Household Retail Services, HRS, ripoff/did not receive statements/late fees IL Illinois

I opened an account with Best Buy many years ago and have never had a problem with their 18 months same as cash/no interest. December 2003 I signed an agreement not realizing they had changed the contract to read "minimum payments, no interest". I have always paid off the balance due on the Best Buy account well in advance of the due date.

I was not aware of this fact until mid January when I received a bill from Household Retail Services stating #1, my payment that had been due the first part of Jan. had not been received and #2, I now owed a $35 late fee.

Because I was not looking for a statement to arrive, I had not realized I was now owing 2 months plus the $35 late fee. When I called customer service, they did agree to waive the late fee as a one time couretsy offer.

Now I am aware of the monthly statement and am watching for the next one to arrive. The statement is supposed to be sent out the 13th of the month and as of today's date(the 21st) I have not received a statement. I did call them a few days ago and was told to give it a few more days. The payment is due by the 7th of each month.

After reading the articles concerning the history of HRS,their billing practices (or lack there of) and given my experience with not receiving the bill late and not at all I will not purchase from any company in the future that use Household Services. I did give the company the benefit of the doubt until learning from this forum that my situation was not unique or isolated.

LD
Hastings, Michigan
U.S.A.