what is up with applestore's charging?

[orijinal]

i just placed an order for a set of nano tubes, and in the aknowledgement e-mail, it says that my total order is $31.63

on my online checking account though, there are three separate holds from apple, one for $1, another for $1, and a final one for $31.83

what is apple trying to pull here?

 

[Applespider]

Probably the initial check to see if your account is valid and has funds. They'll put an authorisation for $1 through but won't actually claim it. It will show up on your checking account until the authorisation for it lapses (a week to 10 days later?) and then put the full amount through.

Not sure about why there are two for $1 there - perhaps a delay between ordering/preparing for shipment which meant they had to re-check the card?

 

[dcv]

Perhaps one $1 is a debit and the other one a credit?

 

[Sedulous]

Hmmm, I've bought many things from the Apple Store. Never experienced random charges like that.

 

[chucknorris]

It is definitely just a pre-authorization.

I've worked for two different companies who did the same thing. One of them actually "charged" the whole amount multiple times, which always pissed customers off.

 

[Deepdale]

It is definitely just a pre-authorization. I've worked for two different companies who did the same thing. One of them actually "charged" the whole amount multiple times, which always pissed customers off.

If a company charges the entire amount multiple times, they should let you leave the store with multiple items. If I have to place my trust in their policy, then they'll have to believe I will return the other items.

 

[bousozoku]

Lately, there has been a trend with Debit cards like the Visa Check Card to hold more than the amount. Certain gasoline stations like Chevron are holding up to 3 times the purchase as a guarantee until the funds are transferred, at which time, they release the hold.

 

[orijinal]

alright i'll wait to see how it pans out. thanks all

 

[iGary]

It took them 3 days to bill me for my cinema display. Go figure, you would think they would want their money straight away.

Same thing when I bought my PowerMac - I got it before they billed me.

 

[Danksi]

Apple charged my credit card CDN$1 to check the card wasn't stolen, then charged seperately for each of the items I'd ordered online.

Caused problems for me, because Apple charged for three items seperately within a few seconds of each other, it alerted my credit card company's anti-fraud system and they froze my credit card.

I had to phone the credit card company to confirm it wasn't fraud, get my credit card unfrozen and then ask Apple to re-try the payment!

 

[wdlove]

If you want to be sure, you should give Apple a call. Never hurts to verify a charge.

 

[Jay42]

Hmm, thats the first I've heard/seen of this. Does Apple mention anywhere that they occasionally do this? Seems like a poor way to do business if they don't let you know before hand.

 

[rainman::|:|]

It's usually in the fine-print on *something*. The simplest way to deal with these type of transactions is to refuse to pay by credit card, make it cash or check instead, I tend to pay cash in Apple stores which always makes them roll their eyes... like i'm just tawdry for using dirty smelly old cash in their lovely store... ahh hehe

 

[BrianKonarsMac]

please, don't ever bring a check into my store. i hate those things. worst method of payment ever invented, they require to be discontinued like ppl who want support on OS 7-9.

 

[Counterfit]

Even more so, don't use a check in the EXPRESS(!!) lane of a supermarket. And if for some reason you have to, do NOT have the machine print it, because that takes forever. Cash is still the fastest.