Credit Card Discussion Board

Using the Sears Credit Card

1154ekiMgiB — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:33:27 GMT

Jimdel said…
Just for the record, and this is getting comical now, I did not receive the card. If you can sleep better thinking I'm just trying to blame someone else, so be it. Sears ended up doing what I've grown to expect...take care of their customers. It's why I purchased it there to begin with. End of story.

I am happy to hear you were taken care of I knew that Sears would take care of you. I am sorry that it tooks so long and think it should have been taken care of immediately. There are just so many people who, without the whole story, (remember theres the customers side, theres Sears side and somewhere in the middle is the true side) (not saying you were not telling the truth, but some people tell only things that benefit their side of the story) immediately and unmercifully attack Sears, Lowe's Home Depot or whoever. I never thought that you were trying to blame somone else. The people who responded to you original post were. Instead of asking some clarifying questions, or waiting to hear the end result, they immediately blame the retailer. and that should not be the case. There are people on here who would say that, without question, the restaurant I mentioned should have given all the kids the free meals because the customer is ALWAYS 100% right. That also is not the case! In fact a majority of the time the customer, yes, including me, are wrong. When I am, I will apologize to the manager I complained to and go on with my life. Others, even if they are wrong, will not admit it and will continue to force the issue in hopes of getting something for free. Again I do not beleive that is what you did! Again, I am happy to hear your are satisfied and apologize to anyone who was upset or offended. I would also be curious to see how many of those people who were quick to condemn Sears, will now post that they are happy to see Sears did the right thing and took care of you

Using the Sears Credit Card

Jimdel — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 03:03:11 GMT

Just for the record, and this is getting comical now, I did not receive the card. If you can sleep better thinking I'm just trying to blame someone else, so be it. Sears ended up doing what I've grown to expect...take care of their customers. It's why I purchased it there to begin with. End of story.

Using the Sears Credit Card

1154ekiMgiB — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:34:22 GMT

Yum tacos, enchiladas, and lasagna?!?!?!?!

Using the Sears Credit Card

1154ekiMgiB — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:33:07 GMT

Civsci said…
One would assume using the logic that the address was incorrectly listed that they did not recieve the card. Had they recieved the card no excuse would pertain to them not having recieved the bill via the same billing address. Needless to say the argument is a moot point.

The Agreement with Citi's logo on it is signed at the point of sale and handed over to the new customer at that moment, but that too is a moot point to the discussion.

Not necessarily. The cards are not sent out by the excat same department that sends out the bill. Quite possibly, the mistake was made when the information was entered into the system by the billing department. If you care to call CITI, as I did, they will tell you the same thing

Using the Sears Credit Card

1154ekiMgiB — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:28:24 GMT

Kevin-Pace said…
If in some way you're attempting to stick up for or assist Sears, please stop. We really don't need that kind of help.

Kevin I am in no way trying to "stick up or assist Sears". I am simply pointing out a fact that many people do not take time to read the terms and conditions or rules and regulations, then try to blame it on the retailer, be it Sears, Walmart, Home Depot or whoever. That we, as consumers have to take responsibilty and admit when we are wrong. Perfect examlpe. Last week I was at a local restaurant and from the street one could see a sign that said "kids eat free on Tuesday" When you get to the door, it says in smaller print "with purchase of an adult meal. It also said that for each free kids meal, an adult meal must be purchased. There was a couple with 4 kids and they wanted 4 free kids meals. The manager pointed out the wording on the table tents (they said the same thing the window sign said) Short side of the story, the customers began cussing and threatening the manager. He ended up calling the police. All because they had "selective eyesight" and would only see what they chose. That is all I am doing and I am sorry if I upset you or anyone else!!

Using the Sears Credit Card

Civsci — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:15:04 GMT

One would assume using the logic that the address was incorrectly listed that they did not recieve the card. Had they recieved the card no excuse would pertain to them not having recieved the bill via the same billing address. Needless to say the argument is a moot point.

The Agreement with Citi's logo on it is signed at the point of sale and handed over to the new customer at that moment, but that too is a moot point to the discussion.

Using the Sears Credit Card

1154ekiMgiB — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:08:06 GMT

BigMike4511 said…
At what point does reading come in? If you read the original post, the customer got notihing in the mail, due to an error in his address. If he had gotten the card, he would have gotten the bill, paid it, and not had people blaming him for a situation that Sears was at the very least a part of. Of course some will always try to blame the customer, and then wonder why sales are down.

