Disney Visa Warning!!!

[ricapito]

I just got off the phone with customer service over a $40 finance charge. Here's what happened as I understand it: When attempting to pay my September balance in full, as I do every month, I was short on the payment by about 10 cents as I musn't have read it right. Because I carried that 10 cents into October, EVERY charge I made in October was subject to a daily balance finance charge throughout the month. Yep, so even though I paid the October balance in full by the due date I had to pay interest on the WHOLE thing over that 10 cents. Credit card companies are scum, as we all know, but this is thievery.

Bryan

 

[ClarabelleCow]

that is correct, but I would call back, demand a supervisor and request that it be removed. I used to work in credit, it's done all the time. I actually had called a CC company last night because I botched up my bills (paying online), and they were never sent, I incured a 29.00 late fee and a 7.00 interest, they said once the payment posts, to call back and theywould be happy to remove it! this was Lord and Taylor.

 

[CarolMN]

Wow! Thanks for warning/reminding the rest of us - I can't post on a public family-friendly forum what I think of that practice, but it's not unique to Bank One.

Best wishes -

 

[Mike]

You should ask to speak to a manager. I had a similar thing happen to me a few years back with Discover. I actually mistakenly wrote the check for $10 less than the balance. I accrued finance charges for each of the following month's purchases but I didn't realize what happened until I got my next bill. I asked to speak with a manager and they reversed all of the charges for me because I always paid my balance in full each month.

 

[DrTomorrow]

Originally posted by ricapito
[...] Credit card companies are scum, as we all know, but this is thievery.

Bryan

Please exclude me from "all" on this topic. With a few exceptions, I've never had any problems with credit card companies. And when I have had troubles - even when they were my fault (as in this case) - they worked quite hard to come up with a resolution I found acceptable.

But thanks for the reminder, as this is a common practice for many credit cards; when you borrow money, the lender sets the rules.

 

[rinkwide]

Your Disney Visa credit application agreement clearly states that failure to pay a balance, in whole or in part, will result in finance charges for the entire amount applying to the next billing cycle.

Don't post in the DVC forum looking for sympathy on that one.

 

[Chuck S]

This would have happened with any credit card company, and it is not unique to Bank One. The billings are automated and even a 1¢ under payment would have prompted the charges.

Did you call the customer service line and explain what happened? I don't have a Bank One card, but I do have several MasterCards, and whenever a problem has occured customer service has been helpful in resolving the problem. I've had interest charges reversed a few times if a payment arrived a day late. They usually look at your overall payment history. If the first person you spoke to wasn't helpful, you should have requested a supervisor.

 

[DebbieB]

If you haven't had any "exceptions" before, they may offer to correct it, call back. One time I forgot to send my bill in on time, it was a couple days late and I got hit with a big late charge. Since I always paid on time before, they waived the charge (just this once).

 

[tjkraz]

That's automation for you. If A - B is not equal to $0.00, then the the logic kicks-in to bill the finance charge.

I would certainly call and see if someone else will resolve it for you.

It's hard to get a sense of your frame of mind from a simple message board posting, but I would make one suggestion: don't call them back and use the "bull in the china shop" approach. Yes, sending the short payment was an honest mistake, but it was YOUR mistake. When you get someone on the phone, appeal to their sense of decency rather than giving them a tongue-lashing for simply following protocol.

If you can't get anywere with the front line customer service, ask for a supervisor.

If you are prepared to close your account over this matter, let them know as much. If you choose to take away your business because they won't fix your error, then that's certainly within your rights.

 

[BCVBRUCE]

I would call and try to explain what happened. If you do pay your balance off each month, like you stated, then the CC company will see that and most likely agree with you that it was a one time mistake.

