Providian has to be the WORST Credit Card company esp. Customer Service

[LynneSin]

Providian is one of those predator credit card companies that is especially geared towards those with poor or no credit. And I fell sucker to them years ago when I was starting to rebuild my credit.

I have to brag a little bit that I've just about got that card paid off. About a year ago I decided to slice up the card and start using my debit card for everything. I keep a Sears Card for emergency car repairs only (since I rarely shop at Sears it's never used) and I have a Credit Card from my place of business that I could use for emergencies. Since it is my work card - I never use it but I could get away if it was a legitimate emergency.

So that leaves me with a Providian Card that not only has a high balance, but a bad APR on it too. For years I never really thought much about it until I became a little more credit concern since Ironically I work for a credit card company now (yeah, I know the fricking irony).

But seriously, Providian will do shit when it comes to adjusting your APR especially in light that I pay usually double what my minimum balance is AND I've made two very significant payments to decrease my balance. Plus I have not had a late payment with them for over 6 years!!!! So I called about decreasing my APR in light of all the payments I've made and it was basically a canned speech that basically was saying "NO FUCKING WAY YOU SIGNED UP FOR US YOU'RE STUCK WITH US)


I'm hoping to be free of this company within the next 6 months and I will never EVER use their business again and I will strongly recommend to anyone else to avoid this company. I'm just counting the months til I'm debt free (and I'm really excited about this prospect too!!!).

[LiberalEsto]

1. Go to bankrate.com

and check out their credit card ratings, particularly the Pulaski Bank credit card.
Some of these might be viable alternatives.

[LynneSin]

3. Nope, I'm paying this and getting rid of it

With this Bankerupcy Bill the last thing I need is another credit card. I'd rather just get rid of what I have (6 months) and be done with it.

[RebelOne]

2. Yes, I have similar complaints with Providian.

I can't wait to pay that damn card off.

[MrModerate]

4. They're goddam, frickin' crooks and no two ways about it.

They're based in San Francisco, I followed the case in the local papers when they were being raked over the coals for not just deceptive and usurious practices, but downright criminal acts. Big fines, I think some of their mugworts did a little time.

Lower than pond scum.

If your credit is good, you could probably get a balance transfer to a company that's just as greedy but wants its employees to be able to sleep at night . . .

[Orsino]

5. Credit card companies own your government...

...and therefore you work for them. With the current gov in place, they do not feel obligated to provide more than token "customer service."

I'm pleased to be beholden only to AmEx. They get paid off every month, and the card is so worthwhile that I feel like a valued customer rather than a serf. For those few businesses I patronize that don't take AmEx, there's always the debit card.

[LynneSin]

6. I live in Delaware - it's a requirement

And I'm not about to smack the hand of the company that actually takes pretty good care of us. They're a flawed company but I hold no shame towards them.

I wasn't working for a CC company when I got my providian card. I would have to think that working for one made me more cognizant of the responsibility of having a CC.

[Orsino]

7. What's a requirement? n/t