Card declined but charged anyway, now got two items the same

Mrsmoneypenny

On 19 December I bought something for £9.28 through Play.com
The card (Natwest Mastercard) was declined (I had put in my UK address, the card is registered at my overseas address). I had an email from Play.com to say it was declined.
I then ordered the same item, also on 19 December, using a Halifax debit card. The order went through and I had a confirmation email to say it had gone through.
I checked my online banking yesterday, I have been charged £9.28 on both my Mastercard and my Halifax card.
I contacted Play.com to report the problem.
Their response was that I should contact the seller.
I contacted the seller.
Their response is that they have sent me two items (only one has arrived) that I should sell one, give it to a friend for Xmas or I can send it back at my own expense
My question is what can be done to get the money back?
Thanks for any replies in advance

InsideInsurance

Is returning the item really that much of an issue? Presumably Play are the ones that gave you the declined payment notification and so I'd look to them to cover the return costs

Obviously if the second never arrives then they have to deal with it as lost in post

Mrsmoneypenny

Returning isnt the issue, its more that Play.com and the seller have said it will be at my own expense.

Buzby

Was Play.Com an intermediary? (As you say they are not the seller). Presumably, Play.Com sent you an email stating the first transaction was declined? In which case, forward this to your bank CC department with a note querying how a declined transaction could be magically approved?

You then seek a reversal. That basis as you used a different payment method.

Mrsmoneypenny

Yes, it appears that Play.com are the intermediary. When I mailed them, they told me to contact the seller.
And there was an email stating that the first payment had been refused.
Will send a copy of that and a letter, explaining what has happened, to my credit card company and ask for a reversal.
Thank you

InsideInsurance

Distant Selling Regulations allow for the return to be at the buyers expense as long as their T&Cs state this.

The process of bank authorisation for payments is a bit of an odd one. Strictly speaking there is no requirement for a merchant to actually ask for authorisation (or at least there wasnt last time I looked) and they can instead simply ask for the funds however if they dont use authorisation and dont use things like CVV, AVS, 3d Secure etc then the fees they pay are significantly higher due to the higher risk of chargebacks etc.

If a merchant does use authorisation though they shouldnt go for collection if the authorisation is declined though often there isnt anything technically that stops them from doing it. It could well be that they got authorisation but it came with a note that it failed the AVS check (address verification) which triggered the decline email but the merchant/ Play is happy to take the risk.

As Play misinformed you over the payment issue it is them that I would keep on to about the cost of return

opinions4u

If it's a cd or DVD sized item it may not be worth the effort!

planteria

Mrsmoneypenny wrote: »

And there was an email stating that the first payment had been refused.

that's ok then. use this to claim the value of your purchase back. i would do so via your card provider. and would always spend on your credit card.

Hominu

If it's sent by a registered delivery service that requires a signature you can simply refuse to accept the delivery and it'll be returned at no cost to you.

datlex

Hominu wrote: »

If it's sent by a registered delivery service that requires a signature you can simply refuse to accept the delivery and it'll be returned at no cost to you.

make sure you tell everyone else in house to do same- items don't have to be signed for by the addressee just someone at the property.

jonesMUFCforever

Who is going to send a £10 parcel by registered signed for means?