B&N posts a $1 'Pending' Charge for Free ebooks

pking36330 · 07-23-2009, 10:04 AM

I downloaded the new B&N eReader software on my computer after it was announced this week. I selected and 'bought' the four listed 'free' ebooks' which requires registration with a credit card. I downloaded them so I could look at the functionality of the software and now they show up in my B&N online library.

Last night while looking at my credit card statement online, I noticed that B&N place a $1.00 charge on the card listing the purchases as 'Pending' (four separate $100 'Pending' charges). I'm hopeful at some point the the 'Pending' is withdrawn and no charge is made, but I thought others might want to know. I'll try to report when this drops into the charged or withdrawn column.

Kali Yuga · 07-23-2009, 10:11 AM

Odd, I thought it was 1¢ and it gets refunded.

I wouldn't sweat it though, getting a credit card # is probably just a requirement of them creating an account for you.

pking36330 · 07-23-2009, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kali Yuga

Odd, I thought it was 1¢ and it gets refunded.

I wouldn't sweat it though, getting a credit card # is probably just a requirement of them creating an account for you.

I'm not terribly worried and think it will end in nothing. Even at a $1 a piece it would just be a well-spent 4 buck lesson not to trust the B&N store, but I'm relatively certain that this is just standard practice and will change from 'Pending' to withdrawn at some point.

chaznsc · 07-23-2009, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pking36330

I downloaded the new B&N eReader software on my computer after it was announced this week. I selected and 'bought' the four listed 'free' ebooks' which requires registration with a credit card. I downloaded them so I could look at the functionality of the software and now they show up in my B&N online library.

Last night while looking at my credit card statement online, I noticed that B&N place a $1.00 charge on the card listing the purchases as 'Pending' (four separate $100 'Pending' charges). I'm hopeful at some point the the 'Pending' is withdrawn and no charge is made, but I thought others might want to know. I'll try to report when this drops into the charged or withdrawn column.

This is done to verify the card, the charge will go away or be refunded.

DixieGal · 07-23-2009, 10:47 AM

It's becoming sort of standard for lots of places, especially online purchases at a new site. It should go away in a day or so, just keep an eye on it.

pilotbob · 07-23-2009, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaznsc

This is done to verify the card, the charge will go away or be refunded.

This is exactly what they are doing. Even though the book is free, it still has DRM on it. They don't want you copying it to others. If they didn't verify the CC# you could just create a bogus account with a bogus card number, and distribute the file.

I think I even read on eReader site once that you had to buy at least 1 book with a CC# that you have changed to before you can d/l previously purchased books encrypted to that CC#. Although, I was able to change my CC# and re-d/l... so perhaps they don't actually enforce it all the time.

BOb

desertgrandma · 07-23-2009, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pking36330

I downloaded the new B&N eReader software on my computer after it was announced this week. I selected and 'bought' the four listed 'free' ebooks' which requires registration with a credit card. I downloaded them so I could look at the functionality of the software and now they show up in my B&N online library.

Last night while looking at my credit card statement online, I noticed that B&N place a $1.00 charge on the card listing the purchases as 'Pending' (four separate $100 'Pending' charges). I'm hopeful at some point the the 'Pending' is withdrawn and no charge is made, but I thought others might want to know. I'll try to report when this drops into the charged or withdrawn column.

Chase did this all the time. I called on the first charge, and they explained it, not to my satisfaction, but it did drop each time. I still don't understand the reasoning on it, BofA doesn't do it.
Dropped Chase.

HarryT · 07-23-2009, 12:59 PM

I prefer the way that PayPal verify your bank account details. They pay YOU money (a few pence), and you have to then tell them the amount they've given you.

Andybaby · 07-23-2009, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I prefer the way that PayPal verify your bank account details. They pay YOU money (a few pence), and you have to then tell them the amount they've given you.

when I created my paypal, or edited my address or bank account or creditcards attached, I've always been charged a $1 and it was withdrawn later.

it is a standard practice. and I really don't care weather a company does it or not.

pilotbob · 07-23-2009, 05:52 PM

Actually, an auth charge isn't really a charge. The gas station does this when you pay at the pump. If the auth transaction isn't followed by a real transaction with the actual $ amt the original auth transaction expires.

BOb

07-23-2009, 10:04 AM	#1
pking36330 FT Parent PT Reader Posts: 322 Karma: 187838 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: South Alabama Device: Shocked by how much I've read on an iPod Touch received as a gift!	B&N posts a $1 'Pending' Charge for Free ebooks I downloaded the new B&N eReader software on my computer after it was announced this week. I selected and 'bought' the four listed 'free' ebooks' which requires registration with a credit card. I downloaded them so I could look at the functionality of the software and now they show up in my B&N online library. Last night while looking at my credit card statement online, I noticed that B&N place a $1.00 charge on the card listing the purchases as 'Pending' (four separate $100 'Pending' charges). I'm hopeful at some point the the 'Pending' is withdrawn and no charge is made, but I thought others might want to know. I'll try to report when this drops into the charged or withdrawn column.

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07-23-2009, 10:11 AM	#2
Kali Yuga Professional Contrarian Posts: 2,045 Karma: 3289631 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Kindle 4 No Touchie	Odd, I thought it was 1¢ and it gets refunded. I wouldn't sweat it though, getting a credit card # is probably just a requirement of them creating an account for you.

07-23-2009, 10:47 AM	#5
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	It's becoming sort of standard for lots of places, especially online purchases at a new site. It should go away in a day or so, just keep an eye on it.

07-23-2009, 12:59 PM	#8
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I prefer the way that PayPal verify your bank account details. They pay YOU money (a few pence), and you have to then tell them the amount they've given you.

07-23-2009, 05:52 PM	#10
pilotbob Grand Sorcerer Posts: 19,832 Karma: 11844413 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tampa, FL USA Device: Kindle Touch	Actually, an auth charge isn't really a charge. The gas station does this when you pay at the pump. If the auth transaction isn't followed by a real transaction with the actual $ amt the original auth transaction expires. BOb

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