Closing credit card cringe spiel!

Legacy_user

Hey. Has anyone noticed that when closing a credit card that they really pile it now with the sales crap and flattery and try and convince you to stay? And try and say all the reasons you should keep it (like you haven't thought it through yourself and made an informed decision). My god, it's so cringe? It is just so much. Is it only companies like Vanquis (have this as it was my first credit card, kept for a few years) or it it across the whole board? To be honest, it'd kind of put me off having credit card/s in the future (amongst other reasons). Or just even bothering to call up to close them, might as well just leave them their unused lol. I was prepared, but you literally have to tell them to put a sock in it...

Vortigern

As I said in another recent thread: It's worth the price of a stamp to avoid call centres and all the carp that entails.

Craig1981

my wife and i closed Vanquis card accounts (after having them around 6 years) a couple of months ago. two minute call, very helpful and not a letter in sight since! closed MBNA and NAtionwide CC as well, and never heard anything since

i also have aqua cards we use when abroad for the international purchases, and they are sending texts, emails, letters, you name it, every 2nd week or so offering ridiculous APR loans!! have managed to change marketing preferences with them now, and hopefully it will stop

jackieblack

Sweetcake wrote: »

Is it only companies like Vanquis... or it it across the whole board?

Barclaycard was the worst IME (although I've never had any dealings with Vanquis)

worried_jim

With the cost required to obtain new customers companies would be stupid and reckless to their shareholders not to try and retain good business.

chattychappy

And what's wrong with selling anyway? You've had the card for a while and you decide to close it. What's wrong with them trying to persuade you to change your mind? Are those 60 seconds of your time so precious?

People think nothing of engaging CC call centres with all kinds of spurious moans and gripes. They have to listen and respond. Why not give them a few moments of your time? Surely it's just good manners when you are ending a relationship.

adindas

Sweetcake wrote: »

Hey. Has anyone noticed that when closing a credit card that they really pile it now with the sales crap and flattery and try and convince you to stay? And try and say all the reasons you should keep it (like you haven't thought it through yourself and made an informed decision). My god, it's so cringe? It is just so much. Is it only companies like Vanquis (have this as it was my first credit card, kept for a few years) or it it across the whole board? To be honest, it'd kind of put me off having credit card/s in the future (amongst other reasons). Or just even bothering to call up to close them, might as well just leave them their unused lol. I was prepared, but you literally have to tell them to put a sock in it...

I cannot talk about Vanquis as I never get this CC despite numerous offer throughout my front door. But I have been closing numerous numbers of CC that no longer offer benefit to me. In general it is a straight forward process. Generally speaking it is about knowing how to reject offer efficiently such as "not interested" But need to be open minded, it might something they mention offer you benefit that you have not taught.

About Barclays. As mentioned by one poster Barclays is sometimes quite pushy but you in general you take advantage of them by challenge them what benefit they could offer to you. If you read this forum regularly you will often see people get repeated 0% BT offer, compensation of $50 of higher for their mistakes etc.

pmartin86

Vortigern wrote: »

As I said in another recent thread: It's worth the price of a stamp to avoid call centers and all the carp that entails.

Simply this, its same with anything you want to cancel, whether it be a CC, TV package mobile contract etc. Write a letter, stick a stamp on, job done.



I personally find that its hard NOT to be rude to the person on the other end, I know their doing their job etc, but after 4 times of politely saying "no thank you" before they launch into another spiel its hard not to just should "Will you just do as I ******* ask?!!??" at them.

MABLE

pmartin86 wrote: »

I personally find that its hard NOT to be rude to the person on the other end, I know their doing their job etc, but after 4 times of politely saying "no thank you" before they launch into another spiel its hard not to just should "Will you just do as I ******* ask?!!??" at them.

Me like me just be firm and not rude. These guys are only doing their job.

CollinT

[FONT=&quot]I rang a credit card company (4 letters beginning with 'M') a few years ago to cancel my then recently deceased brother's credit card (I was his executor). [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]The call handler obviously didn't know the meaning of the words 'my brother has died' as she was insistent that there was no need to cancel the card and would he like to increase the credit limit or take a balance transfer at a preferential rate![/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]When the penny finally dropped that my brother was deceased she tried to sign me up to one of their cards![/FONT]

pmartin86

MABLE wrote: »

Me like me just be firm and not rude. These guys are only doing their job.

I did state that I know their only doing their job, and I did state that I always try to be polite, so I don't need to "be like you". I also stated I tend to send letters to avoid the situation where possible. I was merely stating that after several times of being told, sometimes it feel like there is no other choice.



Perhaps you should read and understand before getting on your high horse.