Another Sign That Hell Has Frozen Over

[Doc]

While in the bank the other day, speaking with a bank rep, and the subject came up. Credit cards. Now most folks now how I feel about credit cards. I LOATHE credit cards. I see what they do to people's lives. I have never owned one. And I swore I never would.

I'll be damned.

I am starting to feel left out as many sites online for shopping are credit card only. I LOVE a good deal. I am a tightwad. I squeeze pennies into copper wire before I willingly let go of them. One might even call me stingy... But never to my face.

So I am talking to this bank rep who has known me for many years and she has tried time and time again to get me a bank card.

Her jaw hit the floor when I finally said ok the other day. Try it out, see what I am approved for. I am curious.

So she types into her computer for a bit, and we wait, and they bring me a truly lovely iced mocha latte (My bank has GREAT kiss ass service) and after a while, she gets a reply.

"Sir, we can enroll you in the Double Diamond Members Club with a Double Diamond Visa. Your starting approved credit limit is one hundred thousand dollars."

After bringing me some napkins to clean up the latte I just shot out my nose, and taking some time to recover, I find out that I can get no interest for one year and a fixed 13.9% interest rate for the entire life of the card.

I declined the offer.

After some wrangling and trying to explain to some very confused and put out bank reps, I finally took control and got a credit limit I was a lot more comfortable with. A Visa card, 500 dollars top end. Rate plus prime for interest. 10% cash return reward through the bank.

I was offered a diamond and settled for a cubic zirconia.

Now... What on earth to I bankrupt my self by getting into debt with first? 500 dollars of crazy money... Where do I start?

[Sirian]

What the heck would you want a 100k credit card for? That's ridiculous. You only need as much credit as you may actually use. $500? Probably a little low if you ever buy a whole computer or all the pieces for one in one batch, and maybe a little low if you go vacationing in "live it up" style, but otherwise quite sensible.

Uh... what should you get first? What do you need? What do you want? If you don't know, then put the thing away and don't let it worry you. Next time you do go shopping online, when you actually want something, you won't get turned away at the door for lacking plastic. That was the real intent, right? So now you're set.


Didn't you and I have a mini argument about the worth of credit cards at one point? You swore up and down they were pure evil, while I said they're just a tool, no more or less dangerous than any other: handle them responsibly and they help you get things done. Handle improperly, someone could get hurt.


- Sirian

[WarBlade]

Originally posted by Doc@Sep 4 2004, 12:52 PM
"Sir, we can enroll you in the Double Diamond Members Club with a Double Diamond Visa. Your starting approved credit limit is one hundred thousand dollars."

:laugh:

Damn, that cracked me up! I'd just sat down with a cup of coffee after yet another failed Hell Ancients attempt (Talic <_< ) and am truely glad I hadn't taken a sip yet.

I've had an odd one with credit cards this past week too . . .

Some years ago I was not so happily employed, saw a benefit in getting a credit card, did the application, all was good, lost the job, whole thing fell through and that was it for that little plan. :mellow: Some months later I was happily employed again, did the credit card application, waited, waited some more, inquired as to what the problem might be and found I'd probably just been lost in the shuffle when the bank moved across the street. I can't recall exactly but I have a vague idea they handed me another application form. :wacko:

I haven't heard from my bank on the subject for several years now until last week a representative asked me if I'd like a credit card. "Errrrrm yeah, okay." So I got handed another application and walked out. :unsure: I think I'll deflate them by asking for a $200 limit though. ^_^

To date, a credit card is something I've never had. Cell phones are another one I've thus far avoided and now recent changes in my life are pressuring me in the direction of actually biting the bullet and getting one.

*sigh*

[Doc]

As Dictator I keep getting demands to have a cellphone and pager for when they simply must contact me.

I keep telling them, you know where I live. By the way, watch out for snakes.

Blessed peace and quiet is seldom disturbed.

By the way, I had a load of bark mulch delivered. I am now INFESTED with scorpions. I have no idea how to get rid of the little bastards. Called Hired Killers (Bug killers) and they still haven't got back to me on dealing with deadly army of scorpions. Bark mulch, from what I can gather, came from Baja or Mexico. Some of them are 2 or three inches in size, amber in colour. I am told they are rather deadly but that could be scare tactics from the pro bug killers so I feel scared enough to call them again and try to hire them to do the job.

[BruceGod]

Doc, did you know that you only need a Visa/Mastercard check card for most places? It works just like those horrid plastic dealers of poverty, except that they deduct directly from your checking account, and you never pay interest or fees. Works great for internet shopping. ;-)

[Doc]

I did not know that!

I have one. Not sure if I like it. I kinda do but kinda don't.

I guess when I wasn't looking I got old and became skeered of all these newfangled thingamabobs. And I used to be such an advocate for technology.

[BruceGod]

Scary isn't it?

[Sirian]

I'm VERY wary of check cards.

Credit cards cost you nothing if you keep a zero balance and pay on time. I -like- the security of knowing that the credit card company will be the one to take it on the chin if the card is lost or stolen, or some yahoo plays loose with privileged info and it gets into a criminal's hands.

A direct line to my bank account? Um... no. No thankee.

You got to draw the line somewhere.


- Sirian

[CelticHound]

Originally posted by Doc@Sep 3 2004, 04:52 PM
10% cash return reward through the bank.

Umm, do you mean a 10% cash rebate? That would be insane.

-- CH

[BruceGod]

Well, as with all things, you have to weigh the benefits against the drawbacks. A checkbook also allows people to access your money if you lose it or some yahoo inadverdantly gives a criminal your bank account number. Does that prevent you from writing checks?

And, in the eventuality that something like that does happen, you immediately report either that your card was lost/stolen, or that you have a charge to your account that you did not make. My institution (YMMV) gives you the contested amount while they conduct the investigation, so that you have access to the funds. Also, most places will ask for photo ID and many more require a signature.