Complaint Review: Citi Cards/Cbsd DMgt/Cbsd Home Depot Credit Card

I will admit I responded rather harshly to Flynrider. I can also understand in retrospect that this consumer was out of place to curse out the CSR like that. I guess it is easier for me to see through the eyes of the consumer in this case..as we are in rough times and credit can really help consumers these days..as well as contribute to economic recovery.

Now personally, I don't think credit is necessarily a good thing in all cases. I believe that if I can't afford to pay for something with cash...that simply means I can not afford it. On the other hand..the economic system depends on credit..and it is a necessary evil if you wish to be a part of it.

I only keep one unsecured credit card which is used so I can keep a decent credit score. I may need a mortgage one day..or a business loan so I do need an unsecured card, and to use it since I have zero debt.

I noticed last month my credit limit was increased. Now perhaps the bank was not obligated to increase my limit..but they did so because this is what is expected when you make timely payments..you are earning trust and building credit, doing the right thing as we were all told to do all our lives.

Now if on the other hand my limit was lowered...I would have been upset about it..and regardless of what is stated in my agreement, I would expect a valid reason or perhaps someone at the bank would have got an earful from me.

I feel that if a customer is angry enough a knee jerk reaction can easily be foul language..anger often causes people to lose composure. At the same time..the bank has to expect complaints lodged against them when they do something that may financially hurt their customers, and angry customers calling CSRs to express their concern so I see no reason not to cut this poster a little slack as well.

"Gee Ronny what report were you reading.  As the OP was the one dropping those lovely profanities to the CSR who had absolutely nothing to do with their credit limit being lowered.  On the flip side Flynriders comments were the FACTS whether or not you want to agree with them.  Now if your only complaint is the use of the word buttmuch, especially after the words the OP layed down.  Well I really can't help you there."

I was reading this report. While I agree it was not the fault of the CSR, I can also understand the posters anger and frustration. If you choose to be a CSR for a bank these days, you are going to face a lot of anger and frustration by customers, and it will be directed at you. Unfortunately..many "kill the messenger" and although it does serve no purpose...it is understandable to a degree.

While I would agree the profanity was not necessary, it didn't help the bank or the OP in any way for Flynrider to leave a comment like that as well.  I am sure better choices of verbiage could have been used to explain to consumers who lodge reports here that you do not agree with them, and why.

Now it is your right to think what Flynrider stated is fact..but it is also a fact that the CSR told this customer the reason for the decrease was "derogatory information"...but that she didn't know what the derogatory information was. Guess that is customer service these days. The customer states all bills paid on time including mortgage.

My only complaint is not the use of the word buttmunch per say..since I use it myself against those who attack and insult banking victims here..but calling an angry poster that because you don't like what they said in their report.

A rip off is often in the eye of the beholder. Granted this site is called "RipOff Report", but if you read the FIRST line on this very sites description...it states and I quote verbatim "Ripoff Report is a worldwide consumer reporting Web site and publication, by consumers, for consumers, to file and document complaints about companies or individuals." Now for someone like yourself who is known to knock others for not reading or understanding terms and agreements, it would be safe to assume you would have read the information regarding a site where you spend so much of your free time rebutting people who lodge complaints here, and trying to "help others".

"If you truly believe that lowering someones credit limit is a "RipOff".  Then here are some things you need to remember.  It is NOT the OP's money it is the bank's.  They have the right to withdraw that credit privilege at any time and they DO NOT need a reason."

Well maybe if enough people complain..that will change. If this happened to you..surely you would want and EXPECT a reason..would you not????

A statement like this is just more sanctimonious bank defender spin. The way I look at..who is forcing this bank to lower this customers credit limit from $3500 to $500 and is unable or willing to give the customer a valid reason? And who has the right to tell this customer he is not allowed to be ticked off about it?

Now I do not think I have the right to tell others how to respond either..but once insults are thrown..it becomes personal and not a legitimate reply or rebuttal.

An example of a legitimate rebuttal to this report could have been for example...

"There is no reason to use profanity against the CSR of this bank, they are merely doing their job. I can understand you are ticked off by the credit limit decrease as maybe you were planning on doing some home improvements, but there must be a valid reason why they would lower your limit, or there is a mistake on your credit report"

or..simply read the first response to this report. If Flynriders response was not next or a personal attack against a reporter here..I would not even have responded to begin with since the first response was clear enough and made sense.

Gee Ronny what report were you reading.  As the OP was the one dropping those lovely profanities to the CSR who had absolutely nothing to do with their credit limit being lowered.  On the flip side Flynriders comments were the FACTS whether or not you want to agree with them.  Now if your only complaint is the use of the word buttmuch, especially after the words the OP layed down.  Well I really can't help you there.

By the way there is a lot of difference between a "complaint" and a "RipOff", after all this site isn't called "I am upset because they did something that I don't agree with", it is called "RipOff Report".

If you truly believe that lowering someones credit limit is a "RipOff".  Then here are some things you need to remember.  It is NOT the OP's money it is the bank's.  They have the right to withdraw that credit privilege at any time and they DO NOT need a reason.

If someone borrowed $1000 from you and paid it back on time.  Would you want to be FORCED to loan them another $1000, unless you can come up with a good enough reason?  I seriously doubt it.  So why should a Credit Card company be forced to keep loaning an account holder money.

..and an antagonistic, defaming, jackass to boot.

The person who posted this report did not personally attack you. Why would you respond in such a defamatory, aggressive, demeaning and insulting way? Do you have stock in Home Depot or something?

Or were you abused, bullied and picked on as a child and it manifested into your cowardly agressive behavior of attacking posters here who lodge a ripoff report?

To set the record straight...this is what a "revolving credit account" is...

Typical characteristics

• The borrower may use or withdraw funds up to a pre-approved credit limit.
  
• The amount of available credit decreases and increases as funds are borrowed and then repaid.
  
• The credit may be used repeatedly.
  
• The borrower makes payments based only on the amount they've actually used or withdrawn, plus interest.
  
• The borrower may repay over time (subject to any minimum payment requirement), or in full at any time.
  
• In some cases, the borrower is required to pay a fee to the lender for any money that is undrawn on the revolver; this is especially true of corporate bank loan revolving credit facilities.

     You need to read your credit card agreement and realize that this is perfectly within the scope of the agreement.   Card issuers all reserve the right to reevaluate the terms whenever they want.   It's their money.  You are not guaranteed to have a specific credit line forever.  That's why it's called a "revolving credit account".  It can change from month to month (with some restrictions) if the issuing bank sees fit.

   Now we know why your credit limit went down.   I guess the remaining question would be, " What happened in your life to turn you into an insufferable buttmunch?"

Your credit limits were reduced because the CC company determined that they were more at risk of you defaulting on your agreement to repay the credit card.

If your payment history to your other creditors is fine, then you may have a problem with the way your credit is reported.

You should do the following:

1. Contact the major credit reporting agencies and request a copy of your report - this will be provided free from each once per year. You shouldn't pay for this report.

2. Review the report and determine if fraud or if incorrect information if being reported. If there is a problem, contact the credit reporting co and dispute the item you feel is wrong. It'll take attention, but once the dispute is settled, you report should show a more accurate score. Contact HD's credit card co and ask them to pull your credit report - possibly with the help of a manager.

3. If the report is accurate, then you'll have to accept that in this current economic downturn with high charge-off rates on credit card accounts, your credit scores only qualify for a $500 limit from Home Depot.

Improve your scores by making on-time payments and keeping the outstanding balances low. If possible, avoid cancelling your highest limit credit card or the oldest one, as this will negatively impact your credit scores.