VICTORIA SECRET BAIT AND SWITCH

[Linnaea]

Few weeks ago I received an advertisement about a sale with Victoria Secret.  I went to check my cart to see of it was a significant savings.  When I went to check out it did that your preapproved and see what for... so I did.   I put my information in... Since on rebuilding phase I liked it was no credit pull.   I was preapprovef for a Victoria Secret Master Card only $200 but I took it... and it said can use for purchase today with the temporary number issued.   

But then the card comes and it's a store card.  I had saved the screen shot .. I called the Mastercard number and the recording even stated congratulations on my new Mastercard... so now I'm thinking they just made a mistake and sent wrong card.  Even the customer service at first said it was a master card... but then changed her tune and just rushed me off the phone.  I called back next day.  They said they would put in a inquiry.   Now I get 2 letters stating they had a glitch and oh well you can only have the store card or cancel.   

I feel like this was a Bait and Switch? I have the snapshot of approval I just cut out my address to share photo. Upon some research I read that this has happened before to others.  WTH?  

I hesitated posting. But I feel I should let others know... I don't think I have any recourse or action.  I paid my balance in full.   The VS Mastercard had more perks... I didn't want a store card.  But here I am... only time I will use is for underwear.  

[Linnaea]

If anyone has had this happen to them let me know.  

[Jeffster1]

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@Linnaea wrote:

Few weeks ago I received an advertisement about a sale with Victoria Secret.  I went to check my cart to see of it was a significant savings.  When I went to check out it did that your preapproved and see what for... so I did.   I put my information in... Since on rebuilding phase I liked it was no credit pull.   I was preapprovef for a Victoria Secret Master Card only $200 but I took it... and it said can use for purchase today with the temporary number issued.   

But then the card comes and it's a store card.  I had saved the screen shot .. I called the Mastercard number and the recording even stated congratulations on my new Mastercard... so now I'm thinking they just made a mistake and sent wrong card.  Even the customer service at first said it was a master card... but then changed her tune and just rushed me off the phone.  I called back next day.  They said they would put in a inquiry.   Now I get 2 letters stating they had a glitch and oh well you can only have the store card or cancel.   

I feel like this was a Bait and Switch? I have the snapshot of approval I just cut out my address to share photo. Upon some research I read that this has happened before to others.  WTH?  

I hesitated posting. But I feel I should let others know... I don't think I have any recourse or action.  I paid my balance in full.   The VS Mastercard had more perks... I didn't want a store card.  But here I am... only time I will use is for underwear.  

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Darn  That's really messed up. If it were me, I'd contact the Executive Offices of the issuing bank. 

Good luck!

[Linnaea]

I'm thinking I should do something.  Anymore, seems rules or coloring outside the lines is acceptable by companies.  But one misstep by consumer and that's a huge infraction.  

I'm still thinking the best course of action.  

[coldfusion]

I'd look up the address of the corporate offices of Bread Financial (i.e. Comenity) and then send a letter detailing what transpired including your interaction with Customer Service, via CMRR, addressed to the Office of Ralph Andretta.  If you don't get a satisfactory response file an online complain with the FDIC.  They may tell you to file a complaint instead with the CFPB which is OK but start off with the FDIC.   Odds are that the CEO would never see the letter but one of his handlers would and they would know who to route the letter to internally to handle it.

p.s. I suspect that the $200 limit was just the initial placeholder limit where once you receive and activate the card they'll inform and make available the entire amount that makes up the starting limit of the card.

[Guyatthebeach]

@Linnaea ,

I personally believe this is an error on Bread's part not yours. I would email the executive office and also send a certified letter to them. If Bread doesn't not resolve it by issuing you the correct card or if they don't respond within 30 days, I would file a complaint with the CFPB.

Please let us know the outcome.

Guyatthebeach

[Jeffster1]

I agree 100% with @Guyatthebeach. The approval clearly states that the OP was approved for the MC. 

[Linnaea]

Thank you ... I am going to do this. 

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@coldfusion wrote:

I'd look up the address of the corporate offices of Bread Financial (i.e. Comenity) and then send a letter detailing what transpired including your interaction with Customer Service, via CMRR, addressed to the Office of Ralph Andretta.  If you don't get a satisfactory response file an online complain with the FDIC.  They may tell you to file a complaint instead with the CFPB which is OK but start off with the FDIC.   Odds are that the CEO would never see the letter but one of his handlers would and they would know who to route the letter to internally to handle it.

p.s. I suspect that the $200 limit was just the initial placeholder limit where once you receive and activate the card they'll inform and make available the entire amount that makes up the starting limit of the card.

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[Linnaea]

Thank such great advice

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@coldfusion wrote:

I'd look up the address of the corporate offices of Bread Financial (i.e. Comenity) and then send a letter detailing what transpired including your interaction with Customer Service, via CMRR, addressed to the Office of Ralph Andretta.  If you don't get a satisfactory response file an online complain with the FDIC.  They may tell you to file a complaint instead with the CFPB which is OK but start off with the FDIC.   Odds are that the CEO would never see the letter but one of his handlers would and they would know who to route the letter to internally to handle it.

p.s. I suspect that the $200 limit was just the initial placeholder limit where once you receive and activate the card they'll inform and make available the entire amount that makes up the starting limit of the card.

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[Intuitive-sleuth]

I had this happen to me but with forever 21. Same credit limit, 200, and I asked for the master card not just the store card and I was happy about it. I thought 200? I'm going to have fun getting increases! When I got the card in the mail, it was only the store card. I thought I must've read it wrong? Same bank though....