My husband and I have perfect credit. I like being able to say that. We used to think it was all a good thing. every time we would buy a car, etc. and our credit was run we just smiled at each other, waiting for the surprised look on the face of whomever manned the computer.

This matters not to our friends at Chase.

My daughter bought a car at 17yrs. old (last year). About this time Chase was offering me a balance transfer familiar to my husband and I, "0% for 18 months or 5.9% for the life of the balance". We chose the latter option to finance her car. She made automatic payments directly from her account. All was well.

Because payments were automatic and because I was also paperless, I was unaware of the huge rate increase we were slammed with right when it happened, but close enough. When I called to find out whassup I was told I was sent an opt out notice but had not opted out of the increase within the allotted 40 days. First, I don't remember getting the notice. Second, I would have remembered that one if I did get it. Who wouldn't chose to opt out of a rate increase??? Send me a notice and ask if I want to opt out of a gunshot blast to the face. If I don't respond, PLEASE assume I would not like one!

Now we sit at 10.9%. Not acceptable for us. I called again after stewing for a few days. Boy, was that a nowhere conversation. I asked, "Do people actually opt to take a higher rate?". You guessed it. She said yes. I said I would like to speak to a superior. That was not possible but I was offered a fax number or a mailing address. I took a breath and asked if the call was being recorded. She said yes. "YAAAY!" I said "OK, this is not for you, but for whoever listens to this recording." I proceeded to voice my feelings and in a nutshell let "whoever" know that they could have had my 5.9% but they gambled and lost. Now they were going to get zip. Felt good. I apologized to the gal on the other end for having exposed her to the sound of my "wrath" voice and emphasized again that I was not talking to her. I wished her a nice day and said goodbye.

Tomorrow I go to a local bank and get an unsecured loan @ 10.75%. I would have paid 12! My husband logged on to my account and wrote a gripe email, not that anyone would care, really. But if everybody responded by dumping these guys, the bullies would be looking for a job.

Thanks for freedom to rant. (I think that one's in the constitution)