HSBC Holdings review: credit card ripoffs! 140

Dear Readers,

I am holding a savings account with HSBC Ltd., Thane (W) branch in India for the last 2 years with my father as the Jt. Account holder. Recently for some personal reason we both wanted my fathers' ATM / Debit card to be blocked, so I called in through the telephone pin verification mode and requested the customer service representative to block his card, she told me that the Jt. Account holder has to call himself and put this request. Hence, I called my father who is very old in the late evening hours and requested him to speak to HSBC and get his card blocked. I also informed him that he must specifically ask the bank not to block my card; the number was read out for him which he noted.

He then called the Bank and asked them to do so, the reply from the other end was "DON'T WORRY UNCLE, IT WILL BE DONE" and he called me and informed the same. Then three days later I was to leave for an official trip out station and the day before I was leaving I went to an food place and used my card, out came a surprise that this card is to be taken away. I was very frantic and called the customer service. They all the time gave me different answers and excuses for my card being blocked for security reasons. My tour and appointments came to standstill since this was the only bank that I have an official operative account.

Somehow, I overcame this big obstacle created by HSBC, India and on returning I am told that they have recorded the conversation with my father and he had asked them to block my card too. Now this was contrary to the logical impression given to me that the card holder must call in particular to block his card.

I would therefore recommend that keep away from the customer service persons of HSBC, please visit the bank and sort out your issues with this bank and then too do not expect them to be responsible for your account handling. This is a group of persons who enjoy at other cost and do not shoulder any responsibility. Please stay away from this bank in India and be careful always have another bank account if you are banking with HSBC exclusively in India.

Rathin Kumar Das
26/421, Triveni,
Adarsh Nagar,
Prabhadevi,
Mumbai - 400030

I made a payment on Dec. 23, 2009 with electronic check, at store. On Jan. 8, 2010 HSBC contacted me to see if I would bring payment up to date. I informed them I had made payment, the amount and on what date. I ended up going to bannk and getting documentation of payment, sent it and a letter explaining problem, registered mail. They contacted me a couple of times afterwards and had to explain everything everytime, they assured me they had everything they needed, but just had to find out where it went. Received letter today, Feb. 13, 2010, that my complaint was being nullified because I didn't send proof. I'm going to resend one more time and then I'm going to send copies of everything to better business bureau, att. general, and take everything to my lawyer i guess.

We have been customers of HSBC. We have been promised that we will receive special treatment there because our company is listed, and that we dont need to wait and we will be assisted promptly. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case when we filed for a car loan, they promised that everything will be processed in just 2-3days and it will be 1month when we get the car, the approval took 1 week, when they promise 2 days, the release of cheque took 4 days! The reviewed our papers and they said nothing is missing and everything is in order only after 2 days, they called again to tell us that we need to furnish them a copy of this and that! We are living in al ain and it's too inconvenient for us to travel back and forth, even traveling trice per day to Dubai so as to speed up the pro ess but the result was still the same! It is so frustrating!

dear sir,
today i recieved a message that they r charging annual fee for alife time free card.they r doing 420, now what should i do?should i complaint rbi?my credit card no. is [protected].

During Canada RRSP/tax season loan approvals (or rejections) require a quick turnaround time. Two years ago they kept promising approval as did the customer service rep. and at the last minute my account was rejected which left me zero time to go back to my old bank which had approved it every year. Bad, bad service which cost me in tax savings and refunds.

Just took money out of my savings to pay off this "rip off of a credit card company." I carry a personal credit score of 750 with all 3 credit bureaus and do to a mix-up of ONE late payment. They increased my interest from 1.99% to 30.99% When I called and explained my situation; they said once the computer triggers a penalty interest there is nothing they can do to adjust it. That is such "a bunch of bull." There are exceptions to every rule, and if they wanted to keep their good customers they would make adjustments where needed. If this is how they treat a customer with excellent credit; I have no idea how they have any customers at all!

