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waterwater
- Broke Member
posted: Aug. 1, 2005 @ 12:09a
Tell MBNA that you love its card and service. You did not know that MBNA does not allow (like) what you have done. Ask nicely if there is any way for you to keep your accout(s)...
A lesson from this, never be too greedy. |
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DaveHanson
- Senior Member - 6K
posted: Aug. 1, 2005 @ 12:29a
I'd probably go ahead and tell them that you were given a cash incentive by Citi to simply post balance transfers, and you simply didn't realize that what you did was a consider a security risk. Then, explain that now that you know better, you won't make the same mistake twice.
Explain that you very much value their card, and simply ask if they will grant you one more chance as a courtesy.
You might also see if you can find a way to give a larger "household income" figure, assuming that's what they want (as opposed to a "personal income" figure.) You could say that you were simply trying to be honest in the former call, and didn't realize that they wanted the "household income" figure (assuming that's what they did ask you).
Bottom line is, they know what you did, and need to be quickly persuaded that making you happy isn't more trouble than it's worth. Odds are against you, but as others have said, it can't hurt to ask. Best of luck.
Edit In quickly trying to address OP's request for comment, I missed the part about him already having done essentially same MBNA violation twice. That's going to reduce his odds of sucess considerably...given that, I would probably concentrate on reapplying on the BofA side, and lying low until after the merger is complete. |
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didYOUsearch
- Cranky Member
posted: Aug. 1, 2005 @ 12:41a
DaveHanson said:I'd probably go ahead and tell them that you were given a cash incentive by Citi to simply post balance transfers, and you simply didn't realize that what you did was a consider a security risk. Then, explain that now that you know better, you won't make the same mistake twice. I strongly disagree.
MBNA is a creditor, not your mom. They dont care about "learning your lesson". ESPECIALLY given they warned OP one month earlier not to play BT games. OP did it again using another tactic, and in fact it was intentional. MBNA does not want Op around for a third.
MBNA doesnt want OP as a customer. Once a company makes that decision, IMO its NOT wise to attempt to continue doing business with them.
Its also not wise to tell a creditor each and every one of the loopholes and tricks you discover playing the BT game, especially given that OP has said hes not a good negotiator and did not sufficiently think through prior actions and responses. There is nothing to indicate OP will use these accounts in a normal way in the future, but will only continue to try to "game" MBNA.
From the types of MBNA cards OP has, its likely OP acquired these after reading FW posts, and is yet another example of why less-experienced FWer's should NOT copycat things they may read in this forum, as they are not appropriate for everyone. This is a case of greed and poorly thought out strategy, plain and simple, Common sense (should) tell you NOT move tens of thousands of $$ per month through your CCs when their limits are 2-3k. |
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jennatx
- Senior Member
posted: Aug. 1, 2005 @ 1:22a
Did you 'pre-pay' Citi back from MBNA to avoid having a credit balance with MBNA when the Citi BT hit MBNA? Or did they catch you with credit balances on all you accounts, which they were likely monitoring, again.
Be glad Citibank didn't limit your accounts due to this activity, and consider putting your BT funds in a good bank account and earn interest which could be more profitable than all these small $ transactions. |
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oxaca
- Senior Member
posted: Aug. 1, 2005 @ 1:24a
>MBNA doesnt want OP as a customer. Once a company makes that decision, IMO its NOT wise to attempt to continue doing business with them.
This is generally good advice. But, worst case scenario, what could MBNA do to punish the OP if he negotiates to keep an account open with them? Are they going to lie on his credit report, that seems like too big of a risk for them to take. If they raise his APR or lower his credit limit, is that worse than having no account? Dell punishes people by saying "no more warranties, no more returns" but what could a credit card that would harm the OP if they get mad? (assuming no outstanding balance) [Maybe there is a risk scenario, it could help others if you describe the risk you foresee].
I think the OP can politely ask if they could let him have one card with whatever they feel is an appropriate limit, and after finishing that discussion, also ask if they can please list the other accounts as being closed at his request. Will they say no? Maybe, but what has he lost, a half hour of time?
