PSA: The Macy*s Saga, part 2

If you missed part 1, please take a moment to read this to catch up.

I admit I was actually surprised when a Macy*s bill arrived, though the collections woman promised she would send one.  Too bad the date on it was from October (yes, a full month before I opened my account!) and my balance was $0.00.  Big surprise.  (I wonder what the IQ requirements are to work this job because I have a couple of dogs who could use jobs and they are certainly more capable and cordial than any Macy*s call center employee I have had contact with.)

Time for another call to Macy*s.  My request to talk to a supervisor was denied and instead I was stuck with a 'customer service' (those words are used pretty loosely when it comes to Macy*s) agent who was rude and condescending.  She told me that my bill is due "On the 10th - when is what?"  "It's Saturday." (I offered after a full moment passed and I could tell she was obviously not skilled enough to count up 3 days.)  I can only guess I will awake on Sunday to Macy*s collections to hassle me about not paying my $42 bill.

Her final redeeming quality is that she would waive my late fee.  A late fee for a bill never sent.

Unbelievable, Macy*s.  In this economy, you might try a little customer service if you want to stay open or you will simply be the next in a long line of stores closing their doors.

I will mention this advice.  In person.  If I ever get a bill.  That I intend to pay.  In nickels.

PSA: While I will never shop at Macy*s again...

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

Public Service Announcement for single women

I learned something that may be valuable (to some) yesterday morning at the grocery store. Early Sunday morning is when the single men shop. Tis true. It seemed like a glorious time for me to do a "big" shop; but it was me, the box boys, and more than enough single men wandering around the store. Now these aren't the hot eligible bachelors a single woman may dream of. These are the middle aged divorcees who are there to buy breakfast ingredients because they forgot they had the kids for the weekend. "Meat market" does not describe the Sunday morning market, that's for sure. As I glanced at the singles, I chuckled (mostly to myself!) and thought how grateful I am to NOT be in the "meat market" game. Oh how nice to drive home to a husband who then helped unload and put away groceries! I wouldn't trade that for a store FULL of single men!

Be blessed,
Cheryl