My husband and I have disibilty insurance from this company. My husband has a claim paying our loan at this time. We are suppose to get a refund from when we paid the loan during time of processing the claim. We have been trough numerous representives since the first of June, we can not get any sraight answers from these people. They continue putting us off. Every time we call we get a different story about when they will take care of this matter. All of said persons keep saying we will call you back so and so date but most of them do not return our calls at all. This company in opion are showing good consumer care at all. I even talked to a supervisor, she still has not given any satisfaction to this issue. I have called several times, she tends to leans towards not calling me back. I do not understand how a company can so lack such bad business quality. I have been through 15 representives myself, not to count my husbands phone calls to them. They do not conduct themselves in a business like manner.

I have a Credit card with HSBC & had bought the outstanding amount to a few thousand, then I stoped receiving the statements & presumed the card to be over. However now after a good year I suddenly received a call saying the outstanding amount is 80, 000+, which is ridiculous. They kept adding late charges & interest & when the amount was sufficiently high they suddenly call out of the blue. The thing is that my mother & friend had gone through the same experience with HSBC. I am under no circumstances going to pay this amount. Please can someone advise me as to what can I do, as I had read about a similiar case which went to the courts & eventually went in favour of the consumer. I feel now the only option is to go to the courts.

Household Bank or HSBC. I have been a customer for over 5 years and spent thousands of dollars. I have never missed a payment or been late on a payment. I called and asked them to waive the $39.00 annual fee charge and they refused. They said it was impossible. So i asked them, they would rather lose my business over 39.00 and they said there was nothing they could do. So i closed my account. There are plenty of other cards at much lower interest rates, i suggest you go elsewhere. Henry

I canceled my account with this company June 19, 2007. I paid my balance in full at the time. Since then I have received 3 billing statements. Each time I have called them and told them that this account is closed and on what date I closed it. Because of their $35.00 late fee I have a new balance of $82 and some change. Latest, I just received a telephone call from them, 11/7/07 at 5:30 pm stating that since I turned them into the better business bureau, my account balance is now $0.00 and they do have it on record that the account is CLOSED!

HSBC @ [protected] keeps calling my cell phone [protected]. I have called them 4 times and everyone that I spoke to had promised me that they will remove my number. It has to do with a credit card. I do not have any accounts with HSBC nor I do not bank with them.

I am the Highely frusteted customer of HSBC
I awanted to cloase the card & asked about the Total Payment on 1st of June They given me some amount & again i am getting the New Charges wioth a buill about 650 Rs & If i am asking to custmeor care they are telling as Its late fees

i sent in payment they ripped the check diagonally corner to corner the reason i know they did it, the dollar amount on check completely gone they wrote it on top of the returned check the check was stapled to a paper dated 7-24-08 and the envelope dated at the post office 08-06-08 because the check couldn't be cashed they put a hold on the card, the next day the statement came in the mail $39.00 late fee $23.00 intrest they screw up and want the consumer to pay or is this a way to cheat customers

I advise anyone to stay away from HSBC Credit Cards. I got injured on the job and tried to use the Account Secure Plus program they denied my claim they said that it wasn't thirty days from the time I got hurt until the the time I was released from Worker's Compensation. The dates were from February 9, 2010 until March 10, 2010. FYI if you close your account and still have a balance with them they are still going to charge you interest. I called and talked to several representatives and nothing works. Please beware consumers. I don't want anyone going through this madness I'm going through.

I had applied a credit card in HSBC bank on 30.01.2008, till date i have not received any enquiry and information about the card
My application No.5848556
Please take an action on it and give me the information about my card status

Hi,
We are filling a complaint to HSBC branch bangalore. We are already existed costumer of this bank holding savings account, we are applying for credit card its been now almost 1 month with no answer or result from the sales representative name Raj mobile no. [protected]. How long the application takes for existing customer? We are calling this person but not picking his phone nor giving a definite answer for the application progress. Expat in India should be treating with disrespect?
Pls need your assistance
Regrads,
Maria stephen

If you have a mortgage with this company and have direct payment authorized you better watch your money disappear by a computer glitch.

They have double deducted all mortgages to all customers today. 07/21/2008

They said they will correct it by the end of the week and they are very sorry.

