Garage will not accept credit card

Jonathan_Elliott

My local garage owner said he would accept a debit card payment on a repair, and now says his machine is broken. He's also threatening to sell the car if I don't pay up by cash or BACS - which I think is illegal as I'm not disputing the bill and just want to settle up and get my car back. I just want some protection on section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. I've told him I'll wait while he gets his machine fixed. But he's only communicating through his solicitor and that solicitor has stopped communicating. We seem to be in a deadlock.

AndyMc.....

Jonathan_Elliott wrote: »

My local garage owner said he would accept a debit card payment on a repair, and now says his machine is broken. He's also threatening to sell the car if I don't pay up by cash or BACS - which I think is illegal as I'm not disputing the bill and just want to settle up and get my car back. I just want some protection on section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. I've told him I'll wait while he gets his machine fixed. But he's only communicating through his solicitor and that solicitor has stopped communicating. We seem to be in a deadlock.

Do you get protection by paying on a debit card?

There's obviously more to this story than you're letting on.

jbainbridge

I doubt there is any legal requirement for him to have a card facility. I think you need to pay up!

In any case - why are you using this place if you don't have any trust in them?

Car_54

jbainbridge wrote: »

I doubt there is any legal requirement for him to have a card facility. I think you need to pay up!

Indeed. The only form of payment which he must accept is legal tender, i.e. Bank of England notes, and coins within certain limits, see http://www.royalmint.com/help/help/legal-tender-amounts

And there is no requirement to give change!

NBLondon

Jonathan_Elliott wrote: »

My local garage owner said he would accept a debit card payment on a repair.

Did he say it in writing - or is it on the quote paperwork? Could that be taken as a contract? In which case, get your own solicitor...


How long has this been an issue? If he has a card machine, then it can't take more than say a week to get another, can it?

Aylesbury_Duck

AndyMc..... wrote: »

Do you get protection by paying on a debit card?

There's obviously more to this story than you're letting on.

Perhaps the garage owner is equally suspicious of the customer and wants the security of a cash payment?

AndyMc.....

Aylesbury_Duck wrote: »

Perhaps the garage owner is equally suspicious of the customer and wants the security of a cash payment?

Maybe he's an independent BMW specialist.

kmb500

Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, or whatever it's called, only applies to credit cards and not to debit cards. And you have to, you know, make a payment in order for it to apply.. it has no relation to outstanding invoices!
I personally try to make at least a portion of any large payments on my credit card, for this reason.


Pretty sure nowhere *must* accept a debit card. He is in the right, although if he explicitly confirmed that you can pay on card then you may have some ground.

If you can pay on debit card, can I ask why you can't do a bank transfer like he said?


Just pay him and get your car back. Why would you want to go through solicitors to just pay a repair bill?!

missile

What a strange thing to insist on.

You are loosing use of your car. Pay the man and move on :-)

comeandgo

The garage can sell your car. A garage is one of the few business that has "Lien" over customers car if bill unpaid. I would pay pretty darn quick.

DoaM

How much are we talking about? Remember that he'll incur charges for accepting credit card payments (which he can pass on to you).

Offer to pay a small sum on credit card and the balance by cash/BACS? That way you still retain S75 protection ... S75 simply requires that the item cost is £100+, not that the entire amount has to be paid by credit.