Debit cards and "authorized shipping addresses"?

[xboxist]

I pay for my online purchases with my debit card (tied to a checking account at National City). I recently ordered something from an online retailer and soon after received notification that the order was on hold because the shipping address I entered (my work address) was not an authorized address. It was suggested that I call my CC company/bank to have them add this address to the authorized list. Fine, no biggie -- right? Well I called my bank and the person I've spoken with said they've never heard of such a block from a vendor, and that they can't help me. There can only be one address on an account that's tied to a debit card. There was nothing she could do to help me.

So now I have to cancel the order with this vendor because of this annoying block. I don't see why my bank insists on having only one shipping address. I mean, it's not uncommon to have people ship things to where they work at, is it? On this particular item, shipping to my home address is out of the question ($1,000+), and if I know my mailman well enough he will just leave it there for all to take (condo building).

Has this happened to anyone else? I really want to believe that the girl I spoke with is just on crack and has no clue what she's talking about.

 

[EagleKeeper]

I ran into that recently with NewEgg.

I wanted to ship something to my daughter.

Had to go an extra couple of steps; but eveything went through OK.

I do not know if it was because it was the first time using the Egg or that it was to a differnt addy that the billing addy.

 

[rivan]

I had the same problem, from Newegg and (I think?) Monarch. I changed the billing address of one of my CCs to my office, because I couldn't get any alternate addresses on any of my cards either.

 

[Baked]

I tried to put a authorized shipping addy w/ my bofa check card, but the rep told me I couldn't do that w/ a debit card. I got no problem putting my work addy on my credit cards (AMEX, Disco, MC) though.

 

[doze]

This is standard practive to prevent CC fraud b/c only the account holder can make address changes. Ask them to add the address in the account notes so the vendor can call to verify the address is on file.

 

[MixMasterTang]

Yeah banks are REALLY restrictive with their debit cards with daily limits, single shipping addresses and all that. Actual credit cards are much easier to deal with.

 

[blurredvision]

Some people I have problems with doing this exact thing, some I don't. Ironically, I've never had a problem with Newegg on two different accounts (mine and my boss's) with having a different shipping and mailing address. Sometimes what I'll do if I run into this with UPS shipping, is just have the package shipped to my home address, then after one attempt is made, I'll call UPS, and they'll change the delivery address with no questions asked. All I need is the info notice number left on my door, and it'll be at my work the very next morning. Not sure how easy this would be with FedEx or DHL, but UPS never gives me hassles.