Using credit card to pay for services via bank transfer

l.c.elliott

We need a new boiler urgently. Obviously the cost is over £1000 so we need to use a credit card to pay. The plumber installing it for us only takes bank transfer. Can we pay bank transfer using our credit card without paying a fee and harming our credit score? If not, I'm not sure how else to pay for this :-(

Emmia

l.c.elliott said:

We need a new boiler urgently. Obviously the cost is over £1000 so we need to use a credit card to pay. The plumber installing it for us only takes bank transfer. Can we pay bank transfer using our credit card without paying a fee and harming our credit score? If not, I'm not sure how else to pay for this :-(

Do you have the funds to pay without using a credit card?

p00hsticks

l.c.elliott said:

. Obviously the cost is over £1000 so we need to use a credit card to pay.

Why do you need a credit card ?
Is it because you don't have the ready funds or because you want the S75 protection ?

ellen_vannin

If you were thinking of using the card as you don't have the funds.
Whilst payment to the plumber would not be possible. Maybe you could just put all your normal expenditure on the card. Then use the cash in your bank to pay for the boiler.

Olinda99

you can get a cash advance from your card but you will pay a cash fee and high interest

better to.apply for a new 'money transfer' credit card,  if possible with a 0% period

otherwise find a plumber who accepts ordinary credit cards or tell your one you can only pay by card.

flaneurs_lobster

Assuming you're in "good standing" with your bank, they may be able to arrange a loan (or overdraft facility) at short notice. Worth a call.

FrugaiMacDugal

Ok, post deleted.

Though maybe how to pay should've been agreed before job commenced.

DullGreyGuy

l.c.elliott said:

We need a new boiler urgently. Obviously the cost is over £1000 so we need to use a credit card to pay. The plumber installing it for us only takes bank transfer. Can we pay bank transfer using our credit card without paying a fee and harming our credit score? If not, I'm not sure how else to pay for this :-(

No. 

You could withdraw it from a cash machine which means high fees, interest immediately in most cards and it'll be marked on your records.

You could get a card with a Money Transfer offer, move money to your bank account and then on to the plumber. There will be a fee but likely a little to no interest if it's in a promotional period and won't be marked on the CRAs

In both cases you arent paying by credit card and so you wouldn't get any S75 or chargeback protection if that is what you are aiming at. 

If you cannot afford it and won't be paying it off quickly then you may want to consider other debt options as interest rates on cards are high compared to loans etc.

eskbanker

l.c.elliott said:

We need a new boiler urgently. Obviously the cost is over £1000 so we need to use a credit card to pay. The plumber installing it for us only takes bank transfer. Can we pay bank transfer using our credit card without paying a fee and harming our credit score? If not, I'm not sure how else to pay for this :-(

Use another plumbing business, who accepts card payments?

CliveOfIndia

OP, aside from the fact that if your plumber won't accept credit cards (not at all unusual for small businesses) you're a bit snookered on that front, you do need to consider the interest element.  If you do find a trader who will accept cards, and if you're paying on a "standard" card (i.e. not one that has a 0% purchase promotion), you'll be paying a heck of a lot in interest unless you can clear it within a couple of months or so.

400ixl

Not taking credit cards for small businesses is becoming less common due to services like SumUp where the cost to have the equipment and charges are pretty negligible. Not really an excuse not to offer the capability these days.

But, if yours doesn't then as people have said, not much you can do and you will need to find other ways to put money onto a card and fee up money to pay the plumber. Or find another plumber who does.