While I use my American Express card for 99% of my purchases (you simply can't beat the protection or benefits you get with Amex), I still need a Visa card for the merchants who don't take American Express.

Last month I had a horrible experience with my Virgin America Visa Signature card when I had to dispute a fraudulent charge. They made me jump through hoops. All the customer service was outsourced and I had a really hard time communicating with them.

So I cancelled the Virgin card and got a Bank of America card. Even though I rant about Bank of America all the time, I chose this card because it's one of only a few Visa Signature cards that has no annual fee. That program gives you extra perks. They also offer a Stanford Alumni version so it has a nice Stanford print on it :).

I just had a minor card issue and called the customer service line. I got a super friendly woman based on Georgia who took care of my issue within a couple minutes.

I'm a fan.

Usually I'm the one offering the advice, but I've been having a hard time finding a good Visa Signature card. I do 99% of my transactions on my American Express, which I love. But I also need a Visa card for those times when a merchant doesn't take Amex.

For the past few months I've been using the Virgin America Visa card, but I've been incredibly disappointed with it. Do not get this card.

These are my requirements:

• Visa Signature (It offers some cool benefits. See here)
• No annual fee
• Compatible with Mint.com (the Virgin card isn't!!)
• 24/7 customer support, preferably in the US (the Virgin card is M-F 9-5 and routed to the Philippines)

Maybe I'm spoiled by the great customer service I get with American Express. But I don't think I'm asking too much from my credit card to be able to talk to a representative who can speak English well.

Right now I need to dispute a charge that I don't recognize, and it's crazy that I can't reach someone who can help me.

Update: So it seems like most "no fee" cards have dropped Visa Signature since it costs them more to offer that service. (Yet another example of companies cutting corners everywhere they can).

We went to Sears a couple weeks ago to buy a washer and dryer. We need a ventless dryer, which means we really only have one option and it's only sold at Sears. Simple, right? We walk into the store, which is dirty and claustrophobic, and make our way to the appliances section. The area is packed with sales people in blue shirts, just like in the TV commercials. Ok, great.

The salesman knows nothing He's muttering and pointing at things aimlessly, the whole time with this creepy, unnatural smile, probably because Sears tells their staff to "smile a lot." I'm not too worried since I know we have to buy one particular unit. If we had more options, Sears would be the wrong store to shop at.

There are price discrepancies vs Sears.com I make him adjust for. I find out there's a sale starting in 3 *HOURS* so I tell him he has to give me that discount as well (if I hadn't seen the sales flyer, he wouldn't have said anything). He tries to sell me installation kits and other extras that he can't even show me or tell me why I need them. (It's an electric, ventless dryer. I don't need a gas pipe or vent hose).

I get a rebate for free delivery, and another from the city for water saving machines. I pay 20% less than the advertised (sale) price, not including the rebates. Most people would have paid the posted price. I walked out with a great deal, but the experience was appalling.

I signed up for Comcast service last weekend, the first time I'm personally signing up for cable, ever. Unbelievably bad experience. If you just compare Comcast's service, plans, website, satisfaction ratings, pricing with DirecTV or Dish Network, the difference is ridiculous.

I spoke to someone on the phone for an hour who, again, KNEW NOTHING. She was trying to up-sell me from the starter to preferred package. "You get 50 more channels." "Which channels?" "I don't know." Are you kidding me? And people sign up for this shit?

Their promotions are confusing, the pricing doesn't add up. They nickel and dime you for everything. Hidden fees left and right. Their whole process is designed to confuse you, overcharge you, and dupe unknowing customers.

When I ask for the price on something, I get a range. "$15-20." Ummm, why can't you tell me how much it is? Do you order at a restaurant given a price range? Their computers must be wildly out of date.

When scheduling installation, I'm asked to have a check or money order for the installation fee (which I eventually argued out of). Money order? Are you kidding me? Just send me a bill. Put it on my credit card. What year is this??

The crazy thing is that both Sears and Comcast are *trying* to claim they're improving their customer service. Sears has the "sears blue appliance crew" and Comcast has their @comcastcares twitter handle. You know, instead of trying to tell the world that they are improving their customer service, maybe they should start by actually making it better.

I'm not asking for much. Just someone who knows something about the product they are selling, and pricing that is clear and fair. Come on guys, your competition is killing you here. I am giving you my money simply because I have no other choice. If I did, you would be dead to me.