I thought that maybe I misread the original post, but I did not. NOWHERE does it say he did not get the card.see the following I was encouraged to use the Sears credit card offer to purchase a new refrigerator to gain the additional 15% discount being offered. I intended to purchase outright, but the allure of the discount convinced me to go through with the credit agreement. Unfortunately for me, they had my zip code incorrectly listed, so my bill never came in the mail. Instead, I received "collection" calls like I was I dont see anywhere that he said he did not get the card!!!!

Using the Sears Credit Card

Kevin-Pace — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:11:31 GMT

If in some way you're attempting to stick up for or assist Sears, please stop. We really don't need that kind of help.

Using the Sears Credit Card

BigMike4511 — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:07:51 GMT

At what point does reading come in? If you read the original post, the customer got notihing in the mail, due to an error in his address. If he had gotten the card, he would have gotten the bill, paid it, and not had people blaming him for a situation that Sears was at the very least a part of. Of course some will always try to blame the customer, and then wonder why sales are down.

Using the Sears Credit Card

ServiceLocally — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 04:44:18 GMT

"Sears and Citi have also entered into a 10-year marketing and servicing alliance. The deal calls for Sears to receive about $200 million in annual performance payments. Another $200 million in annual savings will come as Citi absorbs costs from Sears' zero percent financing program." This is from 2003.

Using the Sears Credit Card

Civsci — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 02:38:22 GMT

Selling credit cards is no differe t than selling regular merchandise. Sears gets a kickback from Citi for every customer they sell the card to.

Using the Sears Credit Card

ServiceLocally — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 02:19:17 GMT

Yumm! Chicken and pizza tonight! I got the chicken extra cheap because the wind blew the number off of the sign.

Using the Sears Credit Card

1154ekiMgiB — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 02:04:18 GMT

BigMike4511 said…
The difference between your credit card with the Cowboys logo on it, and the Sears card is very simple. When you go to the Stadium in Arlington, you may find someone trying to get you to sign up for the card, and they may even offer you some sort of "free" gift as an incentive to do so.

When you go to the concession stand, they do not give you a discount for using that card, nor do they push the use of the credit card. They do not have specials that are only available if you use that card.

When a customer goes into a Sears store, with the intent of paying for something in cash or using another credit card, and is offered a discount only if they use the Sears card, they are logically going to believe that the card is issued by Sears, or at least Sears has something to do with the management of the cards. Seeing as Sears had their own credit card for years, and the Citibank card is now presented to the customer as a "Sears Card" customers are going to blame Sears for any problems.

To try to blame the customer, and absolve Sears of any blame is not helpful. The customer made the purchase at Sears. They used an existing Sears card or applied and were approved for one at Sears. They were not told that they would get the discount for using a Citibank card with the Sears logo, it was called a Sears Card.

And just as a point of information, at one point the Sears card could be used for car rentals from Budget, so the statement that the card could only be used at Sears is not factually correct.

Mike at what point does PERSONAL RESPONSIBILTY come in. When the card arrives in the mail, there are pages and pages of terms and conditions that explain the card is issued by CITI bank and that CITI bank makes the terms and conditions of use NOT SEARS!!. I just signed an application for a Sears and it clearly says in the application, that you are applying for credit with CITI BANK. It is very very clear and anyone who signs contracts without reading the whole thing is nothing but an idiot (if that smart)and deserves any and all problems that come their way. I see you sell cars and most used car dealers sell them "as is" and they mean just that 'as is". Do you make exceptions to that for everyone that comes in belly aching. It appears to me that you are a very intelligent person, and I doubt you would make exceptions every single time something happens to cars you sell.

Using the Sears Credit Card

Jimdel — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:09:44 GMT

I understood that the transaction was not being "funded" by Sears. I get it. I was only looking for help from the company who directed me to "use" this avenue to complete a transaction for their product.

I was contacted by a customer service representative today from their (Sears) executive offices. The representative, Ellen, was empathetic to my poor experience and assisted me in contacting the correct people at CitiCorp to finally get my situation resolved. This is all I was looking for. The company that directed to apply and use this card, needed to be my advocate in this mess.

