Managing Your Money Online

When it comes to personal finance, if I can’t do it online, I don’t want to do it at all.

I realized this today when I went to increase my credit limit on two of my credit cards.

I went to one bank site, clicked on request increase, and received a message seconds later that my credit limit had increased 600%. (I guess it’s been awhile since I last requested an increase.)

I went to the second site, and they said to call their 800 number and request an increase. What? I have to use a phone? I can’t just click on a glossy button and get instant gratification? I have to interact with other humans? And I can’t even email them? Forget it. I’m good with my 600% increase on my other card, and I’ll just quit using your services.

Likewise, if I can’t pay for something online, I don’t want to use it. Amazon.com, Paypal and eBay have set a trend that makes any site without an online payment option dated and unfriendly. Most major stores support this trend by offering online catalogues with shopping carts to streamline your purchase process.

When we were running a business from home, we discovered that even the Post Office lets you pay for postage online, print out your packing slip and schedule a pick up time for the mailman to come to your house and get your package.

As a business, why would you not want to make it easier for people to pay you? Ever?

As a consumer, I realize how easy it is to impulse buy when your purchase is instant, so I try to take the time to think each online purchase through. But once I’ve made the decision, I don’t want to have to call someone to make the purchase. There are just too many other places that will take my money instantly for me to bother with you if you won’t.

What sites irritate you because they don’t offer an online payment option? From a customer’s standpoint, is there ever a valid reason for a business not to offer this?

Image credit: credit cards, button, old phone, usps.