What's the deal with credit card companies lately? They don't have enough business, yet they treat their customers like stones that they can squeeze blood out of! (not an easy task, mind you) Mastercard, and specifically Kroger Mastercard, has so little interest in representing you, the card user, in dispute situations, that they come across not just as pro-business-crooks, but actively hostile to your complaints.

They will tell you that they cannot contest a charge for reasons of customer dissatisfaction. Well, what else is there?! Contest a charge because you're slap-happy with the service? I had Payless Car Rental hold my family virtually hostage while they attempted to scam us out of thousands of dollars for a 'wrecked' car that wasn't even scratched! (another story) This was in Mexico, and we felt lucky to get home with our good health.

Even though we didn't sign any final charge statement with Payless, Mastercard says our initial rental agreement is enough, and tough toenails if the thugs running the place should be behind bars. Makes you wonder what kind of business agreement these companies have with each other...

I have other bad-service examples of late as well, but sufficient to say, beware this attitude with Mastercard and look into using a different credit provider. My Discover account is always very helpful with customer's complaints against merchants--just FYI!