I would like to comment on this ‘glitch’ by the use of other words, unfit for your screen

I have a personal loan from HSBC Bank ME, In May 2008 they have taken two installment from my personal account. My loan due date in on 5th of every month. In may 2008 they have deducted 5th May one installment as usual and on 28th May they did on more. When i complained about the second deduction they justified that, whenever the salary is credited to the account they will deduct the loan amount, but it was not happened earlier.

I think UAE central bank should involve in this type of wrong actions by the banks operating in UAE. I am planning to send a written complaint to UAE central bank.

I put my payments into the mail, well before it was time. I put my payments in the mail on the 28/29th of June and both my cards state that they didn't get it until AFTER the due dates. And I know that is a lie. I've done this before even with a three day holiday weekend and had no problem. So, I got hit not with one, but TWO late payment fees. When I had called the one card company that it was there, etc. The didn't post it until the 18th of July! They held it for two weeks. Luckily for me, I paid extra on both of them so that the late payments didn't hurt me. But it does make me angry that they deny that they held the payments. And there is no justice because I can't prove that I had sent them in LONG before they were due.

HSBC is the useless one in customer care. I hold a credit card. First of all they were sending my statement to my previous home, when I had clearly instructed to send those to my current home address. Even after correcting this arrangement, they were not able to issue me the statements for last month even though i called and escalate people of customer care they told that i will be sent your statement through mail with in 3 to 4 hrs but till now i did't get, every next day is last day of payment(with out panelty).

please be aware of your customer care service.

please find the problem and get back to me immediatly

I was charged for late payment but i paid on time, but was stilll charged for late payment.
I enclosed my reciept.

I have a terrible experience with HSBC Retail Services. I have a Best Buy account with them. I was on vacation in September from the 21 to the 24. My bill was due on the 21. Being that I was on vacation, I called them on the 22 to pay over the phone. The operation told me that the bill was a day late and I have been charged the $39.00 fee. The following week I began receiving threatening call and a collection letter even though my last bill was not due until October 21. This is my last transaction with with. The next time I want a store credit it will not be with HSBC.

I was stuffed with a credit-card by HSBC and never used it. I want to know the process of canceling it without any harassment.

I had 2 cc acct's with HSBC for years. Suddenly approx 2 yrs ago they raised the int rates to 30%, so you know what that did to the payments. I started to fall behind and I contacted them to make arrangements. I was told that I had to give them access to my bank acct to be able to do a set amt each month, so I did. I was then told that they couldn't do that and I needed to send them a payment each month in the set amount so that is what I did. A few months later after going over my bank acct I noticed that they were deducting the amt anyway (isn't that stealing) and also taking my other payment. I contacted them letting them know, I was told that since I was paying this set amt they couldn't work with me. I was laid off at the time and couldn't believe that they wouldn't work with me and set up some sort of arrangement so I could continue paying. I had no choice but to stop paying all together. It was that or lose my home. I was then contacted by a person (i'm being nice by calling him that) who constantly called and harassed, name called and brutally degraded my wife, which I believe is illegal, am I right? He told her I was having an affair and hiding the charges on these credit cards, etc. Now we have a law firm, Weltman, Weinberg & Reis calling us day & night. No one wants to make payment arrangements they want us to pay them over 14k now, today! the original amt's were 3k & 4k. They are accruing over $200 a mth each in interest and $39 each late chg each mth. If anyone had that money wouldn't they just pay these people? The point of making arrangements is to do the right thing and we are being severely penalized for trying. Isn't there a way we can all bring a class action suit against this company for unlawful practices? We also have a Polaris Star card thru HSBC and they constantly mess with the acct too and we pay on that one. They never set the correct date of payment so they can collect a late fee.

I've had the worst experience ever with this credit card. Its been a nightmare. First of all they hold your payment for three days before it gets processed. So if hey don't receive your payment AT LEAST 3 days before the due date, ITS LATE. It doesn't matter if you pay them on time. On top of that they raise your interest rate extremely high. They also add some "debt cancellation fee" every month that you never asked for. They're very, very sneaky and the interest is insane. I cannot believe this bank. Examine everything very carefully when doing business with them.

i also have had a problem for the second time they claim i did not make a payment even though my bank confirms the payment was made ahead of time . they are charging late fees and interest.

