Connections horror,UPDATE-w/apologies

[jenfur]

I joined Connections last Saturday, I ordered $689 in Park hoppers immediately. I called this Friday to see if they had processed them and because I could not access the website- it said my account had expired. The Supervisor said the phone number on the account was wrong- they called. (I must have hit the wrong number as it was one number off) so she said they closed the account and cancelled the order and I would have to rejoin and order again. So, I did. I called and hour later just to make sure they got it okay, spoke to ANOTHER supervisor and she said yes, she saw the order on the computer, I should get it in 3-5 days. Now Friday night I check my debit balance- because I used my debit card... and the exact amount for the PHs is missing-they have been processed. So then tonight Saturday, I go online to order vouchers thinking "hey, I might just keep this membership after all- they have good security, and I only got charged once..." Until I could not use my debit card to charge anything online. I rushed to the bank to use the ATM to check the balance...guess what $0.00. Now the PHs were more than what I have in my account so come Monday this won't only be a double charge but and overcharge, The bank has a policy that they could take my debit card priviledges away for overcharging. Not only that, I have NO MONEY! I have a car payment coming out Monday that will also be rejected!!!!!

What can I do? I really want to cancel the order all together and just deal with Disney, the only people I trust- thank you Connections!

 

[epcotfan]

I have heard of these types of incidents happening before. I recall a man posting about Connections saying they double charge to make money on the interest.

See this link for details:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=211454&highlight=connections+interest+double

Hope you get this solved soon!

 

[janette]

Call the bank on Monday, they should be able to reverse the charge. Connections should also cover any additional charges you might have incurred but the bank should be able to fix the problem right away and prevent any further problems with your account. I doubt the bank would revoke the card because of a double charge, should be pretty obvious if you have two from the same company for the exact amount days apart.

 

[Gillian]

Lots of people have had no problems with connections, and I'm sure you can get it all worked out one monday!

It's funny, the post here make people afraid to try Connections, but they have made me afraid to have a debit card! For almost any service (including Disney hotels) where you can pay with a debit card, people have had problems.

Best of luck!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Gillian,

For almost any service (including Disney hotels) where you can pay with a debit card, people have had problems.

I think that is a bit of an overstatement. I use my debit/MC almost exclusively and have yet to have a problem in the 5 years I have had it, not has anyone else that I know. I do know that there can be problems, but, the same applies for credit card use.
The difference, the debit card is linked to your bank account.

 

[LKS]

Sorry this happened to you. Wish you had read all of the old posts where everyone said "Don't use a debit card with Connections!" I used a credit card and my CC company called me when connections tried to put a double charge through. When I said no, my CC company didn't allow it and I never saw it on a bill or heard any more about it. So, it ended up not being a problem.

In fact, I would not use a debit card over the internet because I just don't think they have enacted the same safeguards as the CC companies. I'm also pretty sure that you do not have the same rights in regards to disputing charges as you would with a CC. Just Friday, Discover put a security hold on my account because a gas transaction didn't work properly. They know they have a great deal of fraud with the scanners at the pumps, so I guess whenever something suspicious happens, they now know to freeze the account. I found out about it 30 minutes later when I tried to use the card in a store, called with my security info and got the card released. I feel good about this.

Anyway, with this still happening at Connections after all these many months, I would say it must be intentional on their part. If it were a system flaw last spring, they would have fixed it by now. I think I would not use them again in protest over their shady practices. So sorry, again, that they have caused all these problems for you.

 

[Luv2Roam]

I have learned never to use a debit card with Disney!
I have been using a debit card for years and have only had two problems, one with the processing center for a hotel bill. (The hotel didn't overcharge. The bank processing center here screwed up.) Luckily nothing bounced, but my bank credited my account right away and then took the credit from the bank processing center.
CRO -- Let's just say I have never used CRO since, and don't plan to.
And then for the June 1 pin event everyone was doubled charged by WDW, which was all in the hundreds for each attendee. And everyone was griping about how slow Disney was to correct it.

There was one time I wished I had used my (VISA) debit card when buying pins from a scammer. I would have gotten my $28 back, had I paid with my debit card. I used Paypal and had the funds directly removed from my checking accont. NEVER DO THAT! I was left in the cold, only with a police report to show for it.

