A horror ! Please, please stay away.
Written: May 02 '03
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Pros: No annual fee, You get approved quickly and easily
Cons: There's a reason you get approved easily: they're out to dupe you!
The Bottom Line: Aspire is only looking to rip you off. So please do some research, and go for other credible and reputable cards. Do NOT get caught in Aspire's web.
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| webpundit's Full Review: Aspire Visa Gold |
I got my Aspire Gold card when I was a student and just starting out to build credit. I was pretty happy then because it was one of the few credit cards that were approved for me. I did not have a problem in the year or so I had the card because I was making my payments regularly and did not ever have to speak with the Aspire customer service. And then the trouble started.
After a year or so when I'd created sufficient credit history, I decided to go with other credit cards that were offering me cashback on my purchases. So I did not use the card for over half a year. And then once I noticed it lying in my wallet and used it just to see if it was still operational. It was, and I had only made a measly $5 purchase with it. Well, I missed making the payment for this (because I'd forgotten all about the card) and was slapped with a $30 late fee. I know for a fact that all credit card companies usually waive a late payment fee as a complimentary service ONCE. This was the first time I'd ever made a late payment, and so I called customer service in hopes that they would take it off.
The lady I talked to was the epitome of ineptitude. She said that once I sent in the minimum amount due of $12, the late payment fee would be taken off. And so I did. I heard nothing from them for about 4 months. And then out of the blue, I receive a letter from their COLLECTIONS DEPARTMENT with dues of $130!!! They'd sent me no statements and had simply gone on to add a late payment fee of $30 each month.
I was distressed and called customer service again. Again, the annoying lady was no help and absolutely refused to relent on the charges. When I confronted them about not receiving any statements for four months, she came up with NO clear answer and kept pseudo-threatening me that if I did not pay up, they'd report me to the Credit Bureau. I tried to talk to her, but she had no answers and would simply not listen to me and kept interrupting me. In fact, she was downright rude. Anyway, so I paid up and closed the account. More than loosing the hundred-something bucks, I was simply happy that I did not have to confront them anymore.
When you go to their website, one aspect will jump out at you. They have no customer service telephone number advertised on their website. Only an email address. And here's the cherry on the top: the customer service number they give in their credit card statements is an automated inquiry system, with NO option to talk to a live operator!! The only way I was able to talk with someone was through the Collections Department letter that had been sent to me! How's that for customer (dis)service?!
In conclusion, I would beseech you to not EVER get an Aspire card. I do believe they're making money simply by taking advantage of non-suspecting members with unauthorized charges and little or NO customer service.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
webpundit
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Reviews written: 1
Trusted by: 0 members
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