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Sam's Wholesale Club Sam's Does Not Stand Behind Its Customers Bentonville Arkansas
My wife and I have been loyal customers of Sam's Club spending $22,987.23 in their stores since 1997. We began charging purchases to the Sam's Credit Card when that became available in the Spring of 2003, and since then have always paid our monthly balance in full and on time. In November 2008 my wife and I tiook a 2 week vacation to Hawaii, and while we were gone received a $144. bill for charges at Sam's Club. We returned on December 7 and I paid the bill in full on December 7.
Shortly thereafter I received a statement for a $25 late fee on the $144. purchase which equals 17.4% interest. When I called the credit company that works behinf the scenes for Sam's Club they refused to talk to me since my wife's name was on the card, although everything we have is jointly owned. I then went to the local store to get their help and they said my problem was with GMAC, not Sam's, and they couldn't help me. All I know is when I pay for the goods at Sam's store, the blue card says Sam's Club so as far as I'm concerned, Sam's owns the responsibility to resolve any credit issues.
I promptly explained to the Sam's associate that I would spend another $23,000 over the coming years, but not at Sam's, at COSTCO (where I can earn a rebate by the way). As such I have canceled all of my memberships with Sam's Club and have joined COSTCO. This is no loss to me, and maybe my little bit of business is a minimal loss to Sam's. But rest assured, I plan to tell everyone I know of my Sam's expereince. Simply put, Sam's cannot partner with another company to provide services to its customers and not provide proper oversight. It is Sam's Club brand that is being tarnished here, not GMAC which only appears in the fine print of the statement.
Steve
Clive, Iowa
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Cat
Hendersonville,Tennessee,
U.S.A.
you're in the wrong here not Sam's
#3Consumer Suggestion
Sat, January 03, 2009
You were late on a payment. You should have sent in the payment before you left as that is what the majority of people would do. You knew you were going to be gone and you know the due date on the card. It is pretty much within a day or two every month.
Secondly, it does not matter whether you jointly own your property or not. If the card is in your wife's name they can not nor will they talk to you.
Thirdly, it is not Sam's issue, you are wrong. GMAC is the bank who you are charging with . There is no bank of Sams.
Last, I would have hoped you would have learned a lesson about using debt and charging. Had you paid cash for these purchases you would not had to go through this frustration. When you forget a payment with Costco it will be NO different. Eventually you will "Discover" that you are the "Master" of your life and that my friend is priceless! Use cash and stop playing games with debt. It does nothing but bring you a mess in life. You are playing games with interest, with debt and eventually the cards will come tumbling down around your ears.You seem to think that just because you spend a tad over $22 grand you deserve special treatment. You deserve the same treatment as any other customer , whether it is $3.00 or your $22. The previous poster is right though I spent that much when I used to shop at Sams years ago, the only difference is I used cash or I did not buy it. At least I went home at night and did not have to worry about payments and debt. When I took it home, it actually belonged to me.
The only ripoff is your playing games with debt. That is the true ripoff.
Flynrider
Phoeix,Arizona,
U.S.A.
You didn't actually say it, but...
#3Consumer Comment
Sat, January 03, 2009
It sounds to me like you paid your bill late because you were in Hawaii. A $25 fee for late payment on a credit card account sounds fairly reasonable (most banks charge more). I'm not really sure what your beef is. GMAC is the issuer of the card and is the company that is extending you credit. If you pay them late, they're going to charge you a fee. I'm sure you'll find that provision in your credit card agreement. Sam's really doesn't have any say in the matter.
If your angle is that you think you should get special treatment because you spend about $2.2K a year there, better think again. That's small potatoes in the warehouse club business.