Confusing credit card charge for free charging

[Temmrich]

Customer care calls are recorded. If that happened, escalate and get them to review the recording.

But as always, what’s written and agreed to in writing is what matters, in almost all cases.

for the benefit of future searchers (since i am not alone in this): no, a publicly offered promotion does not need to be then repeated in the purchase contract, unless it is somehow unique to the specific buyer/transaction, which this was not. In fact, if you discovered later that the seller did not honor the promotion you could go back and recover it. The Customer Care calls, and the provision of service for 8 months, simply (fortunately) confirm that the promotion was indeed in effect.

 

[borski]

for the benefit of future searchers (since i am not alone in this): no, a publicly offered promotion does not need to be then repeated in the purchase contract, unless it is somehow unique to the specific buyer/transaction, which this was not. In fact, if you discovered later that the seller did not honor the promotion you could go back and recover it. The Customer Care calls, and the provision of service for 8 months, simply (fortunately) confirm that the promotion was indeed in effect.

Thank you for the summary!

 

[Buffalo Bob]

for the benefit of future searchers (since i am not alone in this): no, a publicly offered promotion does not need to be then repeated in the purchase contract, unless it is somehow unique to the specific buyer/transaction, which this was not. In fact, if you discovered later that the seller did not honor the promotion you could go back and recover it. The Customer Care calls, and the provision of service for 8 months, simply (fortunately) confirm that the promotion was indeed in effect.

Unfortunately, this good information is pretty much lost in a far different topic.

 

[tonybot]

for the benefit of future searchers (since i am not alone in this): no, a publicly offered promotion does not need to be then repeated in the purchase contract, unless it is somehow unique to the specific buyer/transaction, which this was not. In fact, if you discovered later that the seller did not honor the promotion you could go back and recover it. The Customer Care calls, and the provision of service for 8 months, simply (fortunately) confirm that the promotion was indeed in effect.

Can I take this mean that your free charging was restored after contacting customer service?

 

[ridgemontpointe]

Sorry not true every time you plug in your credit or debit card will actually be charged $50 and it’s up to your bank in what ever timeframe to credit your account. If you were to take trip that required you to plug in 3 times your account would be charged a total of $150 one $50 for each plug in. This stems from the fact that some idiots were leaving their vehicles on idol running up the charge that Lucid had to pay EA so without notice to us owners they changed their policy. I have spoken to both Lucid and EA concerning this situation and awaiting further clarification. Stay tuned!!

I received notice from Lucid via email and through the App a few weeks ago. (Didn't everyone?) It thoroughly explained the change to the Idle Fee policy and the requirement to add a Credit Card to the Lucid Wallet. I followed the instructions and set up my card. I stopped to charge at EA on a road trip yesterday for the first time since the change and had an "Authentication Error". Apparently Synchrony Bank did like the $50 charge and declined it. I added a Chase Bank CC and the charge went through and charging commenced. I stopped at another charger on the trip home and it work as normal and charged $50 again. Today, both Charges appear as "pending" on my credit card. I am going to keep an eye on it to see how long it takes for the charges to be removed. However, in my opinion, they should have performed a "one-time" test charge when the card was added. That would have avoided the "Authentication Error" on the first card. Once the test charge was approved, they should not ding us $50 every time we plug in, just bill the Idle Feed if we have any (which I personally never have. I watch the App and usually unplug at 80%-90% anyway.) Speaking of Idle fees, On a road trip in January I stopped to charge at EA in Wesley Chapel FL. There was a unoccupied Hummer plugged into the only available 350kw charger and had racked up $40 in Idle fees. But he wasn't parked in the charging space. He was backed in behind the charger so the cable would reach his port. So, I did us both a favor and unplugged him so I could charge my Lucid.
My biggest charging pet peeves are 1) unoccupied vehicles that are fully charged, 2) people who are local drivers and insist on charging to 100% so they tie up the chargers for 90 minutes, and 3) the worst is a vehicle with a limited charge KW rating plugged into a Hyper 350kw charger. Yesterday a Chevy Volt rated at 55kw max was tying up a 350kw charger. He was at 40% when I pulled up to the only other available 350KW. I added 60% in 15 minutes and he was at 43%. Sadly two other Lucid Airs pulled in after me and had to settle for Ultra 150kw chargers. I think that EA should detect when a vehicle plugs into a Hyper 350knw and the vehicle input rating is less than 40% of the output and tell them to switch to an available Ultra 150kw charger.