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idealguru
- Senior Member
posted: Aug. 1, 2005 @ 1:53a
Googler said:reckner77 said:Good luck. I would nicely ask them to reinstate one account. Although, you hold very few bargining chips.
You could simply wait a few months and reapply for an account - see if you were black listed.
FWIW I am a big fan of MBNA Billpay and would hate to see irresponsible use by the few led to its demise for everyone else.
Maybe I'm retarded, but I'm at the MBNA billpay page and no matter where I look, I can't figure out how to add new merchants to the list. The only one listed is my AAA card, and nothing else. What am I doing wrong? Thanks.
Is there a "Add Merchants" link on the left ?
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Economist
- Senior Member - 3K
posted: Aug. 1, 2005 @ 2:01a
Interesting. Very interesting. I see calls from MBNA all the time on the caller ID, but never pick up. If it's something important, they'll leave a message. Once I've got a call - they wanted to verify information. I simply stated that I will have to call them back, because of all the Phishing schemes.
I use mbna to pay my other CC's and then pay it off so I get some extra float. Hopefully it will be ok. I don't do BT overpay 3x over the limit. Although I think I did overpay them once about 3 years ago - just paid the balance from 2 different accounts They had no problem accepting my story and mailing me about 5k check.
Good luck to you. And we all need to be more careful in what we do. |
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fwratz1
- Ancient Member
posted: Aug. 1, 2005 @ 2:31a
fein said:gwagwa said:I'm not too sure I understand. So you did multiple BT's to your Citi credit card, and you repaid it using your MBNA card (through the billpay service)? I was not aware you could pay the Citi credit card bill with MBNA credit card...
I balance transferred from Citi to MBNA. Then use the MBNA billpay service to pay Citi. Finally got screwed up by MBNA.
Why didn't you balance transfer from Citi to a checking acct? No dividend dollars for that? |
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fwratz1
- Ancient Member
posted: Aug. 1, 2005 @ 2:33a
fein said:Googler said:reckner77 said:Good luck. I would nicely ask them to reinstate one account. Although, you hold very few bargining chips.
You could simply wait a few months and reapply for an account - see if you were black listed.
FWIW I am a big fan of MBNA Billpay and would hate to see irresponsible use by the few led to its demise for everyone else.
Maybe I'm retarded, but I'm at the MBNA billpay page and no matter where I look, I can't figure out how to add new merchants to the list. The only one listed is my AAA card, and nothing else. What am I doing wrong? Thanks.
If I rembered correctly, you have to own at least one of the MBNA cards which will enable you to upgrade the webbillpay service. In my memory, AAA Visa and Charles Schwab Visa will not let you do that.
What about other co-branded cards, like the motley fool visa? Anyone know? |
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tooshy
- Frivolous Member
posted: Aug. 1, 2005 @ 2:47a
waterwater said: A lesson from this, never be too greedy.
ditto....another lesson is don't do anything so obtuse that the special review team will have a personal look see...including the current ABUSE of the Schwab deal. My rule is to take one and move on. Don't be greedy, leave some for others.
Question for OP: was the $1,500 BT online, phone or check? I think if it was a Citi BT check mailed to MBNA, it wouldn't have been a problem (I think). Another reason I prefer BTing by check instead of online besides the timely posting when proper coupon and envelope are used (payment posts in 3-5 days instead of 2 weeks).
Did you receive $135 (are you sure not $35?) for (7) five dollar Citi BTs? |
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ccrzhh
- Senior Member - 1K
posted: Aug. 1, 2005 @ 3:33a
fein said:MBNA World Points (10% CashBack everything), Credit Limit $3000 MBNA AAA Visa, Credit Limit $2000 Charles Schwab Visa, Credit Limit $2500
... I talked with her supervisor. Nevertheless, my argument didn't work for them.
Thanks a million for your opinions.
I realized that I abused the MBNA billpay services and Citi promotion. I am working harder for a better solution. So guys be nice on me. I don't see how you abused MBNA. You did abuse Citi, for sure.
