Is Discover card going out of business or something?

[TwixVoy]

Looking at my caller ID I am getting about FIVE calls a DAY from discover card. Normally one would think I had a 10K balanace and wasn't paying to get those kind of calls. Nope, I have a zero dollar balance. (I never carry credit card balances) All I do is use the card for my automatic monthly bill charges for phone, insurance, etc.

When I call the number back I get a recording about "This is discover card. Sorry we weren't able to reach you. We were calling about a special offer we'd like to share with you".

Gee special offer. What could that be? How much do you want to bet it's a cash advance or balance transfer offer? They keep sending me letters asking me to take cash advances, and keep increasing my credit limit automatically every few months.

You know you would THINK after the past few months these banks would be a little bit more cautious about this kind of thing. Apparently not though. Seems like they are going freaking crazy trying to push more people in to debt.

Anyone else getting this many calls a day?

[AlCzervik]

1. no but i keep getting stiff from BOFA which is funny because they hoovered up

my existing mastercard from MBNA.

I actually had to go into the bank yesterday (thehorror!) to get a new $100 bill for a graduation card and the teller asked me about getting a BOFA mc, i told her i already have one, "Do you want another one?" no i don't, thanks.

[Hydra]

2. No, but...

The Discover call center is always looking for outbound sales callers in my area- I stopped applying there after they tried to push me into that dept. twice when they had been advertising for CSRs.

[leftofcool]

3. We get the same calls and snail mail

If you have good credit and don't keep balances on your cards, you will always get this.

[TwixVoy]

4. I've had this card three years

But these calls have really gotten excessive in just the past few months. I mean it is a noticeable huge increase.

[leftofcool]

9. This is just a pure guess

but, with all of the defaulting on credit cards these days by people out of jobs or what ever, I think that the CC companies are going to target those who pay their bills on time to get us to charge more. While you and I pay off the CC's each month, many do not and pay interest which makes the CC's money. Just a guess.

[The_Casual_Observer]

5. They asked me "what can we do to get you to use your Discover Card?"

I told them that there was nothing they could possibly do to get me to use the Discover Card.

[TwixVoy]

8. You know

They actually credited $20 to my account with out me even asking one time? They sent me a letter asking me to use the card more, and said here is a $20 gift. Seems like they are really desperate.

[pitohui]

13. that's the same phrase they have been using w. me, gotta be a script!

i told them i did plan to use it more but i could not use it in the area of africa where i was, only visa was accepted -- nothing a sales person can help with

[samdogmom]

6. You're a good customer...they want to make you even better.

These big financial organizations have lots of divisions and they "cross-sell". I'd try to answer one of these calls and flatly tell the caller that you are not interested in their "special offer" and not to call you again!

Don't be surprised if it's a computer at first! They probably automatically redial numbers that haven't yet answered their call.

[DJ13]

7. Of all the credit card companies they've been getting hit the hardest with delinquencies

Might have something to do with them stupidly thinking a higher portion of their customer base can afford nearly 30% interest.

[DesertFlower]

10. i've had a discover card since 1984. it

had another name back then. we use it for everything. we get 1% cash back. we don't carry a balance or pay interest. i was getting these automated calls from them about lower interest, balance transfers, etc. i finally called them and told them not to call me unless they suspected fraud on my account.

i also have a visa where i get 1% cash back.

[Demobrat]

11. The next time they call say

"Take me off the list". They will immediately switch to a script saying it might take 30 days and that you might get calls in the meantime, to protect themselves from lawsuits. Once you say those words it's illegal to call you.

[pitohui]

12. they have some program to get people to start using their card, yeah, they hassle some

i have a DNC order, so i don't get called unless i initiate, but when i have to call them, then they switch me over to a sales person who tells me, "you haven't been using your card much and we are concerned and want to know how we can convince you to make this your card of choice"

i told them several times i was in an area of africa where discover is not taken and i'll use them more in future, but they still seemed awfully anxious

they are supposed to be sending info on how to get more cash backs, and i agreed to look it over, hell, we can all use more cash backs...but they do give off that aura of desperate wallflower afraid of not being asked to dance at the prom, don't they?