Early Bird Credit Calls


We all have gotten one of the "credit card" calls at some time during our college career. It's annoying as hell to race to the phone to hear, "Good day Jennifer how are you today? I'm calling from Visa about a special card designed just for college students, like you, who have little or no credit; you can sign up over the phone, and when you decide you want to use the card after reading all of the provided information you can activate your card at any time and start taking advantage of your new Visa card. Now is this the right phone number?" Very impressive to say all that in one breath, I might add, with no room for you to interrupt and tell them they are not interested. They don't even bother to ask if I want the card, and, even after I tell them that I'm not interested, they still play the whole "you can activate it later" Spiel on me. You have to tell them about a billion times that you are not interested. This article isn't about what they try to tell you to get you to apply for the card or about the unreasonable rates they give you. This is about when they chose to call you.

For 3 or 4 days in a row last week I received calls from one of the credit card companies at around 8 or 8:30 in the morning. Each time I was sound asleep in my bed, not even dreaming of waking up yet. My roommate just happened to be up each time for her morning classes, and I, each time they called, heard "She's asleep right now" as I passed back out. You'd think that after the third time they would get the idea that I don't wake up that early, but no. They still continued to call at the same time looking for me. I finally told my roommate next time just give me the phone.

So they called me back at 8:30 am the next day. I very groggily and with a hoarse throat mustered out a, "Hello?" Operator:"Hello, may I speak with Jennifer?"

Me: "This is her."

Operator: "How are you today?"

Me: "Tired."

Operator: "Were you asleep?"

Me: "Yeah."

Operator: "Sorry, we'll call back at another time."

Me: "Can you do a favor for me? Can you make a note in your computer system to never call me before 12 pm ever again?"

Operator: "OK, we'll do that."

Me: "Thank you, bye."

Operator: "Bye"

They haven't called me back since then. Maybe that's what you have to do to get rid of them. I also heard that all you have to do is tell them you don't have a job, and they'll leave you alone. Whatever works, works. I just don't want to jump out of bed to answer the phone thinking that it could be something important when it's just a phone solicitor trying to get me to apply for a card that I don't need and can't afford to own. Don't they know that most college students don't wake up that early? Maybe not since you don't need a college degree to have one of those jobs. Most of them probably have never been to college and have no idea what our operating hours are. They'd probably have better luck calling at 1 am rather than 8 am. Most students I know are still up at that time.

Oh well, the battle against credit card solicitors goes on. When will it all end? As long as college students are up till 3 am studying and sleeping in till 2 pm I guess you'll be getting their calls. For now, I'm just happy to have made my milestone and won't be bothered at 8 am in the future.

Responses:
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Name: Whim Elder
Comments:
I've found the best way to keep those annoying telamarketers from calling you is to mess with them when they call. ME: Hello THEM: IS THIS THE LADY OF THE HOUSE? ME: UM NO THEM: CAN WE SPEAK WITH HER? ME: UM NO, SHE CAN"T COME TO THE PHONE RIGHT NOW THEM: OH SHE CAN'T, WELL ARE YOU A RESIDENT? ME: UM NO, I DON'T KNOW THESE PEOPLE AT ALL.......HOLD ON A SECOND (making back ground noise of muffled screams and loud thumps...concluding with yelling....I told you to be quiet..or I'll shoot the dog first!!! THEM: HOW DID YOU GET IN THE HOUSE? ME: In throught the window...but I can't really talk right now...I'm not really supposed to be here..you see I get headaches sometimes...and I ....can't....stop....myself.... THEM: Uhh ME: SAY!!! Where do YOU live? at this point they hang up. and I am proud to say after doing this only a couple times...I have never been bothered again.

Name: jeff
Comments:
Not to toot my own horn...well yeah, I will...I wrote an article like this last semester...check it out here.

Name: Amanda
Comments:
Jenny, Great article....My roommate and I have had similar problems with those annoying telemarketers. A tip for all those who need help getting rid of those dredded calls: My roommmate likes to let them do their spiel and then laugh and hang up right in their ear...I prefer this technique because they don't know what hit them. Ha ha!

Name: Kim
Year: already graduated!!!
Major: German/History
Comments:
Another way to get solicitors to stop calling is to say, "Could you please take me off of your list." By Virginia (and other states') law, that company must take you off of their list. If, after you made that statement, the company still calls you, you can technically take legal action. I learned about this in my marketing class. Too bad I don't remember my professor's name. My husband and I both do this whenever the telemarketers call and we've actually seen a lull in the number of call we've received. Also, when the 'fire dept' or 'police' call to ask you to donate, be weary! Most of the time your local depts. will not see a penny of what you donate! Keep up the great work, Jenn!!!!!

Year: Senior
Major: Comm
Comments:
Jenn-- I agree with your article as do most college students. It seems that these credit card companies prey on college students because they now our vulnerablility. They set up shop in the middle of campus and for some reason it always seems to be the time when I need money the most. Although it is very tempting, I think I've finally learned my lesson. They think they are offering such great deals but what they are really doing is asking for your permission to irritate you to death. By signing a credit card application, you are consenting to much more than just a credit check. You are allowing them to call you at all hours of the day and night and it seems that no matter how rude you are to them, they never really get your point. I guess maybe they're just accustomed to it. But that may be the least of your concerns after you sign that application. I speak from experience when I say its the fine print that gets you. A couple months ago, I received a call from a collection agency saying that I owed over $200 to Citibank. I was shocked because as far as I knew I had never even used the card. After wracking my brain to figure out what the charges were, I was finally called and told that they were annual fees and late fees on the card and that there were no actual charges made on the account. I couldn't believe it. I was so mad and felt like I had been cheated. The collection agency has continued to call me and hassle me about the charges even after refusing to pay them. I have also consulted an attorney and under his advisement have not spoken to the company. They still call everyday and as soon as they tell me who is calling I slam the phone down in their ears. This experience has taught me to be very cautious as to what I agree to, either verbally or written. My point is that as college students, we must not fall into the trap of credit card companies. And when they prey on our campus, race by their tables and ignore their ploys to try to suck you in and make you another innocent victim.

Name: shaun
Comments:
hey...lookit at the name on the credit card...vinnie the barber...jeez...who's that? :)