its people complaining about getting their car repo'd after not paying for a year. Granted, that is a terrible situation and nobody wants it to happen, its what happens when you don't pay. I was just readng some reviews for an auto loan and that made up most of the reviews.

Re: Unbelievable - Macy`s Card is actually worse than Capital One

djc1puno — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 07:58:26 GMT

wow! what an experience!

Re: Unbelievable - Macy`s Card is actually worse than Capital One

silverzgirl — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 11:58:02 GMT

Macy's was an excellent card until a few years ago when they decided to use a "charge card" idea. I found out my 3K limit had gone *poof* when I went to buy 75 bucks worth of makeup (I had around 1400 on the card--I was a frequent flyer.) I had to call in each time I wanted to use the card. I sockdrawered it instead. I should not have to ask permission to buy a tube of mascara or a set of bath towels.

Clearly the money daddy thing did not work and too many people sockdrawered them. They reinstated credit lines.

Two years later, I got my CL line back, but only 1300 bucks. I owed around 1000. I paid it off so we shall see what happens. I think that in the three years since they did the money daddy scheme, I used it for a grand total of 34 dollars in charges. 1300 is not a great limit, and the quality of the merchandise has gone downhill; they were my go-to for work pants but then they went to stuff that looks like yoga pants.

Re: Unbelievable - Macy`s Card is actually worse than Capital One

navigatethis12 — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 12:43:51 GMT

@azguy13 wrote:
I am sure many others had bad experiences just based off what happened to you. I don't really like to read those review websites only because 3/4 of the time its people complaining about getting their car repo'd after not paying for a year. Granted, that is a terrible situation and nobody wants it to happen, its what happens when you don't pay. I was just readng some reviews for an auto loan and that made up most of the reviews.

Most reviews for banks are about things that are the customer's fault. They say they were only a few days late and the company won't refund the fee. They say they only overdrafted three times last month and it was only for $100 and the bank closed their account. It seems people think insolence is tolerated by lenders and bank, but it is not. With Macy's it's always someone sending the payment to the wrong account and complaining about Macy's having two seperate accounts for the card.

Re: Unbelievable - Macy`s Card is actually worse than Capital One

FinStar — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 14:03:45 GMT

@CreditScholar wrote:
@FinStar wrote:
@randeman wrote:
Wow! Sorry about your luck there. That was terrible. I haven't had any issues with Macy's (other than their belts suck). Once again, YMMV, I guess.
+1

That really sounds pretty messed up. I've been a Macy's cardholder for over 15+ years (including the Bloomingdale's relationship) - and a Citi customer for over 20+ and I've never had any major issues at all. I would agree with randeman, it's probably a YEMV kind of thing.
Maybe they have different levels of service based on how valuable they think you are as a customer? It wouldn't be uncommon for people to be sorted into tiers based on profitability, with the lowest tiers getting the worst service.

I would concur CreditScholar. I have the Macy's Preferred AMEX (formerly the Preferred Visa) and I've never encountered any issues since I've had the card. Same on the Bloomingdale's side, I have their Reserve AMEX line and not an issue. As you pointed out, and from a revenue/profitability perspective with brands/products/services, the higher the loyalty/tier status, the less issues one tends to experience.

Re: Unbelievable - Macy`s Card is actually worse than Capital One

FinStar — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 14:07:08 GMT

@navigatethis12 wrote:
@azguy13 wrote:
I am sure many others had bad experiences just based off what happened to you. I don't really like to read those review websites only because 3/4 of the time its people complaining about getting their car repo'd after not paying for a year. Granted, that is a terrible situation and nobody wants it to happen, its what happens when you don't pay. I was just readng some reviews for an auto loan and that made up most of the reviews.
Most reviews for banks are about things that are the customer's fault. They say they were only a few days late and the company won't refund the fee. They say they only overdrafted three times last month and it was only for $100 and the bank closed their account. It seems people think insolence is tolerated by lenders and bank, but it is not. With Macy's it's always someone sending the payment to the wrong account and complaining about Macy's having two seperate accounts for the card.

Sure, there are times when companies make mistakes - absolutely. However, more often than not, it's usually the above described scenarios.

