Question
I recently got 2 new creditcards... one from Citi, one from Chase. Upon activation, instead of an automated system, i was transferred to a live agent and have to hear sales pitch about balance transfer and credit protection plan. I called from my home phone so I am sure it can be done automatically.
Has it become normal now that activating new card force you to hear sales pitch?
Answer
I recently got 2 new creditcards... one from Citi, one from Chase. Upon activation, instead of an automated system, i was transferred to a live agent and have to hear sales pitch about balance transfer and credit protection plan. I called from my home phone so I am sure it can be done automatically.
Has it become normal now that activating new card force you to hear sales pitch?
I don't think so. When I ordered additional Amex and MBNA Matercards for my fiance we were able to do it all by just pushing some keys.
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I just got a new Citi card, and when calling to activate was also forced to hear sales pitches about balance transfers, credit monitoring services, etc. I couldn't get the guy to shut up. I called a few days later to sign up for autopay and got the same sales pitches. And then a few days after that I got a "welcome" call from Citi with the same sales pitches a third time. :rolleyes:
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My two Visa cards (Bank One & Bank of America) both had automated activation systems.
American Express is the most annoying. The magnetic strip on my Green card wore out a few months ago from overuse :), so I called and had a replacement card overnighted to me. When the new card arrived, I called to activate it, and this guy just starts reading all the benefits of the card to me from a script, like an automaton. After a good three minutes or so, I tell him "sorry to cut you off, but this is a REPLACEMENT card. I already know about the Membership Rewards program." He finally shuts up, tells me the new card is good to go, and I hang up.
I much prefer automated activation systems, but with fraud so common these days, CC companies may be switching to live representatives more and more to help verify identity.
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Happened to me on a new Citi AAdvantage card as well. I told the agent all I need is to activate the card and dont need ANYTHING ELSE. Still had to make myself clear 3 times before she stopped.
I dont blame the agent(s), but this sales tactics from Citi are very annoying.
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This happened to me with both AMEX and Citibank. With Citibank, I got annoyed and asked them why they kept calling me, and the rep told me they call everyone three times to introduce them to the "Citi". I forwarded some feedback that it sounded like telemarketing to me.
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I activated my new citi AA mastercard and got no sales talk at all, she was actualy very short. You could hear her checking my phone number in her display than asking me my Mother Maiden name/password and than asking if she could do anything else. I said no and she said, goodby, thanks for calling.
Maybe it's because I dialled the 310 phone number not the 800 and maybe because I called at 500 AM, but no sales pitch here.
Looking forward to the welcoming call...
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I think this tactic is spreading. :td: Just activated my replacement QF ANZ VISA here in Oz. I had to tell the person twice I was not interested, just wanted to activate the card and be done with it. He mentioned that the ONLY reason he was telling me about the offer is that we had a few moments while the system activated the account. nb the account has been with them for 10+ years :confused:
Now if I can only get them to explain why my card went to a bank branch and the supplementary cards were mailed to the office address....
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Had the same thing happen to me. I knew what was coming so I politely asked the agent to don't bother.
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I just activated my Sears Card and ended in a callcentre in India with a lady names "judy" who was speaking with such an accent that only the fact that I speak regulary to "indians" that I was able to understand her.
I had to speel my easy name 4 times and my mothers maiden name 6 times, it is the same name as some famous movie director and I thought she would know that one but she did not. It was so funny.
So I get the "while the system is processing your activation" crap she start reading the script about credit protection. I muted her and 5 minutes later she asks if I want that feature, I decline and she starts with the next script. 5 minuts later and she asks for that feature, which I decline. Hey it's not my phone bill, it's and 800 number.
But I never got my Citibank welcome call that all the others are talking about, I wonder why.
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Sears cards are now issued by Citibank, so you may be in for a welcome call after all... :D