Price change after purchase

SOOBEE1

Hello

I bought a pair of trainers online the total cost was £43.66. When I received the confirmation email it said -Due to the foreign exchange rate, the amount displayed on your statement might be a little bit different from the real price. When I questioned this they said, the extra money is charged by the bank for handling fee as we have different exchange rate. I understand when I go to a Bureau de Change there is a fee to pay  but I didn't think this will apply with online transactions. The additional fee is a small amount but there was no mention of this at the point of sale.

Thank you

Ms S Blake

Sandtree

What currency were you actually charged in? What is the website? Who is charging the fee?

Some websites that are not UK based dynamically convert the price to GBP for the purpose of making it easier for customer however ultimately charge in the original currency. This means that your bank determines the actual amount of GBP taken and it may include an overt or covert foreign currency transaction fee but that is between you and your bank and out of the control of the merchant.

SOOBEE1

Hello
I paid in GBP, the website is based in Latvia and it checked out as safe although the responses are slow. They said the bank is charging the fee not them.

Sandtree

SOOBEE1 said:

Hello
I paid in GBP, the website is based in Latvia and it checked out as safe although the responses are slow. They said the bank is charging the fee not them.

Even if it is charged in GBP your bank is likely to charge an international payment fee if their payment processor are in Latvia or other overseas location. That is outside of their control and will vary significantly by bank... eg Stirling dont charge for international payments where as most traditional hughstreet banks do. Its an issue to take up with your bank but they will say its in their T&Cs

The_Fat_Controller

@SOOBEE1 do come back and let us know how you get on with taxes and VAT if the trainers are coming from Latvia.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

The_Fat_Controller said:

@SOOBEE1 do come back and let us know how you get on with taxes and VAT if the trainers are coming from Latvia.

The trader should have collected the VAT at the point of sale as the value is under £135, if this doesn't happen it depends on whether or not it's picked up when passing through customs as to whether OP will face a demand for the VAT.

With regards to taxes I don't believe there is any customs duty on non-excise goods under £135, which taxes were you referring to you?

pulliptears

The_Fat_Controller said:

@SOOBEE1 do come back and let us know how you get on with taxes and VAT if the trainers are coming from Latvia.

And authenticity...

born_again

A retailer can not give a exact GBP price you will be debited on any oversea purchase. Unless they are processing the payment to your bank in GBP. Which would be very unusual as they would then stand the exchange rate charges.
As any exchange rate is based on when the payment debits your account. Not when they request (authorisation) the funds from your bank.

This works both ways. You can end up worse off, or better off.

Ergates

It is usual for banks to charge your account for foreign currency transactions.

Jumblebumble

Ergates said:

It is usual for banks to charge your account for foreign currency transactions.

If the OP used a Halifax Clarity or a Legacy santander zero they will pay no fees.

Jenni_D

waso12 said:

Luncheon meat

Marked as spam ... all this posters posts look like spam.