Is American Express for real?

[Anonymous]

I had an issue one time with my EveryDay card and the CSR was quite short with me on that particular issue. Few months later, I had to call in on my PRG, that CSR bent over backwards to find the problem and ended up fixing it quickly, then stayed on the line to answer some obscure inquiries that I had, even digging through old charges to rattle off points earned on several of them.

I find, being from a CSR background myself, that it doesn't matter how prestigious or run down a company is, one will always find themselves at the mercy of a CSR who shouldn't be one.

Remember y'all, this is a game, play by the rules and you'll do fine. Try to jump the gun and they're well within their rights not to give you anything.

Oh, final thought: If you need to do a pre-qual before applying, then you're looking for loopholes to get something you might not need to begin with. Those who know they have good credit do not need mailers or pre-qual websites.

[sccredit]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Oh, final thought: If you need to do a pre-qual before applying, then you're looking for loopholes to get something you might not need to begin with. Those who know they have good credit do not need mailers or pre-qual websites.

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I don't think that is true at all.  You can see my profile below.  I have cards from most major issuers and doubt I would have a problem getting approved by any creditor (maybe with the exception of Chase for a few more months on 5/24) and I normally look at prequals before I app.

You seem to be looking to discredit OP.  He had a bad experience.  Whether it was a bad CSR or bad training it, ultimately, falls on Amex.  That CSR is a representative of the company.  Whether they failed to train the CSR properly or no is not the OPs fault, it is American Express' fault.  If I fail to train a dispatcher properly and a load does not get delivered is it the customer's fault or mine?  I have close to 200 employees, most of which are the front line of communication to customers.  If I have an issue with a driver's interaction with a customer it is my problem, whether it is training, attitude, or something else.  Whatever the underlying issue is does not negate my responsibility to my customer.  

[Anonymous]

The OP had a bad experience, yes, one. The problem with that is, the OP then came here, trying to smear AMEX as a whole for the actions of one bad experience.

In *my* experience, I have found that stepping back and taking a look at the big picture helps tremendously. One bad CSR does not cause me to scream at the entire organization, it causes me to try again, and if I get yet another bad CSR, then I'll walk away and take my business elsewhere.

Yes, a CSR is front line contact, but that doesn't negate the responsibility of the consumer. No, the customer is *not* always right.

I am personally one of those customers of AMEX that squeaked in with mediocre scores and now I hold the ED, Platinum and PRG cards (in that order of approval). Had I got all pissy for not getting approved for the ED card, I would not have any of them. It started at 1k, now it's at 6k.

The OP thought he/she was entitled to bowing and scraping from AMEX. Walk into a business relationship with that mindset and one will almost always be disappointed.

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:
The OP had a bad experience, yes, one. The problem with that is, the OP then came here, trying to smear AMEX as a whole for the actions of one bad experience.

In *my* experience, I have found that stepping back and taking a look at the big picture helps tremendously. One bad CSR does not cause me to scream at the entire organization, it causes me to try again, and if I get yet another bad CSR, then I'll walk away and take my business elsewhere.

Yes, a CSR is front line contact, but that doesn't negate the responsibility of the consumer. No, the customer is *not* always right.

I am personally one of those customers of AMEX that squeaked in with mediocre scores and now I hold the ED, Platinum and PRG cards (in that order of approval). Had I got all pissy for not getting approved for the ED card, I would not have any of them. It started at 1k, now it's at 6k.

The OP thought he/she was entitled to bowing and scraping from AMEX. Walk into a business relationship with that mindset and one will almost always be disappointed.

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I think AMEX has done a good enough job at smearing their own image over the last 10 years. Stupid management is one of those ways. 

Let's see... Visa and MasterCard charge less per dollar on each transaction, yet, can offer similar or better products. AMEX should be increasing the benefits and rewards on their cards, not keeping them the same and increasing the annual fee (BCP). AMEX Blue (regular), Green, Delta Gold,  regular Gold charge, and BlueSky are not great cards. American Express should only have great cards... Trim the fat a little AMEX, start the Delta at the $195 version. They should ditch the green and come out with a bronze card. 

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:
The OP had a bad experience, yes, one. The problem with that is, the OP then came here, trying to smear AMEX as a whole for the actions of one bad experience.

In *my* experience, I have found that stepping back and taking a look at the big picture helps tremendously. One bad CSR does not cause me to scream at the entire organization, it causes me to try again, and if I get yet another bad CSR, then I'll walk away and take my business elsewhere.

Yes, a CSR is front line contact, but that doesn't negate the responsibility of the consumer. No, the customer is *not* always right.

I am personally one of those customers of AMEX that squeaked in with mediocre scores and now I hold the ED, Platinum and PRG cards (in that order of approval). Had I got all pissy for not getting approved for the ED card, I would not have any of them. It started at 1k, now it's at 6k.

The OP thought he/she was entitled to bowing and scraping from AMEX. Walk into a business relationship with that mindset and one will almost always be disappointed.

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I think AMEX has done a good enough job at smearing their own image over the last 10 years. Stupid management is one of those ways. 

Let's see... Visa and MasterCard charge less per dollar on each transaction, yet, can offer similar or better products. AMEX should be increasing the benefits and rewards on their cards, not keeping them the same and increasing the annual fee (BCP). AMEX Blue (regular), Green, Delta Gold,  regular Gold charge, and BlueSky are not great cards. American Express should only have great cards... Trim the fat a little AMEX, start the Delta at the $195 version. They should ditch the green and come out with a bronze card. 

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They get that which is why the increase in the plat card and the new Tier One card that is upcoming.