POssible problem with online company. please read.

de8212

Diamond Member
Jan 2, 2000
4,021
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I placed an order for some merchandise on 9/8/01/. I was told that the order would be shipped on 9/10/01 and I would receive a UPS tracking #. I didn?t hear anything so I sent an email on Friday, 9/14/01. I was told my package wasn?t shipped yet due to the recent events in NY, etc but it would be shipped that day. Here we are 9/21/01 and I have still not received any UPS tracking # or anything else. I called the place this morning and had to leave a message. I have already contacted VISA about this and they told me what I need to do to dispute the charges. Just waiting to see if the company returns my call.
Looking at the website to the place I see that it was updated on 9/14/01 so I would think if they can do that then they can place a message or something on there to inform people of their delays in shipping. But I now for a fact UPS is running pretty much back to normal so that wouldn't be much of an excuse.
Also my VISA card was charged on 9/8/01. I can understand they have to verify the card has enough $$$ on it to accept the charge but they don't/shouldn't have to charge it until the item is either shipped or ready to be shipped.
Should I go ahead and dispute this or give them more time?
de


 

MF1

Senior member
May 29, 2000
298
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If I were you, I would cancel this order and dispute the charge with VISA.

Good luck.
 

de8212

Diamond Member
Jan 2, 2000
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76
Well, they just called back. I really don't want to try and give them a bad name or anything. I just want my stuff. I talked with Mark and he apologized more times than I could count.
He said he's gonna 2nd day air it to me for no additional charge. We'll see what happens. I'm sure this is a good company and Mark definately means well. Just not sure I want to go through this again.
de

WOW, it wouldn't let me put the name of the company in this message. sorry.
 

Phil21

Golden Member
Dec 4, 2000
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hmm. It may not really be a charge though, even if it shows up as one. Depends on your bank.

When they AUTH a card, they basically put a hold for $X on the card, and then later on actually "charge" that amount to it. If they don't go through with the charge, the hold eventually expires (I believe it's a week). Obviously this isn't the case for you, but most people mistake a hold on their online statements as an actual charge (they look identical). Of course, to the consumer it's the same thing AS a charge, so it sucks. I mean, if I can't spend my dollars on the card, it's just as good as gone for me.

This is the way gas station pumps work, they pre-auth a certain amount on the card (say $40 or something.. I dunno), and then let you gas up. From there, they go in and change the pre auth amount to the real amount you just spent, and mark it as a charge (could be a batch nightly as well.. depends).

*shrug*

At least thats what I know from working with this stuff in a retail enviroment. I set up a few computer systems for a store.

-Phil