Help-Sears Credit card is out of control

[kydisneyfans]

We transferred a balance using the 3.9 check until payoff a few months ago-little did we know this would create a total nightmare. Our Sears CC had a credit line of 8K.

First the check was declined because our credit line was too low (about 3100 on the check, I though the credit line was 8K). When calling to inquire-we learned that the checks were received on a smaller account, which my wife and I never knew even existed. We were told the offer would be vaild on our card and any late fees, etc would be credited back. All is thought to be OK now. Invoice 2 arrives, not only are there over the credit limit fees, but there were late fees on top of the late fees totalling $97.00. We called back and were assured the mistake would be rectified.

Today we received a bill, nothing was changed and our interest rate was raised to 31.99 %. Interest alone was nearly 40.00 on the outstanding 97.00 in late fees. What can I do to get this cleared up once and for all?


Anyone, please.....

 

[Cindyluwho]

My brain isn't getting this for some reason.
You wanted to use the 3.9% check that came with another one of your credit cards to pay off the balance of the Sear's Acct? Is that right?
Or was the $3100 a balance due on another card and you were paying it off with the Sear's card?
Usually the balance transfer limit or cash limit is not as great as the actual spending limit that your card allows. I don't know if that is the case with Sears but it is the case with most Visas and Mastercards.
Which credit card has raised the rate to 31.99%?

 

[SDFgirl]

You might want to send your problem to "Lemme Do It" which is a column that runs in Louisville's newspaper, the Courier-Journal.

This lady helps people with financial and material disputes after regular Joes like us keep hitting a brick wall. I guess when they say they're calling from a newpaper and will be writing a column about the problem, people sit up and notice.

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

Transfer your balance off your card ASAP to a Visa or MC card that has a balance transfer promotion.

 

[N.Bailey]

I would transfer the balance as WatchinCaptKangaroo suggested too. I will say in the future however, when you correspond with anyone, do it in writing as well. You've probably talked to tons of people by now and I'm sure there is no record of any of it.

Get names when you're talking to them too.

 

[DawnCt1]

Also, its important to remember; with most balance transfers and courtesy checks that offer a low promotional interest rate, DO NOT charge anything else on that card. The new items will go on at the regular rate and the low interest charge will come off first leaving you to pay the full boat on the new charges. DH and I got a letter today from People's Bank stating that they are raising our rate to 14.99%. This is not a card we use nor one that we ever carry a balance on. I will be less inclined to use it now.

 

[OhMari]

I bought a new dryer last November from Sears. I have free financing for 1 year. I looked at the APR it is 24%. It is the Gold Sears Master card. That is outragious. I have a different Sears card and that one is at 18%. I only get appliances at Sears if they are cheaper than anyone else and if I can get free financing.

 

[jfulcer]

Welcome to the wonderful world of "Why DW and I cut up our credit cards 5 years ago."

Since we did that - the cards are now paid off, and it's a much easier life knowing we don't have to deal with all the stupid rules about interest rates and checks and all of that business. There have been only TWO times in those 5 years where not having a credit card hurt us:

1) Renting a car at WDW (and here at home). Your choice is limited to those companies that take debit cards. But they are out there.

2) Renting from our local Home Depot. I needed to rent a tiller. They wouldn't do it unless I had a CC. Wouldn't even let me leave a cash deposit. Went down the street to Ace Hardware, rented it for LESS with our debit card.

It can be done. Emergencies have arisen and we work them out. To the OP, I hope you work it out, but in my dealings with them even 5 years ago they are most likely not willing to budge. Sears was one of the worst. Good luck!

 

[nana2tots]

Credit Cards, a NO NO

 

[Nancy]

Credit cards are not a no-no. The only no-no is not using them responsibly.

Now Sears, they don't have a real good track record and my Sears card had the highest nterest rate of all cards I had or have ever had. They were like going the Household finance or something. Closed it off and got rid of it. It seems as though store charges always have a higher interest rate than the big card companies.

 

[miss missy]

I would call and demand a manger and a letter that it will be fixed ASAP! Sears NEVER fixes credit and they are just an awful cc company!!! Scream and scream is all you can do!

 

[luvthatduke]

We have stopped using ALL credit cards - period!
Nothing but trouble, including the type you're in.

We've had nothing but horrible dealings with Sears CC's
since they sent DH a MasterCard to replace his decades old Sears charge
several years back, then Citibank bought all of Sears charges.
You need to contact Customer Service first thing Tuesday
(I personally would not deal w/holiday staff),
do NOT speak with ANYONE until you've been xferred to
a Supervisor, document your call thoroughly,
and demand the supervisor FAX you in writing exactly
what he/she promised to do.

I also hate to give you worse news on top of bad, but...
Sears/Citibank has already reported you to the top 3 Credit Bureaus.
They did it as soon as your first "mistake" was recorded by them,
or at the latest 30 days after that first "mistake."
Now that you've rec'd 2 cycles of wrong billing,
you need to know that it's been reported & you need to fix it,
DO NOT TRUST the CC companies (any of them) to fix their own
mistakes in reporting.

You need to call the top 3 bureaus this coming week
and request your report(s)
(if your spouse is a cardholder they have reported them also),
then wait a couple weeks for them to arrive.
When the reports come, analyze them carefully and then call the
bureaus to challenge/request a change in any detrimental info
that Sears/Citibank has reported regarding this dilemma you're facing.
Believe me, I'm not trying to worry you, but we've been there/done that
with Sears/Citibank and have nothing good to say about them.

I hope it all works out well...
But, it's up to you alone to fix the mess they helped create *sigh*.