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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 15, 2024 10:31:03 GMT -6
at all retailers. Just such bullshit. I'm really tempted to go get a loan to just pay off my two synchrony accounts. It will cost me more, but at least they wouldn't get my money.
--- here from Sweetwater, I hope your summer is going well and you're keeping cool! You may be receiving a separate message about this later but I wanted to reach out to you personally to disclaim an upcoming update for your Sweetwater Card. Purchases made with the Sweetwater card after July 16th will have a 2% flat fee of the order total (tax and all) added to your statement. This is a change coming from Synchrony Bank that issues the card, and they're applying it to all their merchants - not just Sweetwater. That 2% will still be spread out across the financing, for example; if you make a $1000 after tax purchase on 24 month financing, that's $20 spread out across two years, or $0.83 a month.
If you're thinking of making a purchase soon and wanted to save yourself a few bucks, we still have a few days before the change takes place! Overall this isn't a huge difference when spread across our special financing options, but in the economy we're in I know many of us are looking for savings wherever we can. Give me a call if you have any questions or even to place an order for you to make sure it all goes smoothly.
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kcatthedog
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Post by kcatthedog on Jul 15, 2024 10:36:26 GMT -6
So, it’s really a 2% user fee, everyone you use the card?
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Post by Dan on Jul 15, 2024 10:41:10 GMT -6
I never use layaway. I always use credit card or pay cash.
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Post by drumsound on Jul 15, 2024 10:41:23 GMT -6
at all retailers. Just such bullshit. I'm really tempted to go get a loan to just pay off my two synchrony accounts. It will cost me more, but at least they wouldn't get my money. --- here from Sweetwater, I hope your summer is going well and you're keeping cool! You may be receiving a separate message about this later but I wanted to reach out to you personally to disclaim an upcoming update for your Sweetwater Card. Purchases made with the Sweetwater card after July 16th will have a 2% flat fee of the order total (tax and all) added to your statement. This is a change coming from Synchrony Bank that issues the card, and they're applying it to all their merchants - not just Sweetwater. That 2% will still be spread out across the financing, for example; if you make a $1000 after tax purchase on 24 month financing, that's $20 spread out across two years, or $0.83 a month. If you're thinking of making a purchase soon and wanted to save yourself a few bucks, we still have a few days before the change takes place! Overall this isn't a huge difference when spread across our special financing options, but in the economy we're in I know many of us are looking for savings wherever we can. Give me a call if you have any questions or even to place an order for you to make sure it all goes smoothly. They'd still get your money, al be it indirectly. So, it’s really a 2% user fee, everyone you use the card? Yep. SW and other retailers use Syncrony for 'house/store credit cards.' |
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Jul 15, 2024 11:00:16 GMT -6
I’m waiting to see all the pissed off future customers, 90 days interests free*
•not really free we charge you a 2% fee for processing the transaction but no interest.
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Post by andersmv on Jul 15, 2024 11:11:23 GMT -6
Synchrony is the absolute freaking worst… It started last year with a guitar purchase from guitar center. They sent the over $3k guitar without its case and had to mail it after the fact separately. Remember that, it’s important… Put all that on my card because 0% financing for 48 months. Month later I go to pay and it has the guitar listed at 6 month financing on the card. GC can’t fix that, call synchrony. I called synchrony, they were about as helpful as a toddler in a glass factory… I couldn’t fix it, so I got pissed and returned the guitar, in person to a GC Store. I just KNEW there would be issues, I literally took pictures and a video of my returning the guitar with the case.
Another month goes by, my GC card mysteriously has a $250 charge. Yup, they were saying I didn’t return the case. That was a whole saga of drama, despite sending them video and pictures AND a GC Manager calling them, they were convinced I had ordered a second case separately. I almost got a lawyer involved, because they sent my account right to collections (honestly I probably still should) after that. I paid the money, but basically called in a favor to someone I knew worked at GC higher up. They ended up refunding my money, but ultimately closed my GC card.
Well, that’s started a domino effect… I’ve got synchrony cards with GC, Sweetwater and Vintage King. When they sent me to collections and closed my GC card, that nicked my credit pretty good. Synchrony decided at that point to close my Sweetwater and Vintage King cards, which screwed my credit even more. I took an almost 200 point hit because of that…
Synchrony is really bad, and they could care less when they screw up and those “savings” get passed onto you. I told Sweetwater and vintage king I wouldn’t be ordering from them for a while and to consider dropping synchrony. I know telling them that is like pissing into the wind, but none of this was remotely my fault, and my credit ended up being the victim in the end. It’s going to take me at least a year or so to climb out of this hole they dug for me…
Don’t use Syncrony. This new development doesn’t surprise me, and it’s only going to keep getting worse…
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Post by ml on Jul 15, 2024 11:21:54 GMT -6
That sucks! But most of the local businesses around me are now charging CC fees... Guess cash will be making a comeback??
