Consumer complaint received 2017-05-05
Company: CITIBANK, N.A.
State: MO
Product: Credit card or prepaid card
Sub-product: General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Advertising and marketing, including promotional offers
Sub-issue: Didn't receive advertised or promotional terms

Complaint:
XX/XX/2017     Revised and amended complaint since I DID try to work this out with both companies. Online chat with Sears and on the phone with credit card service.     YOUR COMPLAINT     XXXX   XXXX    2017      I tried to make a purchase at sears.com When checking out they offer  a 30 %  credit on your first purchase up to a maximum of {$35.00} if you apply for their  Sears   Master Card C iti Bank Charge Card. After applying online a page pops up that says they need more information and to call a toll free number. I called and was approved but was told that since I had to call the promotion would not apply. I had my wife apply for the same  S  ears Master Card promotion offer and she was told to call and the promotion would not appl y to her either. We both have  XXXX  plus credit scores so their should not have been any reason to call to get approved. I believe they are doing this to every applicant. It seems  Sears  a nd Master Card are just  using this promotion to get new cardholders without having to honor their advertised promotion. It would also appear  Sears and Possib ly Master Card are both utilizing false advertising or a bait and switch tactic to scam unsuspecting customers. Here 's  their offer and terms. Sears Card  Offers 30 % off ( up to a total statement credit of {$35.00} ) when approved for a Se ars Mastercard a nd make a purchase today. Apply at Checkout. **30 % Off Offer : With credit approval, 30 % off with qualified purchase up to total statement credit of {$35.00} when you make   your first qualifying purchase today with your ne w Sears Mastercard      .  First purchase must be made same day as account opening in order to receive statement credit. To make a purchase today at a Sears or  XXXX  store, bring a photo ID and have an associate complete an account number look-up. Limit  one  new account offer per account. Offer at participating locations only and  may  vary. The new account offer o f 30 %  off will not apply if your first purchase or subsequent first day purchase is subject to different special financing  (  deferred interest ) offer. Offers are subject to change without notice. Restrictions apply.  1  Subject to credit approval for qualifying purchases made on a qualifying Sears card at participating locations. Purchase requirements and exclusions apply.  May  not be combined with other offers. See store signs or associate for details, or visit sears.com/credit. Excludes  Sears Commercial  One Accounts and Sears  Home Improvement  Account valid on installed sales only. Offers are subject to changes without notice. +Sears  Mastercard   New Account : As of   X/XX/2017    , the APR for purchases and balance transfers is 25.99 %, and the APR for cash advances is 27.90 %. These APRs will vary with the market based on the  Prime  Rate. The  Minimum  Interest Charge is {$2 .00}. The cash advance fee is 5 % of each transaction ; minimum {$5.00}. The balance transfer fee is 5 % of each transaction, minimum {$10.00}. The transaction fee for foreign purchases is 3 % of each purch ase transaction in U.S. dollars. See card agreement for details. Subject to credit approval. Limitations, terms and conditions apply. You will be given further information when you apply. The Shop Your Way program is offered by  Sears  Holdings  Management  Corporation. Citibank is not responsible for products or services offered by other companies. As of   X/XX/2017    , the APR for purchases ( and for the Sears Mastercard, the APR for balance transfers ) is  25.99 % and th e APR for cash advance s is 27.90 %. Thes e APRs will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. The Minimum  Interest Charge  is {$2.00}. The  cash  advance fee  is 5 % of each transaction ; minimum {$5.00}. For the Sear s Mastercard, the bala nce transfer fee is 5 % of each transaction, minimum {$10.00}, and the transaction fee for foreign purchases is 3 % of each purchase transaction in  U.S. dollars. See card agreement for details Sears cards are issued by Citibank, N.A

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation