Amazon screwed me?

[WC Annihilus]

I bought a couple things off Amazon yesterday using my debit card. I had just enough money in my checking account to make the purchase. I wake up this morning, log on to check my balance, and find that Amazon made two additional $1 charges that I was completely unaware of and didn't authorize. As I said, I just barely had enough to cover the actual purchases, so these $1 charges caused me to overdraft by 96 cents which caused my bank to charge me an extra $12 in order to transfer funds from my savings account. May not sound like much, but I'm not exactly happy that I have accrued my first overdraft within 1 month of opening the account due to BS charges from Amazon. The charges aren't on the invoice at all, I saw nothing as I made the order that indicated I would be charged, and I can't find any mention of service charges or the like on Amazon's site.

I e-mailed Amazon about this and have yet to receive a reply. A friend advised that I call my bank (Wamu) and request that the charges be canceled and the overdraft fee be refunded. Any thoughts from you guys?

 

[FarFarAway]

Do what your mate said and if they don't then make Amazon pay it

 

[WC Annihilus]

Would it be better to call Amazon or the bank first?

 

[-VK-]

I know when paying on cards sometimes that the company taking payment will initially take a pound or a dollar in your case to make sure there is money in the account. Could this be the case here?

 

[WC Annihilus]

I had that thought, but why would it do it twice? Plus, how hard is it to take $1 off the main charge? Or cancel that $1 charge before doing the main one?

 

[-VK-]

Arr true enough.

I'd probably do as your friend suggested and ring the bank and have proof of purchase cost. If you can show that Amazon have taken too much in error then they should revoke the charge / make Amazon pay it.

 

[WC Annihilus]

So do you think it would be better to call Amazon first to clear up exactly what those charges are or call the bank to secure the money first?

 

[-VK-]

Personally I'd call Amazon and find out what the charges are, then call the bank. At least then you're sure of the facts when speaking to the bank. :

 

[WC Annihilus]

Well, I just rang Amazon and they said they were authorization charges, but the guy wasn't quite sure why there were 2. They said they would refund me the $12 overdraft charge and it would show up in 3-5 business days. So far sounds good. Think I should still call my bank or give it over the weekend and then call Amazon again if it didn't go through?

 

[-VK-]

Good work. I'd leave it and wait and see what Amazon do. They're a pretty reputable company, so should refund you the $12 and the $2 I would expect.

 

[markkleb]

Well, I just rang Amazon and they said they were authorization charges, but the guy wasn't quite sure why there were 2. They said they would refund me the $12 overdraft charge and it would show up in 3-5 business days. So far sounds good. Think I should still call my bank or give it over the weekend and then call Amazon again if it didn't go through?

wait for Amazon to refund the difference. The more people/companies you get involved the more probs you will get.

And dont forget to thank the person that helped you out at Amazon.

 

[Pseudonym]

To be honest, amazon have probably done you a favour. Banks love people who go into the red, especially now there is a slight recission.

A guy i know hasn't had a credit card for 40 years. He's also never been in debt with anyone. He wanted to get a credit card as he was going on some holiday and wanted the security they offer, but was refused by his bank and offered a 50% card by someone else.

Amazon has probably boosted your credit rating. Silly huh.

 

[Silentsnake]

wait for Amazon to refund the difference. The more people/companies you get involved the more probs you will get.

And dont forget to thank the person that helped you out at Amazon.

Exactly

I would get my Debit card caped so that overdrafts are not possible that is what i did to my card although it is kind of embaresing when u think you got enough money for somthing then when you go to pay it doesnt go through but i would rather that then pay overdraft charges rite?