Advanta Bank Complaint - Deceptive Practices - Credit Line

Posted by PassingBy on 2009-01-19:

Just because they raised the interest rate doesn't mean you have to send them a surprise. Based on your handle it's going to be a box of dead fish. I have no sympathy for you.

Posted by Ghost of Doc J on 2009-01-19:

PassingBy...It's a bit unfair to conjecture, based on the OP's NIC and the statement a 'surprise' is coming that the OP intends intemperate (and likely illegal) retalliation in mind. Even if she did, we can still sympathize with her for being exploited by Advanta Bank while we condemn any prospect for intemperate retaliation by her.

Posted by PassingBy on 2009-01-19:

Ghost of Doc J.. but what if the surprise is something that could cause harm to people or property? The opt-out notice was probably on a statement but hidden so as not to make it obvious. I can't stand opt-out, whatever happened to out-in?

Posted by Ghost of Doc J on 2009-01-19:

There is nothing in the post to imply the surprise would be harmful to people or property. "What if" cannot justify rash conclusions, since 'what if' can encompass anything. I prefer to think the OP may have found a very sympathetic law firm, legislator, or 'loophole' in the TOS to thinking they had evil intent on harm.

Posted by JohnInSoCal on 2009-01-19:

You both make valid points. The fact remains that we do not know what this OP has in store for this company. In my opinion it was completely inappropriate and not helpful at all for the OP to even imply that a "surprise" was on its way. This website is where we all are suppose to come to inform others of our consumer experience and share advice. The OP only did half of this and then left the rest to our imagination. Really... tell me how anyone would find that in the least helpful?

Ghost, with all respect, if there was a loophole found or a sympathetic lawfirm is going to take the case and so on, I can see no reason why that could not be mentioned as long as the specific details were not included in the post. If the OP could not share what this "surprise" was going to be due to legal reasons, maybe this complaint would have been better served had it been posted after the loose ends had been tied.

Posted by Ghost of Doc J on 2009-01-19:

It is not helpful to one's case, to prematurely divulge a strategy. The OP may have other intended 'surprises' such as sympathetic media coverage, boycotts, etc. That I don't list them all, does not invalidate that stating something like "You'll be sorry" should not be construed as a threat against persons or property using illegal means. A person walking the street with a bulge in their coat may not be carryiing a gun...they could also be sheltering a homeless kitten. It is paranoia to assume mal intent with regularity.

Posted by JohnInSoCal on 2009-01-19:

I think you are missing my point Ghost. Why would they say anything at all if they could not give any information? That is NOT helpful. Assumptions can be and have been made based on what was said and I believe that is exactly what the OP was going for. That is what she got. I'm willing to bend a little to see other points of view Doc to understand where you are coming from. I am not sure why you are not bending to understand where I am coming from, and it is not a case of paranoia.

Posted by Ghost of Doc J on 2009-01-19:

I read 'a surprise is coming' in the vein of 'help is on the way', 'change is on the way', or 'they will regret their abuse of consumers' does not imply (as PassingBy stated) that the OP intends to send a box of smelly fish to the company. Many Americans have become conditioned to accept paranoia as 'normal'.

Posted by JohnInSoCal on 2009-01-19:

Then that is what the OP should have said. Telling us that a surprise is on the way is not letting us know that help is on the way, nor is it telling us that Advanta can expect to receive a box of smelly fish. We aren't suppose to assume what they mean, right? So the OP should say what they mean so no assumptions have to be made one way or the other. As I said earlier, if the information cannot be released due to legalities, then this complaint would have been better served having been posted after the loose ends were tied.

Posted by Ghost of Doc J on 2009-01-19:

As we know, not all posters are as capable and precise as we are. While you state we are not supposed to assume what the OP meant, it was immediately assumed that the OP had a nefarious intent. That someone interprets a neutral phrase as threatening, absent of any other evidence, tells more about the reader, than the writer.

Posted by JohnInSoCal on 2009-01-19:

Granted, but we all know that when people are posting complaints on this site they are not thinking of sunshine, rainbows, and roses. They are pissed off, and rightfully so. In my original comment I did not say one way or the other what I felt the intent of the OP was. I stated that I felt it was inappropriate and not helpful for the "surprise" comment to be made if they were not going to elaborate. Honestly, when I read her nic, I thought she owned a fishmarket.

Posted by sherdy on 2009-01-19:

If I may, I thought the OP was talking about the changes to the laws coming in 2010, which will get banks into deep doo-doo for doing this to their consumers. It is wrong, bad and awful to do this to working folks who pay their bills.

Posted by JohnInSoCal on 2009-01-19:

Those changes can't come fast enough Sherdy. The banks are going to do a lot of screwing over before the 2010 changes go into place.

Posted by Ghost of Doc J on 2009-01-19:

Excellent point, sherdy, and one I was trying to make for John (without citing a specific). "You're gonna get it" does not imply a threat...it implies only an intent. The intent may, or may not, be legal. And there are never grounds to make a blanket assumption the intent is always illegal or unethical.

Posted by Ghost of Doc J on 2009-01-19:

I gotta run...make some 'working noises'. Time flies when you're on m3c!

Posted by JohnInSoCal on 2009-01-19:

A blanket assumption was never made, not from me anyway. LOL I feel like I am talking to a wall. Ghost, I really wish for one moment you could bend and see things from where I see them. It doesn't mean you have to agree but you have totally closed off from seeing the other side.

Posted by jktshff1 on 2009-01-19:

not butting in, nor attempting to assume, but my first thought of the surprise would be a bankruptcy.

Posted by sherdy on 2009-01-19:

I wish they would come faster. I bank with a credit union and I have one credit card with State Farm. They are holding the line with their rates. I hate seeing all of these small businesses screwed by credit card companies. I can't wait until Bank of America takes it bending over. They are the worst of the worst. I could hope they fine them big time...but then what happens is that the CEOs and higher ups walk away with huge paychecks and everyone else is out of a job. Corporate greed is destroying this county.

Posted by Ghost of Doc J on 2009-01-19:

Butt in anytime, jkt. You cite a very good reason...and one valid for the OP not to divulge an intent to file bankruptcy. I have no desire to be 'right' here, John. I do see your side, and believe it to be incorrect. That I do not agree does not mean I am inflexible. It really is okay to disagree. Not all disagreement is 'inflexiblility' and not every unrevealed statement of intent is a threat.

Posted by JohnInSoCal on 2009-01-19:

All I wanted to know is that you were able to see both sides and I was not getting that vibe from your posts. We can disagree. I have no problem with that.

Posted by thefishlady on 2009-01-28:

"just because they raised my interest rate, I am not to send them a surprise", are you kidding me ? Do you only realize or care that their practices are illegal and ruining many small businesses here in the good Ol' US of A ? The surprise they will receive is LEGAL. They will get exactly what they deserve, you on the other hand should have a little more compassion for those who are getting scrwed by the corrupt system. Wait until it is your turn. I, on the other hand am fighting back the best way I know, LEGALLY. I have never in 30 yrs been late, bounced a check or had a negative on any of my credit reports....can you say that ? So, back off & get informed.
Barbara