I hope it all works out. Debit cards can be great, just like checks. But when something goes wrong......
Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

I guess I must be very lucky. My bank treats the debit/mc just like a regular MC. In fact I can use it for car rentals at places that say they don't accept debit cards. I have been told it is coded the same way a normal credit card is.
All the advice given here is excellent, and we should treat our credit cards and debit cards carefully.
BTW at Disney my debit card is the only one I use. This one is connected to my "vacation account". I keep my vacation funds separate from my real life account.

 

[Goofyzgurl]

I'm sorry you had the same problem I did with Connections--being charged twice. I don't like to use my debit check card with anything that has to do with ordering online because it doesn't offer the same protection as a regular card. Even though it has the visa logo, if someone steals it and uses it, they can empty my checking and savings account and that be that. Especially around here where the proliferation of those electronic devices that you just swipe your card at the check out stand and the cashier doesn't bother to even look at my ID. If my cc was stolen, I'm only liable for $50. Luckily with the connections I had read they had the double charge problem and used my cc. So when the double charge came up I called Discover and they took the extra charge off. I'm sure when you talk to the bank tomorrow it will be fine. They'll see what happened and work with you and connections to make it right.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

I'm only liable for $50.

Same with my debit card.

 

[Gillian]

What I've heard about debit cards is that once money gets taken out of your account, it can take time to get the withdrawal reversed. If you are on vacation and depending on having that cash available (or if you need it for a payment like the original poster), it can be a problem.

It's good to hear that you like your debit card Gail! I'm still afraid to get one though I'll stick to Amex.

 

[Muffy]

Sorry you had such a problem with Connections. I used a CC with them and did not get a double charge. Did you receive the hoppers yet? Best of luck to you! Hope it works out ok!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

It's good to hear that you like your debit card Gail! I'm still afraid to get one though I'll stick to Amex.

Yes, AMEX is a very very very customer friendly company, haveing been a merchant I know this first hand. However, I have had an AMEX Gold and I really did not care for it. I will stick to my debit card and my good ole regular Visas and MCs. The debit card keeps me from overspending. Sometimes I need an outside influence to control me.

 

[jenfur]

I have always used my debit card and never had any problems with it until now. I used it for my room deposit, my MVMCP tickets and Cirque tickets- no problem. I have purchased things at reputable stores and then needed a refund for size problems or whatever and the money has always been refunded directly to my account within 24 hours. There is no reasonable explaination why it couldn't be refunded quickly if Connections was interested in doing the right thing.

I have a VISA logo on my debit card and it is supposed to be protected as like any other VISA for online and offline purchases. I am just not sure how that works as I have never had to deal with this sort of thing before.

Another thing, I realize alot of people say they have had no problems with Connections, well- I don't see how having you credit company stop them from making the second charge or having the CC call you is having no problem with Connections, it seems you just have a good CC company. You should not have to bend over backwards to protect your accounts when you buy something that is supposed to be legit.

 

[SmileyJoyz]

Originally posted by jenfur
I have always used my debit card and never had any problems with it until now. I used it for my room deposit, my MVMCP tickets and Cirque tickets- no problem. I have purchased things at reputable stores and then needed a refund for size problems or whatever and the money has always been refunded directly to my account within 24 hours. There is no reasonable explaination why it couldn't be refunded quickly if Connections was interested in doing the right thing.

I have a VISA logo on my debit card and it is supposed to be protected as like any other VISA for online and offline purchases. I am just not sure how that works as I have never had to deal with this sort of thing before.

Just thought I'd add my 2 cents. I've had problems before ordering online but not with Connections (although about two years ago I DID get that automatic charge from them on my Citibank that took 20 mins of talking to someone to get removed). While I do think Connections is acting shady, it can happen with other legit companies that you don't get your money refunded right away. For one thing, two exact charges don't always mean that you were overcharged. I know it's unlikely, but not impossible that some people would order something that adds to the same amount twice. This is why some credit card companies call you to make sure before putting an automatic stop to it. If they automatically refunded without question any time you had a double charge show up, you'd have people taking advantage of this and do it on purpose. So, Connections has to check their records, see it was for the exact same merchandise, that the merchandise wasn't sent, etc before making the determination that it was an overcharge and a not a legit charge. Do they take their sweet time doing this? Most likely. But I've had merchandise never delivered to me that was ordered online or I was charged the wrong price for something...and from these reputable companies it STILL took at least one billing cycle to show up.

