Next.com.au Charging in GB Resulting in Fees on Credit Card

shertiger on 17/12/2019 - 08:57

Hi

I'm finding that when shopping at Next.com.au, I am incurring a charge on my credit card for conversion from british pounds to Australian dollars. The website never mentions during the purchasing process that this is going to happen. Is this a bit underhanded given the website looks and behaves like a AU website.

Of course I can use the 28 degrees card to avoid the charges but then I miss out on points.

I contacted Next and they basically said "We are a International Company based in the UK and we delivery to over 74 countries. Refer to t&cs and bottom of page."
The only thing the t&cs say about this that I could find was "All prices shown are cash prices in Austrailian Dollar (AUD). "

Should I be reporting this to ACCC etc??

Thanks

Fashion & Apparel Credit Card

Related Stores

Next Australia
Next Australia

Comments

  • orangetrain on 17/12/2019 - 09:02

    Ask for refund if it says product in AUD. Otherwise enjoy your purchase. Move on.

    • shertiger on 17/12/2019 - 09:48
      +1

      Got a refund back from credit card company. I guess I just want to fix this for future purchases and others.

      • Ughhh on 17/12/2019 - 09:51
        +5

        I believe its a charge by banks for international companies, even if you buy in AUD.

        • orangetrain on 17/12/2019 - 13:35

          Which bank charges for international companies?

          I'm surprised to not pay a fee to many international companies in Australia. I paid for AdSense in past which goes to Ireland? No charge?

  • HighAndDry on 17/12/2019 - 09:56
    +1

    I'm pretty sure it tells you at the payment step what currency will be charged.

    • shertiger on 17/12/2019 - 10:11

      Not from what I remember

      • HighAndDry on 17/12/2019 - 10:54
        +2

        Are you sure they charged in GBP and not just that your bank charged you for sending the payment overseas?

        • spiff on 17/12/2019 - 12:22
          +1

          I face a similar issue when buying from TM Lewin. Get charged AUD but incur a FX transaction fee.

  • Bargaineasy on 17/12/2019 - 10:14

    I have had this happen to me as well with a few different companies. It annoys me. If I am on a .com.au website and am quoted in AUD I expect the charge to go through as AUD. Or at the very least for them to have a little spiel-'rates are indicative only, you will be charged the AUD equivalent in GBP' - that way I know to use my foreign currency fee free card.

    Sounds like the ACCC are aware but not hugely concerned based on the article on choice here; https://www.choice.com.au/shopping/online-shopping/buying-on…

    • HighAndDry on 17/12/2019 - 12:54

      I think this is a good summary - the payment does go through as AUD, but because the seller is overseas, you still get charged, by your own bank, a fee for the payment:

      Even if you pay in Australian dollars, most banks also charge what's known as a foreign or international transaction fee if the financial institution accepting the payment is outside of Australia. If you have a Visa, MasterCard or American Express credit card with any of the big four banks, you'll be hit with these international transaction fees, charged at 3% (although Westpac charges 3.5% for Amex cards), for applicable payments.

      The seller can't really disclose this because this depends on your bank.

  • resubaehtgnolhcs on 17/12/2019 - 10:21
    -4

    If you pay via Paypal you avoid the international charges

    • shertiger on 17/12/2019 - 10:38

      Do you mean if you have a positive balance with Paypal or pay via credit card through Paypal? I paid through Paypal but with a credit card and still got charged.

      • resubaehtgnolhcs on 17/12/2019 - 13:17

        Just looked at my cc statement for a purchase through NEXT that I made last month. I paid with Paypal via a registered AMEX credit card, and was charged the amount shown in AUD on the NEXT website. There were no additional (international) charges associated with this purchase.

  • JimmyF on 17/12/2019 - 10:30
    +3

    Next.com.au Charging in GB Resulting in Fees on Credit Card

    Its not them charging in GB, but them using a overseas merchant account to charge your credit card. Even if they charged in AUD, as its being charged from overseas, you'll get the fee.

  • RockyRaccoon on 17/12/2019 - 10:36

    Your points are worth about 1% max, is it really worth it.

    I buy from Aliexpress its always the 28 degrees card. No points.

    You know this site is british, so unless you want to spend hours/days fighting this is it worth the effort?

    If its cheaper elsewhere buy there.

    My friend, I understand you, not criticising you, just a little dose of reality

    • shertiger on 17/12/2019 - 11:02

      Agree with your points, not worth losing sleep. Luckily I'm not :-)

      Just irks me a little and so have made a little effort to understand better.

  • spiff on 17/12/2019 - 12:24

    The Qantas World Mastercard (obtained on 90k QFF promotion with $135 annual fee, which is half the usual, for the first year) has no FX fees and earns points as well. Usually I cancel the card once I get the points but I'm keeping this bad boy until holidays are over.

  • anglais on 17/12/2019 - 13:15
    +1

    Next can't control this. Even if they bill you in AUD from overseas you will pay the credit card fee. It's your bank you should complain to.

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