I HAVE FINALLY PAID OFF THIS SO CALLED "BANK" I BOUGHT A BOWFLEX, WAS APPROVED FOR A LIMIT OF 1700.00 WITH AN ALMOST 24 PERCENT INTEREST RATE. I HAVE BEEN PAYING ON IT FOR THREE YEARS NOW... AND MY BALANCE ONLY WENT DOWN 500.00, ITS WORSE THAN AN AUTO LOAN... LUCKILY I GET BONUSES AND DECIDED IT IS TIME TO END MY RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM. JUST A NOTE, MY LAST PAYMENT DROPPED ME DOWN TO 1161.00, WHEN I RECEIVED MY CURRENT BILL, MY BALANCE WENT UP TO 1186? NOT SURE IF THEY ARE EVEN A LEGAL COMPANY, BUT GLAD TO BE RID OF THEM FINALLY, I WISH ALL OF YOU THE BEST OF LUCK, AND BEFORE YOU APPLY FOR ANYTHING I WOULD SERIOUSLY CONSIDER MAKING SURE IT IS NOT HSBC THAT YOU DEAL WITH BEFORE YOU CLICK "SUBMIT" OR SIGN THE FINAL SIGNATURE.

I have had HSBC Best Buy card for 3 years now. I have never missed a payment nor been 30 days later, ever. I dont know what has happened with these clowns recently, but they have decided to call my house 6-12 times a day. I answered the phone one morning before work and the Ethnic gentleman told me I was late and needed to pay my bill now over the phone to avoid more charges. between his canned jargon i repeatedly asked how late my payment was bc If i remember correctly it had been made a few weeks ago... I pinned him down and he finally told me 4 days late. I said wait a minute, you are harassing me at least six times a day for a 4 day late payment? what fees can be added for a 4 day late payment? My 90 dollar payment ended up being 140, not to mention 15 more dollars to process my payment over the phone. I told him I would call back. I needed to do a little digging on here and see if others are having this same problem. YEP! So the last straw was on Saturday. My wife had recently had surgery and had metal hardware and screws in her arm and was at home resting after a hard Physical therapy session and pain meds. They called at 8:15 am and she told then not to bother her bc she was going to physical therapy and she would have me call them. They proceeded to call 5 more times that day in an eight hour period. She called me crying saying that the phone was ringing off the hook and her arm was throbbing. I had to run home to this completely uncalled for sittuation. I have since talked to them, (which was pointless BTW). Until I referred them to my the attorney I had retained the following monday. Turns out that any caller, no matter who it is that:
#1 repeatedly calls for the same reason, ( usually more than twice) but circumstances do vary.
#2 had been told either not to call back or that person will not be home until a said amount of time.
THESE CONSTITUTE HARASSMENT IN STATE AND FEDERAL LAW!
Which is a 1, 000 fine. Here is the kicker; Each time they call is considered to be a violation though, not 1, 000 for all of the calls that day 1, 000 for each. (every call or attempt to call is considered a new violation).
If you can afford an attorney and this is happening to you! go talk to an attorney! I promise they will stop calling you.

lol ok i c wht da deal is no more mr nice guy they have been ripp n me off for years now guess wht hsbc come to my house n get ur money...lmao.I LIVE N TX I CAN SHOOT U FOR B N N MY YARD NOW COME TAKE MY MONEY OUTA MY POCKET LIKE U DO WHN I PAY U ...IE..OR TRY TO PAY U...I HAVE NO PRBL WHN I PAY CHEVRON/TEXACO.I PAY THEM THE SAME WAY I PAY YA'LL WESTERN UNION, , HELL I PAY THEM THA SAME DAY N N 10 MIN THE WIRE IS @ CHEVRON/TEXACO BANK...LOL I PAY WHT I OWE ...GOD IS GUD
BUT TURN DA OTHER CHEEK...IS FOR A BROTHER N CHRIST NOT DEVILS N SHEEP CLOTH N, , , , ...DAHHHHH
REMEMBER WNH JESUS WENT N TO THE...CHURCH N THEY WERE SELL N SICK BIRDS N USE N UN FAIR... WEIGHTS...LOL..HE MADE A WHIP N BEAT THOSE FOOL OUTA DA CHURCH...LMMFAO.SRRY GOD...
SO GESS WHT IM NOT GONA PAY U ORCHARD BANK...HSBC OR WHO EVER U R...TAKE ME TO COURT N U GOTTA SHOW UR RECOEDS...OOO[PPPS U GOT A STAIN ON U..N MY CREDIT SCORE...WELL WHO CARES... ALL OF YA'LL WRK WIT EACH OTHER ANY WAY BUT IM NOT GONA B UR SLAVE FOR LIFE, , , , NAW IM MO PASSS..DA GASS.FARTS REAL LOUD..., , , , , GET U A BILL COLLECTER.N WHN THEY CALL ME ABOUT A SETTELMENT.I WILL PAY WHT I OWE ...BUT NO MORE...LATER U BITZHES...

