JC Penney Card: What's "All Inside"?
Written: Aug 18 '03
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Pros: You can charge at JC Penney. Woo.
Cons: Ridiculous credit limit policies, make changes without telling cardholders
The Bottom Line: You SO don't need this card.
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| Candice923's Full Review: JC Penney Credit Card |
I am MIFFED.
I have been a cardholder with JC Penney for at least four years. In this time, I have made two late payments. TWO. And, they were both like a day or two late. And for ridiculously low amounts, like $20.
In February, I paid off my entire JC Penney account. The payment, which was around $50, was one day late. I called to find out if they had received it, and I was told it was late. But, since I paid off the entire balance, they weren't going to charge me a late fee. As a matter of fact, they were going to let the whole thing slide, because I've been "such a good customer."
That was 6 months ago. SIX MONTHS.
I have not carried any balance on my JC Penney account since. Seriously. I haven't charged a darned thing onto the stupid card since Christmas. I haven't even received statements in the mail because I don't have a balance and therefore don't have to make payments. Are you following me on this? Good.
Today, I went to JC Penney in the Antelope Valley Mall right nearby my house. My mission: to buy a Qincenera gift for my friend's daughter, some new pillows, and a new duvet cover for my queen-sized bed. Sounds easy, right? Armed with my JC Penney card, I walked right up to the jewelry counter.
If this were a review about JC Penney alone, I would write about how snotty the sales associates were. I would also write about what great deals I got on everything I bought. But, this isn't a review about the store; It's a review about the card.
Anyway, the earrings I bought as the gift came to $54.91. I paid using my JC Penney card at the jewelry counter for those and made my way into the home department. The pillows and duvet cover came to $73.50. If you do the math, you can see that my total charges came to $127.45. I figured I'd charge it, then pay it off as soon as I received the bill. Sounds logical, doesn't it?
As I went to pay for my purchase in the home department, the sales associate ran the card through and informed me that my card was declined. DECLINED?? It's a frickin' JC Penneycard that I just charged $54.91 to in the jewelry department. So, the sales associate called MCCBG, who now runs the JC Penney account. (JC Penney sold it to them at the beginning of this year.)
My credit limit is $100. No joke. The sales associate, who had been ignoring me the entire time I was in the home department, looked at me with wide eyes and told me that she had never heard of an account limit so low. I got on the phone with the woman from MCCBG, who informed me that I had been late over the past 4 years and they lowered my credit to $100. THEY NEVER TOLD ME ABOUT THIS.
Something similar happened to my mother as well. Her credit limit was lowered nearly $2,000 because she missed ONE payment, which she paid a week later.
The sales associate in the home department told me that it's because MCCBG bought the JC Penney account. Apparently, a lot of the bonuses that cardholders once got (free portraits, discounts, etc.) have been eliminated. They are a lot harsher, and don't accept ANY excuses for late payments. Plus, the APR is now 21.9% on carried balances. Thanks, but I've got a Visa that treats me MUCH better.
The old JC Penney account was really cool. There were nice bonuses, a bit of leniency on late payments, and a whole lot of convenience. Plus, the cardholders were held with a lot more respect.
As soon as I pay off the earrings, I plan on totally canceling my JC Penney account. I do not recommend joining the ranks of JC Penney cardholders, unless it's to get the initial 10% off when you join on your first purchase. Then, pay it off and cut it up.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
Candice923
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Location: Brookhaven, NY
Reviews written: 707
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