Juniper Bank Consumer Reviews - Page 5

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA -- I only got this Apple card so that I could buy my daughter that was graduating from college a new Apple laptop, her choice not mine. I let her use the card to buy Christmas presents also. When I retired I started making minimum payments, then I found out that a minimum payment does not cover the finance charges and before you know it you are over your limit, and are charged $39, taking it even more over limit. Then they send me a statement and it says I have a late fee. I checked my check register and I mailed the payment 15 days before the due date and they said they didn't get it until 2 days after the due date, so that is another $39 charge added on.

They would not remove any of the charges, and said if I would make an $82 payment I wouldn't get an over the limit charge next month, but it would cost $15 to make a phone payment, but I could do an automated payment, but the automated system wouldn't let me enter my bank information. I called back and this time the voice has an Indian accent, dots not feathers. I ask where she was, she said the Philippines. Again I was told the charge would be $15 or I could do the automated route. It still wouldn't take my bank information, so I hung up.

I looked at the statement again, and the account is $119.31 over-limit, so if I sent in $82 I would still be over the limit and they can add $39 again. If I want to get the total below the over-limit amount I will have to pay the $$119.31 plus the $33 finance charge. These people are real crooks. You wouldn't think a Company like Apple would be associated with scum like this. Well, that's my dime's worth.

WILMINGTON, DELAWARE -- CUSTOMERS BEWARE... I thought I had made a online payment with a confirmation # when my computer froze at this process. I had to boot delete to get out of this freeze. My computer perm crashed after this. Since I saw a confirmation number I assumed my payment went through. A few days went by and I called to make sure payment was received. I was told it did not. I have a very high credit score and have absolutely never been late on any payments to any creditor. Ever in 35 years. I then made a $100.00 dollar payment and was told my interest rate went from a fixed amount to double the interest rate.

If that was not bad enough I received a email the following day (on my new computer) stating that a $400.00 payment was deducted from my checking account. I verbally said $100.00. I immediately called and they could have cared less. I was told that they have 7-10 days to review. I was outraged in all my payment history it has always been $100.00 or less.

That it would be obvious that this was an error made by them since the 4 is above the one on the keyboard. These people do not care. I understand that these companies look for any little thing to screw your rate but theft of unauthorized funds goes too far. This company needs a class action lawsuit brought against them.

If so... I am in. If you use a magnifying glass to read the terms you will see that unless you put all complaints in writing (by phone you forfeit your right under the Fair Credit Billing Act (FBCA)). Funny when I called over 4 times I asked what I needed to do. They NEVER INFORMED ME TO PUT IN WRITING. So customers put your complaints in writing. Fax to 1-866-390-3437. I plan to post everywhere and file complaint @ the BBB.

CALIFORNIA -- I am so excited to be able to communicate with humans. I am a dog. In fact I am a springer spaniel. Juniper Bank solicited me several years ago for a credit card. I accepted the offer. Guess what, I received a platinum Visa Card with a $12,500 credit limit at no interest. Now how about that for having "dog gone good credit." Well I have to tell you that I was excited. I used it all the time. I used it when I visited Dr. Mike and I paid for my doggie yearly exam.

Dr Mike told me that I was a little heavy but I was in good shape. I then went to Petco and purchased a toy with my card. I wanted to go the Safeway and purchase a big steak but my master said no. After a while my master got concerned about the amount of times I was using the card and that I was having difficulty making payment (I don't have a job that pays money). My master called Juniper Bank to cancel the card and they wouldn't do it until they spoke with me.

Well my master asked if they were bilingual and they said yes, unfortunately they were thinking about Spanish. My master said that they needed to speak dog and the very complicated Springer Spaniel dialect. They did not know what to say. At that point the person still did not get, that I was a dog. Eventually they got the idea and were put out. I wonder why? Dogs have right too.

You don't have to worry about the financial institutions however as both Chase and CitiBank have offered me credit cards as I have super good credit. You know it pays to be selective. After learning just what buffoons the people at Juniper were I am happy that my master canceled my card with them. It is obvious that the management of Juniper Bank simply do not know that "the meek shall inherit the earth" and of course Dogs Rule.

By the way isn't my typing good. Since I got Dragon speak I am able to communicate on the internet. You know when I had to type my paws had great difficulty reaching the keys. With Dragon Speak I only have to talk and bark and presto the computer types. I am going to apply to Juniper Bank for a dog house loan since I have established credit with them.

I applied and received a card with an $8000 limit and 7.00% fixed rate. I keep about a $1000 balance on this to stay well below the 30-35% balance to maintain a good FICA score, yet have some cushion in case I actually NEED some credit. I always make over the minimum payments, yet again, to have a positive credit impact.

