Leave it to HSBC

[stargazer0725]

Neiman Marcus files lawsuit against credit card issuer - Dallas Business Journal:

[centex]

Yep, been cussed and discussed over the past few weeks...probably not so much here since I don't know how many other NM cardholders there are...it was a pure greed play on the part of HSBC.

It would be nice if they hammer out an agreement that simply returns the portfolio back to Neiman Marcus and gets HSBC out of the equation. I really don't like seeing so many different accounts reporting from them...the Saks account that is also serviced by them means double entries since one card is actually a credit card in addition to the store account. The less business I can do with HSBC, the happier I would be...

[stargazer0725]

I'm quite sure the argument went something like this:

HSBC: "Um, we've decided we're going to raise the interest rate by 10% on all customers that make under $100k annually"

NM: "Um, not without our approval, you're not."

HSBC: "Um, yes we will."

NM: "Um, no you won't."

HSBC: "Well, we'll just shut you down then. We ARE HSBC, after all."

NM: "Thanks for the reminder. We'll make sure to get your name right on the lawsuit."

[hannah]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stargazer0725 I'm quite sure the argument went something like this: HSBC: "Um, we've decided we're going to raise the interest rate by 10% on all customers that make under $100k annually" NM: "Um, not without our approval, you're not." HSBC: "Um, yes we will." NM: "Um, no you won't." HSBC: "Well, we'll just shut you down then. We ARE HSBC, after all." NM: "Thanks for the reminder. We'll make sure to get your name right on the lawsuit."

[centex]

Actually, I would be surprised if NM really had a significant number of cards issued to people with only five-figure incomes...although of the number that exist, I would be curious to see how many were issued following the HSBC deal.

[hannah]

Unless I wanted to shop online, I would have no reason to want their card as there aren't any stores in over 300 odd miles. I think the closest would be in King of Prussia, PA, which is near Philly.

[Hedwig]

You might be closer to White Flint Mall, in Rockville, MD. They have a NM. I think there's one in McLean, VA as well. That's right off of US 50, so it's just a little hop over here.

[Hedwig]

Oops, I just looked. The one in White Flint must have closed. But there is one in Tyson's Corner, which is the one I said isn't far off of 50.

[hannah]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hedwig You might be closer to White Flint Mall, in Rockville, MD. They have a NM. I think there's one in McLean, VA as well. That's right off of US 50, so it's just a little hop over here.

Don't know the mileage to Rockville but it's a good 3 to 4 hours from here.

[centex]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hannah Don't know the mileage to Rockville but it's a good 3 to 4 hours from here.

Remembering stories of the Tidemobile, that would make it, what, about 400 miles??

[spinn]

White Flint is a dead mall filled with zombies who work for the Nukular Regulatory Commission, which is right next door, and go there for lunch.

The only thing that keeps it open are the overflow from the Cheesecake Factory restaurant, which is always packed, and the Dave and Busters arcade/sports bar.

In fact, White Flint was so desperate for tenants that they paid the drunken hillbillies that own Dave and Busters $20 million to do the build out of the place....and now its dead again, what a waste of a quick $20 million.

There is a Neiman Marcus about 5 miles south of it in Chevy Chase. They sell t-shirts that cost as much as $600...why does the dumb money have all the money?

[ilovemydogs]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stargazer0725 Neiman Marcus files lawsuit against credit card issuer - Dallas Business Journal:

I have been using a NM charge most of my life, in fact it is my oldest line of credit.
At Christmas one year I got the cover gift. : )
NM is in Boston, right near our Brownstone.
In fact where it is now was where some of the family property was. I love NM. The sales help are great they have delicious cookies, and they let me bring my dogs inside. : )

[stargazer0725]

I love going into the Dallas store for some lunch (and a killer popover), followed by some shoe shopping in the afternoon. Not a better place on the planet for customer service (at least for me).

[hannah]

Quote:

Originally Posted by centex Remembering stories of the Tidemobile, that would make it, what, about 400 miles??

The Tidemobile is dead and in a junkyard somewhere as not much of it was left. My compact car was forever made into a sub-compact. Smelled good though...Mountain Spring.

[ilovemydogs]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stargazer0725 I love going into the Dallas store for some lunch (and a killer popover), followed by some shoe shopping in the afternoon. Not a better place on the planet for customer service (at least for me).

Ahhhhhhhhh popovers.

That is what I am having with our roast beef tonight.
Mmmmmmmmmmmmm
ILMD

[centex]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hannah The Tidemobile is dead and in a junkyard somewhere as not much of it was left. My compact car was forever made into a sub-compact. Smelled good though...Mountain Spring.

I notice that you avoided an answer, though, about whether the distance estimate was correct Good application of the 5 D's that any good dodgeballer should know...

