DEBTORS REVOLT: Chase Card Services!

Today was the final straw.

A few years ago I signed up for a Amazon Visa Credit Card. Whenever I ran up debt on it, I would pay it off the next month with no problem. This went on for a few months and even a full year, and all was right with the world. Then, I hit hard times. It got harder and harder to make payments and I soon fell behind. It even got to a point where I had maxed out the card. I decided then and there that I would do everything I could to fix the card and straighten out my finances! With a new job, more money, and a fresh start, what could go wrong?

That was back in April of 2008. Today, things are worse.

Starting April of 2008, I was put on a plan to pay off my then $700 Chase Card bill. The plan was simple: In exchange for making $50 a month payments, Chase would in turn not raise my interest rate or charge me an over-limit fee of $35 a month. My limit was only $400. The agreement was to get it back below $400 and work from there. To me, that was more than fair, so I complied. I still received statements but rarely opened them since, to me, there was nothing to see since the money was being taken from my account every month.

So imagine my shock when, April 2009, I took a look at my statement and saw that, once again, my bill was $700!!!!

HOW did this happen, you ask? It turns out that a check had bounced. Not only had it bounced, but Chase STILL got the money anyway and then dropped me from the plan because I had "missed a payment"! I found that out after calling them to find out what was going on. I never got a letter, never got a phone call, I was just dropped off their plan!

In April of 2009 I called Chase Card Services back to get onto a new payment plan. There was still some time left to pay off the card and still use it (about 5-6 months), so I asked the person if the money I had been paying on the plan could go towards the current bill since I was taken off the plan without ANY notice. They said no. Without much of a choice, I took the hit and agreed to a new plan with the same terms: $50 a month, no fee, and we pay off the entire debt.

There was a new twist: MY CARD HAD BEEN CANCELED!

I repeat: My Credit Card was CANCELED! WITHOUT ANY NOTICE AT ALL my card was canceled! Never got a letter, never got a call, it was CANCELED FIVE MONTHS EARLY! I was informed of THIS when I said I was willing to cut up my card to make sure nothing like this happened again.

So, let me sum up what happened within a year:

• Put on a payment plan to pay off debt
• Taken off payment plan without notice
• Not allowed to put past payments toward current debt
• Credit Card Canceled without ANY notification 5 months early

The solution? I did the only thing I could: Get on the same plan as before and hope for the best.

Fast-forward to November 2009.

I'm looking over the finances as November comes to a close and am living on the edge. Knowing that I owed Chase their $50 payment for the month, I did what I could to ensure the money was in the account. Sadly, it didn't work, and here's why:

The agreement with Chase says the money will be deducted from my account on the 20th of the month. Sometimes it isn't. Sometimes it's deducted late. Or, sometimes, even earlier. Either way, they get their money. In this case, the money wasn't taken from the account until THE 25TH OF THE MONTH. Is it Chase's fault? According to them it isn't. Is it the bank I do business with? Possibly, but I doubt it.

So, the payment is missed and, ironically enough, this is the one that would have gotten me to my below-the-limit amount. It would have put me at $375.77.

IF I went down to $375.77, guess what would happen? If you said I would be under the limit and thus stuck with all the problems associated with it... you're right.

This means I would rack up more debt as my plan would expire. No matter what, the $50 payment would never be enough as I would be hit with $35 in return, plus whatever interest would occur on the account.

So far, over the last year and half, CHASE BANK has gotten $800 DOLLARS from me on a $700 DEBT!

Today was the last straw!

Today is Sunday. A day of rest.

I've gotten 10, count them, TEN calls from their Debt Collection Department! Every single time I answered the phone, NO ONE answered, no one said anything, and no one told me WHO they were are WHY they were calling! TEN GOD-DAMN TIMES ON A FUCKING SUNDAY! TWO OF THEM AFTER 8PM!

Finally, I had enough.

I called the number back and spoke to an agent. I told the person what I told you, and in the end, I got nothing. No apologies for the calls, no apologies for calling so late, and nothing towards just settling this entire thing.

For the last week, I've gotten a call or two from Chase and I've told them the simple fact that I was sick for the last week and a half and I can't work. I told someone calling to collect the debt the first time that I was sorry about the payment but I wanted to just work out a settlement on the account and pay it off. Granted, I couldn't do it all at once or soon since I was sick, but I wanted to pay them off and be done with it. They said I would get a call in a few days with a possible offer or a reason why it would be decline.

After today... I don't know. I have no idea where to go from here.

Here's what I want: I want to not owe you anything, and I don't want to keep getting calls from you to collect this debt. Either make a settlement offer and I'll do my best to pay it, or don't bother calling because it isn't going to go anywhere at all! Personally, I think I've been pretty fair about this. Again, I've paid you over $800 on a $700 debt, and I've done what I can to hold up my end the agreement.