HSBC is the slimmest credit card company I have dealt with in many, many years. I had an account with them for a few years and it was nothing but a nightmare. I chose to pay off the account through my bank and got rid of the problem...for a while. Now I open a Menards credit card account, due to my purchasing a new home and, guess what? HSBC is the company that host credit services for Menards as well. I am fixing to pay whatever balance I have on my account and I hope that John Menards get his head out of you know where and get rid of this slimmey credit card service company (which is putting Menards good name on mud) or Menards will be losing customers as well.
HSBC interets rates as well as all the fees and charges they have are simply outrageous and out of this world! I can not understand why the Better Busines Bureau does not investigate this company and take some action for the sake of protecting the consumers out there, but then again, the Better Business Bureau is full of fallacies as well, so we are stuck between a wall and a hard place!
To all of you reading this blog, please, PLEASE, stay the hell away from HSBC. They are truly a RIP-OFF, NON-TRUSTWORTHY, TRICKY, SLIMMEY, UNETHICAL, GREEDY INSTITUTION! Check all your businesses cradit cards (ie. retail services to ensure HSBC is not the host credit company; they will ruin your life!

Federal Communications Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
445 12th St. S.W.
Washington, DC 20554
[protected]
[protected]

HSBC
452 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10018
[protected]
[protected]
[protected]

Attention: Julius Genachowski, Chairman FCC
Neil Booker, CEO HSBC Bank

Re: HSBC Bank USA – Intimidation & Denial of Multiple Do Not Call Requests

To Whom It May Concern:

On 10/12/10, my wife and I decided to purchase a Kawasaki Vulcan 500 using the Kawasaki Credit Card offered through HSBC Bank.

At the time of purchase, I specifically stated that we did not want telemarketing calls and was assured that we would not be getting any!

Shortly there after, we began receiving multiple telemarketing calls. Each time the calls came, I specifically requested to be placed on the Do Not Call List. In all communications with HSBC I was told that it would take 30 days before our number was cleared from their system… I checked my records; this has been going on for over thirty days!

It should also be mentioned that after making these requests, I began receiving multiple telemarketing calls from HSBC in one day. Two, three, and four calls in one day were common. Many of the calls were deliberate hang-up calls. It should be stressed that it has been made perfectly clear to HSBC that we were declining their phone calls and offers!

As defined by the FCC rules found at: http://business.ftc.gov/documents/bus27-complying-telemarketing-sales-rule#threats repeated phone calls, is willful intimidation by HSBC and their representatives.

As defined by the FCC rules, repeated hang-up calls are also considered to be ‘intent to annoy, abuse or harass!

FCC rules specifically state that each and every one of those willful violations is subject to a $16, 000 dollar fine. The four calls they made to my home adds up to $64, 000 dollars… that is just for one days worth of harassing calls!

I have a letter dated 11/05/10 addressed to my wife that acknowledges our privacy preferences… yet HSBC continued calling!

I also have a letter dated 10/20/10 that clearly states that our lien free title would be sent to us within 10 Business days. The Ten Business Days has long since passed. To date, we have not received the title to the motorcycle… perhaps my complaints about the abusive, harassing, rude, unprofessional telemarketing calls from HSBC have caused this delay!

