Do you get protection when paying by debit card?

baccalad

Hi, I am looking to buy an iPad off eBid and the seller only accepts credit/debit card as payment. I know (or I am pretty sure at least) that if you pay by credit card that you are protected, but I don't have one and I never plan on getting one because I prefer to only pay for things with money that I actually have.

Anyway I digress, I am wondering that if I pay with a debit card with a visa logo would I be protected if the seller sent a fake item or if I never received the item or if he doesn't even send an item? Also I am in the UK and the seller is based in the US if that makes a difference.

hermum

I don't know the answer to your original question but have you factored in the customs charges? Also the possible returns cost if there should be a problem with it?
I'm assuming that you are thinking of buying from US due to the price.

baccalad

I haven't factored in customs charges, but nevertheless it's cheaper than the ones on eBay (.com + .co.uk)

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

You have to phone the card issuer to see what you are covered against, but unless the seller has a history for selling this type of item I think you are heading for trouble. Looking at the first few results on eBid, all low feedback, I wouldn't go near them.

baccalad

ludovico wrote: »

You have to phone the card issuer to see what you are covered against, but unless the seller has a history for selling this type of item I think you are heading for trouble. Looking at the first few results on eBid, all low feedback, I wouldn't go near them.

Ok thanks for the advice

hermum

ludovico wrote: »

You have to phone the card issuer to see what you are covered against, but unless the seller has a history for selling this type of item I think you are heading for trouble. Looking at the first few results on eBid, all low feedback, I wouldn't go near them.

I hadn't even registered that it was ebid instead of ebay. I'm not sure what their buyers protection is, I know that's different to your card protection.
I think as well as finding out your protection you need to find out what the possible charges will be to get it into the country, this could bring it up to a similar price as buying here.

zzzLazyDaisy

Please do factor in the customs charges. You may have to pay import duty, VAT, and the carriers handling charge for collecting the payment. It can add up to a tidy sum.

Having said that, I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole either.

terra_ferma

I would stay away from anyone with low feedback, also I would only pay using paypal as I don't think on ebid there is any buyer's protection otherwise.

If it's cheaper there is always a reason (talks me who has just received lots of lovely clothes at rock-bottom blue cross prices and has found out why they were not selling at normal prices... al going back, what a waste of time!)

andyrpsmith

In answer to your question you have the charge back scheme for use with debit cards, it is not part of the consumer credit act like credit cards are but it at least offers some means of reddress.

soolin

This is a Not with a bargepole situation.