Credit Card Not Charged but Goods Already Received

Stennent

Hi all, I'm looking for some advice.....I recently ordered goods online from a well-known high street store. Around an hour after I ordered I received a phone-call from my bank's fraud department to check that I had authorised the payment. At the end of the phone call I was advised that as the payment had been blocked I would need to resubmit the payment. I immediately phoned the customer services department of the store and explained the situation. They had a look and said that my payment was showing as authorised so it should all be fine and I didn't have to re-submit my payment details (as this might end in me being charged twice I was told). I received the goods two days later. That was just over two weeks ago and there is still no charge on my credit card.

I obviously have no problem in paying for the goods, but I've been told that I might be charged twice if I contact the company, which I certainly don't want! I was going to wait unitl the end of the month to see if they process the payment before getting in touch with them, but I don't want this to adveresly affect my credit, or end up being passed onto creditors etc....... any advice?? Thanks!

Curr946

Payments can take unto 28 data to be claimed by a retailer. Most payments are authorised instantly but sometimes that aren't. Retails have a form of guarantee that payments will be paid when a credit card is used. This works best at pay at pump fuel stations. You enter card and pin them remove card. £1 is placed on hold to verify the card and the rest is billed at a later date.

Stennent

That's good news then, thanks, like I said I have no problem paying it, just didn't want to start chasing it up and being billed twice! I'll leave it for a while to see whether they bill me before I worry about it again!

Thank again!

patd1967

i once had this problem at a small jewellers,spent £165 for a ex girlfriend. paid by credit card and they then gave me the usual receipt,wen away got my bill and not charged. so went back with my receipt and my credit card bill and they said they had been paid and wasnt bothered,anyway to cut a long story short got the jewellery for nothing and got rid of her at the same time

reclusive46

patd1967 wrote: »

i once had this problem at a small jewellers,spent £165 for a ex girlfriend. paid by credit card and they then gave me the usual receipt,wen away got my bill and not charged. so went back with my receipt and my credit card bill and they said they had been paid and wasnt bothered,anyway to cut a long story short got the jewellery for nothing and got rid of her at the same time

Amazon never charged me 250 odd pounds.

larkim

Its an interesting moral conundrum. Are you effectively "stealing" by failing to follow up the transaction? What would a paragon of moral virtue do in that situation (I suspect most would sit quietly by and wait to see if they are ever charged).

In terms of your contract with the retailer, have you fully discharged your "consideration"? I think you probably have - you gave your credit card details to be charged by the retailer to the amount of the price of the goods. They have either a) done this or b) done it badly.

Then your relationship with the credit card company - you have contracted with them to pay to them the amounts shown on your statement, in return for them providing you with a short term credit facility. Are you obliged to tell them about a transaction that they may not have processed? If they've not paid the retailer, then they aren't out of pocket. If they are, and they have made a mistake, then is that your issue to resolve? I don't think so.

I would sit tight, but keep the money ready to be paid over. I don't think you are under any obligation to do any more, particularly as you have done all as was asked by your credit card company and have spoken with the retailer.

Matt

reclusive46

To be fair the time I never got charged £250 by Amazon. I told them 3 times :P

jonesMUFCforever

If you explicitly tell a retailer that you have had goods but your account has not been debited you cannot be guilty of theft.
However they have up to 6 years to claim the cost from you.

katejo

reclusive46 wrote: »

To be fair the time I never got charged £250 by Amazon. I told them 3 times :P

Did you inform them in writing? I'm not suggesting that you have done anything wrong but if they were ever to come back to you and make an accusation, would it be your word against theirs? In that position, i would write and keep a proof of posting or recorded delivery receipt.

reclusive46

katejo wrote: »

Did you inform them in writing? I'm not suggesting that you have done anything wrong but if they were ever to come back to you and make an accusation, would it be your word against theirs? In that position, i would write and keep a proof of posting or recorded delivery receipt.

I have several emails / case no. and I made a phone call.