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Pending transaction disappeared

I’ve made a fairly large purchase using a credit card for a TV. I made the purchase on a Thursday and they said delivery would be the following Thursday. So the charge was showing as pending for 3 days, then the charge disappeared but my available balance was still lower (taking the amount into consideration). I had the TV delivered on the Thursday and then on the Friday there was no sign of the charge still and my available balance went back to up 100%. How long does the merchant have to take the funds and should I contact them to ask what’s going on? 

Comments

  • Personally I would leave it for the time being, whether that’s moral or not is another question, but that’s what I would do. 
  • born_again
    born_again Posts: 18,842 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Fifth Anniversary Name Dropper
    They have 6 months under card regs. After that you could dispute. But legally they have 6 years to claim funds.

    TBH, it would be pointless contacting them, as the front line staff will have no idea, so just blame your bank. 🤷‍♀️
    Life in the slow lane
  • It sometimes happens.  Leave it and the transaction will probably go through.
  • I agree with ptettyandfluffy it will probably go through as a confirmed transaction in the next few days.

    Although they may only have 6 months to debit your card with the transaction they have up to 6 years to chase you legally for the payment.
  • Robbie64
    Robbie64 Posts: 2,103 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    I had this happen a few years ago. The payment was taken about a week after the pending transaction had cleared from my account and my available balance had gone back up.
  • So I’ve actually had a pending transaction go missing and not return for over three weeks now. It’s a foreign currency payment on my Amex and as it’s a hotel charge, it’s quite a significant sum. 

    What do I do? Who do I contact? Do I just wait?
  • eskbanker
    eskbanker Posts: 35,944 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 18 March 2024 at 3:36PM
    So I’ve actually had a pending transaction go missing and not return for over three weeks now. It’s a foreign currency payment on my Amex and as it’s a hotel charge, it’s quite a significant sum. 

    What do I do? Who do I contact? Do I just wait?
    Nothing, nobody, yes, respectively....
  • DullGreyGuy
    DullGreyGuy Posts: 16,503 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    edited 18 March 2024 at 3:36PM
    So I’ve actually had a pending transaction go missing and not return for over three weeks now. It’s a foreign currency payment on my Amex and as it’s a hotel charge, it’s quite a significant sum. 

    What do I do? Who do I contact? Do I just wait?
    Just wait and make sure you leave enough headroom for the transaction to go through. 
  • Fingerbobs
    Fingerbobs Posts: 1,690 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I agree with others - just wait and do nothing. 

    I once paid for a hotel stay in Japan at the front desk as I was checking out, and that transaction took 9 months to appear on my card. 
  • born_again
    born_again Posts: 18,842 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Fifth Anniversary Name Dropper
    edited 18 March 2024 at 3:36PM
    So I’ve actually had a pending transaction go missing and not return for over three weeks now. It’s a foreign currency payment on my Amex and as it’s a hotel charge, it’s quite a significant sum. 

    What do I do? Who do I contact? Do I just wait?
    If this for a stay in the future, or for one you have just stayed at?
    Life in the slow lane
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