Forums | MacLife

justine · 2008-02-08 7:36 pm

I have this one low limit card i only use for internet purchases. Somehow i went over the limit by $15 and didn't know it. So, today i get a call from them asking if i'm going to make a payment to bring my balance down below the limit, even though i don't have a payment due yet. The guy didn't say it, but he implied that if i didn't make a payment, it would be reported to the big 3.

If you don't want someone going over their limit, why do you authorize the frigging charge?!

Needless to say, as soon as i get my taxes back, that card's getting paid off and the account closed.

Random User · 2008-02-08 9:07 pm

They authorize the charge so that they can nail you with the "over the limit" fee. It usually isn't cheap either from what I've seen.

Did they mention that charge to you on the phone? Or are they just gonna suprise you with it on your next bill?

Last edited by Random User (2008-02-08 9:09 pm)

justine · 2008-02-08 11:10 pm

No charge as long as i made the payment today. Like i said, the card's getting cancelled when i get my taxes in.

FutureDreamz · 2008-02-08 11:45 pm

::Notes Justine's title again:
Just a question, you've been "Disgruntled employee of the month" for HOW many months straight asofar?
I can't remember what you had before.

Daddyo · 2008-02-09 8:59 am

This is why I cut up all of my credit cards, if I don't have the cash I don't buy it.

justine · 2008-02-09 1:12 pm

Daddyo wrote:
This is why I cut up all of my credit cards, if I don't have the cash I don't buy it.

Yeah, cash works real well on the internet. smile

Donkey Butter · 2008-02-09 1:13 pm

I hope you didn't pay them over the phone when they called. that is how people get ripped off. if you want to make a payment over the phone make sure you call them. this way you know you are actually talking to someone from the CC company.

justine · 2008-02-09 1:24 pm

Donkey Butter wrote:
I hope you didn't pay them over the phone when they called. that is how people get ripped off. if you want to make a payment over the phone make sure you call them. this way you know you are actually talking to someone from the CC company.

Yeah, i didn't do that. I told him i'd pay online but that particular company makes it so difficult to pay online (another reason to dump them) that i called the 800 number and paid.

Besides, it's not like i have anything to lose. I was over my limit and i'm cancelling the card. smile

Daddyo · 2008-02-09 1:57 pm

justine wrote:
Daddyo wrote:
This is why I cut up all of my credit cards, if I don't have the cash I don't buy it.
Yeah, cash works real well on the internet.

You are absolutely right, cash works great on the internet, I have never had my debit card turned down.

justine · 2008-02-09 2:03 pm

Daddyo wrote:
justine wrote:
Daddyo wrote:
This is why I cut up all of my credit cards, if I don't have the cash I don't buy it.
Yeah, cash works real well on the internet.
You are absolutely right, cash works great on the internet, I have never had my debit card turned down.

I have this thing about using my debit card online. While i have the protection on it that comes with having a Visa debit card, if anything happens, it can tie up all my money. That doesn't happen with a credit card.

edited to add: I will use my debit card online at places i know to be reputable and have dealt with for a long time, though.

Daddyo · 2008-02-09 2:49 pm

I suppose I accept that risk. I used to have a bunch of cards. but having no self control I maxed them all out and then spent years barely able to pay the overlimit fees and the late fees. I finally was able to pay them off and swore never again.

jkahless · 2008-02-09 4:34 pm

justine wrote:
Daddyo wrote:
This is why I cut up all of my credit cards, if I don't have the cash I don't buy it.
Yeah, cash works real well on the internet.

Don't you have a fax machine?

akb825 · 2008-02-09 4:50 pm

justine wrote:
Daddyo wrote:
justine wrote:
Yeah, cash works real well on the internet.
You are absolutely right, cash works great on the internet, I have never had my debit card turned down.
I have this thing about using my debit card online. While i have the protection on it that comes with having a Visa debit card, if anything happens, it can tie up all my money. That doesn't happen with a credit card.

edited to add: I will use my debit card online at places i know to be reputable and have dealt with for a long time, though.

It doesn't even have to be something dishonest. People can make mistakes, and if this happens to be on a debit card, it can tie your money up for several days. For example, Dreamhost recently had one such mistake when they accidentally ran their billing script for 12/31/08 rather than 12/31/07. Some people had automatic billing enabled and connected to their debit card, and ended up having their money tied up until both Dreamhost managed to fix the problem and the banks actually processed the refund. The real sad thing is some people were living on the edge, and they had no money for almost a week, since all of the refunds were finalized on the friday of the MLK weekend, so many banks waited 1-2 business days after the weekend. However, you can do things like have multiple accounts, set up charge limits, and make sure you turn off things like automatic billing to lessen such problems if you still can't/won't deal with a credit card.

resedit · 2008-02-09 5:13 pm

justine wrote:
Daddyo wrote:
This is why I cut up all of my credit cards, if I don't have the cash I don't buy it.
Yeah, cash works real well on the internet.

PayPal works - and so do debit cards with the MC/Visa logo.
However, you need a genuine bonafide credit card at many hotels.

justine · 2008-02-09 5:32 pm

resedit wrote:
justine wrote:
Daddyo wrote:
This is why I cut up all of my credit cards, if I don't have the cash I don't buy it.
Yeah, cash works real well on the internet.
PayPal works - and so do debit cards with the MC/Visa logo.
However, you need a genuine bonafide credit card at many hotels.