Today, I also did some research and found numerous complaints against HSBC. I found out that my complaint is not unique, that there are hundreds upon hundreds of complaints about harassing HSBC telemarketing calls from Suzuki and Yamaha owners. There are even complaints about how HSBC charges ‘Debt Cancellation Fees’ for paying loans off early. There are literally thousands of complaints about poor HSBC customer service!

There are even complaints from 2008 against the very same people I have spoken with for the very same situation my wife and I have experienced. A good example can be viewed at: http://householdwatch.com/news/interactive/594 which, I should point out, also mentions numerous hang up calls from this company!

It is bad enough that this loan was screwed up right at the beginning by HSBC but for Kawasaki USA and its dealers to offer this predatory credit program from a banking institution that has such a poor reputation – to unsuspecting customers… there is no excuse for this… Not when we have a zero balance with this company!

I do not expect the FCC to do anything about this. After all, you can not take action on my complaint alone. But you do need to be aware of just how this company is conducting its telemarketing business!

Sincerely,

Upset Consumer

CC. Steven Rybarczyk – HSBC
Kawasaki USA
Ohio State Attorney General
Better Business Bureau
/link removed/

Kawasaki Motors Corp
9950 Jeronimo Rd
Irvine, CA, 92618
[protected]
[protected]
[protected]

HSBC
452 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10018
[protected]
[protected]
[protected]

Attention: Takeshi Teranishi, President

Re: Kawasaki Credit Card – HSBC Bank USA

To Whom It May Concern:

Today, I received yet another telephone call from HSBC Bank. This time it was from a lady calling out of California claiming to be with HSBC Executive Services and wanting to discuss the telemarketing calls and any concerns that I might have!

The lady insisted that it takes 30 days for the calls to stop… that there is nothing that could be done. That since I made the request on Nov 3rd that I was out of luck never mind the fact that HSBC was told two weeks before Nov 3rd to stop calling. In other words, I have been dealing with this for over a month!

The fact remains that when I spoke with HSBC Executive Services Christy Ann Denis on Nov 3rd and at that time I provided her with the dates and times of when the calls were received and when I requested that my number be removed from their telemarketing system!

Did she document those dates and times?

No she did not!

I have been putting up with these harassing phone calls for over a month!

Today, I also did some research and Googled HSBC complaints. I found out that my complaint is not unique. There are hundreds upon hundreds of complaints about harassing HSBC telemarketing calls from Suzuki and Yamaha owners. There are even complaints about how HSBC charges ‘Debt Cancellation Fees’ for paying loans off early. There are literally thousands of complaints about poor HSBC customer service!

(There are even complaints against Steven Rybarczyk from 2008 for this very same situation that can be found at: http://householdwatch.com/news/interactive/594 which also points out numerous hang up calls from this company!)

It is bad enough that this loan was screwed up right at the beginning… but for Kawasaki USA and its dealers to offer this predatory credit program from a banking institution that has such a poor reputation – to unsuspecting customers… there is no excuse for this!

I do not expect Kawasaki to do anything about this. After all, HSBC is not owned by your company. But you do need to be aware of just how the company that provides the Kawasaki Credit Card treats your customers!

Sincerely,

Upset Consumer

CC. Neil Booker, CEO HSBC Bank
Steven Rybarczyk
Ohio State Attorney General
Better Business Bureau
/link removed/

I have a best buy card also and they have bee charging me late fees every month even though I have been making payments before and after the due date. I received a letter from their claims department after 6 months of these issues. When I called customer service, they were less than understanding of my situation. I canceled the card and will never use HSBC or Best Buy for any products or services ever again.

My wife and I made purchases at Furniture Row and Best Buy which were finacned through HSBC Reatil Services. The bills arrived every month the day before they were due. We paid them and they added a $39.00 late fee.
On June 27, 2010, i called and complained; a supervisor assured me that the fees of $78.00 would be removed and that the total pay off on both lonas was $964.69. They cashed our check the next day with a notation "PAID IN FULL" on the check. They accpted it.
In Augsut we received another bill (past the due date) with the $78.00 late fees added back on AND a late fee on the late fees. I called HSBC and spoke to "Neelima" who transferred me to her supervisor "Tom." Tom said that they only took of one $39.00 and that I owe late fees on not paying the late fee (now $$58.00). He said to pay it!