Re: Unbelievable - Macy`s Card is actually worse than Capital One

Anonymous — Sat, 24 Aug 2013 00:31:53 GMT

@FinStar wrote:
@CreditScholar wrote:
@FinStar wrote:
@randeman wrote:
Wow! Sorry about your luck there. That was terrible. I haven't had any issues with Macy's (other than their belts suck). Once again, YMMV, I guess.
+1

That really sounds pretty messed up. I've been a Macy's cardholder for over 15+ years (including the Bloomingdale's relationship) - and a Citi customer for over 20+ and I've never had any major issues at all. I would agree with randeman, it's probably a YEMV kind of thing.
Maybe they have different levels of service based on how valuable they think you are as a customer? It wouldn't be uncommon for people to be sorted into tiers based on profitability, with the lowest tiers getting the worst service.
+1
I would concur CreditScholar. I have the Macy's Preferred AMEX (formerly the Preferred Visa) and I've never encountered any issues since I've had the card. Same on the Bloomingdale's side, I have their Reserve AMEX line and not an issue. As you pointed out, and from a revenue/profitability perspective with brands/products/services, the higher the loyalty/tier status, the less issues one tends to experience.

That may be true when comparing a 25 year customer that spends thousands with you on a yearly basis to someone that rarely uses the account or is new.

However.........................

No level of customer should be given an account, told they have X amount limit, and when the go to use the card it comes back declined -- even for a $10 purchase and the only thing a CSR can tell said customer in broken english is basically. " Your account looks good on this end....please go away ".

About that....... what was it? Oh yes " revenue/profitability perspective "..... You make exactaly 0 - ZERO when you treat any level of customer that way and deny that there is even a problem.

Re: Unbelievable - Macy`s Card is actually worse than Capital One

Anonymous — Sat, 24 Aug 2013 00:38:41 GMT

@silverzgirl wrote:
Macy's was an excellent card until a few years ago when they decided to use a "charge card" idea. I found out my 3K limit had gone *poof* when I went to buy 75 bucks worth of makeup (I had around 1400 on the card--I was a frequent flyer.) I had to call in each time I wanted to use the card. I sockdrawered it instead. I should not have to ask permission to buy a tube of mascara or a set of bath towels.

Clearly the money daddy thing did not work and too many people sockdrawered them. They reinstated credit lines.

Two years later, I got my CL line back, but only 1300 bucks. I owed around 1000. I paid it off so we shall see what happens. I think that in the three years since they did the money daddy scheme, I used it for a grand total of 34 dollars in charges. 1300 is not a great limit, and the quality of the merchandise has gone downhill; they were my go-to for work pants but then they went to stuff that looks like yoga pants.

Agreed. I only applied because I was going on an all out blitz before I banished myself to the garden for 2 years and I wanted to see if they blacklisted like a lot of people claim they do. I expected to get declined.... Even expected to be told the first time that my account was under review and later be told it was cancelled. I didnt expect to be told the account was fine with a $300 limit.... and that there was nothing wrong or any reason why it would decline a small $10 purchase.

I really dont need Macy`s so it was a no brainer to cancel the thing..... Which after further checking appears to be the only thing they could do right.

I thought capital one`s CSR`s were clueless, unempowered, and of little use.... until I called Macys.

Re: Unbelievable - Macy`s Card is actually worse than Capital One

score_building — Sat, 24 Aug 2013 04:35:18 GMT

Sounds like the account just needed to be unlocked with a simple validation of some personal info perhaps, much ado about nothing really. Macy's has a gajillion accounts, ish happens. Nothing special, like Nodstrom can be for e.g. but wouldn't venture to compare their cs to cap1.

Re: Unbelievable - Macy`s Card is actually worse than Capital One

randeman — Sat, 24 Aug 2013 05:41:54 GMT

@CreditScholar wrote:
@FinStar wrote:
@randeman wrote:
Wow! Sorry about your luck there. That was terrible. I haven't had any issues with Macy's (other than their belts suck). Once again, YMMV, I guess.
+1

That really sounds pretty messed up. I've been a Macy's cardholder for over 15+ years (including the Bloomingdale's relationship) - and a Citi customer for over 20+ and I've never had any major issues at all. I would agree with randeman, it's probably a YEMV kind of thing.
Maybe they have different levels of service based on how valuable they think you are as a customer? It wouldn't be uncommon for people to be sorted into tiers based on profitability, with the lowest tiers getting the worst service.

You may be onto something there. I am an "elite" card holder with Macy's, since I spend $2500 a year with them. As far as I know, though, the only customer service perk that they advertise with this level is that I move to the head of the queue when I call credit and customer service. I don't ever recall speaking to someone with the kind of accent that would lead me to believe that the calls are routed overseas. I did speak to one guy in the past who didn't know what I was talking about and gave me misinformation, but that was clarified a few hours later when I called back. Otherwise, no problems.