We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
The Forum now has a brand new text editor, adding a bunch of handy features to use when creating posts. Read more in our how-to guide

Not told about 3% handling charge. Amount not confirmed. (By phone)

2»

Comments

  • Flyboy152
    Flyboy152 Posts: 17,118 Forumite
    To whom???
    The credit card company.
    The greater danger, for most of us, lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark
  • Flyboy152
    Flyboy152 Posts: 17,118 Forumite
    Hi

    I hired a digger to do some work in the garden. I was quote a price of £100.

    I've just checked my CC statement and the company have taken £103. I have asked the company why they've taken more than the amount quoted and they said it was a "standard" 3% handling fee.

    I wasn't told about the handling fee, nor have I seen anything making it obvious (it was all done over the phone.)

    The receipt they've sent me for the CC payment also says "authorised by signature" yet I've not signed anything where there has been a price/total quoted.

    Can a hire firm really add on the 3% charge, not tell you and then call it a "standard" fee and get away with it?

    Thanks

    No, they can't. Call your credit card compnay. Tell them you have been charged a handling fee without being informed and they should refund the money and charge it back to the retailer.
    The greater danger, for most of us, lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark
  • Flyboy152
    Flyboy152 Posts: 17,118 Forumite
    edited 14 February 2011 at 6:55PM
    If they didn't notify you of the fee, they can't charge it. However, you are going to struggle to enforce your rights due to the low value.
    You really do have to pick your battles.

    And that is exactly what these retailers expect us to do.

    Interestingly enough, Which? are currently spearheading a super complaint to reduce or eradicate the practice. If I find a link I will post it.

    ETA:

    http://www.which.co.uk/news/2011/02/which-to-launch-card-fee-super-complaint--244377/
    The greater danger, for most of us, lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark
  • Flyboy152
    Flyboy152 Posts: 17,118 Forumite
    Why?
    All the times I've hired stuff from tool shops, they have never given me the option of paying by anything other than a credit card.

    They treat it exactly the same as if you are hiring a car, and if you take the tool back and it's damaged, they will charge your card for the repair costs. (this has always been stated in the T&C's I've been given).



    It wasn't a pick. It was a digger!

    In the past, it always an accepted form of identification as well.
    The greater danger, for most of us, lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark
  • mo786uk wrote: »
    Trading Standards (via Consumer Direct) http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/

    Yeah, because they always fly into action.
  • mo786uk
    mo786uk Posts: 1,379 Forumite
    Yeah, because they always fly into action.
    As long as they have the information they can make their own decision as to what to do.

    a simple phone call to the business might sort it out for future customers.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 354.5K Banking & Borrowing
  • 254.4K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 455.5K Spending & Discounts
  • 247.4K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 604.3K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 178.5K Life & Family
  • 261.8K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.