As far as MBNA - forget it. It's gone for you. This is from my personal experience - they closed my 3 out of 5 and no multi-round negotiations helped. No new MBNA cards for you too. But don't cry - what's so good that you have lost? Nothing. May be $150 Schwab bonus if you did not get it yet - I don't know. Otherwise, all three cards you had did not make any good. MBNA is not for deals like you did. So why do you need it? For these misery World points? For 3% on gas? Bill Payment? I do use it but I don't understand why some people are so excited.
Let's hope BoA will fire this "special review team" although I doubt. |
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didYOUsearch
- Cranky Member
posted: Aug. 1, 2005 @ 4:11a
OP can apply for BofA cards now, since MBNA has not yet merged with BofA systems, yet both will soon become one....if used responsibly, they will become part of the merged MBNA/BofA |
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didYOUsearch
- Cranky Member
posted: Aug. 1, 2005 @ 4:20a
oxaca said:>MBNA doesnt want OP as a customer. Once a company makes that decision, IMO its NOT wise to attempt to continue doing business with them.
This is generally good advice. But, worst case scenario, what could MBNA do to punish the OP if he negotiates to keep an account open with them? Are they going to lie on his credit report, that seems like too big of a risk for them to take. If they raise his APR or lower his credit limit, is that worse than having no account? Dell punishes people by saying "no more warranties, no more returns" but what could a credit card that would harm the OP if they get mad? (assuming no outstanding balance) [Maybe there is a risk scenario, it could help others if you describe the risk you foresee].
As you said, Dell disallows returns and warranties from those flagged as abusers. Many Staples customers have been flagged for coupon abuse, and they might as well FORGET trying to place an order online, since it will be nothing but cancellations, coupon reversals, and other problems. A CC issuer who doesnt like certain activity can refuse/deny CashBack/point redemption (AFTER theyve been accumulated -this has happened with several issuers), decline charges at inopportune times (this too has happened), and generally give a flagged accountholder problems (which all eventually lead to complaint threads on FWF) that one would not have by simply using one of the MANY OTHER ISSUERS in their wallet who hasnt flagged them as an "undesirable".
A business relationship is a symbiotic relationship, not a parasitic one. MBNA would be a foolish host organism to allow this cardholder to do business with them again. My view is that any discussions are not only a waste of time for OP since EVEN IF an account is reopened, s/he will remain "flagged" and not be able to game the system further with MBNA, but it will more than likely be an exercise in futility given OPs acumen, unless the MBNA rep happens to be especially stupid or sympathetic (which I doubt). |
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treasurebeacon
- Senior Member - 1K
posted: Aug. 1, 2005 @ 6:57a
its greedy people like you ruins it for the rest of us |
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dlr3
- Senior Member
posted: Aug. 1, 2005 @ 7:41a
fwratz1 said:Why didn't you balance transfer from Citi to a checking acct? No dividend dollars for that?Exactamundo! You could have BT the entire amount into your checking account, skipped the middle man and still got CB from Citi for the transaction. Back OT, your MBNA accounts are toast - if no T&C cover the loophole you've uncovered, they will just blanket you with the Patriot Act. |
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mshen11
- Tired Member
posted: Aug. 1, 2005 @ 8:08a
if you are profitable (enough), mbna will reopen your accounts. two months ago, mnba shut down 3 of my cards due to inactivity. a simple 5 min call just saying 'please dont because i didnt request it' followed with numerous apologies and immediate restoration of all my accounts.
but thats because mnba is the only cc that makes a profit on me this year and i dont go around abusing their 10% CashBack like many posters i see on fw 
everyone above me who mentions about the consequences of a bad relationship w/ a cc company is true. citibank thinks im unprofitable and to this day i seem to be on some blacklist - even though they allow me to get new personal cards, they keep rejecting my business applications with mysterious reasons related to my (closed) personal card. too bad for them. |
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Kikimalaka
- New Member
posted: Aug. 1, 2005 @ 8:08a
Abuse? No laws/rules were broken. OP followed THEIR rules and found a loophole. They caught on and stopped him. How is he any more "greedy" than the card that increases their rate to 29% for a ONE HOUR late payment? The companies created a loophole and he went through it. This is real life people and it is about making money for yourself. That said, it sounds like a lot of hassle to make $135 bucks. |
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dcwilbur
- Ancient Member
posted: Aug. 1, 2005 @ 8:30a
The two big no-no's here were:
-Making a balance transfer which resulted in a large credit balance on his MBNA card. -Making multiple payments to a card within a billing period in order to facilitate total transactions far exceeding the credit limit on the card.
