Household HSBC Watch

BB said: ” I purchased an item with 18 months “same as cash” plan from CompUSA on August 12. My understanding of “same as cash” is you have a certain amount of time to pay the balance before accrued interest charges are added to your account. You also can pay it off at any time, including the entire amount near the end of the promotion. That would put the promotional end date at February 2008. Much to my shock, I noticed a negative reporting on my credit report from HSBC. It said I was late on minimum payments and it was forwarded to a collection agency. Then I contacted Customer Service and was speaking to a very arrogant Customer Service Rep who insisted that I had to make minimum payments each month, even if this is a promotion! I explained to her that this plan was misleading if it was truly a “same as cash” and requested to speak to her manager. She refused my request. This practice of “same as cash” but requiring minimum payments similar to a “line of credit” account is very misleading and deceptive. I went ahead and paid the bill in full (including late charges). Their practice needs to be investigated by the Better Business Bureau.”