Complaint Review: HC Processing - HELPcard

In September 04 I purchased a Stairmaster from Nautilus that is financed, on a deferred one-year interest plan, through HC Processing/HELP Card. The minimum monthly payment is $94. I have made the following payments: 10/18/04 = $250, 11/17/04 = $150, 12/1/04 = $200, 12/16/04 = $300 1/14/05 = $300 and 2/15/05 = $150. I have been paying substantially more each month in order to get the total paid off within the year.

I made a payment on 1/14/05 for $300. However, since the statement was generated on the same day, and they processed my payment FIRST, my payment was credited to December 04. This action made it look like I did not make a January 05 payment. They charged me $35 deliquency charge and $223.29 finance charges on my February bill.

I called the company and went through customer service and 2 layers of supervisory assistance. The end result is I was advised not to make my payment early. They refused to refund the $35 delinquency charge nor the $223.29 in finance charges.

This is unacceptable business practices and something should be done about this company. In reading the other Rip-Off complaints it appears this company's normal business practices are to rip-off people. I have also filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau of Arkansas.

Cherub
Ewa Beach, Hawaii
U.S.A.