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Post by drbill on Jul 15, 2024 11:25:35 GMT -6
Nice Lowes salesman tried to save me $100 on some garage storage cabinets by signing me up for the Lowes CC. (synchrony) I finally agreed and spent the next 30 minutes in a super frustrating signup with synchrony. (BTW - they charge 31.99% interest. LOL). I would have immediately paid it off if the card had gone thru - but it didn't due to calling overseas multiple times, visual ID, resetting my phone multiple times, and other crazy requirements. I finally bailed after the process became TOO intrusive. Now I'm getting mail about finalizing my CC signup - so I called and cancelled. AGAIN. We'll see if they actually cancel me or not. I'm guessing not even though I have not jumped through their insane hoops. Would never deal with them again. Ever. EVER.
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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 15, 2024 11:26:22 GMT -6
Synchrony is the absolute freaking worst… It started last year with a guitar purchase from guitar center. They sent the over $3k guitar without its case and had to mail it after the fact separately. Remember that, it’s important… Put all that on my card because 0% financing for 48 months. Month later I go to pay and it has the guitar listed at 6 month financing on the card. GC can’t fix that, call synchrony. I called synchrony, they were about as helpful as a toddler in a glass factory… I couldn’t fix it, so I got pissed and returned the guitar, in person to a GC Store. I just KNEW there would be issues, I literally took pictures and a video of my returning the guitar with the case. Another month goes by, my GC card mysteriously has a $250 charge. Yup, they were saying I didn’t return the case. That was a whole saga of drama, despite sending them video and pictures AND a GC Manager calling them, they were convinced I had ordered a second case separately. I almost got a lawyer involved, because they sent my account right to collections (honestly I probably still should) after that. I paid the money, but basically called in a favor to someone I knew worked at GC higher up. They ended up refunding my money, but ultimately closed my GC card. Well, that’s started a domino effect… I’ve got synchrony cards with GC, Sweetwater and Vintage King. When they sent me to collections and closed my GC card, that nicked my credit pretty good. Synchrony decided at that point to close my Sweetwater and Vintage King cards, which screwed my credit even more. I took an almost 200 point hit because of that… Synchrony is really bad, and they could care less when they screw up and those “savings” get passed onto you. I told Sweetwater and vintage king I wouldn’t be ordering from them for a while and to consider dropping synchrony. I know telling them that is like pissing into the wind, but none of this was remotely my fault, and my credit ended up being the victim in the end. It’s going to take me at least a year or so to climb out of this hole they dug for me… Don’t use Syncrony. This new development doesn’t surprise me, and it’s only going to keep getting worse… Dayum |
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Jul 15, 2024 11:35:41 GMT -6
Synchrony is the absolute freaking worst… It started last year with a guitar purchase from guitar center. They sent the over $3k guitar without its case and had to mail it after the fact separately. Remember that, it’s important… Put all that on my card because 0% financing for 48 months. Month later I go to pay and it has the guitar listed at 6 month financing on the card. GC can’t fix that, call synchrony. I called synchrony, they were about as helpful as a toddler in a glass factory… I couldn’t fix it, so I got pissed and returned the guitar, in person to a GC Store. I just KNEW there would be issues, I literally took pictures and a video of my returning the guitar with the case. Another month goes by, my GC card mysteriously has a $250 charge. Yup, they were saying I didn’t return the case. That was a whole saga of drama, despite sending them video and pictures AND a GC Manager calling them, they were convinced I had ordered a second case separately. I almost got a lawyer involved, because they sent my account right to collections (honestly I probably still should) after that. I paid the money, but basically called in a favor to someone I knew worked at GC higher up. They ended up refunding my money, but ultimately closed my GC card. Well, that’s started a domino effect… I’ve got synchrony cards with GC, Sweetwater and Vintage King. When they sent me to collections and closed my GC card, that nicked my credit pretty good. Synchrony decided at that point to close my Sweetwater and Vintage King cards, which screwed my credit even more. I took an almost 200 point hit because of that… Synchrony is really bad, and they could care less when they screw up and those “savings” get passed onto you. I told Sweetwater and vintage king I wouldn’t be ordering from them for a while and to consider dropping synchrony. I know telling them that is like pissing into the wind, but none of this was remotely my fault, and my credit ended up being the victim in the end. It’s going to take me at least a year or so to climb out of this hole they dug for me… Don’t use Syncrony. This new development doesn’t surprise me, and it’s only going to keep getting worse… The problem is Syncro shitty has pretty much ran or bought everyone else in the private label credit line biz out. It really really sucks when someone makes Capitalone look good😕 |
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Post by tonycamphd on Jul 15, 2024 11:41:34 GMT -6
Everything keeps going up except my wage$🤦🏻♂️ I don't believe it's "layaway", it's an interest free promo period, i have bought big ticket items on the synchrony sweetwater, vintage king credit cards and it's usually a promo period from 6 months to 4 years to pay the balance off in equal payments, but if you fail the fine print at any point synchrony will see to it that you are accrued SCREWED @ 30% interest I also use the 6 months paypal(synchrony) no interest to good effect, i've never failed to payoff the product within the 6 month time limit because i'm simply scared of the financial consequences I once magically paid double for 4 vp28's back in the day and it took months and a credit hit before it was resolved, I recommend if you see something out of whack and cant get it resolved IMMEDIATELY, return the item as fast as you possibly can to clear the books |
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Post by ragan on Jul 15, 2024 11:57:24 GMT -6
I like how the Sweetwater rep tried to position this as a reason to...buy some more stuff via Synchrony credit.
