Hosed at the gas pump -- by your debit card

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Finality

Platinum Member
Oct 9, 1999
2,665
0
0
Same thing happened to me with buy.com some time ago, they they took something like 10 days to clear it. I made a large purchase and instead of having a decent amount of cash at the time it went into negatives.

My account immediately started bouncing cheques and OD fees. Not fun....

Stopped using a debit card that day. Luckily buy.com did right by me and placed a large chunk of cash back into my account for my headache. I ended up racking something like $500 in OD fees because of there mistake. Took about 2 weeks to get sorted out but what a headache.
 

Poulsonator

Golden Member
Aug 19, 2002
1,597
0
76
Originally posted by: Googer

In Florida it is now illeagal to fill up and then pay. State law now requires you to pre-pay for all pumped petroleum before you pump it.

Was this new law passed after I filled up without pre-paying at 9 AM this morning? Never heard of it...
 

allisolm

Elite Member
Administrator
Jan 2, 2001
25,277
4,892
136
Originally posted by: Poulsonator
Originally posted by: Googer

In Florida it is now illeagal to fill up and then pay. State law now requires you to pre-pay for all pumped petroleum before you pump it.

Was this new law passed after I filled up without pre-paying at 9 AM this morning? Never heard of it...

He must be talking about an alternate universe Florida. I never heard of it either.

 

SoulAssassin

Diamond Member
Feb 1, 2001
6,135
2
0
99.9% of the gas stations out there only put a temp hold on for $1.00. If you go to a gas station that does otherwise then they just suck ass.
 

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
41,920
2,161
126
What kind of moron does a debit transaction anymore? Just use a stupid checkcard. Everyone has them. Problem solved.
 

jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
48,518
223
106
Originally posted by: Fritzo
What kind of moron does a debit transaction anymore? Just use a stupid checkcard. Everyone has them. Problem solved.

..the difference is..? :confused:
 

JohnAn2112

Diamond Member
May 8, 2003
4,895
1
81
Originally posted by: Amused
Originally posted by: mzkhadir
One way this wont happen is to prepay inside.

Yes, because we are all so good at using our psychic ability to know exactly how much gas it take to fill up each time.

Dude, walk in, say "Fill up on pump #1", hand him $40, pump, come back in and get the change.
 

jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
48,518
223
106
Originally posted by: JohnAn2112
Originally posted by: Amused
Originally posted by: mzkhadir
One way this wont happen is to prepay inside.

Yes, because we are all so good at using our psychic ability to know exactly how much gas it take to fill up each time.

Dude, walk in, say "Fill up on pump #1", hand him $40, pump, come back in and get the change.

That's quite annoying when it's raining. Or any time, really.
 

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
41,920
2,161
126
Originally posted by: CadetLee
Originally posted by: Fritzo
What kind of moron does a debit transaction anymore? Just use a stupid checkcard. Everyone has them. Problem solved.

..the difference is..? :confused:

Most banks charge a fee to use the card as a debit (some give you a couple of free transactions, then start charging you). Also, if you use your debit card as a credit card, your transaction is covered by Visa or Mastercard for fraud, warranty, etc. With your bank's debit it is not. Finally, you don't need to type in a pin number.
 

altonb1

Diamond Member
Feb 5, 2002
6,432
0
71
Originally posted by: Thegonagle
Old news to me. The credit/debit approval process puts a hold on funds in an amount that may or may not equal the final total of the transaction. Pretty basic and easy to understand once you know that there are two stages (approval, then final payment) for every transaction.

This is standard practice.
 

jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
48,518
223
106
Originally posted by: Fritzo
Originally posted by: CadetLee
Originally posted by: Fritzo
What kind of moron does a debit transaction anymore? Just use a stupid checkcard. Everyone has them. Problem solved.

..the difference is..? :confused:

Most banks charge a fee to use the card as a debit (some give you a couple of free transactions, then start charging you). Also, if you use your debit card as a credit card, your transaction is covered by Visa or Mastercard for fraud, warranty, etc. With your bank's debit it is not. Finally, you don't need to type in a pin number.

I have yet to see a bank that charged for the use of a debit card -- that's odd.

My bank's debit card is a PIN-based debit with a MC logo -- are we talking about the same thing?
 

Tom

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
13,293
1
76
Originally posted by: altonb1
Originally posted by: Thegonagle
Old news to me. The credit/debit approval process puts a hold on funds in an amount that may or may not equal the final total of the transaction. Pretty basic and easy to understand once you know that there are two stages (approval, then final payment) for every transaction.

This is standard practice.


it ought to be illegal to keep the hold once the actual transaction occurs.

but banking law is written by and for banks benefit, not consumers.

 

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
41,920
2,161
126
Originally posted by: CadetLee
Originally posted by: Fritzo
Originally posted by: CadetLee
Originally posted by: Fritzo
What kind of moron does a debit transaction anymore? Just use a stupid checkcard. Everyone has them. Problem solved.

..the difference is..? :confused:

Most banks charge a fee to use the card as a debit (some give you a couple of free transactions, then start charging you). Also, if you use your debit card as a credit card, your transaction is covered by Visa or Mastercard for fraud, warranty, etc. With your bank's debit it is not. Finally, you don't need to type in a pin number.

I have yet to see a bank that charged for the use of a debit card -- that's odd.

My bank's debit card is a PIN-based debit with a MC logo -- are we talking about the same thing?


Yes. Most banks charge you for using their network. I used to set up POS systems, and we had to put in special identifiers for banks to do this. Depending on your checking account, you will get a few free transactions (some get a lot, some get as few as 4). After that, you'll get hit with a .10-.75 fee.

If you have a Mastercard symbol on your card, use it as a credit card. You won't have to use your PIN anymore, you'll have coverage on your transaction, and you'll avoid any potential charges.
 