I went to Best Buy to make a significant purchase (about $3000) and my card was declined. After calling their number on their card it said I had a $200 (and some change) available credit. So, at that point I pulled out my trusty CitiCard Dividend card with 8.47% and completed the transaction.

Came home, did an electronic payment on the CitiCard for the amount of the purchase and did the same for the Juniper balance. I called Juniper pathetic customer service. I HATE customer service agents whose 2nd or 3rd language is "Engrish". I got the same BS story that everyone else is reporting. "We reviewed your account and your spending habits do not reflect the need for $8000 limit."

To which I tell them to review the account, I have had the card BARELY 3 months and that was hardly enough time to determine "habits". They offered to review the account at a later time for a credit increase (a credit check and a ding on your FICA). So this company successfully dinged my credit score and estimated 20 points for going from less than 15% revolving balance to over 90%. Now they want to ding it another couple points to do a credit check at a later time? I think not.

PLEASE, PLEASE avoid this company or any card (regardless of air miles, see mile or any other awards) associated with Juniper/Barclays. If you are trying to BUILD credit, find other cards. Juniper/Barclays will cause you more heartache than good.

They used the same credit "crunch" BS that they have with everyone else. However, I am finding that this is a long term practice of theirs dating back before recent credit crunch. They are dropping credit limits on good customers in search of bad customers who stay at their given limits so they can generate interest and fee income. They want to generate those $39 over the limit fees and interest charges. I am currently preparing a complaint to the BBB.

FORT WORTH, TEXAS -- I too have been a victim of Juniper's credit card scam. Even though they were kind enough to inform me in writing that they were lowering my credit limit from $2000.00 to $1625.00, they raised my fixed interest rate from 7.99% to a staggering 27.99% without informing me.

In the letter, they explained to me the reason they were lowering my credit limit. They claimed, based on their periodic review of my credit report, my base salary was not sufficient enough to satisfy my credit worthiness with them. Most recently, I come to find out they also raised my interest rate from a fixed 9.99% to 27.99%.

This kind of practice from credit card agencies, like Juniper, is deception, evil and alchemy at its finest. By the way, I was late one day with my payment and my penalty was $39, which leads me to believe that they are not interest in the payment of my debt with them, but rather, prolonging it to syphon more money from me. UNFAIR USURY is what I call it.

When I called customer service they simply refuse to renegotiate the terms they sat in place. In fact, it seem to me they were trained not to negotiate the terms with me or apparently, anyone else.

Therefore, at all cost I will deal with them in three ways. I will write a letter to the Better Business Bureau in Delaware exposing this credit scam; pay this credit card off at all cost; and decide to abhor using this card until they decide to close my account for a lack of usage. To close my account so early with them will only hurt my credit score even more: which they already know.

Furthermore, I will deal with them in the same harsh, deliberate and cruel manner they have dealt with me, and too, hopefully the public deals with them in the same manner until they go OUT OF BUSINESS!!

WASHINGTON -- I have had a card with a 1000 balance for few years. Never a late payment. October, I requested a credit increase so I could use just one credit card. After a credit check, I was given limit of 5,000. Dec 15 I was getting ready to make a large purchase and double checked balances as I always do. My limit was lowered to 1400. No notification. I called customer service and after many times on hold, said they were authorized to put it back and I would see it within 24 hours.

I called back an hour later and had someone read me the notes of previous promise and they confirmed it would be put back by next business day. 4 days later and nothing. I called today and was told that they had no record of any conversation or promises. (Um! I have employee numbers and 2 people read it to me that day.)

When I asked if the person could read to me word for word the notes of Dec 15th promise, they refused and said "The credit limit we chose for you reflects your spending habits you currently have." And that they as well as other companies were doing to everybody. Not true. 6 open cards, with other companies, with no balance and a higher limit have not decreased or closed my credit cards. They said when I maxed out my current credit, I could have another credit check to further increase my credit. NO WAY stay away from them.

These credit checks lower your credit score thus increasing your interest rates. Stupid game. I just paid off balance in full. No way will I be sucked into their game that in this fragile economy where if you are lucky to still have a good credit score. If I had not seen the decrease, I would have went over limit and incurred charges, thus changing the contracted of fix low interest.

Hmmm, that makes sense. They were trying to get me to overspend to remove my fixed low, low interest that I have as long as I am never late or over balance. Because the government is putting in new laws that credit card companies can not raise interest rates if a payments is missed. Juniper bite my buniper.

