BEN/"WES" ON CREDIT CARD PROBLEMS WITH
ISETAN CREDIT COMPANY, MITSUBISHI BANK, AND FUJI BANK
(webbed from the Community Archives on March 1, 2001)
From: Arudou Debito/Dave Aldwinckle <debito@debito.org>
Date: Mon Jan 29, 2001 4:07am
Subject: Hello Community. Isetan Credit Card Case
Hello Community. Something else that might warrant recording on The Community Website,
if and when I can ever get around to updating it (sorry). This is a private email
forwarded and anonymized with the permission of the author. Any comments?
Arudou Debito, One Community Coordinator.
/////////////////////////////
I have another story to tell you, this happened last week when my friend was here.
I went to Isetan department store in Shinjuku to buy food. I like shopping here,
because they have a great selection, plus VERY fresh seafood. My friend and his wife
wanted to eat seafood nabe and sushi over the next couple days. So I picked out
some really nice fish, crab, clams, etc. The total was about Y15,000 and I was going
to charge the transaction on my Isetan credit card that I have had for 7+ years.
Well the transaction was declined nonetheless and I had to put the charge onto another
card. I asked the clerk why, computer trouble?, black strip on the card bad?, etc...
She replied that my card was canceled and I need to call a special number. Not
was I embarrassed in front of my friend, but also the locals behind me were watching
with the eagle eye. So I whipped out my JCB Gold card and paid for the transaction
to save face.
I don't know if you know or not, but Isetan has a "foreign customer service".
They help with tax rebates and booking concert tickets. They always have great staff
working there. I know they are underpaid, because when I go back I never see the
same staff twice.
So, back to my story, my friend that was with me at the time, wanted to go get a
massage near my house, so I sent him on his way and I went to the "foreign customer
service" located on the 7F of Isetan. I walked in and there was a pretty Japanese
girl working from behind the counter. She asked me, "how are you?" in
perfect English and I replied not so good and I had her attention. I told her about
the transaction in the basement buying the seafood. She took my card and ran off
for 25 mins. When she return, she told me that my card was canceled because they
sent me a flyer/statement in the mail and it was returned from the Post Office.
They assumed that I left the country.
When I checked the address they had on file, it was my address from 2+ years ago.
I asked them how could this be, since I have credit statements with my current address
on them from the months before. Dave, when I first started this account 7+ years
ago, I knew something was weird, they asked for copy of business card, gaijin card,
passport and a copy of my wife's passport, etc. So this time I asked to speak with
the credit manager about this situation that was happening today.
Another 25 mins later, some 50-ish guy shows up (insertion from a follow-up email:
"His name is <Åóâá> ¶HÔÒÚ›ö² (Akimoto Toshiaki). Please feel free to
use this on The Community.") he assumes that I don't speak Japanese. So I played
along for about <3 mins, until he kept on saying, "why am I here" to
the pretty Japanese girl working there when I first arrived. So I asked his basic
questions in Japanese, to cut to the chase;
1.) Do you know why I am here talking to you?
a - You haven't paid your bill, I think??? (Customer service staff explained to
him, again)
2.) Why was my card canceled?
a - We thought you left the country, because mail we sent you was return to us
and you may have pending charges.
3.) Do you have proof of this return mail?
a - No.
4.) Canceling cards because of return mail is normal practice for all your customers?
a - We will call customers first, however, since you are not Japanese, we assumed
you went home.
5.) Did you know I changed my address with you 2 card renewals ago?
a - no, we have no record, we thought you went home. (later that day sent proof
of change by fax)
6.) Do you discriminate?
a - Isetan Credit Company never discriminates.
7.) Do you have 2 set of rules for Japanese cardholders and non-Japanese cardholders.
a - Some, but Isetan Credit Company never discriminates.
8.) How often do Japanese and non-Japanese card holders have to renew?
a - Japanese, every 5 years. non-Japanese, every 1 year.
9.) Can non-Japanese cardholders use their card for cashing?
a - Never.
10.) What ID is required for Japanese for opening an account?
a - none, just a phone and a valid application
11.) Do Japanese require coming to the store to renew their card?
a - Never, is automatic.
12.) How often is credit limits reviewed for Japanese card holders?"
a - Every six months
13.) How about non-Japanese?
a - never
---
So he responds with his questions to me;
I-1.) If you want real Isetan Card, please complete Japanese application, but you
will be required to read the terms of the contract to us out loud so we know you
understand the agreement.
my-answer) Is this required by Japanese? What if you had a blind Japanese,
or deaf Japanese, or both, the same applies?
his-answer) If they are Japanese, we assume they understand the agreement.
However, Isetan Credit Company never discriminates.
---
So I cut him short, I know this is not going anywhere... So I ask him again, does
"Isetan Credit Company discriminate?" And he replies, again as "Never"...
So I broke it down to him, why Isetan Credit Company never discriminates:
Cancel Customer Card, because flyer/statement was returned via mail:
Japanese - Ask questions first by calling customer.
non-Japanese - Cancel card, assume returned home.
Cashing:
Japanese - Cashing anytime
non-Japanese - Never.
Renew Card:
Japanese - Every 5 years
non-Japanese - Every 1 year, plus store visit.
Credit review limits:
Japanese - Every 6 months
non-Japanese - Never
"Real" Isetan Credit Card:
Japanese - Complete application
non-Japanese - Read app term in front of staff
---
Dave, I plan to follow through with this 100%. The thing is, I like the store, but
the credit company is a separate company altogether. I'll keep you posted about
updates.
Sincerely, AB in Tokyo