Genealogy Chat

Hi all. I had a three month freebie subscription from Ancestry US when I bought my Family Tree Maker. Because I had to give my credit card details when I ''subscribed'' they automatically charged my card when the 90 days was up. I called and spoke to a nice lady who said they would reverse the charge. Only problem is with the exchange rate - - - $US155 was charged as 182.00 but credited back as 173.00 so I am out $9 (not a great amount, but still......) What would be the best way to handle this? I could probably call again, but would it be better to fax /email something so that I have it down in writing? If they try to credit the card, will the exchange still get screwed up? Request a cheque in cdn funds? I will pay the bill (other items are on the bill also) while I am waiting for this to be cleared up - don't want interest charges on top of it all!!

Not sure about Canada (I presume it's the same everywhere though), but if an amount is charged to your card in a foreign currency (i.e. a different currency to the one in which your cc is operated), then the cc company charge a currency conversion fee, which is added to the total cost. Presumably therefore, when a foreign amount is credited to the card, the conversion fee is applied again, and deducted from the credit. It is the cc company who charge this fee, not the supplier - therefore, Ancestry may well have credited the full amount, but you will have lost out both ways due to the conversion fees. It's no different to changing money in a bank really - if you bought $50 US cash, and then immediately changed it back again to $CAN, you would end up with less than you started with! You could try arguing the case with Ancestry (since it was their fault, they should reimburse you for all costs), but I doubt that the cc company would be interested. As you say, for $9 it's probably not worth the hassle.

Hi Richard. In the end I phoned Visa and explained about the original charge not being ''authorized'' so could they please credit the difference -- she said she could do that (this time), but went on to explain about anytime you purchase in a different currency, discrepancies would happen. I told her I understood that and I was quite happy to pay the difference when I had purchased and returned something, but when it was something that I hadn't ordered, I would prefer if the credit could equal the charge. She said the credit would be on my next statement - hopefully it will come through.

Hi That is the thing with Ancestry - it's automatic renewal unless you ring on their free number to cancel. I took out a month at a time at about £10 a month with gaps in between. Most of my research is now pre-1837 so folk on here kindly do the occasional look up for me if I need it 1841 onwards. All the best. Liz

Hi Margaret, The problem today is.....(1) the majority of people do not check their bank statements....and (2) companies are far too pushy with anything they might have to sell. We are not always talking about the actual ££$$$, but the principle. How dare they 'presume' that you want to continue with a subscription, and as you did not authorise the $$ being taken from your bank, it is tantamount to stealing. I would check my next statement with an eagle eye if I was you. kathlyn

Hi Margaret - that was a good result! I wish that our banks were as understanding as yours :-) Mine charges a $25 ''service fee'' to investigate any disputed debits to the card, and only refund it if they decide in the end that your claim was valid. But then the poor souls only make profits of X $billion per year - bless 'em!