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
41,920
2,161
126
Originally posted by: amdhunter
Originally posted by: Twista
* Good old cash is still good -- and many gas stations, tired of paying high credit-card fees, now give a discount of up to a dime a gallon for cash. Look for such deals.

I have never seen any discount for using cash. And now that I know they pay up the wazoo in credit card fees, I probably never will pay cash again. Gas stations can kiss my ass.

Visa and Mastercard recently started a flat rate percentage for each transaction. It's only like 1% of the sales price (some get flat rate .25/transaction for higher prices items). It's not that much. Plus, accepting credit cards causes more purchases, so they more than make it up.
 

BCYL

Diamond Member
Jun 7, 2000
7,803
0
71
Had that happen to me before, I was using my Visa check card to purchase gas... the gas station 'hold' an extra $75, and that didn't go away for a few days... I had to call the bank and learn the hard way...
 

jagec

Lifer
Apr 30, 2004
24,442
6
81
Originally posted by: Baked
Who the F uses a debit card to pay for gas when you can get cash back w/ a credit card. :confused:

Exactly. Take 15 cents right off the price!:)
 

jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
48,518
223
106
Originally posted by: Fritzo
Originally posted by: CadetLee
Originally posted by: Fritzo
Originally posted by: CadetLee
Originally posted by: Fritzo
What kind of moron does a debit transaction anymore? Just use a stupid checkcard. Everyone has them. Problem solved.

..the difference is..? :confused:

Most banks charge a fee to use the card as a debit (some give you a couple of free transactions, then start charging you). Also, if you use your debit card as a credit card, your transaction is covered by Visa or Mastercard for fraud, warranty, etc. With your bank's debit it is not. Finally, you don't need to type in a pin number.

I have yet to see a bank that charged for the use of a debit card -- that's odd.

My bank's debit card is a PIN-based debit with a MC logo -- are we talking about the same thing?


Yes. Most banks charge you for using their network. I used to set up POS systems, and we had to put in special identifiers for banks to do this. Depending on your checking account, you will get a few free transactions (some get a lot, some get as few as 4). After that, you'll get hit with a .10-.75 fee.

If you have a Mastercard symbol on your card, use it as a credit card. You won't have to use your PIN anymore, you'll have coverage on your transaction, and you'll avoid any potential charges.

I am employed with the financial institution that issued my card, and we do not charge..I hadn't seen that before, so I thought it odd. I don't think any area banks charge for debit use -- maybe it's not a northeast thing?
 

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
41,920
2,161
126
Originally posted by: CadetLee
Originally posted by: Fritzo
Originally posted by: CadetLee
Originally posted by: Fritzo
Originally posted by: CadetLee
Originally posted by: Fritzo
What kind of moron does a debit transaction anymore? Just use a stupid checkcard. Everyone has them. Problem solved.

..the difference is..? :confused:

Most banks charge a fee to use the card as a debit (some give you a couple of free transactions, then start charging you). Also, if you use your debit card as a credit card, your transaction is covered by Visa or Mastercard for fraud, warranty, etc. With your bank's debit it is not. Finally, you don't need to type in a pin number.

I have yet to see a bank that charged for the use of a debit card -- that's odd.

My bank's debit card is a PIN-based debit with a MC logo -- are we talking about the same thing?


Yes. Most banks charge you for using their network. I used to set up POS systems, and we had to put in special identifiers for banks to do this. Depending on your checking account, you will get a few free transactions (some get a lot, some get as few as 4). After that, you'll get hit with a .10-.75 fee.

If you have a Mastercard symbol on your card, use it as a credit card. You won't have to use your PIN anymore, you'll have coverage on your transaction, and you'll avoid any potential charges.

I am employed with the financial institution that issued my card, and we do not charge..I hadn't seen that before, so I thought it odd. I don't think any area banks charge for debit use -- maybe it's not a northeast thing?

Sky Bank, National City, most US Credit Unions, and 5/3rd all have fees with their Free and under $500 balance checking accounts. Premium checking accounts may waive this fee.
 

jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
48,518
223
106
Originally posted by: Fritzo
Originally posted by: CadetLee
Originally posted by: Fritzo
Originally posted by: CadetLee
Originally posted by: Fritzo
Originally posted by: CadetLee
Originally posted by: Fritzo
What kind of moron does a debit transaction anymore? Just use a stupid checkcard. Everyone has them. Problem solved.

..the difference is..? :confused:

Most banks charge a fee to use the card as a debit (some give you a couple of free transactions, then start charging you). Also, if you use your debit card as a credit card, your transaction is covered by Visa or Mastercard for fraud, warranty, etc. With your bank's debit it is not. Finally, you don't need to type in a pin number.

I have yet to see a bank that charged for the use of a debit card -- that's odd.

My bank's debit card is a PIN-based debit with a MC logo -- are we talking about the same thing?


Yes. Most banks charge you for using their network. I used to set up POS systems, and we had to put in special identifiers for banks to do this. Depending on your checking account, you will get a few free transactions (some get a lot, some get as few as 4). After that, you'll get hit with a .10-.75 fee.

If you have a Mastercard symbol on your card, use it as a credit card. You won't have to use your PIN anymore, you'll have coverage on your transaction, and you'll avoid any potential charges.

I am employed with the financial institution that issued my card, and we do not charge..I hadn't seen that before, so I thought it odd. I don't think any area banks charge for debit use -- maybe it's not a northeast thing?

Sky Bank, National City, most US Credit Unions, and 5/3rd all have fees with their Free and under $500 balance checking accounts. Premium checking accounts may waive this fee.

Wow...I didn't realize that! We must eat the fee, then..5/3rd is our processor, but we do not charge for any of our accounts.