"Hey so Synchrony is getting (somehow) worse...just wanted to give you a heads up in case you want to load up that balance right now!"
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Jul 15, 2024 12:04:49 GMT -6
Everything keeps going up except my wage$🤦🏻♂️ I don't believe it's "layaway", it's an interest free promo period, i have bought big ticket items on the synchrony sweetwater, vintage king credit cards and it's usually a promo period from 6 months to 4 years to pay the balance off in equal payments, but if you fail the fine print at any point synchrony will see to it that you are accrued SCREWED @ 30% interest I also use the 6 months paypal(synchrony) no interest to good effect, i've never failed to payoff the product within the 6 month time limit because i'm simply scared of the financial consequences I once magically paid double for 4 vp28's back in the day and it took months and a credit hit before it was resolved, I recommend if you see something out of whack and cant get it resolved IMMEDIATELY, return the item as fast as you possibly can to clear the books Yeah Tony I was just thinking will this apply to PayPal credit? |
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Post by Ward on Jul 15, 2024 12:13:40 GMT -6
That sucks! But most of the local businesses around me are now charging CC fees... Guess cash will be making a comeback?? It is the legal tender. Everything else belongs to someone else who in turn is owned by Statestreet or Amadeus who in turn is owned by Blackrock. Who is it said "You will own nothing and be happy"? |
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Post by ninworks on Jul 15, 2024 12:36:59 GMT -6
I use my personal, bank-issued credit card for all online purchases then pay it off at the end of the month so no interest charges accrue. If I can't afford to pay cash for something I don't buy it, PERIOD!! The wife got us deep DEEP into credit card debt back in the early 90's and I am NEVER going through that again. E V E R!! I administrate all of the finances now. She was a semi-pro accountant for the company she worked for back when we got married so I let her take care of things until I didn't. At the time, I could have bought another house for what we owed. My fault for not paying attention.
I save up for things until I can buy them outright. Even though I used to do pro audio professionally, I'm now retired and it is more of just a hobby. There is never a must-have situation for me when buying gear. The credit card is used for convenience and emergencies and nothing else.
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Post by Quint on Jul 15, 2024 12:41:44 GMT -6
I've made thousands in purchases from SW and VK, using the 0% interest thing over the years. Thankfully, I consider my studio pretty well "stocked" at this point, and don't really feel the need to buy a whole lot more stuff. In any case, recent moves by Synchrony kind of already had me thinking about paying off what I have left to pay, and then never doing the 0% thing again, given the potential downsides of screwing up on a late payment or something. It's 40% now!
With this new 2% thing (on top of the 40% thing), I think that officially closes the book for me, most likely. I'll just save up and pay cash for any future purchases.
This is all just late stage capitalism at work. Everything consolidated in the hands of a few. The incessant and unforgiving profit demands of investors driving corporate decisions, above all else. Growth, growth, growth. Not enough profit? We'll tack on another 2%.
But things can't grow forever. There are finite resources and limited people to buy goods. But these companies will just keep squeezing and squeezing...
