Less than a month ago, the Kim Kardashian and her reality show sisters introduced a prepaid debit card—the Kardashian Kard—that featured Kim’s ample cleavage, along with monster fees, including a $99.95 charge to use it for a year. It’s just been announced that the card has been pulled off the market—perhaps because the sisters had a change of heart regarding their association with a product with predatory terms that specifically targets teenagers. But threatened legal action, bad publicity, and the fact that only a couple hundred cards have been sold probably also have something to do with the decision.
A statement from the Kardashians lawyer, Dennis Roach (what a fitting name—he could survive a nuclear war, and be billing clients the entire time!), specifically pointed out that the card—or rather, the investigation into the card recently launched by Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal—was putting the sisters in a “negative spotlight.” Isn’t any spotlight a good spotlight for reality TV stars? Anyway, as quoted in a Hartford Courant story:
“The Kardashians have worked extremely long and hard to create a positive public persona that appeals to everyone, particularly young adults,” Roach, of Los Angeles, wrote. “Unfortunately, the negative spotlight turned on the Kardashians as a result of the Attorney General’s comments and actions threatens everything for which they have worked.”
CNNMoney reports that only 250 customers had purchased Kardashian Kards. And while these customers may have been foolish enough to buy debit cards loaded with fees—intro fees of $60 to $100, $10 card replacement fees, $8 monthly fees after the intro period expires, $1.50 ATM withdrawal fees, $1 to add money to the card, and on and on—perhaps their foolishness will pay off because they’re now hanging on what may be a seriously limited edition collectors item. What happens to the money still on these cards?
Those customers will be “promptly notified” that their cards are only active for 30 more days, at which point any balances will be refunded.
It’s unclear if the initial fees, or any other fees incurred, will be refunded. But maybe these cardholders can make up whatever they’ve lost by selling the useless cards on eBay to collectors interested in the detritus of reality TV stars.
As things stand, the website created for the Kardashian Kard no longer works, and there’s no mention of the Kard on Kim’s blog Don’t worry, though: She’s still hawking plenty of stuff, including perfume, skin and weight loss products, a signature watch line, toning sneakers of dubious value, a monthly personal shoe stylist service, and more.