You should have seen it coming, but if others need a lesson in what NOT to do, this is it. |
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Zer92780
- Senior Member
posted: Aug. 1, 2005 @ 8:52a
Sounds like the modern version of what used to be called "kiting" or moving money around several checking accounts at once to create the illusion of massive activity as banks track by noting what passes through accounts in a period of time. I've heard it was possible to create the impression of wealth by timing checks. That was back when a 3-day rule applied to checking accounts, which is no more. I don't work with points myself, but I gather earning points CAN inspire interesting activity in the land of plastic. Loopholes exist. The trick is to work the loophole quietly, not excite anyone by broadcasting a glaring glitch in the target's thinking. Maybe best strategy is to use your other cards responsibly, as you live down the impact of having MBNA bust your credit/credibility. -Zer (who agrees that some CC seem set up only to reap rewards from fleecing cardholders who accept agreements fraught with penalty fees and zoomy rates for coloring outside the lines) Kikimalaka said: Abuse? No laws/rules were broken. OP followed THEIR rules and found a loophole. They caught on and stopped him. How is he any more "greedy" than the card that increases their rate to 29% for a ONE HOUR late payment? The companies created a loophole and he went through it. This is real life people and it is about making money for yourself. That said, it sounds like a lot of hassle to make $135 bucks. |
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DaveHanson
- Senior Member - 6K
posted: Aug. 1, 2005 @ 9:41a
OP: I hope you understand why you're generating the angry reactions here. Many of us find MBNA's billpay to be extremely valuable without engaging in any suspicious activity. It is true that your recent actions and others like them jeopardize this great system for all of us. Other FW lurkers might consider that not only are they taking risks themselves, by doing this, but they risk spoiling the game for everyone else as well.
didYOUsearch said:From the types of MBNA cards OP has, its likely OP acquired these after reading FW posts, and is yet another example of why less-experienced FWer's should NOT copycat things they may read in this forum, as they are not appropriate for everyone. This is a case of greed and poorly thought out strategy, plain and simple, Common sense (should) tell you NOT move tens of thousands of $$ per month through your CCs when their limits are 2-3k. Absolutely. I agree 100% with all of this. (And if it was in the original pre-edit post, I'd missed the part about OP's low limits.)
I do hope OP's story will deter others from doing the same. There is nothing to indicate OP will use these accounts in a normal way in the future, but will only continue to try to "game" MBNA.Seems to me OP is pretty humbled by all this (as well he should be), but I can't read OP's mind. I would certainly hope that he wouldn't have such poor judgement that he would continue this practice. I can't believe any MBNA analyst or FW member would have any patience with him otherwise. MBNA doesnt want OP as a customer. Once a company makes that decision, IMO its NOT wise to attempt to continue doing business with them.This is likely true. However, op noted that they did not close his account until after he'd spoken with a credit analyst, who asked unrelated questions. That suggests that it might be worth a shot, given that OP has nothing to lose by trying..
As you'll recall, AMEX didn't want my business either, and they were persuaded to change their mind. MBNA puts more authority in individuals then other companies, which means they can sometimes make exceptions more easily then others.
Its also not wise to tell a creditor each and every one of the loopholes and tricks you discover playing the BT gameAgain, I agree. But that isn't what OP is contemplating. He's explaining WHY he did what they ALREADY KNOW he did: BT money back and forth to Citi. The only piece he's adding is that he was paid to do this. That offers an "innocent" explanation for suspicious activity, unlike many others (laundering money, trying to show a certain account balance for tax or credit purposes, etc.) Will it work? Probably not. |
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