Bank Charge for tutorial

[KeithR]

After I downloaded the last tutorial I checked my bank statement and the pending amount was $29.95. When it posted it was $30.54 so I called the bank, they sent out forms to fill out, I fill them out, sent them back.
Today I get a response: This transaction is correct as billed. The transaction amount was for $29.95. US Bank has a 2% conversion fee on all foreign transactions originated in U.S. dollars, therefore the total correct amount is $30.54.
I again called and was told that this was standard for all banks. Could I get feedback from those of you that also purchased this and what was posted to your account and if you used a bank card or a plain credit card There should be no difference, but I want to see if other banks are doing this or if it's just US Bank.

[Tklimek]

I just checked my charge....$29.95 and I'm in Chicago and use a USA bank; Chase/JP Morgan and used thier debit card.

Cheers....

Todd in Chicago

After I downloaded the last tutorial I checked my bank statement and the pending amount was $29.95. When it posted it was $30.54 so I called the bank, they sent out forms to fill out, I fill them out, sent them back.
Today I get a response: This transaction is correct as billed. The transaction amount was for $29.95. US Bank has a 2% conversion fee on all foreign transactions originated in U.S. dollars, therefore the total correct amount is $30.54.
I again called and was told that this was standard for all banks. Could I get feedback from those of you that also purchased this and what was posted to your account and if you used a bank card or a plain credit card There should be no difference, but I want to see if other banks are doing this or if it's just US Bank.

[Chris Sanderson]

Seems we have been here before  

on this thread - especially the second page of posts...

[KeithR]

Seems we have been here before  

on this thread - especially the second page of posts...

And I started that post as well.

[Gary Brown]

I think you'll find it's becoming more common. A couple of months ago I got a "Notice of Change in Terms..." statement for a Citibank credit card. Among other things:

"We are changing how we calculate the fee for foreign purchases. This fee will be called the Transaction Fee for Foreign Purchases. The description in your Card Agreement of this fee will be as follows:

"Transaction Fee for Foreign Purchases. We add a fee of 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each purchase made outside the U.S., whether made in U.S. dollars or in a foreign currency. This fee is a FINANCE CHARGE."

(I don't have the original terms handy, but I think they previously charged a fee only for non-U.S.-dollar transactions.)

[rosemanbridge]

I'm in Australian & my Visa card stings me for every overseas transaction, it's not just the USA it's greedy banks around the world!

[jwhee0615]

After I downloaded the last tutorial I checked my bank statement and the pending amount was $29.95. When it posted it was $30.54 so I called the bank, they sent out forms to fill out, I fill them out, sent them back.
Today I get a response: This transaction is correct as billed. The transaction amount was for $29.95. US Bank has a 2% conversion fee on all foreign transactions originated in U.S. dollars, therefore the total correct amount is $30.54.
I again called and was told that this was standard for all banks. Could I get feedback from those of you that also purchased this and what was posted to your account and if you used a bank card or a plain credit card There should be no difference, but I want to see if other banks are doing this or if it's just US Bank.

My bank does it.

[kaelaria]

BoA does it - I got hit for about a buck for the BS 'International Fee'.  Greed, pure and simple.

[Derry]

take a trip to a foreign country and use your charge cards and then see what the fees are when you next bill arrives,, every time I used my AE or Visa I saw a small charge (on my monthly bill) for them paying and handling the conversion,, guess it is no difference if you actually there or not for the purchase,,

Derry

[Chris Sanderson]

take a trip to a foreign country and use your charge cards and then see what the fees are when you next bill arrives,, every time I used my AE or Visa I saw a small charge (on my monthly bill) for them paying and handling the conversion,, guess it is no difference if you actually there or not for the purchase.

Except for the case of US customers purchasing L-L products - there is no conversion - since all our pricing is in US dollars

[kaelaria]

Yeah, it has zero to do with a conversion.  It's simply the purchase being from out of the US.

[Tyler Mallory]

That's the bank charging you for the currency conversion. Just like the airlines, they're looking for any little fee they can add to boost their bottom line.

[Dan Berg]

It's less then a buck. Heck every time I sit in my recliner more then that in change falls out of my pockets into the bowels of the recliner frame.
I agree that its a rip off but we are just stuck living with it.

[Doug Peterson]

BoA does it - I got hit for about a buck for the BS 'International Fee'.  Greed, pure and simple.

Greed? I think the banks are providing a heck of a service to allow you to easily and instantly purchase goods and services from sellers across the world.

I agree there should be transparency so the free market can more efficiently take into account the currently semi-hidden costs.

In this regard it is probably fair to say it is "less than honest" (they aren't outright lying but they are hiding the fee and changing it in the fine print in documents meant to be so thick and long as do dissuade most users from actually reading them) but calling it greed I think is wrong.

Doug Peterson
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Personal Work

[Gellman]

Dear KeithR,

It seems obvious that the extra charge is originating with your bank, not with LuLa. Last time around it was a difference of $0.79. This time it's $0.59. While I can understand the frustrating nature of the problem, the fact is you seem to be spending an inordinate amount of time cluttering up the forums for a customer service issue between you and your bank that amounts to pennies. I apologize if I sound rude, but I think you would be much happier spending your time worrying about more important things. Or, take a chill pill. And Chris, I'm sure I speak for many here if I suggest that you spend your valuable time editing the new videos instead of tracking down pennies for which you are not responsible. Where is Shewe when we need him?

John

[KeithR]

Dear KeithR,
 Where is Shewe when we need him?

John

My guess he has more important things to do than comment on YEAR OLD POSTS. And for the record, at the time I wasn't aware that the bank had imposed extra charges since my earlier purchaces from LuLa never had them. I now know that the bank will do this and am fine with it.

[DarkPenguin]

Dear KeithR,

It seems obvious that the extra charge is originating with your bank, not with LuLa. Last time around it was a difference of $0.79. This time it's $0.59. While I can understand the frustrating nature of the problem, the fact is you seem to be spending an inordinate amount of time cluttering up the forums for a customer service issue between you and your bank that amounts to pennies. I apologize if I sound rude, but I think you would be much happier spending your time worrying about more important things. Or, take a chill pill. And Chris, I'm sure I speak for many here if I suggest that you spend your valuable time editing the new videos instead of tracking down pennies for which you are not responsible. Where is Shewe when we need him?

John

I don't know.  Where was he last year?

[Gellman]

YEAR OLD POST you say. Oops. Didn't notice the date. Now, don't I feel foolish.

          "I don't know. Where was he last year? "

He was waiting for the Vikings to win a Super Bowl, along with the rest of us. Still waiting here. Where is Fran Tarkenton when we need him?


John

[KeithR]

YEAR OLD POST you say. Oops. Didn't notice the date. Now, don't I feel foolish.

          "I don't know. Where was he last year? "

He was waiting for the Vikings to win a Super Bowl, along with the rest of us. Still waiting here. Where is Fran Tarkenton when we need him?


John

I don't know if Mr. Schewe is a fan(and since he's in Chicago he my be a Bears fan for all I know), but sir Francis is in Atlanta still wishing he was as good as Favre.
As since I'm about to begin my 35th year covering the Vikings, I can tell you that as good as Tarkington was(yes, I did get to photograph him back when he played), he'd get killed by the players of today.

[Schewe]

(and since he's in Chicago he my be a Bears fan for all I know)

Yes, I'm a Bears, Bulls & Blackhawks fan (in that order) not so much a Cubs or White Sox fan though...The Vikings? You guys play on the roller dome, right (at least that's what Ditka called it).