TOLEDO, OHIO -- If anyone is interested in buying a Macintosh computer do not go through Juniper Visa Card to do so. They work in conjunction with Apple to help you get your computer. The catch is that the computer needs to be paid off in 6 months or less for the same as cash promotion. Which is all good and dandy until you get your seventh month statement in the mail telling you that you have unpaid finance charges because you technically did not pay the card off in six months as you thought you did. I paid my card off on the DUE DATE listed on the statement. I ended up being 12 days over my 6 month.

I even received a letter in the mail telling me that my balance was 0.00 dollars. Then I get my electronic bill telling me I owe $175.63 in finance charges for the 12 days that I went over my 6 months. I called and talked to a customer service representative and was basically treated poorly. I then asked to speak to a manager or supervisor and was told that they could not do anything for me. I tried to reason with them, but they basically told me "To Bad, So Sad." I even begged for them to reduce the finance charge and they would not. I ended up hanging up on them I was so upset.

I figured out that instead of sending you a statement from the date of purchase/opening of card, which would be the most logical thing. Juniper sends you a statement around the middle of the month, making your due date around the middle of the next month as well. So you make your payment on time thinking you will not have any finance charges. Then BAM, they get you because your no money same as cash promotion end 6 months from the date of purchase.

So a word to the wise, don't use Juniper Visa when buying a Macintosh Computer. I have no complaint about Apple. I love their computers and would buy more than one if I could. But you can bet I'll be paying in one lump sum and not using a credit card so that they can get money they did not earn from me.

DENVER, COLORADO -- I used to be one of those "aggressive" sales pitchers at the Denver Airport for the Frontier MasterCard. We were so pressured to get people to complete the applications and we were basically encouraged to say anything we had to in order to get the app. done. While most sales people start out trying to be honest, we quickly saw that the ones being most rewarded were the ones who outright lied to people. This job, if you brought in the numbers, could pay out anywhere from $200 to $1000 a day with possible "bonus" on top of that.

We were (and they still are) paid by the completed application, not whether or not it was approved. It was nothing for me to bring home $2000 - $4000 a week for part-time work. Sounds like easy money right? Well, if you're a good liar and can pull the wool over people's eyes, then maybe so. The complaints you read about the card are true. Excessive late fees for being one minute late, being charged a higher interest rate than stated, rate hikes for no reason, other misc fees that are hidden. Barclays will do anything they can to get a penny out of their customers.

The only way this card works is if you pay your balance off every month and do it ON TIME. And if you are at the Denver Airport, stay away from the sales people. In the end, I left because in spite of the good money made, I could not live with myself anymore doing that job, and believe me, I was good at it. For the most part, I tried to be honest but when our head Manager put the pressure on us, I too was guilty of doing what I had to do to keep my numbers up. Just beware. If sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

GEORGIA -- My husband has a Juniper Credit Card - we traveled out of the country this week and we took the card - which on our last statement had a $1750 limit with $1633 available credit. We'd been keeping this card paid down specifically for this trip. Halfway through the trip we were notified by the purser that there was a problem with our card. Seems like they abruptly dropped the limit to $650 and even though we hadn't spent an excessive amount - < $400 we had hit the "NEW" limit of our card - needless to say - we were totally stunned when we pulled up the card on the internet and discovered the limit had been changed.

Surprisingly enough, I had pulled our information to verify our limits and availability on Sunday before leaving on Monday - no problem - it was only after we began using the card that the limit was abruptly dropped. We were told it was because they had reviewed our credit report and I had been late on the car payment - not true!!! I had extended the payment a couple of months ago. But wasn't late.

Needless to say - we'll be paying off the card asap and closing the account. Can't wait to see what happens with the interest rate - which is supposedly locked in at 8.99%. I will never deal with them again - I don't care if they raise my limit to $10K - I wouldn't trust them with any of my financial business.

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- This is the worst credit card I have ever had! I have excellent credit and many cards. On my first run-in with this company, they jumped my interest rate from about 14% to somewhere between 20 and 30% and I called to ask why and they refused to tell me. Later on, I transferred a large balance from another credit card to Juniper because of their promise of a 0% interest rate for one year, and they kept their word on that.

However, once the 0% expired, they immediately raised my interest rate to over 32%, again with no explanation! I went from paying $32.00 in interest to paying about $250 per month interest! I called and politely asked them to lower my interest rate and explained that 32% is way higher than any other card was charging. The rude person just said that "nobody here is authorized to lower your rate" and that when the company determined that I was due to have a lower rate, I would have to wait for a letter.

I told them that 32% is outrageous and that I would just transfer the balance to a lower rate card, and that they may as well lower my interest and make some money off of me, they still refused, rudely, and with no explanation. After paying $500 in 2 months in interest, I paid them off and closed the account. I have never had trouble like this with any other credit card. Don't fall for their scams.