VN Boards Archive

[VN Boards Archive]

Welcome to the Vault Network forum archive.

This is not a complete archive, time didn't allot us the opportunity to properly backup the majority of the boards deemed "expendable". Most boards on this list have at least 20-40 pages archived (non-logged in pages, 15 topics per page).

Popular boards may have as many as 250 pages archived at 50 topics per page, while others deemed of historical signifigance may be archived in their entirety.

We may not agree with how the board shutdown was managed, but we've done what we could to preserve some of its history in lieu of that.

Please enjoy the archive.
~ Managers, Moderators, VIP's, and regular posters.

Author

Topic: Gas station pre-authorizations hold your money hostage for days at a time

Sansfear Posts: 7,232 Registered: Aug 31, '08 Extended Info (if available) Real Post Cnt: 7,182 User ID: 1,318,423	Subject: Gas station pre-authorizations hold your money hostage for days at a time
	Normally, when I fill up, I'll see a temporary $1 pre-authorization charge appear on my account until the actual amount is posted (typically within 24-48 hours). I stopped at a different station today and was a bit surprised today when I saw a $126 charge pending. I did a bit of reading and apparently this is becoming the norm with many companies. Instead of merely testing your card with a $1 charge, they are locking down $50/$100/$250 chunks to make sure they get paid. The amount seems to vary based on the gas station and the type of card, but it is perfectly legal (look for the new warning labels on the pump). American Express seems to be the worst with pre-authorization charges of up to $250. This can be a big deal for people who use debit cards for gas. Let's say you have $110 in the bank and you buy $20 in gas but the station pre-authorizes $100. That extra $80 us unusable until the hold clears, which can be several days (especially on weekends). People have been left with no money to buy food due to this practice, and almost no customers realize it is happening until they get a declined charge. The only way to bypass this is to go inside the station and pre-pay a specific amount. -----signature----- (none)
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Elkad Title: aka Ebenezer Posts: 8,058 Registered: Sep 11, '03 Extended Info (if available) Real Post Cnt: 7,478 User ID: 837,586	Subject: Gas station pre-authorizations hold your money hostage for days at a time
	Boy, a $250 hold would really get me in trouble. Especially if I'm using 2 pumps at once to fill both tanks. Luckily my favorite station doesn't have card readers. Pull up, wave at clerk, who turns pump on. Pay inside when finished. Non-locals, damn kids, and other unsavory types have to walk inside and prepay. -----signature----- "I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty, than those attending too small a degree of it." - Thomas Jefferson
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IMHO Title: Official Outpost Greeter Posts: 30,884 Registered: Nov 1, '01 Extended Info (if available) Real Post Cnt: 28,020 User ID: 490,177	Subject: Gas station pre-authorizations hold your money hostage for days at a time
	I've never ran into that. If I pay with the 'debit' button it comes out right away. If I press the 'credit' button it may take a couple days to come out. I guess there is 'pro's' and 'cons' using either. -----signature----- You're Right ~ Koneg He's [Manegarm] like the Fred Phelps of atheism. ~Bubbledude many of you are in the Republican boat, aka the ship of fools. ~Modeeb We are here on Earth to fart around. Don't let anybody tell you any different. ~Kurt Vonnegut
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__Bonk__ Posts: 53,947 Registered: Jul 25, '09 Extended Info (if available) Real Post Cnt: 53,339 User ID: 1,364,654	Subject: Gas station pre-authorizations hold your money hostage for days at a time
	This happens. -----signature----- I keep my eyes fixed on the sun! A change in feeling is a change in destiny.
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eodoll Posts: 17,153 Registered: Feb 14, '02 Extended Info (if available) Real Post Cnt: 15,943 User ID: 645,592	Subject: Gas station pre-authorizations hold your money hostage for days at a time
	I only use a credit card - none the less, im glad im not month to month like that. -----signature----- (none)
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__Bonk__ Posts: 53,947 Registered: Jul 25, '09 Extended Info (if available) Real Post Cnt: 53,339 User ID: 1,364,654	Subject: Gas station pre-authorizations hold your money hostage for days at a time
	Poor people like me have to be concerned with stuff like this. I spent a little extra for christmas and ran out of money. -----signature----- I keep my eyes fixed on the sun! A change in feeling is a change in destiny.
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Elkad Title: aka Ebenezer Posts: 8,058 Registered: Sep 11, '03 Extended Info (if available) Real Post Cnt: 7,478 User ID: 837,586	Subject: Gas station pre-authorizations hold your money hostage for days at a time
	IMHO posted: I've never ran into that. If I pay with the 'debit' button it comes out right away. If I press the 'credit' button it may take a couple days to come out. I guess there is 'pro's' and 'cons' using either. If you use the debit button, it's accurate, but you don't get any of your credit card rewards (cash back, miles, etc). -----signature----- "I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty, than those attending too small a degree of it." - Thomas Jefferson
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