I got a call from Macy's this morning -- an automated message to call their billing department. So instead of calling, I got online to see what the problem was. Turns out, I charged something for $8 on the Macy's card two months ago and didn't pay the bill. I'm faithful about my bills, so I know I did not receive one in the mail. And I check my email regularly, and I know I did not get a reminder. So I "chatted" online with a rep. I pointed out that my home address was formatted wrong (I have a 1/2 in my address which wreaks havoc with computers). In this case 1/2 was interpreted as 1 2. Which is enough to get the mail lost. I got that corrected, but the rep said I had to call the 800 number to get the fee waived. Well the lady who answered wouldn't budge. Or almost wouldn't budge. I did get a $9 reduction, but still had to pay $30 for an $8 item. Plus, I probably got a ding on my credit history.
She said I probably didn't get the online reminder because it went to spam.
Whatever, I'm not dealing with Macy's again. If I have to buy something there, I'll use my trusty Discover card. I probably only used the Macy's card because of a promotion, so I didn't get much of a deal, did I?
On the good side, I found .04 yesterday -- pennies in four different places!
I needed to return a Redbox DVD yesterday and decided to try to do it during my train break downtown. I located a Redbox only two blocks away -- at a Wal-Mart. What?? A Wal-Mart in downtown Chicago? It was in a regular building, not the traditional big box. It had groceries and produce. I thought, what a great place to pick up an item I forgot to get at the grocery. I'll remember that!
And I made it back to the station in plenty of time.
Late Charges from Macy's
August 6th, 2013 at 05:52 pm
August 6th, 2013 at 06:25 pm 1375809918
August 6th, 2013 at 06:41 pm 1375810918
August 6th, 2013 at 07:42 pm 1375814543
August 6th, 2013 at 08:42 pm 1375818144
Glad you found a Wal*Mart in an unexpected convenient location. That should come in handy at times.
August 7th, 2013 at 02:16 am 1375838178
I opened an Amazon CC a few months ago and after the gift card amount had $4 charged to the card. I totally forgot about it ... When I got home from NE I had a paper bill reminding me of the amount. From checking my credit report, it looks like they didn't report it to the credit agencies (but they did report that I paid it!)
August 7th, 2013 at 03:21 pm 1375885273
For a totally different customer experience see my new post on Corner Bakery!