A few weeks ago, I was shopping at WallyLand. Paid with a Discover (credit) card. Went to sign the pinpad, and saw a little note: "Cash back? ($20)($40)($60)(NO)"
This is a credit card, not a debit card. I hope. I did have it replaced recently, but...
Skip ahead a week. I'm using the same card at a different WallyLand. "Cash back? ($20)($40)($60)(NO)" OK, there's something wrong with the card. So I call up Discover, and ask them that. No, this is a credit-only card. So I explain there's a problem. And an overly-perky voice on the other end says "No, with Discover Card, you can actually get cash for those impor..."
I cut her off. "So, this is a cash advance?"
"Yes, sir" (Still perky. Damn, whoever manages the Discover Card Ohio Customer Service Center (tm), please, switch the place to decaf!)
"With the cash advance fees, increased card rates, and kicking in service charges for all future purchases?" None of which, I expect, are explained at the pinpad. And which a lot of people aren't going to think about, either.
Miss perky mumbled something unintelligible. At which point, I ended up thanking her for her time and hanging up. I had the information I needed. But damn, it's going to be a headache for the customer service reps at Discover and WalMart when people get their bills and start asking questions. (And I predict about four months until the class-action suit for misleading advertising is filed, myself.)
This is a credit card, not a debit card. I hope. I did have it replaced recently, but...
Skip ahead a week. I'm using the same card at a different WallyLand. "Cash back? ($20)($40)($60)(NO)" OK, there's something wrong with the card. So I call up Discover, and ask them that. No, this is a credit-only card. So I explain there's a problem. And an overly-perky voice on the other end says "No, with Discover Card, you can actually get cash for those impor..."
I cut her off. "So, this is a cash advance?"
"Yes, sir" (Still perky. Damn, whoever manages the Discover Card Ohio Customer Service Center (tm), please, switch the place to decaf!)
"With the cash advance fees, increased card rates, and kicking in service charges for all future purchases?" None of which, I expect, are explained at the pinpad. And which a lot of people aren't going to think about, either.
Miss perky mumbled something unintelligible. At which point, I ended up thanking her for her time and hanging up. I had the information I needed. But damn, it's going to be a headache for the customer service reps at Discover and WalMart when people get their bills and start asking questions. (And I predict about four months until the class-action suit for misleading advertising is filed, myself.)
Comment