The persistent ones

A few months ago I ranted about credit card companies and their indiscriminate offers of credit. I also reported how some of these loathsome organizations apparently can't take a hint. For instance, I've registered with the various credit reporting agencies and the Direct Marketing Association to not receive offers of credit.

Yet still to this day my household regularly receives offers of credit from Discover Card and Chase. Most of the others have stopped but these two persist. I've spent probably several hours on the phone trying to get Chase to stop sending offers. They always claim that they've removed my address from their mailing lists, yet the offers continue to come months later. I even tried to contact the woman who supposedly signs these offers, one Deborah Walden at Chase, some VP who obviously could care less about who she sends offers of credit to. She apparently can't be reached by phone or by e-mail. In fact, if anyone knows how to reach this woman, I'd love to hear it as I'd like to let her know how I feel about being constantly solicited for credit I don't want. How her company continues to disregard my wishes. How I have to spend time shredding their stupid applications so some identity thief doesn't utilize them.

The sad part about Chase is that I use them for my normal credit card as they are provider of the United Airlines Mileage Plus card. So even though I am a loyal customer, generate lots of revenue for them, they still refuse to honor my simple request to stop being solicited for unwanted credit. When and if I ever want a new or different credit card, I will certainly not choose one based upon some stupid come on offer I receive via the mail. Puhleeeze. Chase, get a clue. Service your existing customers so well that they'll be delighted with your service so much so that they become your most effective advertising. Instead you choose to abuse your existing customers. Must be some Harvard Business School brainchild. Market like mad and abuse your customers. What a go to market strategy!

Well enough for now. Chase you will NEVER get any more business than my current Mileage Plus Card and if there was ANY way to move that to a different servicer, I would! I personally hope the whole credit industry goes up in flames. Subprime loans are just one of many examples of bad credit policies by basically dishonest companies. Issuing credit cards to every Tom, Dick, and Harry, and then crying wolf when these people can't pay their bills is another example of dishonest business practices. As much as I hate Congress (the opposite of Progress?) interfering with free enterprise, credit reform is needed and it is needed now!

-tl

PS I still think monthly bankruptcy filings should be allowed until the credit industry cleans up its act!

Stop the calls

As it's been a while since my last post, I thought I'd resume with a rant. Why do companies feel the need or right to abuse their customers or volunteers? For example; several members of my household donate blood on a regular basis at LifeSource. Personally I do it as I believe it is my responsibility to help others. What I object to is the never ending anonymous calls we receive from LifeSource should someone in our family miss their appointment or not have donated within a certain period of time. Why I just don't simply block callers that don't provide full caller ID is beyond me. But in any case, why does LifeSource feel it is OK to harass my household until they get an appointment? Why do they call from a number that doesn't clearly name the caller as LifeSource? If someone can answer those questions, I'd love to hear the answers!

LifeSource, get a life!

-tl