Ew. I hope I didn't just make a big mistake.

[dreamshark]

I got recommendations both online and from people I know to get a Capitol One credit card for my European trip since they are the only credit card company that doesn't rip you off with high "service fees" for overseas transactions. The card seems almost too good to be true - no annual fee, no overseas transaction fees, and even a cash-back rewards program. It's a MasterCard, so it has the usual credit card benefits, including a pretty decent rental car collision waver. And, because I have good credit, it came with a remarkably high credit limit.

But sleaze just drips off the Capitol One franchise. These are the guys who send unsolicited credit card offers to every mailbox in America about once a month. I read the card-holder agreements and paperwork with more than the usual attention because of their general reputation, and discovered that the only way to keep them from selling my personal information to everybody on the planet (both "our affiliates" and our "non-affiliates," which would seem to cover everybody) was to call an 800 number and wade through an excruciating voice-recognition tree, declaring "opt out" over and over and over again, and then listening to all the opt-outs read back verrrrrrry slowly and NOT saying "Stop" during any of the long pauses.

But I made it through that and figured I was home free until I called the number to activate my card. Instead of the usual automated process, I was patched through to a salesman that took my info, chatted me up about the weather and then launched into a scripted hard-core sales pitch for a list of unnecessary extra services (fraud protection and the like). When I said firmly that I was not interested in additional services and would just like my card activated please, he got all huffy and hurt ("Well pardon me for trying to do my JOB." When this didn't get any apology from me, he curtly agreed to activate my card and practically slammed the phone down on me.

It looks like a legitimate Master Card with very good benefits, but... ewwww. Does anybody else have one of these cards? Are they ... okay?

Comments

[carbonel]

I had one once, several years ago. It cost me $200 to get out of it; I made the mistake of accepting a "free trial offer," and didn't pay enough attention.

Sleazy was definitely the word for it.

But you sound like you're a lot more on the ball about it than I was.

[huladavid.livejournal.com]

You know, I'd just put a stake through that card's heart and be done with it.

[dreamshark.livejournal.com]

But... every other credit card that I have charges a ridiculous 3% fee for all overseas transactions - which is just a flat ripoff. Despite my best efforts to keep costs under control, my upcoming trip is looking to be pretty expensive. That 3% starts to add up. Unfortunately, all credit card companies are kind of sleazy in one way or another.

[mle292.livejournal.com]

It sounds like their plan was to make money via the add ons.

It's a very effective high pressure sales tactic for the salesman to behave as if there are hurt feelings. It puts the customer in a position to try to make up for their awful transgression. Most sales people won't do it because it's a bit more sleazy than even the slimiest salespeople can tolerate.

Even when I know exactly what's going on, I find that tactic really intimidating.

If you're confident that you can stay on top of their bullying and not give in, I don't see any problem.

[dreamshark.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the reality check on that. I didn't feel intimidated exactly, but it left me with an icky feeling after I hung up even though I knew it was probably all an act.

"If you're confident that you can stay on top of their bullying and not give in, I don't see any problem."

I hope not to have any more personal contact with their marketing department, assuming all those opt outs I suffered through actual take effect.

[ssussminh.livejournal.com]

I had a Capital One Master card for years, at a 6.99% interest rate. It was just fine and I had no problems. But in the financial crash, they panicked and raised everybody's interest rate to 15.99%. I had never missed or even been late with a payment. I immediately payed it off and canceled the card and told them to go stick it.

I'd say it will be just fine for your trip, and the 1st year they will have all those enticements of low fees, etc. But keep a sharp eye on mail from them, and make sure they don't suddenly raise your rates after a year. They only inform you by mail that they are doing this. At that point - feel free to cancel the card!