I have a discover card and have been quite happy with the level of service I get from them on both the banking and security aspects; but things changed when I found out they were going to be the first ones to roll out the merchant code for firearm purchases, aiding the fed in compiling their firearm registry,,, err, database. (a rose by any other name…)
I intend to write the company and explain, in detail, why I am no longer going to be using their card, despite the stellar service; but I am trying to decide which approach to use.
On the one hand, the gun control agenda, which presumably prompted the move, says it’s all about safety, but their approach gives the lie to that pretense. “We” are talking about fundamental rights and a company offering to help government violate them.
On the other hand, one could simply point out how heartily tired one is, of companies that decide to dedicate themselves, not to providing exemplary service, but to virtue signalling and forwarding a particular narrative.
Trying to fit both into a letter might be problematic, I talk a lot, even in print.
Thoughts? Suggestions?
7 replies on “Undiscovered”
I wouldn’t tell them anything. I’d just cut up the card and close the account. You may take a slight hit on your credit score though, so be aware of that. Maybe just cut up the card if that’s an area of concern for you.
In the end, it will all be for naught. They are rolling out the federal payment system in July. This is the precursor to forcing us all to go to a digital currency that will be controlled through a federal banking system. Once that is in place, they will know about every purchase you make.
Several credit card companies including Discover have said that they will not be using the firearm tracking codes after the backlash they got. https://www.dailywire.com/news/credit-card-companies-were-ready-to-track-gun-purchases-gun-advocates-got-them-to-back-down
I’m not sure how we can verify if they are telling the truth, but at least they’re responding to the outcry, which means they know they have a financial reason not to ignore us.
Still, I think I’d just use cash for those kinds of purchases going forward. Until they force us into CBDC of course, but that’s another topic.
Oh I wasn’t talking about “that” sort of purchase; (it’s long been prudent to pay cash for some things, even if all that happens is they get lost when the boat tips over) I intend to – if they really do roll out the merchant code – stop using the card for anything.
I suggest you don’t tell them a damn thing. If you don’t want to get on some registry or into a database that is.
They will notice the drop in revenue from people like us cutting up our cards. Whether that drop will influence them or not is irrelevant to you saying anything. They obviously don’t care what you have to say, they’ve made their decision and they are going to stick to it until it hurts. Telling them anything they don’t really want to hear is asking for trouble.
Some people will no doubt say this is “not standing up” for what’s right blah, blah, blah blah.
My Dad had a saying he came up with after a paratrooper broke his jaw during the Korean War. The trooper was sitting at a bar next to Dad and Dad intentionally said something that offended him. Dad stood up. The trooper didn’t say a word, he just broke Dad’s jaw without leaving his bar stool.
From this experience my Dad taught me that there are times when you should stand up and times when you should shut up. The way he put it was “Don’t stand up when you ought to shut up”.
If I thought for a minute that standing up to Discover Card Inc. would make the least bit of difference I might consider doing so. It won’t. All it will do is paint a target on my back. A target that Discover Card Inc. is looking to put on people’s backs. Discover Card Inc. has all your vital information including your SSN, home address and lots more. “Don’t stand up when you ought to shut up” is the applicable philosophy in this instance.
For those who think this is chickenshit, Dad had a saying for you too …
“Better a live chicken than a dead duck.”
Tell them instead of following the DEI, ESG, and “Help Your Friends at BATFE” agendas, they should institute the MYOB function: as in “Mind Your Own Business” – not mine.
Yeah, tell them the the government doesn’t have any rights to your purchasing history.
… at least not without a legally-obtained warrant for such personal “papers” and information.