Credit card surcharges in Peru

[Flashback]

I've scoured the Mastercard Merchant Surcharge Rules site (could only find US, not Peru - but assume it should be somewhat relevant?) and want to know whether I'm in my right to go back to the merchant and demand my money back or not?


At dinner last night, knowing that places will often charge 5% here I asked and confirmed there was no surcharge. The charge on the terminal and the transaction receipt I was given was for the correct amount, however upon viewing the transaction today I see a 20% surcharge has been charged.


Do I just head down there again today and demand the surcharge amount back or do I chargeback the transaction via my card provider? (although I guess the card provider will suggest the former is done, first before initiating chargeback).

 

[snabbu]

I've scoured the Mastercard Merchant Surcharge Rules site (could only find US, not Peru - but assume it should be somewhat relevant?) and want to know whether I'm in my right to go back to the merchant and demand my money back or not?


At dinner last night, knowing that places will often charge 5% here I asked and confirmed there was no surcharge. The charge on the terminal and the transaction receipt I was given was for the correct amount, however upon viewing the transaction today I see a 20% surcharge has been charged.


Do I just head down there again today and demand the surcharge amount back or do I chargeback the transaction via my card provider? (although I guess the card provider will suggest the former is done, first before initiating chargeback).

I assume you viewed the transaction online, what exactly was the description?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Do I just head down there again today and demand the surcharge amount back or do I chargeback the transaction via my card provider? (although I guess the card provider will suggest the former is done, first before initiating chargeback).

For foreign currency transactions some banks suggest a chargeback rather than trying to resolve it with the merchant. That way you don't get pinged the currency conversion fees x2. I would charge back. And didn't you already raise it with the merchant?

 

[Flashback]

I assume you viewed the transaction online, what exactly was the description?

It's just a single charge for the transaction amount plus the inflated amount, which I worked out to be exactly 20%. Description is just the name of the merchant.

For foreign currency transactions some banks suggest a chargeback rather than trying to resolve it with the merchant. That way you don't get pinged the currency conversion fees x2. I would charge back. And didn't you already raise it with the merchant?

I don't get charged forex fees on this card anyway - but I was just going to make them give me the cash anyway. Charge back the whole amount or just the overcharge?

 

[RooFlyer]

If you have the transaction record for the correct amount (or, correct or not, its what you and the merchant agreed on at the time), then I'd call the card and ask for the over-charge to be removed - AND report a fraud on your card. You have the evidence of the original transaction docket.

But I'd be curious as to how this could happen, mechanically. If the original charge 'went through', it should appear as it was processed. They might put a new charge on, without your authority, but you should still see the original charge, shouldn't you? (Not doubting what you have said, just wondering.)

 

[Flashback]

If you have the transaction record for the correct amount (or, correct or not, its what you and the merchant agreed on at the time), then I'd call the card and ask for the over-charge to be removed - AND report a fraud on your card. You have the evidence of the original transaction docket.

But I'd be curious as to how this could happen, mechanically. If the original charge 'went through', it should appear as it was processed. They might put a new charge on, without your authority, but you should still see the original charge, shouldn't you? (Not doubting what you have said, just wondering.)

I think they have delayed processing, as with this particular card (https://www.travelex.co.uk/services/supercard) the tx will always show up instantly and indeed did when I used it yesterday when checking out at the Hilton Garden Inn Peru. After having been to this merchant last night, no charge showed up at all - until I checked this morning. So definitely something fishy and 20% is really just taking the p*ss.

 

[opusman]

Are you sure it was a surcharge added by the merchant and not just DCC marked up exchange rate? Did it process in AUD or PEN?

 

[Flashback]

Are you sure it was a surcharge added by the merchant and not just DCC marked up exchange rate? Did it process in AUD or PEN?

It processed in PEN - I have it all confirmed in the card app. Also if it was DCC'd it would show that on the receipt (and still wouldn't be anywhere near 20%).

 

[basso]

Is it the finalised amount, or is it a pending authorisation?

 

[Boca68]

A possibility that comes to mind, is that you might have presented a bill minus the sales tax (which is illegal I'm sure) of 18% . Might be an explanation for theextra charge. Still doesn't make it any better. If you have the reciept , I'd go the chargeback route. Going back to the restaurant might be very time consuming.

Although, I read you worked it out as 20%. So, just a thought.

 

[KVS]

At dinner last night, knowing that places will often charge 5% here I asked and confirmed there was no surcharge. The charge on the terminal and the transaction receipt I was given was for the correct amount, however upon viewing the transaction today I see a 20% surcharge has been charged.

A charge is unlikely to settle in just 1 day -- you are, most likely, looking at an authorization (where the amount shown can differ), not an actual charge (which will take a few days to post).

 

[Flashback]

A charge is unlikely to settle in just 1 day -- you are, most likely, looking at an authorization (where the amount shown can differ), not an actual charge (which will take a few days to post).

Absolutely, although I've never seen this happen at a restaurant (nor any of my previous transactions in the day yesterday). In any case, will wait for it to settle and see what happens. All very odd really!

 

[Flashback]

Transaction has now settled and the 20% dropped off. How strange, given it hasn't happened at any other restaurant here!

 

[opusman]

I suspect they just pre-authed extra in case you decided to leave a 20% tip.

(Back before portable terminals, restaurants would take your card away, run a pre-auth, then bring you the charge slip back to sign. After you've signed they then go back to their terminal and finalise the transaction including any tip you've added)

 

[Flashback]

I suspect they just pre-authed extra in case you decided to leave a 20% tip.

(Back before portable terminals, restaurants would take your card away, run a pre-auth, then bring you the charge slip back to sign. After you've signed they then go back to their terminal and finalise the transaction including any tip you've added)

Although it was paid there and then with the terminal in front of me, so who knows. The restaurant is also one of the few that "includes" tip/service anyway, so all just odd.