Did you not read what i said about debit cards? Do people still use PayPal? I don't do business with anyone if PayPal is the only option.

resedit · 2008-02-09 6:35 pm

The way to use debit cards is to open up an account separate from your primary account just for debit card usage.

Stick $500 or whatever in it.

Yes - PayPal is still extensively used. Many online retailers work with it. Most don't, but several prominent retailers do - NewEgg for example. I believe I can even pay my gas bill with PayPal (I don't - I do electronic funds transfer from bank account).

resedit · 2008-02-09 6:36 pm

Note that it is possible to overdraft a debit card - so you still have to make sure you have funds available. I think you can instruct the bank to deny an overdraft on debit.

justine · 2008-02-09 6:40 pm

resedit wrote:
The way to use debit cards is to open up an account separate from your primary account just for debit card usage.

Stick $500 or whatever in it.

Yes - PayPal is still extensively used. Many online retailers work with it. Most don't, but several prominent retailers do - NewEgg for example. I believe I can even pay my gas bill with PayPal (I don't - I do electronic funds transfer from bank account).

You can only have 2 accounts at my credit union. Checking and savings and the debit card does not work with savings. It's all a moot point as far as i'm concerned anyway. I use credit cards online.

General_K · 2008-02-09 8:13 pm

FutureDreamz wrote:
::Notes Justine's title again:
Just a question, you've been "Disgruntled employee of the month" for HOW many months straight asofar?
I can't remember what you had before.

It was RHIP.

Before that? The Bee's Knees.

Not that I'm stalking Justine or anything. wink

Pariah · 2008-02-09 8:43 pm

I use a rechargeable debit card. I just keep a hundred or so on it most of the time and if I plan on paying something more costly online I just add that to the card first.
Works good and seems the safest option.

justine · 2008-02-10 9:19 am

General_K wrote:
FutureDreamz wrote:
::Notes Justine's title again:
Just a question, you've been "Disgruntled employee of the month" for HOW many months straight asofar?
I can't remember what you had before.
It was RHIP.

Before that? The Bee's Knees.

Not that I'm stalking Justine or anything.

I couldn't even remember that. eek

By the way, 'The Bees Knees' was the title you got automatically when you hit the 5000 post mark.

Oh, and FD? I'll be disgruntled until i can think of something better to be.

Daddyo · 2008-02-10 9:40 am

resedit wrote:
However, you need a genuine bonafide credit card at many hotels.

I have used my debit card a many good hotels with no problem.

DukeofNuke · 2008-02-10 10:23 am

I have used my debit card at many cheap motels with no problem

Daddyo · 2008-02-10 11:14 am

DukeofNuke wrote:
I have used my debit card at many cheap motels with no problem

Cash is better at a cheap motel, no paper trail for "John Smith"

CeeJer53 · 2008-02-10 2:08 pm

Pariah wrote:
I use a rechargeable debit card. I just keep a hundred or so on it most of the time and if I plan on paying something more costly online I just add that to the card first.
Works good and seems the safest option.

Do they pay interest on the funds you leave in their hands?

Or, is that how they pay for the service provided?

Forums | MacLife

#1 2008-02-08 7:36 pm

Credit Card Companies

#2 2008-02-08 9:07 pm

Re: Credit Card Companies

#3 2008-02-08 11:10 pm

Re: Credit Card Companies

#4 2008-02-08 11:45 pm

Re: Credit Card Companies

#5 2008-02-09 8:59 am

Re: Credit Card Companies

#6 2008-02-09 1:12 pm

Re: Credit Card Companies

Daddyo wrote:

#7 2008-02-09 1:13 pm

Re: Credit Card Companies

#8 2008-02-09 1:24 pm

Re: Credit Card Companies

Donkey Butter wrote:

#9 2008-02-09 1:57 pm

Re: Credit Card Companies

justine wrote:

Daddyo wrote:

#10 2008-02-09 2:03 pm

Re: Credit Card Companies

Daddyo wrote:

justine wrote:

Daddyo wrote:

#11 2008-02-09 2:49 pm

Re: Credit Card Companies

#12 2008-02-09 4:34 pm

Re: Credit Card Companies

justine wrote:

Daddyo wrote:

#13 2008-02-09 4:50 pm

Re: Credit Card Companies

justine wrote:

Daddyo wrote:

justine wrote:

#14 2008-02-09 5:13 pm

Re: Credit Card Companies

justine wrote:

Daddyo wrote:

#15 2008-02-09 5:32 pm

Re: Credit Card Companies

resedit wrote:

justine wrote:

Daddyo wrote:

#16 2008-02-09 6:35 pm

Re: Credit Card Companies

#17 2008-02-09 6:36 pm

Re: Credit Card Companies

#18 2008-02-09 6:40 pm

Re: Credit Card Companies

resedit wrote:

#19 2008-02-09 8:13 pm

Re: Credit Card Companies

FutureDreamz wrote:

#20 2008-02-09 8:43 pm

Re: Credit Card Companies

#21 2008-02-10 9:19 am

Re: Credit Card Companies

General_K wrote:

FutureDreamz wrote:

#22 2008-02-10 9:40 am

Re: Credit Card Companies

resedit wrote:

#23 2008-02-10 10:23 am

Re: Credit Card Companies

#24 2008-02-10 11:14 am

Re: Credit Card Companies

DukeofNuke wrote:

#25 2008-02-10 2:08 pm

Re: Credit Card Companies

Pariah wrote:

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