Today, I paid my credit card bill. I haven’t used my credit card for over a year, and I intend to close it as soon as I have paid it off. The reason I’m closing it goes far beyond the payment processing fee that I’m charged, but for the sake of this quick article, I’ll outline my opinion of my card company.
AT&T Universal is the card. I don’t care who the bank is that’s behind the balance. When I logged into my account online, I noted that my due date was today, so I attempted to pay my bill online.
That doesn’t work. At least not in time for the due date. Even though it’s the 7th of December, and my payment is due on the 7th of December, the online world seems to be 24 hours behind, ALL THE TIME.
I can tweet and within seconds have hundreds, even thousands of people see. I can post a status update on Facebook, and within seconds I’ll see people’s reactions. I can purchase software online, and within seconds, have it downloaded and installed. Can I pay a bill online in seconds. Not a credit card bill. Not at this bank.
The only option I have is to choose one or more days after the due date. I can’t choose the due date. Do I take the risk of arguing later when my rate increases and my late fee is assessed that I completed the action of scheduling a payment on the due date? Nope. That’s would be a stupid move, even though it makes sense, and even though I could argue the point later, and probably win.
So, I called them. It’s the only viable solution in this type of situation. One day late, big fees, big interest hike. Better to call. On the other end of the phone was a broken-english someone-or-other ready to apologize for every disastrous policy that they have that inconveniences their customers. It is my contention that credit card companies don’t care about their customers, which is counter-intuitive. But, I have already concluded that credit cards are a fast and easy way to waste valuable time in life that could otherwise be spent in prosperity.
“I’m sorry sir for the inconvenience, I understand your frustration.” Nice script. Now, why aren’t you working for a reputable company in a dignified industry? I asked the non-customer-service representative to take my payment over the phone. She obliged, immediately, but she didn’t offer the information that I knew she was supposed to offer. You see, sneaky people will run you through an entire process to bait you into completing before they disclose what it is costing you above and beyond the time you’re spending on the phone.
At AT&T Universal Card, you are charged $14.95 to make a payment over the phone. This is CRIMINAL! How did I know this was a fee? I asked. I’ve already learned those lessons. Then, my jaw hit the floor and I became furious inside. I asked her how she can possibly agree that this practice makes any sense whatsoever. She has a script. Part of her script is to waive the fee for what I imagine I would be classified as: A customer who knows more about what we’re doing to rip off our clients than most other clients do. She was quick to waive the fee when she knew that I know how this works. That doesn’t dispell the fact that I was livid and couldn’t believe that anyone would condone this practice.
$14.95 for a payment processing fee. $39.00 when you miss your payment. $39.00 when you go over your limit. And countless thousands of dollars when you have an interest rate increased.
If these time consuming, common-sense-opposing practices aren’t enough to convince you that you DON’T NEED TO BUY WHAT YOU CAN’T AFFORD TODAY, then you may be the type of person who needs to experience Spousal Support, Child Support, Forclosure, and/or Bankruptcy to knock some sense into you.
I’m not candid about how much I loathe debt, and no matter how “good” you think you are at juggling your finances for the sake of earning a few bonus miles, the cost and/or potential cost to you for doing so is not worth the risk. And credit cards are absolute risk. Don’t get bitten by the plastic snake. Close your accounts and save your pennies for a rainy day.
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