I'd like to think that there are enough people writing nice New Year's blogs that I can instead post a RANT about While I Will Never Shop at Macy*s Again.
In November, Layne and I purchased her formal dress at Macy*s. When ringing it up, I was asked if I'd like to open an account and receive 20% off the dress. My first mistake was saying, "YES, please." Credit card arrives, but no statement. Earlier this week, I CALL Macy*s and ask if I will be receiving a bill. (All in all, in this economy, I think that was pretty generous on my part.) I was assured that I was not late, that the bill would be generated in the next week or so and due the end of January.
The next day I began receiving strange phone calls from "Call Center, OH" and a recording that states I should stay on the line for a customer service person to help me. I googled the number (gotta love Caller ID!) and see that it's Macy*s. Um, I am pretty patient, but anyone who knows me knows that I despise the phone and it's pretty UNlikely that I will wait on the line. More calls daily, which I ignore. I even got one at 9:00am call this morning. (Thanks, Macy*s.) I hang up and mention it to Terry who says that in checking our credit reports earlier this week, a delinquent Macy*s account showed up under mine. ("What?!") At 11:00, I got another call. The woman explains how the charge is small ($50'ish) and if I could just make a $5 payment, they would know I am trying. She also told me that the call was being taped, to which I responded: "Good! Macy*s needs to know about the harassing calls I am getting." I explained that I have never received a BILL and that I was not ignoring it ... I simply cannot and will not pay a bill that I haven't received yet. She proceeded to tell me about late charges and how I am now 35 days delinquent. (Apparently the bill-that-was-never-sent was due about the same day we bought the dress?) I demanded that she cancel my account. "Both accounts?" ("What - I have TWO accounts?") "Um, YES, please." She assured me she was doing so. I'm not holding my breath. I assured her that if she will make a note that IF I AM MAILED A BILL, I AM HAPPY TO PAY IT. And that if they called me again, I would contact my attorney. As she began to wish me a Happy New Year, I hung up. I can only take so much telephone in one day.
And that is why I will never shop Macy*s again. Arrrgh.
Once I get out of collections, I shall write a lovely little New Year's Resolutions post and all that jazz. Til then, get off the computer and go watch some football!
Cheryl
ving hot tea. The Christmas dishes are already packed away, so you'll have to make due with my regular mugs.
