Prime Rate Credit

Well, I just got off the phone with my credit card company, who, in a genius marketing ploy, make you talk to an actual representative to activate your new card. Things must be rough if they no longer just let the automated service talk to you and tell you your card has been activated after asking your a few security questions!

Basically, I had gotten my new Chase Visa credit card with a fixed low APR in the mail, and had to activate it, since every credit card company sends their active clients a new card once every so often, just in case the plastic wears out (and believe me, I’ve had a few credit cards in the past where the plastic really has actually worn out, so much so that the writing on my signature on the back of my card was no longer legible actually).

Well, this time when I called, they said that my phone number was recognized and there was no further verification required (an automated voice told me this), but then I was subsequently transferred over to a representative to “confirm” the activation after that. Usually it ends with the automated voice telling you that you’ve been verified and you’re good to go ahead and use the card again anywhere you want to.

They also tried to talk me into either buying the right to take a few months off paying the credit card bill, without any penalties or fees, or even any accruing interest during the “time off” for a very nominal fee. I informed them that although that sounded good, I wouldn’t be not paying my credit card if I could help it, so didn’t need this monthly service charge (I think it was less than a buck a month, not bad, but still not something I need personally).

Then, they advised me that they could also send out checks for low APR balance transfers at a 2.99% interest rate, up to the limit on my credit card since I had so much room left on it. This also sounded like a good deal, but I informed them that I have no balances on other cards that would benefit from this at this time.

The gentleman on the line was very friendly and didn’t press me at all, but I was most impressed that he actually asked me my permission for him to go through his schpiel, and I told him yes (I usually don’t, but genuinely wanted to hear what they had to offer this time for some reason).