Dilbertesque Discover Card

[kybearfuzz]

A few months ago I received a letter from Discover Card. It explained that since I had not used my Discover Card in so long, they were discontinuing my account. The letter was kind of snarky too, stating, "We're sorry that you've decided not to take advantage of the things Discover can do for you," or something of that sort.

I got my Discover Card when I was a sophomore in college and used it regularly for years. However, as I started working professionally, became a bit more financially stable, and found other credit cards, the interest rate of Discover was just too high. So I relegated it to my "emergency" credit card status and somewhat abandoned it. I was a bit upset at their decision to cut me off, but figured I wasn't going to beg them to keep me just to use the card.

Last week, I got a letter in the mail from Discover stating that they would like to woo me back as a customer. "Woo" is my word, not theirs. I just found it odd that, in our current economy, a credit card company would drop you and then decide they want you back. I think the decisions must be coming from two separate departments, neither one talking to the other.

Comments

[tbone1961.livejournal.com]

brunorepublic just posted about credit card companies reducing credit lines. Go figure. I'm surprised I haven't got this same thing from Discover. They royally pissed me off years ago, so I haven't touched that account, but I still get solicitations from them. Just Wendesday in fact.

[boomerz1.livejournal.com]

I just had my own similar issues with Amex over a Blue card that I never use. I have a feeling Discover and Amex are working off of the same customer treatment memo.

[barak.livejournal.com]

I suspect they're trying to woo you back so they can add you to their count of new accounts- so they can crow: "Look, we had X number of new accounts!" to their shareholders.

[spatts5.livejournal.com]

I was getting at least one "you're been pre-approved" notice from Discover a week. I finally broke down and applied and got rejected! Go figure. Since then I haven't gotten any notices.

[snowboardjoe.livejournal.com]

I've evil with credit card offers. While I did sign up for the opt-out mailing with DMA years ago which cut down on offers by about 80%, a few slip through. I happily write in big magic marker "NO" across the application and pop it in their prepaid envelope.

No surprises here

[garbear73.livejournal.com]

I guess this is more about awareness for some folks. The financial/credit industries are dieing a moderate death. Less money flowing means less everything. Since folks can't afford getting what they desire and only the necessities, credit cards are a luxury. Plus paying off credit is a burden most dislike greatly. Recently, CC companies have been dropping accounts that are not making money for them. In addition, rates and fees have been increasing. Last month I was notified by Sears (handled by CitiGroup) that to opt-out of the automatic rate increase is to close the acct and lock in the current APR. As for the depts. not talking to each other, ummm. . . duh. LOL. I have yet to deal with any corp. that has clear flowing lines of operation/communication. My Sears card was already closed, yet they sent me the notice automatically. When I called they apologized for the 'confusion' - whatever. I'm just glad my financial plan is on course to pay them all off by the end of next year and eliminate credit debt. My one suggestion is for folks to look into a credit card with a small local financial institution (perhaps a credit union) to establish and maintain a realistic debt you can handle and feel good about supporting your local community. Not to sound so liberal, but BIG business hasn't proven care & concern for people; profits for shareholders anyone?