 

[Barr1722]

I have charged 3 times since this has taken place and I used my Citi Costco credit card and saw today that I have been charged $150 and today I got a $50 credit so i still have #100 charges. My charges were 2/16, 2/19 1nd 2/20. Called Lucid said they had no part in this called my credit card company said only Lucid can charge and credit back charges, so no one wants to take the blame. My question is what credit cards are you guys using that does not charge your account? I just changed mine to Capital one hoping this doesn't happen again, but with1 more year of free charging this seems not good taking 8 days to get my $ back assuming the other 2 charges get reimbursed?? I have various credit cards just want to know which one works best for you guys? TIA?

 

[californiaboy935]

I have charged 3 times since this has taken place and I used my Citi Costco credit card and saw today that I have been charged $150 and today I got a $50 credit so i still have #100 charges. My charges were 2/16, 2/19 1nd 2/20. Called Lucid said they had no part in this called my credit card company said only Lucid can charge and credit back charges, so no one wants to take the blame. My question is what credit cards are you guys using that does not charge your account? I just changed mine to Capital one hoping this doesn't happen again, but with1 more year of free charging this seems not good taking 8 days to get my $ back assuming the other 2 charges get reimbursed?? I have various credit cards just want to know which one works best for you guys? TIA?

I had the same experience with BofA, Amex, and Discover… I think we just have to wait for the refund. I don’t think Lucid or EA cares if it affects the total credit limit as long as a refund eventually comes into the customer.

I personally hate it because I charge a lot so I end up having $300 of pending refunds.

 

[Halodde]

I've charged a bunch at EA over the last several weeks and after reviewing my credit card charges on my account, they have all been taken away except for the most recent ones. I don't think you're actually getting charged it's just kind of a hold so it's not like your necessarily using part of your available credit. But I'm not sure. I'm not concerned about it because they have all come off my charges except for the most recent ones as I said which are showing as pending charges. I don't think they ever transition to actual charges.

 

[californiaboy935]

I've charged a bunch at EA over the last several weeks and after reviewing my credit card charges on my account, they have all been taken away except for the most recent ones. I don't think you're actually getting charged it's just kind of a hold so it's not like your necessarily using part of your available credit. But I'm not sure. I'm not concerned about it because they have all come off my charges except for the most recent ones as I said which are showing as pending charges. I don't think they ever transition to actual charges.

They definitely come off of your credit limit because otherwise there would be no need for a hold. If for instance, you were close to your credit limit, and the hold would put you over the limit then the charge would be declined. How could the bank reserve a hold on money that you do not have to spend.

I see it as more of a non-issue, especially with the type of clientele that Lucid has.

I do find it interesting that the hold lasts as long as it does. It’s most likely an Electrify America problem because I have had other holds like for restaurant charges that go away in a day. But I digress.

 

[borski]

I have charged 3 times since this has taken place and I used my Citi Costco credit card and saw today that I have been charged $150 and today I got a $50 credit so i still have #100 charges. My charges were 2/16, 2/19 1nd 2/20. Called Lucid said they had no part in this called my credit card company said only Lucid can charge and credit back charges, so no one wants to take the blame. My question is what credit cards are you guys using that does not charge your account? I just changed mine to Capital one hoping this doesn't happen again, but with1 more year of free charging this seems not good taking 8 days to get my $ back assuming the other 2 charges get reimbursed?? I have various credit cards just want to know which one works best for you guys? TIA?

Hang on - are these pending charges or posted charges? If pending, they bear no relevance other than decreasing your credit limit by $50 for a few days. They are simply authorizations.

You did not get a "refund" for the $50, but rather the authorization / pending charge simply dropped off your account with being posted. That is to say, if your statement closing date happens to fall in that window, you will not see it on your statement and you will not be asked to pay for it.

 

[borski]

I do find it interesting that the hold lasts as long as it does. It’s most likely an Electrify America problem because I have had other holds like for restaurant charges that go away in a day. But I digress.

This depends on your bank, their bank, the credit card processor, and so on.

 

[borski]

They definitely come off of your credit limit because otherwise there would be no need for a hold. If for instance, you were close to your credit limit, and the hold would put you over the limit then the charge would be declined. How could the bank reserve a hold on money that you do not have to spend.

I see it as more of a non-issue, especially with the type of clientele that Lucid has.