IF you don't agree.... WELL, I'M WITH HER!!!!!!!!!




DEBTORS OF THE WORLD UNITE!!!!!!

Philadelphia Begins to Enforce Bike Laws, Bikers Complain

When it comes to the topic of people riding a mode of transportation that's marginalized and demonized and virtually criminalized, skateboarders have everyone else beat. An otherwise legal activity, skateboarders have been forced to skirt around unfair laws and deal with legislation that, in the end, harm a large number of people who would otherwise use it both for fun and as a mode of transportation.

So when I heard new bike laws were going into effect, I was thrilled!

During the least year, we've seen the number of cyclists climb a lot. This is due to both high gas prices and people, on a whole, ditching both cars and SEPTA in favor of riding a bike. It's estimated that around 10,000 people ride their bikes in Philadelphia to get to and from work, an astounding and wonderful number!

But, like any mode of transportation with a large number of people using it, there are problems and, in turn, laws.

So lets have a run down of what's going on:

1. The Law as it currently exists

Philadelphia already has multiple bike laws to help curve dangerous behavior, as well as fines. Here's the short list:

Vehicle Code Violations:
3112-A-3i- Disregard Traffic Signal ($119.50)
3112-A-3ii- Turn on Red, Fail to Stop/Yield Pedestrian/Traffic ($119.50)
3308-B- Wrong Way 1-Way ($119.50)
3323-B- Disregard Stop Sign ($119.50)
3323-C- Disregard Yield Sign ($119.50)
3345-A- Improper Passing of a School Bus ($364.50)
3542-A- Failure to Yield to Pedestrian in crosswalk court ($119.50)
3711-A- Clinging to a Moving Vehicle ($119.50)
3714- Careless Driving ($119.50)
3736-A- Reckless Driving ($294.50)

Philadelphia Traffic Ordinances:
12-808 Riding a Bicycle on a Sidewalk ($54.00)

On a whole, the idea is actually fairly simple: A bike in Philadelphia is treated nearly like a car. And, as both a skateboarder and a cyclist, I actually agree with this.



2. Why Bikes are Like Cars

For starters, bikes can go really fast, around 20 mph. On a sidewalk in Center city with quiet wheels, its a problem. They're also capable of doing a lot of damage to a pedestrian, as two Philadelphian's were struck and killed by cyclists in the past month.

In contrast, a skateboard tends to be a little safer. For starters, you can hear them. Its hard to miss a skateboard. Its also a lot harder to not get hit by a car on a skateboard. Same with roller blades and scooters. On a whole, these are a separate class of vehicle.


3. Who This Is Targeted To

If you already are a kind and courteous cyclists, you have nothing to worry about. In fact, only a small handful of people really need to cut their behavior.


4. The Reaction

The reaction to this has been priceless.

For starters, you have the people who are angry at the fact that they are going to enforce the law. Seriously. One example:

A potential safety hazard is in no way comparable to the dangerous crimes that are committed every day in our city’s least patrolled neighborhoods. A lot of the “Don’t Snitch” mentality arises from the fact that residents of these crime ridden neighborhoods feel completely unsafe and ignored due to the lack of police presence. - posted by mmmmokay

So, let's get this straight: A potential safety hazard isn't cause for alarm? L&I shouldn't condemn hazardous buildings, the police shouldn't stop someone driving like a maniac, and that actually enforcing a law on the books is a BAD idea?

Then you have the people who are upset that people lump cyclists all in one group. To their credit, they make a valid point. Not all cyclists are inconsiderate jerks who run red lights and ride on the sidewalk. In fact, a large number of cyclists are actually law-abiding folks who just want to get from Point A to Point B. No, this enforcement is only for the jerks who actually do break the law.

But the best part of all the reactions? The closet racism I've discovered from cyclists!

A photo popped up of someone getting a ticket for breaking the new bike laws and was posted on Philebrity. The comments are priceless:

What a great frickin’ use of city resources…using the cops to stop and ticket all the Center City kitchen help riding in from South and North Philly. -chuck63

great job philadelphia. does it make you proud that he won’t be able to make rent now? kitchen staff don’t make 100k a year ya know. -lightonfire

As they seem to enjoy saying there, "Stay Classy, Philadelphia!"

5. The Bike Coalition Needed This to Happen to Them

Again, I'm saying this as a skateboarder.

The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia (BCGP)has a ton of sway in Philadelphia. They have advocated for cyclists in Philadelphia for years to promote a healthy life style and a cleaner and greener world, and I'm totally in favor of that. I love cycling myself, and I still fondly remember the days of my youth where I did bike everywhere.

