Dealing With Aggressive In-Store Credit Card Techniques
Are Cashiers Becoming Credit Card Pushers?
As if the average consumer doesn't have enough credit card debt, store cashiers are now turning into credit card pushers. The other day I had to buy undergarments for the kids. Not the most glamorous task, but someone's got to do it. After debating between Sponge Bob boxer briefs and Spiderman tidy whities and listening to my daughter lament about the woes of having to deal with butterfly undies instead of Bratz I didn't expect to go to war with the cashier. Boy, was I in for a surprise.
A Simple Question, A Simple Answer
It used to be that cashiers used to ask "would you like to apply for such and such credit card" and all I'd have to say is "no". That didn't happen this time. This time when I said no, the store associate said "But you can save 15 percent!" Again, I said no.
You'd think that'd have been the end of it. Can you believe the ext words were out of her mouth were "Why not?" Excuse me? Why not?! Normally calm and cool and more than nice I rudely said "That's none of your business."
Credit Card Pushing Is Going Too Far
So, I hit the next store to get some home office supplies and again was asked if I wanted to apply for a store credit card. This time I said "I already have one." No, I don't condone lying but I really didn't want a repeat of the situation I had encountered less than 30 minutes ago.
Why should we, the customers, be made to feel uncomfortable at checkout with high-pressure credit card pushing? Unfortunately it's becoming an increasingly common occurrence. Do yourself a favor. Don't succumb to high-pressure credit card techniques. No need to reward bad behavior, after all.