Capital One

The world is run by several huge corporations, and we just have to go along with whatever their policies dictate, as just a number on an account in most instances.  I know back in the 80s when I worked an Accounts Receivable desk, it was our job to call and make sure payments are being made.  I think this world of automation and digitization is awesome in many instances, making our lives easier in so many ways.

But what's lost in the translation is good customer service.

I have an account with CapitalOne .... like so many do, "What's in your wallet?" as they say.  Well, I had mine.  I've been a long time customer with them, at one point owed them about $8000, give or take.  And I came back from that battle, paid off the account.  In fact, if I check my records, I think I overpaid, and they sent me a refund check.

I haven't used the card in ages, but to my own forgetful mind, it may be an account that something uses as an "autopay".  Which is ok, I like that feature.  This became a problem recently for me, however, in that a charge was put on this account, and I haven't received a statement via snail mail or email.  When I learned that I'd been turned into collections for a mere $146, I immediately tried to log in to my account to see what the matter was, see what the charge was for.  They've turned off my services.  I tried calling their Customer Service line, and was immediately put through to their Credit Collections agency.  There isn't even a way to call and ASK what this matter is all about.

Yeah, I'm a little pissed off.  I mean, it's one thing if it's for something that I truly owe on and made some sort of mistake in my own accountability for a debt, but I can't even verify the charge, there's not a person to call, just a place to make a phone payment, or snail mail payment.

In the end, I just paid off the amount, and wrote a Dear President letter.

I don't expect a response, I'm sure he has better things to do with his time than to make sure a customer is satisfied with any sense of customer service.

Even in this modern day digitized world, a little customer service is due to each of us.  Afterall, without customers, where would big corporations be?????

Signed:
Just a Number