HRS USA/Best Buy outlandish ripoff late fees - Twice I have been billed a $29.00 late charge, when I mailed both payments before the due date. Wilmington Delaware *UPDATE ..EDitor's Comments explanation of vicarious liability...Best Buy not blameless

I too have credit cards from Compusa and bestbuy. It depends on their billing system and how payment gets processed.

Whats the difference make if you can read fine print or not. Thankfully I look over different products, especially software and determine what I want. Nobody said anyone is perfect.

The billing system is sometimes rediculous especially when it says to mail out seven days. I also agree about paying by phone that rediculous $10 fee over the phone but if it happens then its meant to be.

I have not had a problem with my statements until this month. I never received one and they dont even supply a contact number on the back of the credit card. I FINALLY found a number for their customer service and contacted them. I hate to think that they withhold statements to get late fees, but you can be sure that I will keep the address and phone number close by now, and I will be watching to see how many more statements that dont show up.

I have not had a problem with my statements until this month. I never received one and they dont even supply a contact number on the back of the credit card. I FINALLY found a number for their customer service and contacted them. I hate to think that they withhold statements to get late fees, but you can be sure that I will keep the address and phone number close by now, and I will be watching to see how many more statements that dont show up.

I have not had a problem with my statements until this month. I never received one and they dont even supply a contact number on the back of the credit card. I FINALLY found a number for their customer service and contacted them. I hate to think that they withhold statements to get late fees, but you can be sure that I will keep the address and phone number close by now, and I will be watching to see how many more statements that dont show up.

I have not had a problem with my statements until this month. I never received one and they dont even supply a contact number on the back of the credit card. I FINALLY found a number for their customer service and contacted them. I hate to think that they withhold statements to get late fees, but you can be sure that I will keep the address and phone number close by now, and I will be watching to see how many more statements that dont show up.

Dear Cyn,

First, you have made a fatal error in your assumption that HRS has nothing to do with Best Buy. You may not be aware of any contractual arrangements between these companies. If you finance purchases at Best Buy, what company makes that financing available at the time of purchase? Since Best Buy promotes financing with HRS then Best Buy shares vicarious liability for the actions of HRS.

As an example of this shared liability due to the actual advertisement offered by Best Buy are the rebates which are offered for purchases. Often the company, NOT Best Buy, will renege on the rebate offer and the individual never gets their money. Since Best Buy offered the deal as part of the sale, they are obliged to ensure that the company follows through with their deal, even if they have to cough up the dough.

Next, you need to understand that you have fallen prey to the fallacy of over generalization. Just because nothing has ever happened to you, does not reasonably allow you to expect that nothing would happen to others. You are one, they are many. The law of probability favors something bad happening to them over you. But when it does...you can come here and tell your story.

EDitor-in-Chief
ED Magedson

I have two accounts with HRS USA one with Best Buy and another company for several years now. I have never had a problem with any late charges. Maybe if you pay your bill ontime you will not be charged any late fees. Second HRS is the finacial institution and Best Buy is the retail store THEY HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH EACH OTHER! DUH!

I have two accounts with HRS USA one with Best Buy and another company for several years now. I have never had a problem with any late charges. Maybe if you pay your bill ontime you will not be charged any late fees. Second HRS is the finacial institution and Best Buy is the retail store THEY HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH EACH OTHER! DUH!

I have two accounts with HRS USA one with Best Buy and another company for several years now. I have never had a problem with any late charges. Maybe if you pay your bill ontime you will not be charged any late fees. Second HRS is the finacial institution and Best Buy is the retail store THEY HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH EACH OTHER! DUH!

I have two accounts with HRS USA one with Best Buy and another company for several years now. I have never had a problem with any late charges. Maybe if you pay your bill ontime you will not be charged any late fees. Second HRS is the finacial institution and Best Buy is the retail store THEY HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH EACH OTHER! DUH!

I refuse to shop at any store that uses HRS to provide and service their "in-store" financing. If that hurts Best Buy, then I hate it for them. Retail sales is competetive, so nothing is available at any store that I cannot find in town for the same price from a different retailer with a reasonable financier.



In the last 3 years I bought 2 refrigerators, 4 dishwashers, two electric ranges, and carpet for two houses. One refrigerator and one stove was purchased at Best Buy, my first and only purchase from that retailer. All of the home improvement and appliance stores advertise price matching, but the financing makes the difference in repeat customers. See report dated 14 March, 2002 at this site.



My payment was not accepted directly at Best Buy, but payments are accepted at LOWES, Home Depot, and Shaw-Kemp.



Allowing 10 business days for a payment to be received and post involves up to 17 calendar days, plus HRS will tell you that it is not their responsibility to mail statements at all, not necessarily with enough time to use to mail them a payment.



My power is in my $$$. I will shop where I get the best service overall. I hope Beatrice continues to do the same.



I also recommend that Beatrice files complaints with the FTC, Office of the Comptroller, Federal Reserve, and her state Attorney General (all available on-line)and does a thorough search of the complaints about HRS.



Joe, read my reports. Two dated 14 March 2002 and January 4, 2002 at this site. I read the fine print, and only got stuck with a phone payment charge. Beatrice and I may be stupid in your estimation, but are smart enough to take our business to retailers other than those supported by HRS. I hope if enough people change their shopping practices, then the $7,000 in business that Best Buy and retailers lost because of HRS will be multiplied by every shopper.

While it is unfortunate that you have been charged with late fees (a more common practice these days with financial institution who offer credit cards).



First of all it is not Best Buys fault that you are being charged with late fees. These policy (s) are implemented by the financial institution (i.e BNB). Best Buy or any other company who offers financing to consumers have no control over the policies set forth by the bank. In fact, these companies who offer financing have to pay the financial institution a fee for each 90 day same as cash, or other similar 0% financing offers they make.



Secondly it is your responsibility to READ the fine print when you sign on the bottom line. Go back to the store from where you purchased your product, grab the application and I am sure when you read it, you will see how, and when financing charges are applied. Caveat emptor.