Case closed...I love my refrigerator, but will never apply for another store credit card again. Thank you Ellen and Sears. Lesson learned.

Using the Sears Credit Card

BigMike4511 — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 04:38:10 GMT

The difference between your credit card with the Cowboys logo on it, and the Sears card is very simple. When you go to the Stadium in Arlington, you may find someone trying to get you to sign up for the card, and they may even offer you some sort of "free" gift as an incentive to do so.

When you go to the concession stand, they do not give you a discount for using that card, nor do they push the use of the credit card. They do not have specials that are only available if you use that card.

When a customer goes into a Sears store, with the intent of paying for something in cash or using another credit card, and is offered a discount only if they use the Sears card, they are logically going to believe that the card is issued by Sears, or at least Sears has something to do with the management of the cards. Seeing as Sears had their own credit card for years, and the Citibank card is now presented to the customer as a "Sears Card" customers are going to blame Sears for any problems.

To try to blame the customer, and absolve Sears of any blame is not helpful. The customer made the purchase at Sears. They used an existing Sears card or applied and were approved for one at Sears. They were not told that they would get the discount for using a Citibank card with the Sears logo, it was called a Sears Card.

And just as a point of information, at one point the Sears card could be used for car rentals from Budget, so the statement that the card could only be used at Sears is not factually correct.

Using the Sears Credit Card

1154ekiMgiB — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 01:56:17 GMT

Jimdel said…
Thanks for the note...I understand and am quite aware I am obligated to pay for my refrigerator. I am now paid in full. But in the same light, just because Sears has an outside financial company handle their credit card, it does not relieve them of their obligation of taking care of their customers. When all the dust settles, I still need to purchase goods from Sears or anyone to keep them in business. This is a lesson learned.

I guess what you are saying is that if I have problems with my credit card, which has the Dallas Cowboy logo on it, I should try to contact Jerry Jones. I am not crazy enough to think Jerry has anything to do with the card or would even care about my problems. Same with Sears. If you read the paperwork that came in the envelope with your card, you would know that you are dealing with CITI BANK for your credit not Sears...that is only a logo that they put on the card. I would bet that if it is a Sears Mastercard, you could use it anywhere Mastercard is accepted. If it was a Sears card, the way they used to be, you could only use it at SEARS. I used to have a Montgomery wards card when they were in business. It did not have the Mastercard, or Visa logo on it and could only be used at MW. I currently have a Credit card from Target. It has a Target logo on it, but I can use it anywhere I go, not just TARGET.

Using the Sears Credit Card

Jimdel — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:25:48 GMT

Thanks for the note...I understand and am quite aware I am obligated to pay for my refrigerator. I am now paid in full. But in the same light, just because Sears has an outside financial company handle their credit card, it does not relieve them of their obligation of taking care of their customers. When all the dust settles, I still need to purchase goods from Sears or anyone to keep them in business. This is a lesson learned.

Using the Sears Credit Card

Jimdel — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:21:56 GMT

Thnaks Robert...you are the first person from Sears who is willing to address this problem. The other responses were less than helpful.

Using the Sears Credit Card

SearsCares-Robert — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:36:06 GMT

Dear Jimdel,

We're truly sorry for the frustration and confusion over your Sears account. We can help get you in touch with a supervisor with CitiBank if you'd like. Please understand that our stores do not outline the credit rules and guidelines and may not have even been aware of the account details. If you’d like our assistance with CitiBank, who handles all of Sears’ credit and financial matters, please send us an email containing your contact information (preferably a phone number) to SMAdvisor@searshc.com to the attention of Robert. Also, please provide screen name (Jimdel) for further assistance.

Thanks,

Robert B.

Social Media Moderator

Sears Social Media Support

Using the Sears Credit Card

rstinnett — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:11:17 GMT

The credit card is through Citibank, not through Sears. Sears does not control any aspect of the card itself. It is merely a branded card just like the Delta Skymiles American Express Card -- Delta does not run the credit card, it's merely a brand.

And, as every credit card company and financial advisor on the planet will tell you, failure to receive a bill on your part does not relieve you from the obligation of owing the debt. That's just the way it is. My rule of thumb is I always setup online access to my accounts that way I can check for myself when payments are due, etc.

However, in this case, there really isn't anything Sears can do for you -- Citibank is the one you should be after.