Company information:
A-1 appliances
Slidell, louisiana, Louisiana
United States
My complaint is strictly with Citifinancial Retail.
I have paid on time in addition to more than the required amount in order to use the ZERO PERCENT INTEREST FOR 12 MONTHS PROGRAM.
I MAILED MY PAYMENT FOR jUNE, 2008 ON May 20TH which left me with a 48.00 balance. I received a phone call from citi retail stating that i missed the June payment and was going to be assessed a late fee and then be charged an interest. The payment did not arrive to them even after being in the mail system for more than 20 days. Had it arrived in a timely manner the payment would have been 10 days early.
My balance and last payment of 48.00 would have been paid 5 months before the 12 month zero interest was over. I begged the operator to look at my history and note that I had always paid before the due date and normally paid more than the minimum and I asked that they waive the late fee and interest and allow me to make the payment through my bank.
They told me there would be a 15.00 fee through Wester Union who they used to collect phone payments.
I was livid about this practice.
I requested the late fee be dismissed because the late mail arrival was not of my fault. They told me that if I paid the the bill in full, they would dismiss the fee.
I was only too happy to pay in full. I not only will not be using A1 Appliance for appliances for the new house, but I am also closing my 20 credit card business with Citi Card in addition to not ever using Citi Services of any kind ever again.
I will also be warning friends and relatives about the practices of Citi Retail and their being in cahoots with Western Union to collect money.
Western Union has a HORRIBLE reputation for the fees they charge and should be held acountable for raping the public. In my opinion, they are no better than a Pay Day loan joint.
I have been an A-1 Appliance customer for 25 years and A-1 Appliances has been VERY GOOD to deal but because of their affiliation in using Citi Retail, I will be using another appliance outlet to furnish the new house with appliances and TV's. Normally I paid cash for my purchases but this time I had to use credit for a short time and took advantage of the 12 month interest fee.
In my situation everybody loses. A1 Appliance lost me as a customer, Citi Retail lost future business with me, Citi Bank lost my excellent credit card account, and I lost money dealing with their Citi Retail Services.
Fool me once...shame on you.
