American Express Credit Card Rip-off! Ft. Lauderdale Florida
Nov. 28, 2004
To Whom It May concern:
I have an American Express Credit card with limit $2000. And this amount is much lower than my other credit cards' limit. Since the card is tied with Costco membership. So we use it for shopping at costco only, and we didn't purchase big item, and we never have problem with the limit. So I never pay attention to remember what is my limit.
This month, Nov, 19, 2004, I purchased a wide screen TV with price $2500.00. I was worry about the credit limit, but by common sense, I thought If I over my limit, Amreican express would stop me using it. The charge went through without any problem. Then I though I may be not over the limit yet.
Two week later, I received my statement, and saw $29 charge for the overlimit fee. I talked to one of customer service person, he insisted I should keep trace my credit card spending and even I over limit $1, there will be a overlimit charge. I don't understand how can I possible to track down $1 range spending on a credit card.
Even they have policy to have the overlimit charge, my argument is that they at least should let me know when I was over limit at the time I made the purchase.
Thanks,
shan
Bellevue, Washington
U.S.A.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Cory
San Antonio,Texas,
U.S.A.
My How Times Have Changed
#4Consumer Suggestion
Mon, November 29, 2004
A few years ago they would have just upped your limit. Now, they stick you with a $29 over the limit fee. You can see how they wish to keep your business. As a business owner I hate AE. Last year in Sept. they raised my discount to 5%. Then in Oct. they start their ads saying up to 5% rebate on purchases. I think you have to spend something like $100k to get 5% back. After thinking about it for a while, I deceide to drop AE. Call them, they lower my discount rate back to 3.5%. Had a gold card a few years back. $75 per year. Figured it wasn't worth it. When it expired, called them and told them I wasn't going to renew it. They sent me a check for $55. Shredded it. They sent me a check for $75. If I deposited it I opened the account again. Shredded it. But I agree, it wasn't their job to notify you that you were over your limit. You should have called them, in advance and got a limit increase before the purchase. Those were the terms you agreed to be having the card. By the way, I can have my AE account jerked by posting this info on this site. Go ahead. I could care less.
Terry
Spring,Texas,
U.S.A.
You have got to be kidding
#4Consumer Comment
Sun, November 28, 2004
You knew your limit was $2000 and yet you used your Amex card to charge $2500 ? Why bother using it if you knew it was over your limit ?
You could have easily changed your mind when you saw it go through but you didnt ...and now you are mad because they didnt tell you that you were over your limit ? Add it up....Your limit was 2000 and you wanted to charge 2500 ........ You knew you were over your limit !!!!!
You dont have a case .....
Jenelle
Morgantown,West Virginia,
U.S.A.
Be More Responsible with Your Spending
#4Consumer Comment
Sun, November 28, 2004
So you knew that you had a $2000 limit, then purchased something for $2500? You knowingly went over your limit. You deserve the overage charge.
You should also keep track of your spending, like the customer service representative told you. It's like balancing a checkbook. Just keep all your receipts and add together all the totals. If you make a payment, subtract that amount. It's not that hard.
Many credit card companies and banks that issue debit cards will let you go over your limit. They do this to give you the benefit of the doubt. You may have sent it a payment or deposited money that hasn't cleared yet, or hasn't gone through the system completely. They assume that you know how much money/credit you have. If it's their policy to charge an overage fee when you go over your limit, there's nothing you can do except pay it.
I suggest that next time, you keep track of your spending and learn to be a bit more responsible.