Cash on hold against a credit card

[InsomniaCalls]

I need to RMA a hard drive to Western Digital after it died on me today.
I'm doing the advanced RMA which requires a credit card - it says on the site:

The current market value of the replacement product is put on hold against the credit card for up to 30 days. The amount is not charged to your card unless you do not return your defective drive within 30 days.

Does this mean that the card will effectively have the amount taken from the card until they receive the drive or will the card be unaffected unless I fail to return the drive on time?

Thanks
Si

 

[Berserker]

Pretty much, yes. They authorise a transaction for the required amount but don't actually submit the transaction unless you fail to return the faulty drive. This has the effect of reducing the amount of money you can spend on the card even though your balance won't change.

 

[PinkPig]

That sounds about right - as long as you return the drive there's no risk of you having to pay interest or be asked to make a payment, but the amount you can spend will be reduced by that amount.

 

[Scythe]

Yup. They like 'reserve' a amount of money iirc. Lets use £30 as a example. YOu have £300 in your bank/on credit card etc. You really have £270 to spend because you are not allowed to use that £30 until they submit the transation.

 

[rG-tom]

ive done this with WD before, but they ended up taking the money even though their bloody courier collected the drive

never got it sorted out as it was too much hassle for the $66 iirc, and WD just denied all responsiblity :S

Tom.