have I bitten off my nose to spite my face?

theerroll

So yesterday I cancelled my vanquis credit card account. I no longer need it. My credit rating is now strong and I am in no need for the credit or the interest rates they offered.
However I was told that once closed I could never have an account with Vanquis again. I don't want one, I would never ever again have one.
Incidentally my Argos card account (which is run by vanquis bank) I do use, because of the vouchers and interest free periods (I always say that if you spread the cost interest free you are foolish not to). Anyway the phone call to Vanquis has been bugging me for 2 days. Telling me that after 4 years of loyal and 100% responsible custom I can never have an account again because I chose to close my exsisting account. So tonight I also closed my Vanquis run Argos card account. Having read what I have written have I bitten off my nose to spite my face. To try and get one over on Vanquis.
I can't help but feel that I have spited myself and so does my wife. What is your opinion? I feel stupid.

[Deleted User]

personally i suspect that argos interest free periods aren't as good as they used to be,as for the vouchers they send out they almost always arrive after I've just done some buying from them

PinkPoppies

Well, I would have done the same as you, out of principle.

What a pathetic stance for a company to take, and use against customers?! The mind boggles.

How much are the Argos card vouchers worth? There are plenty of good 0% cards with cashback out there that would serve you well not just at Argos, but everywhere you spend.

Besides, it is not as though Argos is the be all and end all, vouchers or not. Plenty of other competitive retailers out there!

Monkeyballs

Nah, you'e done the right thing it may encourage you be more frugal and it's rarely a bad thing to pay with cash... You'll never get into debt that way, that's for sure!

Think about it, how much have you spent on the Argos card which you only bought because you had received a voucher or discount? Hmmm...

MB

theerroll

Yes you are all right! And I actually have a new card with 16 months interest free. I am moving house soon its substantially larger than my current home so may use it to furnish the new house! But it WILL be clear before any intetest accumulates!!

Swampy3k

Most likely if you apply for another account in 6+ months you will be accepted. Companies do not want to turn back customers, especially ones who pay them back.

sithemadmonkey

It's just words on a piece of paper that they give to the customer service agents to say to people like you who want to cancel. I should imagine a fair few people will keep the card 'just in case' when told this, regardless of whether it is true or not.

If you can get better than Vanquis then good riddance.

IDer89

If you can start to be trusted by the good guys either by having good credit and any adverse notices on your file dropping off then why would you need them anymore?!? Good riddance!

Just stay in the clear from now on and you won't need them again anyway!

Aloofdragon

woodbine wrote: »

personally i suspect that argos interest free periods aren't as good as they used to be,as for the vouchers they send out they almost always arrive after I've just done some buying from them

Well I thought I was being paranoid but seems they have a cunning plan huh.. We never ever had vouchers unless we had spent a fair chunk of cash beforehand.

sourcrates

Don't Vanquis charge extortionate amounts of interest, something in the region of 39.9% APR ?
I think you are well shot of them to be honest, although I have had credit cards before, I would never have another, it just encourages debt in my opinion, since paying my dues I now pay for everything on my debt card, or use cash, so I always live within my means.
I played the credit card game from age 18 to 44, a fair chunk of my life was spent in debt, no more, I refuse to play there game of been in perpetual debt, robbing peter to pay Paul when things got tough.

Did you do the right thing ?

..........................................................oh yes indeed you

did, you should be proud:T

theerroll

I am proud, but I can still have a credit card and manage my finances. I will. I never want to pay interest again unless it is needed ie my mortgage.
My worry was that by cancelling my argos card I have no lost the option to spread the cost of things I would buy without having to pay interest. I am moving soon and in need a new fridge for example, it'l cost me £600, i could buy it outright from my savings or pay a manageable £200 a month interest free. Personally I think i made a mistake. I appreciate all of these comments though! Thanks everybody!