Buying in Euros, been charged in £....

R.O.S.S.I

R.O.S.S.I

R.O.S.S.I

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Hi all, just wondering if anyone can tell me where i stand on this.

In the process of booking accomodation for some villas when we go away this Summer and ive got to the stage of paying the deposit with the villa owner.

I've got a Halifax Clarity Card so foreign transactions don't incur a fee and should get pretty much the perfect Mastercard rate at the time of processing.

The total amount is 2187 EUR (roughly £1906) which i have provided them with my card details and asked them to charge my card. All hunky dory accept I message a few mins saying I have gone over my credit limit. Strange I think as my credit limit is £2000 and my balance was £0. I log onto my internet banking and low and behold there is a charge for £2003.35.

Quick email to the villas and when they are charging my card they have decided to charge it in £ instead of Euros and in the process made the transaction take place at a much less desirable exchange rate set by their bank instead of the flat Mastercard rate.

Now am I right in thinking that I am within my rights to ask them to refund the transaction and then process it again in straight Euros instead of it converting to pounds? I never asked to be charged in pounds I have always discussed payment in euros. Atm i'm unsure what charges im going to get for going a few £'s overdrawn and its also £100 dearer that it needs to be going with their conversion.
 
You agreed upon a price in euros, they should have charged you euros unless agreed otherwise.

I would imagine that any fees from the bank can be reclaimed given the circumstances (will need a phone call).
 
Think this depends on the Villa, a lot of companies tend to assume you want to be charged in the currency of your residence. Had to keep reminding stores in Dubai when I paid with my Halifax Clarity to pay in dirhams and they were not happy! :)
 
All prices discussed were in Euros. Not at any point have I made reference to being charged in GBP in our email correspondance.

At all stages prices were referred to and quoted in Euros.
 
ph0 said:
Think this depends on the Villa, a lot of companies tend to assume you want to be charged in the currency of your residence. Had to keep reminding stores in Dubai when I paid with my Halifax Clarity to pay in dirhams and they were not happy! :)
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Of course they aren't happy, they get commission on the conversion.
 
If they're going to charge you in pounds they need to quote you a rate in pounds it isn't up to you to have to pay the extra for whatever ****** fx deal they have in place with their bank. You agreed to a rate in euros you're perfectly within your rights to demand a refund.
 
Even if you requested to pay in Euros, why take such a chance with a payment potentially over your limit? :confused:.com
 
Definitely kick up a fuss, you are right, should be charged in Euros.

If they refuse just report it to Halifax to get your money back.
 
R.O.S.S.I said:
Why would I think otherwise though? I know what 2187EUR is in GBP and its under my limit so everything should be fine.
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You know what it is in GBP according to who? Rates change so much from different banks, different exchange services etc. you're still cutting it fine.

That said you're entirely right to complain and get the payment done in Euros.
 
Scam said:
You know what it is in GBP according to who? Rates change so much from different banks, different exchange services etc. you're still cutting it fine.

That said you're entirely right to complain and get the payment done in Euros.
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No i'm not cutting it fine at all. I know what the transaction should go through at.

My card charges me no fees for foreign transactions and uses the current Mastercard rate so you should get a pretty much near perfect exchange. I base what it will be off the rate shown on the Mastercard website, any difference due to fluctuations will be a couple of quid tops, so i'm not cutting it fine at all.
 
Scam said:
You know what it is in GBP according to who? Rates change so much from different banks, different exchange services etc. you're still cutting it fine.

That said you're entirely right to complain and get the payment done in Euros.
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It doesn't matter what different banks or different exchange services charge - he's using a Halifax Clarity card and he's able to check the exact rate of exchange for that and confirm if he can afford it or not.

I'd kick up a mega fuss, call the bank, get it chargebacked and get the pace to short their **** out.
 
RoyMi6 said:
It doesn't matter what different banks or different exchange services charge - he's using a Halifax Clarity card and he's able to check the exact rate of exchange for that and confirm if he can afford it or not.

I'd kick up a mega fuss, call the bank, get it chargebacked and get the pace to short their **** out.
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Theyve emailed me back saying their card machine didnt give them an option he just inputs the Euros amount and it gave him the £'s rate which he puts through.

I've asked him to refund and to also check if the machine has an option to process using the Mastercard currency conversion as on the scanned receipt it says at the bottom "I have chosen not to use the Mastercard currency conversion process and agree that I will have no recourse....." so hes definitely selected it at his end at some point.

Its difficult as they are Spanish so the language barrier is an added struggle.

I've asked him to refund it anyway as a starter.

If no joy i'll just use Transferwise and bank transfer them, will only be a little hit feewise of £14 or so which is much more easily absorbed.
 
Scam said:
Sounds like they're trying it on :o
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Yeh. Can't be bothered with the hassle so will just take the small hit and do it via bank transfer on Transferwise.

They've processed a refund now anyway.

Will be interesting to see what options we get on the card machine when we get there in August and want to pay via card for the remainder, haha! :D
 
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