But as you may recall, I wrote back in June that cyclists get away with breaking the law a LOT in this city, and the selective enforcement of the laws concerning both cyclists AND skateboarders was basically discrimination. Is it a little hypocritical to trumpet seeing these laws enforced for cyclists while I, as a boarder, has once said these things. To a degree, yes. But skateboarders don't have an advocate or protection.

Cyclists in Philadelphia have had the BCGP to help them, and in turn, things have been good for them. They've gotten more respect than non-motorist in this city and have gotten most of what they wanted (new bikes lanes and more bike racks). Is this taking them down a peg? Yes and no. They're still a good group in and of themselves, and their cause is good, but the fact that they are now advocating falling the law to a large degree... well, I'm glad to see it.

Especially since they oppose the new laws enforcing tougher fines of those breaking the law and making people register their bikes and get license plates. Its unlikely they'll get their will.

6. Aftermath

Will the enforcement of these new laws stop the need for new laws and fines to go into place? I do, to a large degree, hope it does.

I'm all for tougher fines for the laws in place, but the bike registration idea has me a bit on edge. If we can avoid that but making sure that all cyclists in Philly simply follow the law and are more courteous, that's the best possible sollution. People think laws exist only to stop behaviors or to surpress freedoms. In the end, a law is only needed when we, as a society, choose to put otherwise acceptable behavior as a norm when its dangerous and harmful to others. If we all treat others with respect, we won't need them.

An Open Letter To TWU 234 Leader Willie Brown

Dear Willie Brown,

Hey. How are you?

I don't know if you read blogs or not, or if you consider the opinions of others a waste of time. By your reaction over the past 2 weeks, I'm inclined to think its the later. In case you didn't know, I've been writing a lot about you and your leadership and the way you handled the current SEPTA negotiations.

You have taken out ads saying that you're looking out for the "working man", that what you want is a "civil rights issue". You know what? I actually agree with you. I don't want to pay anything for my health insurance cost, I want my company to give me more money for my pension, and holy hell, a 19% raise GUARANTEED over 4 years?! Throw in a no lay-off clause, and I think its safe to say I'm set for life! That's the type of deal anyone working for a company these days would kill for, the type of deal I know countless people would want.

Sadly, I live in the world where you can't always get what you want. I live in a world where health care costs are rising so much that in order to keep health care services, not only did they need to raise our contribution, but they also raised our co-pays. The pension is the same, which is fine by me, but raises? Well, I can't say much about myself, but I know a lot of people who didn't get one this year because everyone is hurting this year. I even know people who got laid-off and outright fired by sneaky means by their companies.

Willie, you want the best for your members, and that's admirable and understandable. The fact that you are willing to risk not only your wages and money, but those of all your members to get what you want, the fact that you may actually be risking your jobs because they could simply fire you all (or at least quite a few) for not working... wow.

But I can't agree with your methods at all.

You've been working without a contract for 7 months, since March in fact. You talked with management until your contract expired, but I can only assume that you decided not to authorize a call for a strike because there is no way your workers could survive without a paycheck. So you waited and waited. You didn't talk to management at all, you just kept working. Over time, you spent money, union money, on newspaper ads and television ads, where you talked about how SEPTA wasn't willing to give you everything you wanted. You said that because they saw an increase in ridership, they should be able to give you more. Since March, they've been losing ridership and money.

So you waited and waited until the last week of October, conveniently enough, the weekend before the World Series, a Eagles vs Giants game, a sold-out concert, and more. You waited until you had the city by the balls and could squeeze as hard as possible to get what you wanted for your union. Then you threatened to walk out right as the games started. Then you agreed to talk past the deadline and not strike.

Now you, Willie Brown, the man who wants to look out for the "common man", the man who wants to make sure "civil rights" are respected... Now YOU have shown you don't care about any of that.

You went on strike at 12:01 AM without any warning of it, stranding thousands of commuters and leaving us to scramble at the last minute! You left the table when you were offered a 11% raise over 5 years, an 11% pension increase, and NO RISE in your health care benefits! YOU! YOU JERK! YOU GREEDY LITTLE PIG! YOU walked away from a compromise. YOU have decided it would no be in the interest of "the working man" to take the deal and STRIKE.

Willie Brown, you don't care about the working man. You don't care about us. All you care about is getting what you want and you don't care how. If union dues rise in turn, I wouldn't be surprised by that, either.

You've taken any chance, ANY CHANCE, of the common working man supporting your union and your cause away with your dirty tactics and the fact that you STRANDED THOUSANDS OF WORKERS AND PEOPLE!!!! You want our support? You lost it!

Right now, I hope YOU get fired. Not the members, but the ENTIRE TWU Local 234 leadership!

Willie, that's how I feel, and trust me, I'm one of the nicer ones.