View Full Version : Int'l Credit Card Transaction
I've been on the phone with the Security Dept at Chase MastCard for hours trying to enable authorization to allow an Australian mandolin builder to charge my card. #Each time the phone call begins with me providing all known details of myself and ends with "the transaction will be processed the next time he tries". #Half-dozen authorizations later he still gets declined. This is a security issue not a credit issue. Has anyone else here in the USA had this problem and found a workable solution, short of mailed bank checks or wire transfers?
I have never had success in getting a credit card to authorise once it was blocked for a security reason. I'm in the hotel business, and I process a *lot* of credit card transactions, many of them US cards. If it fails, it fails. The customer can screw around calling his bank, explaining things to them, get promised things, and it never works. When they finally give up and give me a different card number to use, it stands a chance of working. I can't remember for certain whether Chase is one of the culprits or not.
Use a different card.
jasona
Apr-22-2006, 11:51am
PayPal
Paypal takes a percentage that both me and the seller want to avoid.
The seller doesn't like wire transfers as he's experienced the money being lost-in-space and/or deposited into the wrong account. A wire tranfer costs me considerable bucks too, as does a bank check.
I might consider the alternate card instead. I'd probably call them first to get it pre-approved. Then cross my fingers.
BigJoe
Apr-22-2006, 6:51pm
We deal with international sales all the time. Sometimes they are flawless. Othertimes it can be a nightmare. We generally have the customer call the bank in his country to release the funds. Then the card will generally work. It can be frustrating and embarrasing to the customer. It is not a credit problem, but a combination of purchasing outside one's normal patterns that sets off a warning and requires the bank to release the funds and an issue with international sales. We do not take credit card sales from Africa period. They are too prone to fraud and deception and we have never had any luck getting a resolution on those. Like many, we learned th hard way!
Steve Baker
Apr-23-2006, 7:35am
Paypal takes a percentage that both me and the seller want to avoid. #
[I]
Actually your seller will incur a similar charge from the credit card company. PayPal costs less than some cards. FYI.
Steve Baker
Graham McDonald bouzouki/OM
glauber
Apr-23-2006, 8:44am
Yes, what Steve said.
trevor
Apr-23-2006, 11:37am
Lee,
I've had similar experiences. I think your best chance is to use a different card but inform the card issuer to expect the charge before the seller makes the transaction.
The transaction finally worked. I spoke with Chase's Security Dept and had to "go over someone's head". #Having my account show the multiple failed attempts after mulitple authorizations was proof that I was an unsatisfied customer. I would not accept that the transaction "should" be processed at the next attempt. #I stuck with them until I got a positive "yes".
All-in-all I'm glad they err on the safe side, though it's frustrating. #Thanks for all you suggestions!
DHL has new procedures for international shipments arriving into the USA. The mandolin hits customs, then DHL calls you for more identification. They leave instructions on your phone to call back. When you do they'll give you a fax number to which you're supposed to send a copy of your social security card. If you're like me, my card self-destructed in the laundry 30-years ago. Instead, a copy of your 1040 tax form is OK too.
DHL then researches this info to verify your identity. They then assign a staff member who will call you with progress reports as the mandolin clears customs.
I'm licking my chops waiting for this Coombe.