![\"user-pic\"](\"/css/images/default.gif\")
Wireless comparison? Was a paragraph removed that introduced this?
Wireless comparison? Was a paragraph removed that introduced this?
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-285746-100x100.png\")
Peak? Did it reach its zenith while no one was looking?
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-348208-100x100.png\")
so does it compare cell phone plans or credit cards?
no time to read, give me the gist of it.
@egosub2: And then I read the actual story. With 28 other stories in the last 24 hours, you'd think you could take a moment to edit the thing.
I've been seeing \"peak\" mis-used instead of \"peek\" so often lately. I don't get it. It's like it suddenly went in style.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-244548-100x100.png\")
Wow, shall we discuss a website that doesn't exist yet?
1. 200 credit cards initially
Since every credit card company packages offers many different ways and designs them based on the potential cardmember's demographics, I would say that 200 cards could easily offer several thousand different 'offers'. How can the site intelligently offer valid comparison offers unless I grant it permission to access my personal data and credit report (and share that date with CC issuers)? If they do - ick! If they don't meaningless offers.
2. Legalese explained in 'plain English'
Sounds great, but since the site can't possible offer legal advise, this is only one possible interpretation that certainly will contain a disclaimer. If a site visitor makes a card decision based on these explanations and gets burned, who's responsible? Likely no one.
3. Email of terms changes
Sounds great on its face, but since many terms changes are based on customer-specific behaviour, how can the site possible be effective in this regard?
Being able to imput offers we receive, and compare does certainly have usefullness, similar to how all the free mortgage amortization calculators and such.
I will likely visit the site, but I think the hype is way overblown.
@aaronhoffman: Seeing how no link was provided to \"peek\" at the site maybe a \"peak\" or zenith is correct?
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-455196-100x100.png\")
Hmm. If this works as well as they say I will definitely be zipping to this site the moment it goes up.
My fiancee is buried deep in CC debt and I would like to get that under control before we tie the knot.
@BenPopken: Did you get to see this CC Comaparison Tool in action and did it do what they propose it will do?!
Legalese explained in 'plain English'
I hate it when people complain about legalese--I'm not even a lawyer. Legal documents can be very nuanced and glossing over that can get you in trouble. I am a computer guy and people also complain when I use technical terms when I speaking of, you know, technical things.
People might as well bitch when a poet uses \"scarlet\" or \"crimson\" or \"vermilion\" when the *perfectly good* word \"red\" exists.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-74864-100x100.png\")
@SkokieGuy: I'll tell you what... if it's as good as what their current site offers (Cell phone comparisons), I'm down with it.
If the Credit Card site is anything like the Cell Phone site, I'll remain suspicious. They don't list Cricket Communications as a wireless provider. My wife has used it for years, one low monthly fee, and I can't really remember the last time there was a dropped call. And if it was dropped, we'll never know if it was her phone or my Verizon phone. No counting minutes either.
There are probably other cellular companies I am unaware of that BillShrink doesn't list as well. Before anyone tells me that Cricket isn't nationwide, please remember that BillShrink does ask for your zip code. So they must be looking at what is available in my city.
Sorry to rant, but when I see a site offering to save me money and I am paying less than their lowest option I have to wonder if I'll look at the \"best credit card offer\" and laugh when I realize that the one already in my wallet is better and has been for years?
Then again, is there really a \"good\" credit card......
-thegrumpyadmin.com
this sounds like a great idea, and even better if the plan is to move to auto-insurance. most of the comments so far just sound like naysayers - why slam something that someone is building to help inform consumers - this is a consumer advocate website?
i've never seen so much outright whining over an unreleased product that is in most folks best interest. and seriously, complaining that the article is too long? someone call the wahmbulance.
@jacksbrokenego: This is Consumerist we're talking about. Whining is our all-time best-seller. ;)
@freejazz38: Not sure if I should admire the dedication to post that the nanosecond the post went live, or just roll my eyes.
Fine, eye-rolling it is.
It's great to get help with credit cards, the public needs that badly. I do work at an insurance agency part time, and as nice as the auto insurance idea sounds, it's probably not realistic at all because nearly everyone lies about their driving record if they really have high rates. It would have to charge the DMV to get the real accurate information in order to quote customers, as well as their credit score. The quotes change after their license number and credit scores are run.
But great about the credit card service! The higher prices rise with a country riddled in debt, the more financial education help, the better!
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-257467-100x100.png\")
@aaronhoffman: It's the preceding sneak that does it. The inclination to spell two rhyming words in the same manner is a strong one for some.
Also, what, exactly, is supposed to be next after the auto insurance industry>?
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-158781-100x100.png\")
@ShortBus:
I hate it when people complain about legalese--I'm not even a lawyer. Legal documents can be very nuanced and glossing over that can get you in trouble.
No one is exempt from reading legal documents. But when you're comparing terms and conditions, it helps to have it broken down without the legal fluff like \"contingent in the lower 48 states, except in Hawaii and where prohibited, with exclusion to, but not limited to, warrenty terms and conditions.\"
Bullet-by-bullet points makes understanding terms that much easier. I've actually seen a software company that has NO legalize and offers a plain-english license policy. Granted, it is a bible software company but I love the idea.
It's similar to Creative Commons. They have a complete legal document, but you get the jist with \"Share-alike, BY\".
But onto my comment: How is this site making money? If the site makes money by referrals, I think there might be a conflict of interest. If it's by ads, I don't see a problem.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-245242-100x100.png\")
Wow it's early, I was wondering who Bill Shrink was and why he was so special.
Ah, yes.....another credit card item and once again the sanctimonious \"well *I* don't have any credit cards and *YOU'RE* stupid if you do\" crowd is compelled to chime in.
Amount of patience I have with people who haven't lived long enough or aren't smart enough to realize that value of using credit to your advantage = zero
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-16563-100x100.png\")
Err, a head's up.
They have NO contact info on their site, no address, nothing.
I'm unsure of how much personal info they collect, but that's a red flag...
Don't get me wrong, it's a great idea if well-executed. But they need to revamp their site to make the company more transparent.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1161-100x100.png\")
or, you could just not be stupid enough to carry a balance :-O