This reminds of when I was very young and foolish. I was pulled over by a police officer for speeding in FL. He was kind enough to write me a ticket and let me on my way. I paid the fine in full and mailed it in with plenty of time to spare. A couple of months later, I received, in the mail, a bench warrant for my arrest and to turn myself in to the nearest SC State Troopers barracks. The bench warrant was for failure to pay a speeding fine. My driver's liscense was also suspended. I, of course, called the court house were I mailed the fine and was put in touch with the Traffic Court Judge. I was informed that I under paid my fine by $4.50. I then proceeded to inform the Judge that I did in fact pay the fine in full as stated on the ticket and that there is now a bench warrant for my arrest and that my DL was suspended. To which she then gasped and apologized because as it turned out, the FL State Trooper undercharged me for my offense by $4.50 and the clerk arbitrarily "Fixed" the Trooper's mistake after the fact and never bothered to inform me. The Judge then proceeded to rub salt in my wounds by stating that they normally do not go after anyone unless they owe $5.00 or more. Needless to say, fixing the issue and getting my DL back cost me more money.

What does this have to do with underpaying your CC. Well...at least you do not have a bench warrant out for your arrest. Also, don't speed!

Have Fun,
Bruce

 

[manning]

Don't post in the DVC forum looking for sympathy on that one.

Oh, lighten up. The OP pointed out something that some may not have realized and in return got some info on how to possibly get those charges removed.

 

[manning]

the FL State Trooper undercharged me for my offense by $4.50 and the clerk arbitrarily "Fixed" the Trooper's mistake after the fact and never bothered to inform me.

Darn humans! How do we fix that flaw..............making errors.

 

[rocketriter]

I actually write training for one of the world's largest credit card lenders (not Disney VISA), and I can tell you that it's normal to forgive charges in a case like this, so long as it's a one-time thing and not a habitual problem. You need to call in, complain politely, and ask that the charges be waived. They probably will be. If not, please let us know.

 

[Lexxiefern]

I would like to thank you for posting this. I always pay my balance in full every month and I was not aware this could happen. I hope you are able to work it out.

 

[BCVBRUCE]

Originally posted by manning
Darn humans! How do we fix that flaw..............making errors.

I have been thinking about that for quite a while. No solutions yet. However, when I find one I will not make the mistake of telling everyone before I get credit. LOL!

Have Fun,
Bruce

 

[idratherbeinwdw]

I wholeheartedly agree with those who say call and speak to a supervisor. Surely they know you did it by accident when it was only ten cents short. I had personal experience, although a different incident with Disney Visa. I accidentally transferred rewards points onto my current rewards card which expires this December. My next WDW trip is in January, and that's when I wanted to use the points. It was 74 points, not a million dollars but still enough to be upset about losing.

I realized my mistake immediately. I called up Bank One, the company that issues the card. The first person I got basically told me tough luck. I asked for, and got to speak to a supervisor, who not only gave me back the rewards, he was VERY pleasant about it, even sending me a new card good until 12/05 with my 74 points already on it.

Did I mess up? Yes. Was it totally my fault? Yes. But if you make an honest mistake it can't hurt to see if you get an understanding individual who will help you. I was very polite, I didn't demand anything. And happily it worked out great in the end. So call, I'm willing to bet you'll get the finance charges reversed, especially if you've been a customer for a while. If the first person you get says no, ask for his or her supervisor. Good Luck!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Don't post in the DVC forum looking for sympathy on that one.

Well you've got my sympathy. Obviously you're a good customer and pay your balance every month. Heck....we're talking .10 cents here I sure hope you can get in touch with a supervisor and get this fee reversed. Good luck ! That's a harsh penalty for 10 pennies short and a history of being a good customer !

 

[ricapito]

Thanks for the advice. It's all set now.

As for "Don't post to the DVC forum looking for sympathy..."

Are you an employee of a credit card extortionist? Not that I care frankly, I'll post what I'd like when I like...

 

[alsipd]

Originally posted by ricapito
Thanks for the advice. It's all set now.

As for "Don't post to the DVC forum looking for sympathy..."

Are you an employee of a credit card extortionist? Not that I care frankly, I'll post what I'd like when I like...

You go girl.....or guy, whichever!!!!
Way to stand up for yourself on the boards!
You got my vote.

 

[Pa@okw95]

Cancel the card!