While shopping at Costco these last few months they have had a booth set up in the front urging shoppers to apply for their Amex card. The incentive for signing up is two months extension on your membership and a case of water.
My credit score is in the negative numbers (I know I know I know). So I know I will not get approved, but I apply anyways. I have done this now 3 times. I have essentially (so far) extended my membership by 6 months for free.
My feeling is that they can check in their computer (they enter your data immedaitely and give you results) and see that I have applied before and if they so choose they can deny my ability to apply. However, there is nothing there that says you may only do it once and I have applied with the same person each time.
When I mentioned this to someone IRL they accused me of stealing from Costco and ergo stealing from the members. I don't think it is stealing, you never know, perhaps my credit rating changed from one month to the next and perhaps I will get approved next time. Highly unlikely but hey it could happen.
If however, they suddenly put up a one time only policy I'm ok with that as well, it's their perrogative.
Tell me what you think, is it stealing or is it ok?
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Thank you great grandpa!!
14 years ago
Definately not stealing. They are asking you to apply and you are applying. If you were putting in false information because you did not want a card and only wanted the incentives for applying that would be stealing. Accepting incentives and doing what is asked of you, not stealing.
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