Editor's Blog Section

From Editor's Rant column issue 53 – Autumn 2009

During a French lesson many years ago, we were told the word for an electric socket was “une prise”. So what was the word for plug, I asked. “La meme chose,” came the answer. I demurred, but found myself ridiculed by both the teacher and classmates. “Don’t be so pedantic,” they cried.

I’m afraid it’s in my nature, and lately I was strongly reminded of it. My credit card is debited every month by various services, and during the month or six weeks leading up to its expiry they all contact me, urging me to register the replacement card’s details “as soon as possible” on their web sites.

But what if they attempt to debit the card after I’ve updated the information, but before the new card comes into effect? Surely the charge will be rejected?

This has puzzled me for years, and this year I rang up one or two of their contact centres to pose that question. Surprise surprise, the answer was the same from all: “We don’t know.”

So I dutifully waited until the day before the old card expired before painstakingly renewing the information on each site.

Two questions: 1. Why does my card expire after two years? Why can’t it remain current run until it wears out (or I do)? 2. Why can’t retailers be more explicit about when to update the card information? Am I the only person in the entire universe who’s upset by the logical flaw in what I’m being asked to do?