The $4 principle

There are some things you shouldn't have to pay for. An annual fee for a credit card is one of them. When I saw one of the cards I have started to charge an annual fee- on a monthly basis nonetheless- I immediately made the decision to close the account. It was a card that I used on occasion, one that I got because I thought it was a hoot. With minimal use there was no reason to keep it and pay a fee.

Instead of paying the account online I wrote out a check and put in instructions on the statement to close the account upon payment. Payment went through and I thought it was the last I would hear from them.

Wrong!

I received a statement yesterday showing I owed $4. That is the amount of the annual fee. Apparently they didn't close the account. I went through the fine print and found that I was supposed to call them. A different card I had years ago required you to write them; they wouldn't take verbal instructions. This bank was different.

So I called them up and explained that the account should have been closed last month. The rep answered that it was in fact closed. Only when I asked why I was charged a fee did she say that it hadn't been closed and that had to go to a different department. What? My closed account was open again. I asked her to close the account now. Not a problem she said. The account is closed. I just need to pay the $4.

What? Oh hells no! I explained to "Dorothy" that I was not paying this fee. I closed the account last month in written instructions. The 4 bucks was not going to be paid.

She then told me that in order for that fee to have not been charged, I had to opt out of the agreement by December 14, 2009. So, in order to not be charged a fee in February, I had to decide to opt out two months prior. That is a month before I decided to close the account. I guess I need psychic powers to have this card.

I told Dorothy this was ridiculous and that there is no way I was paying this fee. I wasn't rude. Well, that is if you don't count being sarcastic. I was firm and told her a couple times that there was no way I was paying their fee for an account that was closed. She suddenly found a exception form and said it has been submitted. I bet I receive another statement from them next month.

By the end of the call Dorothy seemed annoyed with me. Telling her I hoped she had a good day didn't seem to improve our relationship.