BM> I have an Amoco Visa credit card issued by Associates National Bank. For
 BM> some reason, they either have the world's slowest mail service or
 BM> something because every time I turn around, payments to the account take
 BM> longer from the time I mail them to the time thay are posted than any
 BM> other credit card I have. They, of course, have a $20 late fee.
 BM>  
 BM> Last month they did it again. Payment due on Dec 3, mailed on Nov. 22
 BM> was posted to the account Dec 4. This time they didn't even charge the
 BM> normal finance charges, just that $20 late fee.
 BM>  
 BM> Anyone else have similar experience with these shylocks?
No, I don't do any business with these people (and I'm glad!).
Something's definitely wrong here--the postal service has been very good in 
delivering the mail on a nationwide basis.
Just wondering: have you complained to the bank directly, then contacted the 
main VISA office to lodge a complaint?  Associates National Bank is giving 
VISA a bad reputation with all this garbage. 
Don't let me spend your time & money for you, but you could send them the 
payment via "registered?" letter that documents who and when accepted the 
letter (I don't know the exact terms to use here), and then take them to 
Small Claims Court and also report them to the Post Office and authorities in 
your State. 
I also wanted to let you know about my Waldenbooks VISA card issued by First 
USA Bank (1-800-677-7101).  
They give me _completely free_ checks (no fees of any kind!) and let me earn 
$5.00 certificates that I can use like real money at any Waldenbooks store or 
their Waldenbooks 1-800 ordering system.
They credit my account promptly when I pay them, and I'd like to recommend 
them to you.
Hope this helps and Happy Holidays!
--- Maximus/2 3.01
---------------