Debit card purchse online?

Just tried to buy a supply of my usual hay fever OTC meds from the UK online as our prices here in Ireland are astronomical by comparison, and payment was refused by bank; tried both my cards. Have a vague memory of something re the current corona crisis? Not tried any Irish purchases but am going to be in serious difficulties as I cannot access shops and use my debit card often. Wonder if I could send cheques to the shops?

 

I've placed about 6 orders this week using my VISA Debit card , and had no problems at all . I can't see what Coronavirus has to do with it, our banks etc are all still open as usual.
I don't see why you can't use cheques as long as you check with the company. Bearing in mind though that it will take longer as you'll have to wait for the cheque to clear.

 

Thanks; it was something that was said last week. And payments within Ireland are fine. It was just when I tried to buy from the UK. Will try a different company.

 

I never use a debit card online, I have a credit card just for use online, also a paypal account, which is linked to my credit card.

I cant think it has anything to do with the virus.

You could send a cheque, but then you are just doing it the old fashioned way, by post.

 

No I checked that carefully and tried two debit cards anyways. Both refused saying the bank had refused the payment and both my bank accounts are in very good heart. Payments here in Ireland are going through fine. Just to the UK .

 

Could it be a currency transfer problem?
€ to £.

 

@Islander77 I use Weldricks Pharmacy and have no problems with them, they're worth a try.

 

Agree with what @pete said earlier, use a credit card just for online purchases and also just link your Credit card to a Paypal account as that gives you a much wider protection both online and if you have any problems with the goods purchased.

We were very sceptical of doing that at first, but glad we did , we feel at lot safer online, though nothing is 100% , but at least you have to get the best odds you can.

Using a Debit card usually means its a card attached to your Current Account so its really not a good idea to use it online at all, as if your online debit card details were misused they 'could possibly' get access to you current account. Not a method we would ever use for that reason.

If your payments are not going though, email or phone the supplier and tell them you cannot complete payment, after all they want your business so should fall over themselves to help.
Often they will also allow over the phone orders and payments.

If the suggest its your card/s or location that are problematical, best to speak to your banks / card providers.

 

I ditched my credit card years back; as a pensioner in a small income it was not viable.

Wil try again later; the cost difference is awesome. Here in Ireland we pay around E6 for a packet of 30 Piriton. From the Uk I can buy a pack of 500 for under £20 and that includes shipping. Will thus persevere and try a different pharmacy. Ireland is very expensive for OTC meds and I get basics in from overseas.

 

Hi,

As metioned before, just ring or email them, sure they will help.

If your Debit card is one from your Current Account bank its always worth getting a Credit Card from a provider not associated with your bank, so if either have problems, you have another to fall back on.
Seems to be only too often that some banking system crashes locking out its customers for a day or more !

Also look for one like we use which is a supermarkets own cash back card which means the all purchases, supermarket or elsewhere/online, give you a little cash back on each purchase, soon adds up to £20 free to spend in their store.

 

Many companies providing online shopping are not accepting new customers at the moment. It could be just that, and that their messaging is not upto date.

I'd definitely recommend setting up a PayPal account, if you are only using it for reputable retailers it's totally fine to put it against your bank account/ debit card.

"Reputable retailers" reminds me, totally off topic, of a parcel I received in our office mailroom who kindly also accept personal deliveries. The sender was "China Chaps", which rang the alarm bells and made our lovely mailroom guys to put the parcel through all detectors they have and to warn me to open it safely. It was in fact a posh teacup, very much like this . So not a Good Lucky Very Nice Good Happiness product after all.

 

As I said the firm accepted ,my order but the bank refused t o pay . and I honestly do not want the extra hassle of paypal. Not been well enough since to sort it. I hate internet shopping anyways. Really hate it. But being housebound etc.. And I think it was probably the change from euro to sterling as one poster only noticed. will sneeze my way through spring and summer... thanks everyone.