Michaels Stores
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Kafka and Michael’s
Kafka and Michael’s: Two months ago we paid for a couple gorgeous framing jobs at Riverhead Michael’s. Over the years we have been very satisfied customers entrusting our counted cross stitch pieces with them and have charged thousands of dollars to our credit card without problem. This time we were encouraged to take out the Michael’s own store credit card to save lots of money! So we did. Well next thing I know I get notice that my credit rating took a hit. Beverley told me the payment probably was late a couple days. Our solution was to immediately call the credit card company and pay off the balance and close the account. The agent told me at the conclusion of the call, “ The account is closed and the balance is zero.” Now I get notice of another cut in my credit score and Bev opens up a letter stating that there is an outstanding balance of $2.62 on our Closed Account! We call and first get disconnected after 10 minutes presenting our case. A second call gets us to a “Supervisor” who tells us that the account was closed and that the $2.62 was added interest. She would not write it off and furthermore stated she could not credit/adjust the balance because the account had been closed. I gave in and said, “I will pay off the $2.62 now with debit card.” She assured me that there would not be another balance due next month. BUT THEN she told me I needed to pay her $4.62, not just the $2.62, because there was now an additional charge of $2.00 to CLOSE the account! I told her this was absurd as the account was already closed. She insisted that she was just following their guidelines! Having had credit cards for about half a century, I have never encountered this five and dime rip off $2.00 fee to close a closed account. I refused to pay it and have complained to Michael’s Customer Service. Michael’s store credit card is not at all customer friendly with their absurd unethical hidden fees One week later corporate from the credit card company for Michael’s called and apologized for their rep’s error. I was told there is never a charge to close an account! I am waiting for a return call re: my credit rating suffering and their addition $2.80 approx interest added AFTER I was told account was closed and balance was “zero”. I have left my complaint active with the State of New York about the credit card predatory actions. Also I received a very supportive call from Michael’s apologizing for the experience and they sent me a generous coupon of $45.