I can't remember, and I can't be arsed to check my blog, but I think I wrote about a problem with my credit card not long ago. Well, Chase Amazon (whose Visa card I use) said they would send me a new card with a new card number that was to arrive in—and I quote—"seven to twelve business days." Well, today was the twelfth day, and still no card. I suspect something got fucked up in the mail.
The lack of a card was worrisome because I knew my public-storage bill was coming due today, and as I've found out in the past, if the auto-pay system can't process a payment for any reason, you are automatically fined and sent an email demanding immediate payment to reconcile your debts. CubeSmart, the public-storage company in the States that's holding all my Stateside belongings, is a cruel mistress.
So it was with some confusion that I got my regular "successfully paid" email from CubeSmart today. How is that possible if my old card had been canceled, and my new card hasn't yet arrived and been activated? Did the lady I spoke with not deactivate my old card? By extension, if she didn't deactivate my old card, did she also not bother to send the promised new card? Is there no new card in the mail? What's going on, here?
I'm very tempted to take a friend's advice and pay off my Chase Amazon Visa, then after the debt is zeroed out, get a Korean credit card that links to my Korean bank account. Korea is also part of the Visa network, so at least in theory, I could use my Korean Visa overseas. I almost left work early to get a Korean card today, but I decided not to, reasoning that I could just pay whatever penalty CubeSmart levied against me, then set up auto-pay to debit my new American credit card. Instead, CubeSmart said it got paid.
I've decided, for now, to wait for my Chase card to arrive. If it's not here in two weeks, I'll get a Korean card despite not zeroing out the Chase card's debt, then hook my CubeSmart auto-pay up to the Korean card. I hate going through crap like this, but it must be done.
Having two credit cards is also an option. I have one in a drawer that I never use, but it's available in case of emergency or in a situation like yours.
ReplyDeleteI think the first thing I need to do is call Chase again and ask what's up.
ReplyDeleteIt's a lot easier to do all that online without the long hold and wait times. I use keyscrambler and a great internet protection package to keep my banking data safe. It's also a breeze to communicate through Chase's secure messaging platform and there is a verifiable record of all your communication. And keep the card account you never know when you may need it.
ReplyDeleteWhich "all that" are you referring to, Daejeon John?
ReplyDeletePretty much anything you used to have to do via in person, phone, or snail mail with regards to corporate and public institutions other than the IRS. Most every business has apps that even remove the need for computers other than your smart phone. Most entities I am forced to deal with usually prefer contact through their supposedly secure apps. However, my moron internet company can't understand why I don't use theirs when I can't access the internet because their service is down.
ReplyDeleteI've used Chase for over 30 years and reporting an issue is nearly instantaneous now. Especially when it comes to reporting fraudulent activity and getting a new card online at any time of day or day of the week.
Storage units are quite a big business. I have a colleague of mine that kept stuff in storage while he traveled for work.
ReplyDeleteWhen he finally got back to his storage locker after a couple of years, he ruefully admitted that he had paid ~ $50/month for a couple of years to store roughly $300 worth of stuff (old furniture, etc.) LOL