Prudy
09-19-2009, 10:33 AM
It's Expensive Being Broke
Most of us, at one time or another, have come up short on our funds. When that happens, sometimes we have had a bounced check fee or a late fee on a credit card. It has always amazed me that these financial institutions charge us more when we obviously have less, but that is the nature of the beast and we all know how expensive it can be to be broke. But you can do something about it. If you are not chronically late, you can simply call and ask them to forgive the infraction and refund the late/insufficient fund charge. Nearly all credit card companies and banking institutions have a policy in place that will allow them to forgive one or two slips a year, but please remember this is only a courtesy, not a given. Each instance is reviewed on a case to case basis.
A few other things to keep in mind: Always be polite and don't try to come up with some elaborate, untruthful excuse, just tell them the truth. Customer service reps talk to people all day long and have become very astute when it comes to which stories are lies and when they feel you are insulting their intelligence with those really bad lies, they are less likely to respond favorably. Same thing goes for screaming or cursing to the person on the phone. Even if you feel you have been treated unjustly, keep a civil tone. If the representative does not yield the results you are seeking, you can always (politely) escalate the call to the manager on duty or MOD. I hate to repeat an old saying, but honey really does catch more flies!
And I'm pretty sure they don't want you to know this one, but be careful what you say when you are put on hold. If you can't hear any music, they have probably just put you on mute and can hear everything you say including calling them an idiot or noting to your friend that your really pulled one over on them.
Click Here for more Tips of the Day (http://www.yourgoodbuygirl.com/forumdisplay.php?f=2)
Most of us, at one time or another, have come up short on our funds. When that happens, sometimes we have had a bounced check fee or a late fee on a credit card. It has always amazed me that these financial institutions charge us more when we obviously have less, but that is the nature of the beast and we all know how expensive it can be to be broke. But you can do something about it. If you are not chronically late, you can simply call and ask them to forgive the infraction and refund the late/insufficient fund charge. Nearly all credit card companies and banking institutions have a policy in place that will allow them to forgive one or two slips a year, but please remember this is only a courtesy, not a given. Each instance is reviewed on a case to case basis.
A few other things to keep in mind: Always be polite and don't try to come up with some elaborate, untruthful excuse, just tell them the truth. Customer service reps talk to people all day long and have become very astute when it comes to which stories are lies and when they feel you are insulting their intelligence with those really bad lies, they are less likely to respond favorably. Same thing goes for screaming or cursing to the person on the phone. Even if you feel you have been treated unjustly, keep a civil tone. If the representative does not yield the results you are seeking, you can always (politely) escalate the call to the manager on duty or MOD. I hate to repeat an old saying, but honey really does catch more flies!
And I'm pretty sure they don't want you to know this one, but be careful what you say when you are put on hold. If you can't hear any music, they have probably just put you on mute and can hear everything you say including calling them an idiot or noting to your friend that your really pulled one over on them.
Click Here for more Tips of the Day (http://www.yourgoodbuygirl.com/forumdisplay.php?f=2)