Asda Returns, just want to clarify something if possible

CurlySue2017

I bought an item of clothing from Asda recently and it was paid for with some other smaller shopping items and I used my debit card (contactless) to pay.

I've had to return the item but when I went to customer services with it, I was asked to put the card into the machine and enter my PIN to authorise the refund......but I didn't know my PIN for this card - I always use it for contactless, small purchases.  So I asked if I could get my refund another way and was told no, the only way around it was to put the money onto a gift card - which I did.

I'm just wondering though if that's right?  Obviously this time around it's done, but I would be interested to know for next time, because if that is right I need to remember to never use contactless to buy anything that I may need to return.

[Deleted User]

Yup they are right. You always get refunded the way you paid. How can you not know your pin? 

sarah1972

Contactless is only £30 maximum so what do you do if it’s over £30 and you have no pin? 

CurlySue2017

_shel said:

Yup they are right. You always get refunded the way you paid. How can you not know your pin? 

I'm not saying they were wrong, I was simply wanting to clarify for future.  It was only a small amount so it's no big deal.

As I said in the OP but will repeat as you must have missed it:

I only use this card for contactless, small purchases.  Therefore I don't need to know my PIN.  I have it somewhere safe at home, but I don't know it off the top of my head because I don't use it.

sarah1972 said:

Contactless is only £30 maximum so what do you do if it’s over £30 and you have no pin? 

Again, I know that, please read the OP or my reply above.

If it's over £30 I use a different card, simple!

comeandgo

With my contactless card every now and then it asks for the pin, even in a small transaction, I thought all cards were the same.

CurlySue2017

I had to use the PIN for a transaction before I could use the contactless feature, but have never been asked for a PIN since then and I've had it a while now.

I do understand why they would do that though and I have always got my other card (s) on me that I do know the PINs for, so if that happened I would have an alternative card available.  But because they will only refund to the same card (again, I understand why) I couldn't use an alternative card this time. 

I just assumed that they would be able to refund via contactless aswell if that's how I paid - but of course I was wrong, so I know now not to buy clothes using this card again - unless I learn the PIN first!

[Deleted User]

 The new rules are you can use contactless a small number of times, about 5, then the next you must put in your pin. To stop someone going mad with your card if stolen. 

 Ask your bank for a new pin and they'll send you one, sometimes you can request via online banking. 

sarah1972

Change your pin to something you can remember, thats what I have done with all my cards.

Pollycat

comeandgo said:

With my contactless card every now and then it asks for the pin, even in a small transaction, I thought all cards were the same.

My card was declined twice recently (I was trying to use it contactless).

It didn't ask me to use my PIN (I did know it), just declined the transaction.

Luckily, I always have more than one card.

Apparently, you need to use your PIN occasionally to stop this happening to show the card hasn't been stolen.

CurlySue2017 said:

I had to use the PIN for a transaction before I could use the contactless feature, but have never been asked for a PIN since then and I've had it a while now.

I do understand why they would do that though and I have always got my other card (s) on me that I do know the PINs for, so if that happened I would have an alternative card available.  But because they will only refund to the same card (again, I understand why) I couldn't use an alternative card this time. 

I just assumed that they would be able to refund via contactless aswell if that's how I paid - but of course I was wrong, so I know now not to buy clothes using this card again - unless I learn the PIN first!

I think if you pay contactless in Primark & M&S, you can use your card contactless to get your refund.

_shel said:

 The new rules are you can use contactless a small number of times, about 5, then the next you must put in your pin. To stop someone going mad with your card if stolen. 

 Ask your bank for a new pin and they'll send you one, sometimes you can request via online banking. 

I'm pretty sure it's more than 5, unless different financial institutions have different rules.

I'd been using my card for a long time for regular contactless transactions before it declined my card.

CurlySue2017

I'm pretty sure it's more than 5, unless different financial institutions have different rules.

I'd been using my card for a long time for regular contactless transactions before it declined my card.

I agree - I have definitely used mine a lot more than 5 times, always contactless and no problem so far.

Redredrobin

Just be careful using contactless for refunds the money doesn’t alway get back to your account as quickly as putting your card in .