Sears Mastercard Potential Balance Transfer Fraud balance transfer early expiration ripoff The Lakes Nevada

I executed a $18,500 balance transfer at 1.99% till 7/1/05 over the phone with Sears Master card. I paid the bills on time every month and honored all of their requirements of me. On 4/16/05 the rate jumped to approximetly 16%. I called up to find out why and they said it expired 3/1/05 not 7/1/05. I explained to them what i was told on the phone previously and they said they would research it by pulling the recording of the phone call and give me a call back or mail me a letter detailing the status of the investigation.

I never recieved either so I called back, they said that someone (refuesed to go into any more detail) had put in the notes field that the offer was correct as entered and it expired 3/1/05. I asked to hear the proof and they refused saying it was impossible. I spoke with 2 managers who basicly told me the same thing, they also refused to provide me with the contact info for anyone i could contact that actually heard the recording or who could provide me access to it. They said that only a court, lawyer or government agency could have access to the recording. I closed my account and paid the entire balance immediatly to minimize any future interest charges.

It's possible that I documented my expiration date wrong but if they have proof that i am wrong so why not just provide it to me and close the case and save the realtionship of 760+ credit score customer. The cost of acquiring a new customer is so high nowadays that it would have been in thier best interest, no pun intended to atleast be courteous with me and try to come to some settlement, instead of aggrevating me to point of filing a small claims court case, just sending a lawyer to arbitrate this case will cost them much more. Also dealing with the NYS Banking Department to whom I wrote a letter far outweights the $300 in interest.

Kenneth
Staten Island, New York
U.S.A.