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January 22, 2007
Tears for Sears
I have had a Sears card for longer than I can remember. It was one of the first credit cards I ever had so I bet I've had it for close to 30 years.
I probably haven't used it in a couple of years and I probably haven't used it twice in the last 7 years.
And Sears is going to take it away. Take it away and replace it with a new Sears/Mastercard combo that I can use anywhere.
Just like my current Visa card. The Visa card I got to replace the Visa card I had that had a 7.9% interest rate because I thought 7.9% was too high ... even if it came with super-duper airline miles and got me on the plane first and came with some sort of companion ticket thing I never used.
Sears sent me a letter telling me about the new card. IF I DON'T WANT THE NEW CARD, and wish to keep the old card, all I have to do is call them and let them know.
All I have to do to let them know I don't want the new card -- that I want to keep the old card -- is call them. If I want to keep things the same as they are now, I have to give them a call.
Having to call them to tell them I want to keep things the same is almost as unbelievable to me as the fact that I actually opened the letter they sent. It looked like junk mail -- like one of those pieces I usually throw away after I make sure I don't recognize with of the "Have You Seen Me" pictures.
The way this should have worked is that IF I WANTED THE NEW CARD I should have to call them.
I don't want a new card. Especially one with the SEARS name on it -- they've pissed me off in the past (Have I written about the bad radio-buying experience? The bad auto-repair experiences (I had just one, but know of several) or the battery-buying experience of a couple years ago? I've checked, and no I haven't. However, here's a tire-buying story with a happy ending (No, I was not buying them at an Asian massage parlor)).
I certainly don't want a card with a 24% interest rate; which is what the new one comes with ... and it could go higher (or lower) depending on whatever current rate they've based it on.
I would have probably had a SEARS card forever. I probably would have used it at some point in the future.
Now I have to call them. And since I'm going to have them on the phone I'm canceling the card altogether. Even if the first call is some sort of automated thing and I never get to a real person, I'll make the second call to Sears and cancel the card I have to make sure this doesn't happen again.
After all, as SEARS was so kind to point out, I don't really need a SEARS card. I already have a VISA, and it's good at SEARS and so many other places.
Posted by delmer at January 22, 2007 11:16 PM
Comments
Its like companies who default-check the "send me emails" box when you fill out an online form. I find it to be disreputable. As you note, you should only be required to take action if you are wanting something. But I guess this would mean that the response wouldn't be as good. Sears wants its percentage for all your purchases now... even those not made at Sears.
That being said, Sears WAS my very first credit card. In an effort to build my credit, I applied for bunches of cards in college (with no real intention to use them). Sears was the only company that approved me. I used it only a few times so I could pay-off the balance and have good credit. After that, I was able to get other cards, and canceled the Sears card. I'm evil that way. :-)
Posted by: Dave2 at January 23, 2007 2:07 AM
Maybe I'm just a grumpy old man.
I made the call. The person I spoke with tried hard to keep me as a cardholder.
I explained why I was canceling -- due to the folly of the Sears' Marketing Department's ways.
The guy kept trying to change my mind. I politely told him that even if we talked all day that at the end of the conversation I'd be canceling the card.
Posted by: delmer at January 23, 2007 9:28 PM