- Report: #861279
Complaint Review: Swiss Colony - Internet
Reported By:
walinn -
Jacksonville, North Carolina, United States of America
Submitted:
Updated:
-
Author Confirmed
Why?
Swiss Colony
Internet, United States of America
Phone:
Web:
swisscolony.com
Categories:
Business Rating:
(0)
Tell us has your experience with this business or person been good?
Swiss Colony Internet and catalog sales of food items especially for holidays. Internet
I have been user of Swiss Colony for many years now since I received their catalog pre-approving me for a $200, which has been since increased to $900. I had a balance of around $300 from items prurchased for valentine days for relatives and grand children. I recenty attempted to purchase another $100 of items for Easter for some close friends, and I was told I needed to provide a 50% deposit. I called customer service and asked about the credit limit - they said the credit limit does not really exist since we run a credit check each time you order something. I than asked if I made a payment of the 50% of the cost to my account would that suffice, or if I cut my order in half would they then process the order without a deposit. She said she didn't have the answer for that but I could try ordering again. I then sent an email through their customer service website and was told, we sent you a letter explaining why, and if I had questions to call back to the credit department, when I called them I was routed to the same customer service.
Giving someone a credit limit and then running a credit check each time negates the need for a credit limit and therefore the credit limit is ffalse advertising. Although they claim to be a separate company and business they share the same account numbers (if you have accounts) with their "sister" companies such as Montgomery Wards, Stoneberry, Midnight Velvet, Through the Country Door and Seventh Avenue. Prices are considerable higher than in stores and other websites, and you accept those costs because of the FALSE ADVERTISEMENT of pre-approved and a credit limit.
Giving someone a credit limit and then running a credit check each time negates the need for a credit limit and therefore the credit limit is ffalse advertising. Although they claim to be a separate company and business they share the same account numbers (if you have accounts) with their "sister" companies such as Montgomery Wards, Stoneberry, Midnight Velvet, Through the Country Door and Seventh Avenue. Prices are considerable higher than in stores and other websites, and you accept those costs because of the FALSE ADVERTISEMENT of pre-approved and a credit limit.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Mitternacht Engel
Other,Further Information from customer service
#2UPDATE Employee
Fri, February 07, 2014
Per the website and catalog:
Enjoy the flexibility and security you deserve:
- Boost your buying power.
- Payments start as low as $15 a month.
View the payment chart - Online account status puts you in control.
- Keep your cash for traveling, decorating and feasting.
- Spread your payments out over the coming months.
Credit orders are subject to final credit approval.
Note the bottom line, Credit orders are subject to final credit approval.
Pre-approval is just that, Pre meaning before, so before final approval. The ammount you are approved for may vary, many catalogs say UP TO 400. That means any ammount up to that number. (Teachers drilled this into our heads when I was in school because most people miss those points and feel they are mis-lead when the advertisement IS as listed)
Actually, there IS a credit limit once your account has been truley established, (after few months of pay, ask credit department for more exact timeline)
As to why it was held, honestly Customer Service is NOT given information on why orders need down payments. (each order varies per person) Credit is the proper department to speak to on this matter. Letter should explain why the down payment is needed, but many still have questions. You should contact the Credit department, or call the regular number and asked to be transfered there if you get customer service.
Account numbers: first 10 are the same, last 4? digits after the 10 refer to which company it is. It makes it 100% easier for those working to answer questions about several companies at once and take multiple payments.
I hope this was helpful and sorry if I wasn't.
