CoOp bank, probably others as well - declined payment in shop.

GibbsRule_No3.

I tried to purchase the new iPad Pro in store yesterday, surprised they had them in stock, as online it had a 7 June waiting date, or I would have pre ordered online for a store pick up.  I used Apple Pay and it was declined, so then got the physical card out, entered the pin, again declined. Twenty minutes on hold to CoOp in a queue with the usual “thank you for your patience”, then it rang and cut off. So I left the store without the iPad. Tried to buy my lunch in M&S again card declined, not surprised.

About fifty minutes later I get the automated call from CoOp to confirm it was me using the card. For future use if I cannot order something more expensive for store pick up in advance, is there anything I can do?

I don’t want a credit card with larger limit, not sure after this long I would get given one anyway.  The account had three times enough in it to pay for the iPad.

I ordered online as soon as I got home and am picking up today, so an extra journey and I could have set it up last night.

Does anyone recommend a bank that is more accessible if this kind of thing happens?

I do actually like CoOp for most things, hence being with them for so long.

colsten

A bank that blocks my ApplePay purchases for no good reason, and/or which doesn’t have instant-ish means to verify a payment it deems suspicious with me, is, frankly, for the birds.

Years ago, Nationwide blocked a large ApplePay payment, in an Apple Store, for me. However, they texted me instantly with a Yes/No “was this you”, and then immediately allowed the payment after I replied Yes. I found their check annoying but just about acceptable as I don’t make purchases of several thousand very often. A subsequent ApplePay payment in the same shop for a similar amount years later went through instantly.

So it appears the COOP bank is a bit behind the times. You can either put it down to experience, vote with your feet, and/or raise a complaint to register your dissatisfaction.

Enjoy your new toy! I am not jealous. Not one bit 😩

GibbsRule_No3.

I have done their “send us a message and we will respond”, so await the outcome. I am now wondering if an Apple Pay amount is set somewhere on my account. If they tell me this is the case I will change it. To some degree I wasn’t surprised. Just annoyed that the Apple bag was sitting on the Apple store table in front of me for 20 mins and then CoOp cut me off. So near, yet so far. ;-)