My point is that I've learned not to use my debit card online for any large purchases. Refunds online or with mail order type companies are going to take longer than walking up to a store as someone else mentioned to exchange a size or return tangible merchandise. You are still provided the same amount of protection as a credit card when the Visa or MC logos show up on your debit card. The problem is that it still takes time to clear up a problem whether it's with your real money or credit. I'm sorry that this happened to you, but hopefully it will be cleared up soon and you will still be able to enjoy your vacation!!!!

 

[dcfromva]

jenfur,

I have a car payment coming out Monday that will also be rejected!!!!!

My EFT transactions don't generally get posted until the close of business of the day they are to be paid--so I am thinking that maybe you have some time in the morning to figure out what to do with your bank. (Like overdraft protection or something?)
I am assuming that you will be contacting your bank first thing in the morning? This is an obvious mistake, I would be interested in seeing how this comes out. I have my fingers crossed for you.
-DC

 

[jgates]

1. Call Connections first- get the name of the CS rep you speak with and get a confirmation #, etc to the fact that that amount will be refunded to your checking account.

2. Now, since they have approximately 30 days (legally) to credit your account back - next call the bank. Ask them to give you a temporary credit for the amount of the 2nd transaction & to keep an eye on the account. It may have only been authorized twice which would zero out your availability but the 2nd transaction may never come thru. Get a good CS rep or accounting person (get their name too!) to keep an eye on the account for a few days - they won't give you a temporary credit back unless the actual live item hits most likely. Then they can recharge you for the temp credit when Connections credits you back. Also, the authorization will drop automatically after about 5 business days if the live item does not come thru.

3. If Connections will definitely verify on the phone that you WILL be credited back for transaction #2 (if it hits as a live item), then you don't need to file a dispute with the bank on the transaction - in fact you can't- if they state they will correct you have to give them the opportunity to do so. If they refuse to you can file the dispute right away for a duplicate charge.

Our policy (and I believe Wisconsin state law or possibly a Visa/MC law) is that we have to give immediate but provisional credit for a disputed item. Some of the more popular ones right now are porn sites from the internet...............Those are about the most frequently disputed ones.

 

[Gillian]

Originally posted by jenfur
Another thing, I realize alot of people say they have had no problems with Connections, well- I don't see how having you credit company stop them from making the second charge or having the CC call you is having no problem with Connections, it seems you just have a good CC company. You should not have to bend over backwards to protect your accounts when you buy something that is supposed to be legit.

Nope, I really have had NO problems with Connections. I know others have had the same experience. The credit card issure is a separate one. I don't even like to give my husband access to our checking account

But with Connections, I signed up for the trial, placed orders, canceled, received the orders without any double charges or weird things. My mom joined & we have both placed orders on her account & received everything within days. Her account is about to expire and she is going to order a few more disney vouchers & some gift cards for Christmas.

I hope everything gets fixed for you this morning!

 

[LKS]

Well, Jenfur, for me it was no problem BECAUSE I used a CC. I took one phone call and told them to run it only once. For me, that was not bending over backwards. Unfortunately, you will have to "bend over backwards" and then some.

I'm not saying Connections doesn't have problems. In fact, I said I thought perhaps people should not use them at all since these problems persist. And, if anyone does want to get those low prices and vouchers, use a CC, never a Debit Card, with connections. I have never had a problem using a debit card locally, like a check, but you just can't let a company like Connections have access to your checking account.

 

[peachgirl]

You should not have to bend over backwards to protect your accounts when you buy something that is supposed to be legit.

I feel exactly the same. Sometimes it seems no matter what happens, if something goes wrong it must have been something "you" did. The problem here isn't that you used a debit card...it's that connections charged it twice and is making a little money on their "mistake". I've looked into a couple of "deals" hunting for ways to save $$ on our vacation but so far I just haven't felt comfortable going outside of Disney to do anything. I just feel more secure sticking with Disney issued discounts. I've had a problem or 2 in dealing with Disney, but never once have they failed to take care of whatever the problem was. As for Connections, looks to me like you can save a little, but it sure seems like a lot of work for a very little in savings, expecially when you factor in the cost of joining. You have to order and pay in advance, watch your credit/debit card to make sure they don't do something wrong, make sure you can use every voucher you buy because you can't resell them, and then the hoops people seem to have to jump thru once they start using them is more trouble to me than the few $$'s you save. For those that use them and love them...great! There's just too many drawbacks for me. I hope you get everything straightened out, this kind of stuff can just drive you crazy!