I had roughly the same experience as TiggerDat. No exaggeration: I called 28 times to finally get an opt-out. The upgrade letter that Walmart sends seemed fishy to me. It's not like they spend time explaining the mechanics of whether a new account will be opened. So I called very early during opt-out period to opt-out. Then about 4 days later, I called again to be sure. Then, while walking my dog, I was thinking about how banks have been going-rogue against customers (Chase anyone?) and thought: I need to be sure...they sound too sleazy everytime I speak to them. So I called one more time, and sure enough, I was not opted-out. I was furious. That's when the madmess started. First, take the obnoxious dialog that TiggerDat experienced. I had all of that. Then I asked to speak to an American (Synchrony reps are in Philipines). The American rep was obnoxious also. He told me that, if I did not like the card, no worries: I could simply not activate it, and in 90 days, it would fall off my credit report. I told him that I had the right to opt-out, and not have new account open in the 1st place. He said I should have called. I reminded him that I did. We went back and forth, with no luck. It was the weekend. I searched in vain for Synchrony Bank's corporate office online. Nothing. I called back, asked to speak, immediately, to another American, and that person me said that last guy was wrong. It's not 90 days. It's 120 days to wait without activating MC account before it drops off. I was even more furious. I called again the next day, and asked about the opt-out process. It took over 30 minutes for American rep to explain that there is a link that they click on, and when they do, there is pop-up box that asks them if they are sure, and if they say yes, that's it. If they try to do it again, then it will say that there is no ability to opt-out, because it has already been done. I made sure I was opted out, waited 2 days, called back...Philipina girl tried to convince me of benefits of MC. I said NO! NO! NO! I want OUT!!!! She said I was opted out. I waited 1 week, got itchy feeling on saturday afternoon, went to log into my blue Walmart account, and guess what I see: Instead of just the blue card, there is blue card and a yellow MC, and computer is asking me which one I want to "manage". I am LIVID! I call into to Philipines again. WHAT HAPPENED??!! They tell me that I should have opted out. I tell them that I did. I tell them that I will sue if they cram MC down my throat. I ask to speak to USA. Guy in USA starts arguing with me, telling me that they have the right to "upgrade" me if they so choose. We go back and forth arguing about whether it is a true upgrade, or a new account. I tell him that it does not matter. The only thing that matters is whether CRA regards it as new account. I ask him: "Forget all of that. Am I opted out or not." He says "No." I say, "Well, I would like to." He says...and I kid you not..."I would like to, but you are out of the opt-out period." By this time, I had logged about 22 calls from January 20th to around April 1st trying to opt-out. I ask to speak to manager. I said, "Fix it, or I am suing." Two hours later, the MC disappeared from my online account. Two days later, it was back. Three days later, hunted for Synchrony Bank management. Naturally, they hide really well so I typed up nice fat Fair Warning letter threatening to sue, and sent it to their media/press email address. Finally, I received a letter from Consumer Relations explaining to me that on my first call, they failed to opt out, second call, it was done, then third call, it was removed. I think this is a lie, to be honest. 20+ calls? Anyhow, the MC disappeared completely on my online account.
DO NOT TRUST THESE PEOPLE. THE ONLY REASON THAT I KEPT THEM FROM CRAMMING ME WAS THREAT OF A LAWSUIT.