I do find it interesting that the hold lasts as long as it does. It’s most likely an Electrify America problem because I have had other holds like for restaurant charges that go away in a day. But I digress.

You're right, it does count against your credit limit temporarily, for the days during which they are pending.

If it ever becomes a problem, you can always call your credit card company and:
1) Ask them to temporarily increase your credit limit (though, honestly, just use a different card)
2) Every six months or so, you should be calling your credit cards and asking for credit line increases anyway, provided they don't require a hard credit pull for it.

#2 allows you to avoid this problem and gives you a low credit utilization in general, helping your credit score.

Just my $.02

 

[californiaboy935]

Hang on - are these pending charges or posted charges? If pending, they bear no relevance other than decreasing your credit limit by $50 for a few days. They are simply authorizations.

You did not get a "refund" for the $50, but rather the authorization / pending charge simply dropped off your account with being posted. That is to say, if your statement closing date happens to fall in that window, you will not see it on your statement and you will not be asked to pay for it.

On Bank of America the charge processes and then a (refund/credit) is added about 4-5 days later. But the charge remains in the statement.

Amex it just goes away, and discover I think works the same way. BofA has the best cash back so I prefer to use them though. But it’s a very quirky bank.

 

[californiaboy935]

You're right, it does count against your credit limit temporarily, for the days during which they are pending.

If it ever becomes a problem, you can always call your credit card company and:
1) Ask them to temporarily increase your credit limit (though, honestly, just use a different card)
2) Every six months or so, you should be calling your credit cards and asking for credit line increases anyway, provided they don't require a hard credit pull for it.

#2 allows you to avoid this problem and gives you a low credit utilization in general, helping your credit score.

Just my $.02

agreed… but… this thread is going to turn into MyFICO forums if we aren’t careful!

 

[kort6776]

so what is the deal with the "free" charging? is it free or are we now paying at EA chargers?
I get the temporary holds.

 

[Barr1722]

This depends on your bank, their bank, the credit card processor, and so on.

Mine have been charged I have $150 charged and this morning got a $50 credit back for one. What credit cards are you guys using that does not actually charge? I need to change mine because mine actually charges the $50 then it refunds it. I has refunded 1 of the 3 charges not the other 2 yet.

 

[borski]

On Bank of America the charge processes and then a (refund/credit) is added about 4-5 days later. But the charge remains in the statement.

Amex it just goes away, and discover I think works the same way. BofA has the best cash back so I prefer to use them though. But it’s a very quirky bank.

What?! I have a BofA card too; it’s my highest limit card. Can you post a screenshot of that part of the statement? It should definitely not be getting posted and refunded. If it is, that’s a problem.

 

[borski]

Mine have been charged I have $150 charged and this morning got a $50 credit back for one. What credit cards are you guys using that does not actually charge? I need to change mine because mine actually charges the $50 then it refunds it. I has refunded 1 of the 3 charges not the other 2 yet.

Can you post a screenshot of that section of the statement? I find it mind boggling that it would *post* and get refunded but I’m willing to be corrected! Haha

 

[californiaboy935]

What?! I have a BofA card too; it’s my highest limit card. Can you post a screenshot of that part of the statement? It should definitely not be getting posted and refunded. If it is, that’s a problem.

Same here! Definitely my highest limit by far! I’ll send when I get off the road here soon.

so what is the deal with the "free" charging? is it free or are we now paying at EA chargers?
I get the temporary holds.

It is free, but the pending charges are added when you use plug and charge. They fall off or are refunded as others have said here.

 

[Buffalo Bob]

I think people are misinterpreting what they are seeing. I'm have a Chase Visa card on file. I'll get a $50 temporary hold whenever I charge, and assuming no idle fees, that temporary charge will go away in about seven days without ever hitting my credit card balance. Now, here's the really strange thing... Normally, that charge would just disappear, and that is that. But, for some reason, Lucid replaces the disappearing $50 charge with a $50 credit, which again sits there for another number of days before it disappears. Again without ever hitting your credit card balance. If that's what's happening, it's really nothing to be concerned about. If it is affecting your balance, then that's a different story.

Please bear in mind that charges like these happen all the time, but the typical pre-charge is almost always followed by an actual charge. This is a rare situation where the pre-charge is almost never followed by an actual charge, so the system keeps waiting and waiting for one to appear, and eventually gives up.