How Long to charge your card??

Lizzybop

I made a purchase back at the begining of December, using my credit card. It was at a major high street retailer (if that makes any difference). It was for a fairly small amount (less than £20). This still hasn't shown up on my card. I check online a few times throughout the month.

My next bill is due to be issued shortly.

My question is - how long does the retailer have before they ask for the money? Is there even a time limit?

It's not really a problem, I'm just curious to know. I have made a susequent purchase from the same shop this month, with the same card, and this is showing as a transaction.

Does anyone know?

Thank you

chattychappy

meer53 or dalesrider will know how long they get to put the charge through the system. Certainly there have been reports here of transactions appearing months later. I believe in some cases merchants have put transactions through despite authorisations expiring, so perhaps they are relying on people's honesty in not disputing transactions they know to be genuine.

Legally under contract law the shop has 6 years to claim the money from you - though could be tricky to find you if they don't have your full details.

bengal-stripe

The merchant can put it through for the next six months and the given authorisation will be honoured. Thereafter the payment might be refused, if you haven't got enough available credit. Nevertheless the merchant has up to six years to demand payment and, if necessary, can take you to court.

It happens occasionally that charges get delayed due to some error in the system. But, like the proverbial bad penny, the charge will turn up (eventually)!

Only after six years you've got away with a freebie!

Lizzybop

Thank you for your replies.

I'm not too worried about the issue of available credit etc..

I was just interested to know how long they've got.

Wonder what happens if you've cancelled the card before the 6 years is up??

Mere speculation, the funds are available to pay it off whenever they decide to claim it!

dalesrider

They have upto 6 months to process it through. But they can also do it after 6 months. If they do it after 6 months it can be chargedback as a late presentment. Providing they use the origonal date of the transaction... Many do not.

At the moment it appears a lot of people who hired cars in france in June to Aug were never debited at the time.
Now we are seeing a lot of Hertz car hire trans dated back to June. Hertz have confirmed that they had issues with some of their co's in France not putting them through.
But they are refusing to tell customers this when they ask why they have been debited.