Incredible ( or 'In credit able'!!)

[vivandorron]

Has anyone had a similar experience.?

I placed a telephone order with a well known Supermarket for the purchase of a 'laptop' computer and paid by Debit card.

Having previously made a small 'on-line' purchase of a video, the firm had on record my E/mail address and was able to confirm in print the order. However, shortly afterwards, I was notified that my Bank had rejected the debit for the item concerned. I contacted my bank and,after I had answered all security questions,I was informed that there was no reason for the Retailers to reject my order. This happened three times
before my order was accepted and only after I had contacted the firms Customer Services Dept, who placed a further order on my behalf.

It would appear that the Supermarket was doubtful about my identity, despite the fact of it having on record, my name, telephone number and adress from which the order had been placed. Furthermore, the firm had even passed a debit to my Bank for �2. as a test that my card was valid.

I now have my ordered laptop (in use at this very moment) and must say that , once my order had been accepted,there was no delay of delivery: I received it at 7.30am. the next day

It remains to see what appears on my Bank statement. (Hopefully the cost of a single item)............Ron

[Finance Guy]

I tried to book some flights to Vegas last week, with a well known travel site and went to pay using my Lloyds TSB debit card. The payment got refused for no good reason, so I tried my credit card instead - that too was refused.

I called up the travel firm who put me through to 'Sharon', somewhere in the Philippines, who told me that there was nothing she could do - after about 40 mins of trying to make her understand the issue!

I called my bank inthe morning and was told that a 'security block' was put on my cards, for my protection! I complained that I was entitled to spend my own money (debit card) as I wish and, as a consequence of their actions, I had to pay an extra �600 for my flight and hotel package because the package I tried to book was no longer available the next day.

Suffice to say, they refunded me as a 'gesture of good will' but will, undoubtably, do it again.

So annoying!

[Ethel]

High end portable electricals like laptops and travel tickets are particular favourites of scammers and thieves using 'buyer not present' transactions.

As the banks and credit card companies are the losers if the card is used fraudulently (in 99% of cases) they are right to be wary. Of course, if the credit card company can show the shop was negligent in accepting the payment they recover the monies from the store, so the store will be wary.

We can't have it both ways - blame the companies for allowing dodgy transactions to go through and blame them for trying to protect our accounts.

The way round this is to contact the credit card company BEFORE you place the order and give them all the details - who you will be shopping with and the price. It is not guaranteed to make for a smooth and easy transaction, but it helps.

[vivandorron]

All's well that ends well. Finance Guy, you got back your money and we got the laptop we ordered from a supermarket.,( Acer Aspire 7520 �399.00) Oh. Ah. we've probable given you a clue to the retailer whose staff were as anxious as we were to put matters right..

Nice to hear from you Ethel and , whilst we were using a Debit Card as opposed to a Credit plastic piece, we appreciate the points you have made, We certainly wish to be protected from fraud and perhaps we were being done a favour by the Supermarket concerned,,,,. Love V& R.