Paying with Debit Card

molerat

no-oneknowsme wrote: »

Molerat are you saying that the bank dont have to reduce the available balance when a payment is made on our debit cards ?

Yes , it is our account and so its up to us to manage it but....do you not agree that if the bank reduced our available balance in "real time" then it would be a whole lot easier for us to do this ?

The bank will usually reduce the balance in real time when they are asked to auth the transaction, how can they reduce the balance when they have no knowledge of the transaction either due to floor limits or tech problems.

Voyager2002

To avoid these problems, it is a good idea to have a bank account that allows a reasonable fee-free overdraft facility (eg First Direct, Smile, Nationwide Flex). That way, if you do go overdrawn by a small amount you will only face modest interest payments, rather than these hefty fees.

no-oneknowsme

This is the first time in my whole experience of banking that my available balance has not reduced in line with each transaction i make ?

I spoke to my branch manager who also agreed that it is common practice for the balance to reflect real time.

You live and learn i suppose:D

dzug1

It often happens that the available balance IS reduced but after a few days if the merchant hasn't 'finalised' the transaction it gets increased again. Then a bit later still the merchant finally submits the transaction for processing - and if you haven't noticed what's going on you are in trouble.

Soundgirlrocks

YorkshireBoy wrote: »

Sounds like you need to keep a running balance on paper in your wallet/purse (the reverse of your latest statement is ideal), and assume the money has left your account the moment you enter your PIN or write a cheque.

My mum has always done this, she writes it all in her cheque book after she has been shopping, not sure what she will use after cheques get scrapped. I'm not so good but I generally know what should be coming out (I hate spending money so tend to remember if I've spent over a tenner!) and try and have a reserve just incase i miss something small.

[Deleted User]

yeah sometimes gets annoying when payments are earmarked for say 3-5 working days

ceejaydee23

Some banks are part of a scheme known as "faster payments" where payments will leave your account quicker then others. Online banking with accounts like Barclays and Natwest often update your balances very quickly or within 24 hours BUT those payments arent necessary cleared/authorised \t the time, (most banks i know nat west do tell you this!)

whitewing

Most shops I use have it come off the available balance pretty quickly. I don't think Boots does though and that's really annoying.

EltonJohnFan

I'm really sorry to hear of your troubles! never had anything like this with RBS though I have to say.
Whenever I make a purchase it always comes out of my account there and then, never seven days later.

Best of luck in getting this sorted

p00hsticks

ceejaydee23 wrote: »

Some banks are part of a scheme known as "faster payments" where payments will leave your account quicker then others. Online banking with accounts like Barclays and Natwest often update your balances very quickly or within 24 hours BUT those payments arent necessary cleared/authorised \t the time, (most banks i know nat west do tell you this!)

I admit that I don't know much about faster payments, but I thought that they related to transactions between one bank and another, not the sort of transactions mainly being mentioned here where people are using Visa Debit or Mastercard debit cards in shops and restaurants - those are processed in a different way.