The Land Of The Free To Be Sniveling Victims Of Department Store Credit Card Pitches
Not long ago, we Americans prided ourselves on being pioneering individualists. Now college students are whimpering about micro-aggressions and trigger warnings and shoppers are sniveling about being "bullied."
Bullied? Yes. That's how they report feeling when a department store clerk asks them if they'd like to open a store credit card account in order to get some percentage of savings on their purchase.
As Ed Morrissey puts it at Hot Air:
Heaven help these wilting lilies if they ever have to buy a car or a house rather than a blender or a sweater. The cash-wrap pitch is hardly a replay of Glengarry Glen Ross, anyway. The stores pitch their cards in order to build customer loyalty, but they don't want people walking away from their already-selected purchases either. I've been on the receiving end of these so-called "bullying" tactics for years without having some part-timer twist my arm into opening new lines of credit.The source of this survey provides the context. Credit.com is a credit-management service that caters to those who feel as though they are not in control of their own finances. That's a legitimate industry that helps a lot of people, but it's also in their interest to paint consumers as victims of cashiers with daydreams of pin money dancing in their heads. Their business is helping people find control of their credit, so highlighting a sense of victimhood plays to their own sales pitches.
...Save the whining about being "bullied" for those who are truly victims, rather than claim that status because you lacked the fortitude to withstand a silly sales pitch at the register.
Are you a grownup? Don't want a credit card? Say no.
Can't say no? Don't leave the house without your state-appointed aide from "The Home."
Things like this are why the British empire vanished. Can't rule the world when you are afraid to get out from under your bed.
Ben at December 2, 2014 6:01 AM
My favorite part of the WaPo article is the script they provide, recommending that you inform the cashier that applying for a card will lower your credit score. As if the cashier cares.
sofar at December 2, 2014 7:34 AM
The clerks should be required to issue a "trigger alert" before starting their spiel.
Bob in Texas at December 2, 2014 7:57 AM
Just channel Nancy Reagan and be done with it! I always say "No." I don't bother with "thank you" because I don't like being "up-sold" during check-out. If they persist, I say "Which part of 'no' needs elucidation?" Usually, 'elucidation' throws them off -- let alone the gauntlet hitting the floor -- and they drop it. How is this hard? I shouldn't admit it, but truth be told, I like a little low-key confrontation during the day. Our society is filled milquetoast pansies and girly men. A little macro-aggression would do it good!
David at December 2, 2014 8:07 AM
Cashier: Do you have our $STORE credit card?
Me: No.
Cashier: Would you like to...
Me: No thanks. *pulls out cash*
I R A Darth Aggie at December 2, 2014 10:38 AM
If they offer you a credit card, and you don't want one, it is harassment. If they don't offer you one, but you want one, it is discrimination.
EVERYONE can be a victim!
Dwatney at December 2, 2014 11:21 AM
The only people being bullied here are the poor retail clerks who are required by their employer to ask every customer if they want to open an store credit card.
The word no is very easy to say.
Janet C at December 2, 2014 11:34 AM
Ben, you can't hide under the bed. That's where the monsters are!
Conan the Grammarian at December 2, 2014 11:49 AM
My experience with that:
"Would you like to get our card?"
"No."
*immediately carries on the transaction without another word*
...
Who are these people either feeling bullied by that, or trying a hard-sell on their customers and alienating them?
Sigivald at December 2, 2014 2:29 PM
*Would you like to contribute to (insert horrific disease being milked by inefficient, overpaid charity machine name here)?*.
"No."
*Why not?*
"Because I choose not to. Am I still allowed to shop here?".
Magog actually had that conversation once. Bizarre.
Gog_Magog_Carpet_Reclaimers at December 2, 2014 4:10 PM
I give into it sometimes Gog. But mainly when I don't want a bunch of change rattling around in my pocket. I know I'm throwing my money away. But people look at you funny when you use a trash can.
Ben at December 2, 2014 5:50 PM
Ben, that's why, when I'm standing in line, I check how many pennies, nickels and dimes I have so that I can get a vague idea of how I can get rid of some coins when I pay for something and get one or two quarters back (for laundry). That way, I never have a lot of coins and I can count my money in a hurry when needed. I'm guessing that most cashiers appreciate not having to break open another roll of coins (other than quarters) for a while. (Also, supermarkets are pretty much the only place I'll break a $20, since smaller stores can run out of small bills quickly.)
lenona at December 2, 2014 6:04 PM
Wait just a politically-correct-agricultural-product-pickin-minute! There are still people who use cash and coin? Is this the dark ages, then? At our supermarket they have cards you hand the cashier to scan for charitable donations. Those I do because they are for local organizations with good reputations who actually help the needy. The cashiers, however, never ever ask -- or even glance meaningfully -- at them, however.
David at December 3, 2014 12:25 PM
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