I also have delt with these folks and unfortunately had to take it to court. What I did find out in my dealings with them that this is a Chinese owned company despite all the "local" offices. I just hope that OUR government starts taking more notice on how these foreign companies are taking advantage of hard working US citizens and do something about it, hopefully starting with HSBC!

I agree with everyone and have had the misfortune of dealing with these folks, I unfortunately had to take it all the way to court. I also know that they have many "local" offices in the United States, but when I did more digging I found out its a company out of China. That shouldn't be surprising these days, but it does explain the attitude and the "outsourcing" of Customer Service. Perhaps one day, OUR government will take notice how much these foreign companies are taking advantage of hard working US citizens and do some sort of control. Hopefully starting with this company first!

I am having the same issue as everyone else. I pay my bills online through the bank. I had no power and 2 feet of snow so even going to post office wasn't an option (it was closed most days anyway-hello 2 feet of snow in 12 hours not exactly common around here-and we were only predicted 4-8 inches)
So anyway, My payment (actually, I paid the account off) arrived late. 4 days (I actually paid on time but bank processing made it late). I called and explained the situation. The CR rep was not nice about it. I have had an account for years-and spent $1000's of dollars. I have never been late. at all.
The CRS was not helpful. I ended up paying the late fee by phone. I called to close the account because I am not happy with their Service over the late fee. They have no record of my payment. None. I had a confirmation #. No record. I paid again and immediately closed the account. then I got my bank statement-the first payment went through. I called-no record of it. No record of either payment.
###. Money is coming out of my checking account and they still say I owe. I gave them 5 days to get it fixed and send me a refund. Will update.

PS. PEOPLE-WRITE THE COMPANY THAT YOU ARE GETTING CREDIT WITH HBSC THROUGH. GUITAR CENTER, BEST BUY, YAMAHA-WHERE EVER. THEY NEED TO HEAR THAT THEIR CUSTOMERS ARE VERY UNHAPPY WITH THE COMPANY THEY PAY TO HANDLE THE BILLING

I don't know much about all this financing stuff but now that I'm reading all these crazy comments of people being misstreated I'm going to have to look into it with more detail..
Thank you all for posting your opinions..

I agree also with everyone. I can't even get a rep on the phone. They just keep tacking on 29.95 plus other fees and now the bill is outrageous. What can I do to stop this so I can pay them off?

11/19/09 I see that I am At the starting gate or at the end of the hangmans noss . I have a no int. account with Best Buy / HSBC always paid on time and lot more than min. I got Nov. statement with a late fee for Oct.and called them. Was told it had not been posted, not their fault its the postal service. No more info from them, I complained at BEST BUY forum .when I called 11/18/09 The csr agreed to take off the late fee after my $1oo.00 payment I sent for Nov. was posted. Now I can`t get on the Best Buy forum to follow up, its like I am blocked.
(google 2500steve or unposted payments as i cant read it or access itnow ) I still can`t believe that any company would cunduct business like this. But I have been checking other sites and it is common for these two worldwide. Everyone needs to ck out sites-- workbench, hsbc and best buy complaints, you will find thousands .

We need to all start emailing and filing complaints to the BBB, postal inspectors, consumer affairs, Federal trade commision, news media, polititions, ( note they may be tied to their hips? ). At the very least start with friends, family, clubs. I belong to a small club that is part of a national group that raises funds for charities. Localy we are only 250 or so but nationaly about half a million or so members. I have a meeting coming up and will bring this up with our member that is a director in the national side. It may be a small start but i learned that sitting round and complaing wont change our problem with these companies and their side kicks. We need to take the time and file the complaints. Remember they take on one complaint at a time with a well rehearst script and its same as done. We and I say all need to push all the agencies to take action against these companies. Check out other sites and inspire others to take action.

I know many have been fighting this along time and I am just starting, but minor complaints will not get their attention or change anything. I wish all better luck and we will need it. 2520steve