Credit Cards Online - Where to Start?Written by Jim Slobodzian
Are you thinking of changing credit cards or looking for a new one? Where do you start to look when comparing credit cards? Let's talk about where we compare credit cards services and prices online.If you are still in "shopping" phase of comparing different cards and their fees, go to this site http://www.qksrv.net/click-972887-804595 where cardoffers.com provides a great service with credit card reviews and comparisons. For an information packed portal that provides a good cross section of emoney information, try www.bankrate.com Their credit card search section allows you to pick your priorities (cost, features, etc.) and then it will provide you with a comparison of cards, including fees! http://www.bankrate.com/brm/rate/cc_home.asp If you want an objective opinion, we can look at Gomez consumer ratings of course. They rank top 20 Internet credit card sites according to different features, and have a tool that lets you pick two different cards to compare ratings side-by-side. http://www.gomez.com/scorecards/index.asp? topcat_id=73&subSect=finance Here are latest Gomez rankings for credit cards . Top Internet Credit Card Sites for Q1 2002 ranked by Overall Score. Firm Score 1. Citibank (review) 5.61 2. American Express (review) 5.58 3. Direct Merchants Bank (review) 5.10 4. GM Card (review) 5.05 5. Bank of America (review) 4.98 6. Juniper (review) 4.84 7. First National (review) 4.80 8. Household Bank (review) 4.80 9. Nextcard (review) 4.80 10. National City Bank (review) 4.58 11. J.P. Morgan Chase (review) 4.57 12. Discover Card (review) 4.52 13. Fleet (review) 4.51 14. MBNA (review) 4.37 15. Wells Fargo (review) 4.26 16. Virtual Bank (review) 3.99 17. Capital One (review) 3.76 18. First USA (review) 3.74 19. Providian (review) 3.43 20. U.S. Bancorp (review) 3.29 (Source: Gomez.com) Highest score = 10 Lowest score = 0 (A firm with a 10 for Overall Cost provides services at lowest cost)
| | 7 Questions To Test The Loyalty Of A Real Estate AgentWritten by Noel Peebles
Buying or selling a home can be especially difficult when dealing with an incompetent or disloyal real estate agent. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not out to knock realtors. I’m first to admit that many agents are excellent and worth their weight in gold. However, most real estate agents fall into one of three categories: good, average or poor. Then, there is that worrying small percentage of agents who are downright incompetent. Every industry is inflicted with this type of person and I suspect real estate industry has more than its fair share of incompetent agents. The truth is; a good and a bad agent have one thing in common – their job is to be a “deal-maker.” But, be warned - some real estate agents will perform all sorts of tricks to stitch up a deal. This is fine so long as they are not “stitching up” buyer or seller. There’s nothing wrong with enthusiasm to pull a deal together - it is to be applauded. However, a good agent needs to remain professional and ethical at all times throughout selling process. Unfortunately, most homeowner’s are reasonably inexperienced when it comes to buying or selling a property. They rely greatly on “perceived” ability of agent they are dealing with. In reality, most homeowner’s are “fair game” for a disloyal, dishonest, or incompetent agent! In any negotiation, WIN – WIN deals are best. But, sometimes when buying or selling a house, things happen to benefit just one party… buyer, seller or possibly just real estate agent. Therein lies danger. Who is real estate agent really working for? Where do his or her true loyalties lie? With seller, buyer or themselves? These 7 questions will help you decide who agent is really working
|