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Post by Dan on Jul 15, 2024 12:57:05 GMT -6
I've made thousands in purchases from SW and VK, using the 0% interest thing over the years. Thankfully, I consider my studio pretty well "stocked" at this point, and don't really feel the need to buy a whole lot more stuff. In any case, recent moves by Synchrony kind of already had me thinking about paying off what I have left to pay, and then never doing the 0% thing again, given the potential downsides of screwing on a late payment or something. It's 40% now! With this new 2% thing (on top of the 40% thing), I think that officially closes the book for me, most likely. I'll just save up and pay cash for any future purchases. This is all just late stage capitalism at work. Everything consolidated in the hands of a few. The incessant and unforgiving profit demands of investors driving corporate decisions, above all else. Growth, growth, growth. Not enough profit? We'll tack on another 2%. But things can't grow forever. There are finite resources and limited people to buy goods. But these companies will just keep squeezing and squeezing... It's the same shit they pulled back in the day selling crappy pcb consoles, dsp dongles, and junk 500 series gear. Sweetwater is owned by private equity and they're not interested in improving things. They're just targetting musicians now. |
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Post by Quint on Jul 15, 2024 12:57:51 GMT -6
I just messaged my Sweetwater rep to let them know that I won't be purchasing anything on financing from them anymore, and the bulk of my purchases from SW in the past have been financed. My rep messaged back and said he didn't like Synchrony's decision either, and understood my position.
Gonna message VK next. Fuck Synchrony.
So I may still make purchases here and there from SW, but I'll be looking at prices a whole lot harder, now that financing isn't something I'm terribly interested in doing anymore. Oh well....
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Post by svart on Jul 15, 2024 13:16:15 GMT -6
That sucks! But most of the local businesses around me are now charging CC fees... Guess cash will be making a comeback?? I'm seeing a lot of smaller establishments offering a "cash discount" option while bigger retailers are going "cashless". |
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Jul 15, 2024 13:22:33 GMT -6
That sucks! But most of the local businesses around me are now charging CC fees... Guess cash will be making a comeback?? It is the legal tender. Everything else belongs to someone else who in turn is owned by Statestreet or Amadeus who in turn is owned by Blackrock. Who is it said "You will own nothing and be happy"? Cash is King but like most royals it’s a major pain in the ass, not good except by wire transfer for out of town transactions, IRS reporting on large purchases, can’t forget losses from counterfeit. Of course your fingers don’t go numb from counting credit card receipts. |
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Post by guitfiddler on Jul 15, 2024 13:28:54 GMT -6
Use cash and send a message to the global elites that want to control us and steal our money, and change our whole financial system. through transaction fees and extra taxes, and other fees! It’s the biggest scam in history! Processing fees? In addition, it’s none of anyone’s business if you spend $600 or more on a purchase!
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Post by mcirish on Jul 15, 2024 14:58:18 GMT -6
Wow! I had no idea about this. I had "thought" about getting one of those cards. Super glad I didn't waste my time. I have a seperate bank account tied to one specific Mastercard. I only buy if there is money in the account to pay off the purchase the same month I buy it. If I allowed myself to actually carry credit card debt, I'd be in one hell of a spot. I'd have more gear but probably divorced...
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Post by seawell on Jul 15, 2024 15:02:58 GMT -6
That sucks! To be honest though..and I don’t have any sort of crystal ball, but I think it would be a good time to not carry debt for the foreseeable future. Crazy times and I’m not so sure we’ve even seen the worst yet unfortunately.
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Post by thehightenor on Jul 15, 2024 15:18:33 GMT -6
That sucks! To be honest though..and I don’t have any sort of crystal ball, but I think it would be a good time to not carry debt for the foreseeable future. Crazy times and I’m not so sure we’ve even seen the worst yet unfortunately. I'm in the UK and the BBC news reports the US economy as strong and a world leader. Are you saying "on the ground" that isn't true? We have had a cost of living crisis here in the UK but generally it's mainly over and inflation has dropped from 11% to 2%. |
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Post by seawell on Jul 15, 2024 15:44:27 GMT -6
That sucks! To be honest though..and I don’t have any sort of crystal ball, but I think it would be a good time to not carry debt for the foreseeable future. Crazy times and I’m not so sure we’ve even seen the worst yet unfortunately. I'm in the UK and the BBC news reports the US economy as strong and a world leader. Are you saying "on the ground" that isn't true? We have had a cost of living crisis here in the UK but generally it's mainly over and inflation has dropped from 11% to 2%. Well, like any election cycle, regardless of the party in power, numbers are fudged every which way to seem not so bad but all I can say is that every trip to the gas station, grocery store…every electric bill…EVERYTHINHG has been higher for quite a while now & it has taken its toll on myself and everyone I know & love around me. Add to that BRICS and the decline in dominance of USD/petrodollar and I’m less confident in the USD than any other point in my lifetime(45 years). I’m not quite stock piling water and food kits LOL…but I am going to be much more conscious of music related purchases until things calm down, may even sell some stuff 😬 |
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