I just canceled my Chase Visa Platinum Card.

I have had the card, originally from Washington Mutual, then taken over by Chase since January 2008, so two years. I have charged about $15,000 – $20,000 a year, and almost always paid off my full balance every month.

Smart. I know.

I don’t feel bad about them not earning much interest off of me since they collect 2% – 3% on all my transactions from the merchants. So they still gross $300 – $600 annually from me.

I usually have a monthly balance between $1,500 – $2,500 and pay it off in full. My last bill, I only had $368 and paid it in full. It showed up one day late and Chase hit me with a $39.99 late fee and $15.77 in interest = $55.76. Apparently Chase thinks it makes good business sense and good customer service and reputation sense to stand on principle and collect the $55.76 than average $500 annually. I am not a child. I do not need to be taught a lesson. The payment got there one day late and I have never paid late before in two years.

Seemingly, Chase also thinks I can’t live without them. I called and spoke to a customer service representative and then to a supervisor who both refused to waive the fee and interest. It’s odd that they think I need them that bad when I always pay off my bill in full.

I even added up the numbers for them and told them I certainly don’t feel like they care about or appreciate my business. I described how they will make more money off me by keeping me as a customer.

They repeatedly stated, "That’s the card agreement. It can’t be waived." Hello!?!? A robot can do that! The reason I called to talk to a person is because people are supposed to be able to reason and think.

A computer can’t reason and think, and apparently neither can Chase Visa employees. I told the supervisor I would cancel my card if he couldn’t do something for me. Again – "That’s the card agreement. It can’t be waived." promptly followed with, "Shall I go ahead and cancel your card then?" – kind of like Clint Eastwood saying "Make my day" – daring me to do it.

I gave him one more chance, and suggested a compromise – waive part of the fee and make me happy and I won’t cancel my card. Again – "That’s the card agreement. It can’t be waived." … "Do you still want me to cancel your card?" … as if I was bluffing.

I don’t bluff buddy-boy. Cancel it!

If you want an easy job, see if you can get one at Chase Visa. You are not required to think, reason, or make decisions. All you have to do is read a script like a robot, and for fun you can dare people to stop doing business with you.

Now I am going to walk across the street to Fifth Third Bank and get a shiny new credit card from a company that appreciates my business.

By the way, the colossally poor service from Chase Visa goes at least as far back as March 2006 when Craig made this post on Gear Bits – Credit Card Companies’ Late Fees Egregious and Stupid.