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:
XXXX   XXXX ,    2017 I tried to make a purchase at sears.com When checking out they offer a 30   % credit on your first purchase u p to a maximum of {$35.00} if you apply for their  Sears Master Card Citi  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  Sears Master Card  promotion offer and she was told to call and the promotion would not apply 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  and   XXXX   XXXX   are just using this promotion to get new cardholders without having to honor their advertised promotion. It would also appear Sears and Possibly   XXXX   XXXX   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 Sears Mastercard and 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 new 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 of 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  . Exclude s 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  XXXX / XXXX /  XXXX  , 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 trans  action, minimum {$10.00}. The transaction fee for foreign purchases is 3 % of each purchase transaction in U.S. dollars. See card agreement for detai ls.     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 Manageme  nt Corporation.  Citibank is not responsible for products or services offered by other companies.     As of  XXXX / XXXX /   2017,  the APR for purchases ( and for the  Sears   Mastercard, th e APR for 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}. For the Sears Mastercard, the balance 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