Customer Refund not in original currency (GBP to USD)

lukat

I bought a piece of luggage with a 5 years international warranty, 2 years ago. I paid a UK retailer £69.99 with my debit card.

I stored the luggage for the two years and when I used it for the very first time recently, one wheel came off! The luggage literally still looks brand new right now except for the faulty wheel.

I submitted a claim to the company that manufactures the luggage for a variety of brands and retailers and probably supplies to many countries around the world.

They accepted my claim but sent me a form for a refund in USD, either via "credit card" or "wire transfer" (SWIFT) as two options available.

I am wondering if using SWIFT means I won't end up paying their bank charges, plus intermediary charges, plus currency conversion, and end up with £20 or less instead of £69.

If I don't choose a wire transfer, can this US company really do a refund on one of my UK credit cards even though I didn't buy it from them with my card in the first place? And would their/my credit card company take fees for anything other than the currency conversion?

The form asks for all my card details including the CVV digits, as if they were about to charge me. Is it safe to email them these very sensitive banking details?

This is one of the weirdest refunds I ever had to deal with. Any advice or similar experience anyone could share would be very helpful, thank you!

agrinnall

Why not ask the retailer for the refund in the first place?

sheramber

If I don't choose a wire transfer, can this US company really do a refund on one of my UK credit cards even though I didn't buy it from them with my card in the first place?

You didn't buy from the manufacturer , you bought from the retailer.

shaun_from_Africa

lukat wrote: »

The form asks for all my card details including the CVV digits, as if they were about to charge me. Is it safe to email them these very sensitive banking details?

This is one of the weirdest refunds I ever had to deal with

As you didn't pay anything to the manufacturer, what they are proposing to give you isn't a refund as such.
Have you considered applying for one of the many free prepaid credit cards and getting the money paid on to that?
That way, if the details get compromised after you've received the money then there won't be any danger of money being taken.

lukat

I know I didn't buy from the manufacturer. I bought it from TK Maxx almost 3 years ago now. I doubt TK Maxx will honour the 5 year warranty which is provided by the manufacturer... hence why I made the warranty claim with this US based manufacturer/supplier.
I think it's already a good thing that the US supplier accepted my claim straightaway instead of trying to find any reason they can to deny my warranty claim... But I have to admit the whole SWIFT/credit card payment from USD to GBP issue doesn't make it easy to receive the money.