Consumer complaint received 2015-04-30
Company: CITIBANK, N.A.
State: CA
Product: Credit card
Issue: Other

Complaint:
On or about XXXX XXXX, I purchased from Macy 's a Westinghouse XXXX microwave at a special price of {$59.00} plus shipping and tax, {$64.00}. I bought it knowing that I would have to sacrifice on my food budget, but felt it a wise buy nevertheless. A most unsuspected surprise : My utilities were high. Additionally, deposits were required on both my gas and electric accounts despite the fact that I had a good payment history in the Midwest for many years : A {$49.00} setup charge plus a {$50.00} deposit for electricity and a {$260.00} deposit on my gas account! My XXXX month 's bills were never received. I received past-due notices and wound up always being a month behind, but paying out each month for gas {$100.00} and electricity {$50.00}. Believe I was finished with my electric setup/deposit in XX/XX/XXXX. But, I received an electric bill with a 100 % increase for XX/XX/XXXX! Just think, I did not have XXXX XXXX or a XXXX 

Long way around the block to explain what got me in trouble with the Macy 's bill, but necessary. To make matters worse, the microwave is defective! I would have loved to return it, but I just did not have the shipping money or gas money to return it at the XXXX ( or XXXX XXXX ) Macy 's! So, I have been stuck with a defective microwave that " double beeps '' instead of starting up, has to be " reset, '' and refuses to accept instructions. I then have to re-enter the instructions or hit a speed button ( that does hopefully it will work on the second attempt. Sometimes I will hit a speed cooking cycle and get no response. Plug it into another outlet, and it is a different microwave. It has been very frustrating to use the microwave and hear from Macy 's about what I owe them for a piece of garbage. 

Well, my lease was discontinued " without cause '' and I was given XXXX days to move out. This is a XXXX-plus senior property with restrictive rent. I know perfectly why I had to go. I am no longer needed to lead the " cooperative '' that accommodates certain other " permanent '' tenants with smaller or no heat and electric bills for XXXX. Weather 's getting warmer! No? Well, then, why did the gas company refund my deposit after deducting the most recent bill BEFORE I even moved out ( within seven days after my discontuance notice )? When discontinuing I was told by a gas company employee my name would be removed from the account, but the account does not close. 

Anyway ... I am now living in my car and am waitlisted for a housing authority senior property in XXXX. I do not have to pay electric, gas, internet or rent right now, however, living is far from ideal. I called XXXX Cards ( the outfit who has been dunning me for Macy 's ). I know settlement offers can be made. However, they do not want to budge with me. The microwave now is sitting my granddaughter 's closet. I offered {$100.00} and no negative comments on my credit record. The response was 'no. ' I owe some {$300.00} on a defective {$59.00} microwave, the quality of which Macy 's is not identified with. Further advice was I could pay the {$100.00} but would be responsible for the balance of {$200.00}. 

Macy 's has the option of charging late charges between {$5.00} and {$35.00}, however, it has always opted to charge me {$25.00}. Before the microwave problem, I believe I had XXXX late charge because I do not like paying Macy 's that phony {$2.00} charge it assesses after you have paid off your balance. This last time, along with the {$25.00} penalty, they opted to decrease my credit limit.

Company public response: Company chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with monetary relief