Today I was in one of the malls and chanced to browse for a wedding band in one of the jewelry stores (I swear they're more numerous in the malls than 7-Elevens are on the street corners!!) Well, I didn't see anything that struck my fancy, but I graciously accepted the saleslady's business card. Then she says sugary-sweetly, "why don't you do me a favor and apply for our store card." The most unappreciative look must have come over my face, because she looked back at me so puzzled. "Do YOU a favor????" I asked, incredulously. And before my southern upbringing could kick in and "hush my mouth", I heard myself say something like... "So I'm supposed to take a 5 point hit just for the inquiry you'd make, then another 10-20 point hit for 6 months if I accepted your store card JUST SO I CAN DO YOU A FAVOR? Lady, explain to me when you and I got to be bossom buddies?" Turned on my heels and out into the mall I went without so much as a "Bob's your Uncle". Just think, a year ago, I might just have been stupid enough not to realize how damaging it is to casually do that "do me a favor store card" thing. ...and I owe it all to you guys!
Yeah, I had to laugh once I cooled down later. And you know, I don't even think she knew what the hell I was talking about!
Hope, Your retelling of this story just made my day! LOL Poor woman - like most people she probably doesn't have a clue what you were talking about. She just takes the aps and turns them in, I'm sure. Oh.. and..."Bob's your Uncle" LOL Mist
You're probably right. And just think what a strange tale she was telling her friends and family about me last night. I can just imagine! "Margie Jean, that crazy woman was fussing at me about some kind of points and inquiries and such, just because I asked her to do me a favor!"
I'm surprised you didn't whip out your credit reports just to show her exactly what you were talking about!! You can always go back...
I need to make a point here. My wife works part time at Hecht's. They are required to ask the customer if they want a card. The clerk, who is getting about $7 an hour, gets a bonus for each application. As a practical matter, she gets enough to pay for lunch. Most of the clerks have no idea how this affects your credit (nor do most people).
I understand that Thomas. My son works for Kohl's and although they aren't required to, they are heartily encouraged to get the customer to apply and are rewarded with "merit points". Fortunately for Sonny Boy (not his real name!), he got that job *after* he'd started building his credit and knew the consequences of casually applying for store cards hither and yon. He says he thinks folks apply if they want and otherwise not, and chooses to let the store's in-store advertising (hanging everywhere and tons and tons of credit card applications at every cash register) do their own talking. But the point of my story is that I was totally offended at the woman's presentation of her duty (this wasn't Hecht so I don't know if it's a requirement of her job.) "Would you like to apply for a store card?" is perfectly acceptable. "How about doing ME a favor and applying for a store card..." is presumptuous at least and absolutely pissed me off. Her manner was meant to be chummy and I just didn't cotton to a stranger sidling up to my credit rating on what my great granddaddy used to call a "bulls**t tip". I'm sorry your wife has no choice, but I'm glad my son does.