[hannah]

Quote:

Originally Posted by centex I notice that you avoided an answer, though, about whether the distance estimate was correct Good application of the 5 D's that any good dodgeballer should know...

I just mapped it out and this is what Yahoo Maps says: Trip distance: 281.65 miles. Time: 4 hrs 37 mins.

Note: Coming down the mountains with a good tail wind should cut the time to around 4 hrs 10 mins.

Distance to the Philly location: Trip distance: 352.72 miles Time: 5 hrs 56 mins.

So yes, Rockville is closer but no way am I driving all that way just to shop.

[Hedwig]

Quote:

Originally Posted by spinn White Flint is a dead mall filled with zombies who work for the Nukular Regulatory Commission, which is right next door, and go there for lunch. The only thing that keeps it open are the overflow from the Cheesecake Factory restaurant, which is always packed, and the Dave and Busters arcade/sports bar. In fact, White Flint was so desperate for tenants that they paid the drunken hillbillies that own Dave and Busters $20 million to do the build out of the place....and now its dead again, what a waste of a quick $20 million. There is a Neiman Marcus about 5 miles south of it in Chevy Chase. They sell t-shirts that cost as much as $600...why does the dumb money have all the money?

I never understood why people shopped in a mall that charged full price for everything.

Back before the days of online shopping, there was an Egghead Software just a few miles up the road, and Babbage's in Gaithersburg. Both of them sold software at a pretty good discount. The store in White Flint charged MSRP for everything--and people bought it. I never did understand it, I figured they had more money than brains and just wanted to brag about how they shopped at White Flint.

P.F. Chang's should be going a good business, too.

[spinn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hedwig I never understood why people shopped in a mall that charged full price for everything. Back before the days of online shopping, there was an Egghead Software just a few miles up the road, and Babbage's in Gaithersburg. Both of them sold software at a pretty good discount. The store in White Flint charged MSRP for everything--and people bought it. I never did understand it, I figured they had more money than brains and just wanted to brag about how they shopped at White Flint. P.F. Chang's should be going a good business, too.

The psychology of money in this area is bizarre. People want to brag about how MUCH they paid for their house, or their car. In White Flint smoothies cost $8 and people are lined up to pay it.

There is a grocery store near my bank that is easily twice as expensive as most and it is packed as well.

A hamburger and iced tea at Houston's restaurant cost $11.50 about two years ago and it is now $21.

My only guess is inflation actually helps people who own businesses, or are DRs or lawyers. As prices go up, they charge more and therefore make more.

[Hedwig]

I don't know. It just doesn't make any sense to me.

I'd rather brag about how LITTLE I paid for some quality product at a sale.

[ilovemydogs]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hedwig I don't know. It just doesn't make any sense to me. I'd rather brag about how LITTLE I paid for some quality product at a sale.

Actually NM used to have items of superior quality, just like the original Abercrombie and Fitch.
For me it was a place I went to as a kid, and as a young adult with my Mom and Aunts,and you WAITED with anticipation for the Christmas Catalouge.
As for bargains and loving them..
I have a ring on my finger that cost me 5 cents at a yard sale, that I love is an antique and 18K gold. I value it as much as anything that was bought for a much higher price at Cartier,and the rings do each other well. : )
I DO value service though, and NM was always service oriented, you never had a problem with their items or if you wanted to return it and they have always been gracious. Not so true of many stores nowadays.
As for the markets, my fav is Trader Joe's and I also belong to a coop.I don't buy much at the Stop and Shop as for meat I get it from local farmers as I want to know where it comes from.I also can mucho, and have a huge garden and of course I have a commercial fishing license. : ) I like to know what I am eating, and I always make everything from scratch which is a lot cheaper than prepared foods,and tastes a lot better IMO.
I do thrift shops once a week, and am a dumpster diver as well... Did it most of the afternoon today. Got some good stuff!
HAHAHHAHHAHHA
Oh and
"Some people know the price of everything and the vale of nothing. "

[Hedwig]

That last statement is very true!!!

[ilovemydogs]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hedwig That last statement is very true!!!

Yup, it really is true.
Off topic but just got back form seeing the movie Atonement.Whew.... GREAT MOVIE.
Oh and SNL just had a great opening.
ILMD

[roybean]

When I lived in CA, I used to go to rummage sales in Palos Verdes...Dayum! They put stuff out right after they buy it and I used to think "What's wrong with them?" I buy what I want if I have the money and I shop bargains all of the time. Hell, I love to shop, but a deal is a deal and no matter how good things are today, the bottom can fall out at any minute, so you should always look for bargains and deals...don't care how well off you're (you think) doing.

Even the most prominent businesses look for bargains because they crunch numbers and look for projections of long range costs.

[Hedwig]

Most self-made millionaires (not those who inherited or grew up with money) are very frugal. That's how they got to be millionaires.