Moments ago, I was reviewing my bank accounts online and saw a $7.20 “international purchase transaction fee.” I’ve never even HEARD of an international purchase transaction fee.
“Whaaaaaaaa?” I thought, “I haven’t bought anything today, let alone anything from another nation.”
How wrong I was! A few days ago, I ordered two pair of glasses from coastalcontacts.com, which advertises “All orders made and shipped to you from North America!”. Ah, should have spotted that sooner.
Curses. Now I know how Canadians must feel, paying out the nose for American merchandise.
Those glasses had better be incredible.
Hmmm… interesting. That must be a bank thing. I’ve never been dinged like that, but I always use my credit card in the US, and it only has a low exchange conversion percentage fee, that is barely noticeable.
Price points for equal merchandise are often higher in Canada because of lower population – and that is annoying. It’s the exchange rate that matters to me and my US shopping.
Also, I can sing most of the Bobby’s World song, “I was at the bottom of the pool.” I know, I’m awesome!
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One of my credit cards does the same thing to me, and it’s a complete rip-off because it doesn’t in fact cost banks any more to carry out international transactions. I ended up getting another card (through my credit union, not a regular bank) that doesn’t charge me international transaction fees or any other fees; I use it when I travel and for international online purchases. Since I don’t earn airline points on it either, it just sits idle the rest of the time. I find it’s a reasonable system.
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I almost ordered specs from their site a few months back but held back – let us know how your order works out!
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Chelsie – Wait, you AND Katie know that song? COINCIDENCE?!
Audi – Good system! I rarely, rarely leave the country, so maybe I’ll just be more careful about my ordering online.
Angela – I spent hours trying on glasses in town, and struck out completely. Don’t ask me why I thought ordering glasses sight-unseen would be a better idea. I’ll keep you posted.
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