MINI Credit Card - Advice?
6th Gear
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,704
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From: Washington DC- Annapolis MD
I have several credit cards - pay them off every month is the fast, easy way to build up credit- and of course I have a MINI Card . My husband has a separate MINI so he has his own c/c as well. A part from impressing friends when you pay your bill by showing off your credit card the BMW Financing card is not that great. The rewards are kinda of a joke, and if get a tiny little bit back only if you buy a BMW products .
I have the MINI Card for over a year - as soon as it came out I got mine - I use it for my business expenses and to buy MINI stuff. Even with double points for automobile related charges (gas, tolls etc) I figure out that I will have about $50- 60 credit torward the Clubman and, if I understand correctly, first you pay the dealer then you get your money back.
The biggest problem with this card, however, is how they handle disputed charges.
Back in June my husband used the card just to confirm a huge contract work to be done at our place . Instead of a deposit the company took the credit card and wrote in the contract that at completion of the work we will write a check. Well the job that should have begun around May 10th and should have been finished a week later but after frustrating mtgs, calls and so on the job was completed June 22 - 2 days before our trip to MINI UNITE in Amsterdam. Called the contracting company up and told that we were going to pay upon our return and after we were able to test the work ( single A/C units for a total of $18,000).
During our trip the company charged (w/o our knowledge $13,000 sending the c/c to the limit). Because we did not see all charges right away we sent him a check. After everything was set and done he had $1, 500.00 more in his pockets. We contacted BMW Financial and reported the unauthorized charges, this was in July. One month and 50 calls later we were told that it was not fraud because we gave the c/c to the contractor, and we were still responsabile for the charges until the end of the investigations and if they were to find in our favor BMW financial will refund all interests paid. First , however, we had to pay the disputed charges.
Finally we prevaled and only three days ago BMW financial agreed with us and put the credit of $1,500.00 in the card. Since this ordeal we did not use the card so now there is a credit on a c/c with zero balance and we were told that they cannot issue us a check. End of the story: 4 months later and we are still out $1,500 thanks to the MINI card.
Before this episode I had only two dispute w/ my credit cards. In both cases the charges were put on hold while the disputes were in effect. BMW Financial, however, did not.
After this experience I am very reluctant to use my MINI Card. It's in my wallet but for large purchases I opt to use my credit union card which gives rewards in CASH, free travel, or merchandise.
Of course when I buy the Clubman I will take advantage of my $50.00 REWARD !!!!
I have the MINI Card for over a year - as soon as it came out I got mine - I use it for my business expenses and to buy MINI stuff. Even with double points for automobile related charges (gas, tolls etc) I figure out that I will have about $50- 60 credit torward the Clubman and, if I understand correctly, first you pay the dealer then you get your money back.
The biggest problem with this card, however, is how they handle disputed charges.
Back in June my husband used the card just to confirm a huge contract work to be done at our place . Instead of a deposit the company took the credit card and wrote in the contract that at completion of the work we will write a check. Well the job that should have begun around May 10th and should have been finished a week later but after frustrating mtgs, calls and so on the job was completed June 22 - 2 days before our trip to MINI UNITE in Amsterdam. Called the contracting company up and told that we were going to pay upon our return and after we were able to test the work ( single A/C units for a total of $18,000).
During our trip the company charged (w/o our knowledge $13,000 sending the c/c to the limit). Because we did not see all charges right away we sent him a check. After everything was set and done he had $1, 500.00 more in his pockets. We contacted BMW Financial and reported the unauthorized charges, this was in July. One month and 50 calls later we were told that it was not fraud because we gave the c/c to the contractor, and we were still responsabile for the charges until the end of the investigations and if they were to find in our favor BMW financial will refund all interests paid. First , however, we had to pay the disputed charges.
Finally we prevaled and only three days ago BMW financial agreed with us and put the credit of $1,500.00 in the card. Since this ordeal we did not use the card so now there is a credit on a c/c with zero balance and we were told that they cannot issue us a check. End of the story: 4 months later and we are still out $1,500 thanks to the MINI card.
Before this episode I had only two dispute w/ my credit cards. In both cases the charges were put on hold while the disputes were in effect. BMW Financial, however, did not.
After this experience I am very reluctant to use my MINI Card. It's in my wallet but for large purchases I opt to use my credit union card which gives rewards in CASH, free travel, or merchandise.
Of course when I buy the Clubman I will take advantage of my $50.00 REWARD !!!!
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