SDE - payment issues? (excised from Who's Next announcement thread)

[barfle]

I put in an order with my credit card last week. Nothing suspicious so far on the account.

 

[Sal1950]

I purchase from SDE a LOT. In fact, I've purchased every single copy of the 1-31 series. Not once have I had a problem. I use Paypal.
Rock on SDE, you rule.

I use Paypal almost exclusively for my online purchases, I've been using them for years with
never an issue. I had my CC hacked twice a few years back on Amazon so that was the end of
them for me. I find that 95% of the purchases that point to Amazon, I can find the same item on
Ebay, and they do accept Paypal for everything.
Just say'in

 

[SeeMoreDigital]

I use Paypal almost exclusively for my online purchases, I've been using them for years with
never an issue. I had my CC hacked twice a few years back on Amazon so that was the end of
them for me. I find that 95% of the purchases that point to Amazon, I can find the same item on
Ebay, and they do accept Paypal for everything.
Just say'in

Maybe people could do what I do... And that's have a dedicated credit card that's only used for Amazon purchases!

I have another credit card which I use if PayPal is not accepted by other vendors. So far I've used it only twice this year.

My thoughts are by doing this it should be easier to track who's been hacked...

 

[Sal1950]

Maybe people could do what I do... And that's have a dedicated credit card that's only used for Amazon purchases!

I have another credit card which I use if PayPal is not accepted by other vendors. So far I've used it only twice this year.

I do the same, it's a debit card from a small savings account I keep specially for that purpose. I keep a balance of around $1,000 in it the cover day to day purchases but never any more. I made sure that account doesn't get linked to my other accounts at that bank in case of any overdraft. This way no matter what was to happen, no way I could get hit for anything over that accounts current balance.
It might sting a bit, but would in no way be financially life changing.

 

[stoopid]

I do the same, it's a debit card from a small savings account I keep specially for that purpose. I keep a balance of around $1,000 in it the cover day to day purchases but never any more. I made sure that account doesn't get linked to my other accounts at that bank in case of any overdraft. This way no matter what was to happen, no way I could get hit for anything over that accounts current balance.
It might sting a bit, but would in no way be financially life changing.

Using a credit card is better for purchases since it isn't drawing directly against YOUR cash, versus using debit as you describe which is. Also with debit, if you do need to dispute a transaction, you're at the mercy of the bank. Credit with Visa/mastercard/amex/discover just write-off the fraudulent activity loses. I've heard of banks dragging their feet and in some cases not even crediting the account holder when fraud takes place. It depends entirely on the bank, which unnecessarily introduces a variable.

 

[Sal1950]

Using a credit card is better for purchases since it isn't drawing directly against YOUR cash, versus using debit as you describe which is. Also with debit, if you do need to dispute a transaction, you're at the mercy of the bank. Credit with Visa/mastercard/amex/discover just write-off the fraudulent activity loses. I've heard of banks dragging their feet and in some cases not even crediting the account holder when fraud takes place. It depends entirely on the bank, which unnecessarily introduces a variable.

We'll have to agree to disagree on that.
They are all ultimately controlled by a bank.
My debit card IS a Master Card and any dispute has been a simple call away.
It's also the one Paypal draws against.

 

[stoopid]

We'll have to agree to disagree on that.
They are all ultimately controlled by a bank.
My debit card IS a Master Card and any dispute has been a simple call away.
It's also the one Paypal draws against.

If you're using it as a credit transaction, yes it's treated as a credit card. You're 100% correct that you would need to put it through as 'debit' at time of sale for what I said to fully apply. My bad for not making that distinction.

I would still encourage people against doing what you do because you're using your money to play with, even if it's still low risk. Anyone with good credit and a couple credit cards should just use a credit card, all other things being equal. You're doing your bank a favor doing it the way you are, basically absorbing the loss for them while it's being disputed versus the credit card company absorbing the loss on the fraudulent purchase from the moment the fraudulent purchase is made.

Also worth noting on the topic: As a credit purchase you have a different agreement with fraud coverage, with debit (non credit) transaction you're under a separate agreement with the bank holding your money. These debit agreements tend to be less favorable to the account holder, this is because of demographics of those who typically use debit (poor people). Banks love to fee and swindle the poors.

 

[LuvMyQuad]

If you're using it as a credit transaction, yes it's treated as a credit card. You're 100% correct that you would need to put it through as 'debit' at time of sale for what I said to fully apply. My bad for not making that distinction.

I would still encourage people against doing what you because you're using your money to play with, even if it's still low risk. Anyone with good credit and a couple credit cards should just use a credit card, all other things being equal. You're doing your bank a favor doing it the way you are, basically absorbing the loss for them while it's being disputed versus the credit card company absorbing the loss on the fraudulent purchase from the moment the fraudulent purchase is made. As a credit purchase you have a different agreement with fraud coverage, with debit (non credit) transaction you're under a separate agreement with the bank holding your money. These debit agreements tend to be less favorable to the account holder, this is because of demographics of those who typically use debit (poor people). Banks love to fee and swindle the poors.

I have the same setup as @Sal1950 . I have never seen an option to use the card as a debit card for on line purchases. When used as a credit card, it offers all the same protections as a standard master card. It's been many years since I've had any issues but when I did the bank issued a credit within 24 hours.

 

[stoopid]

I have the same setup as @Sal1950 . I have never seen an option to use the card as a debit card for on line purchases. When used as a credit card, it offers all the same protections as a standard master card. It's been many years since I've had any issues but when I did the bank issued a credit within 24 hours.

Key takeaway though, let's make sure this is clear to anyone else considering their options:

I would still encourage people against doing what you because you're using your money to play with, even if it's still low risk. Anyone with good credit and a couple credit cards should just use a credit card, all other things being equal. You're doing your bank a favor doing it the way you are, basically absorbing the loss for them while it's being disputed versus the credit card company absorbing the loss on the fraudulent purchase from the moment the fraudulent purchase is made.

Also (also) worth noting, using a true debit account even with 'credit' protection does not show up on a credit report, so especially if someone is younger and is building their credit will want to have the activity show up and get paid off each billing cycle using a credit card.

There's just not any reason to do the debit route as you describe, and valid reasons not to. Exception is if someone doesn't have good credit and they have no choice. Falls in the "just because you can doesn't mean you should" bucket.

 

[LuvMyQuad]

There's just not any reason to do the debit route as you describe, and valid reasons not to. Exception is if someone doesn't have good credit and they have no choice. Falls in the "just because you can doesn't mean you should" bucket.

There are 2 sides to everything.

One of the pros is you can't go into debt with a debit card. Another is no interest is ever paid. My credit is excellent. It didn't get that way by making payments on credit cards. In fact, the lack of any credit balances is probably a big reason as to why it's so good.

EDIT: one more pro is that some places won't accept a credit card for payment. My Sam's warehouse won't. Nor will some resturants. Nor will some contractors. They don't want to pay the fees. They will accept a debit card though because they are fee free.

 

[stoopid]

There are 2 sides to everything.

One of the pros is you can't go into debt with a debit card. Another is no interest is ever paid. My credit is excellent. It didn't get that way by making payments on credit cards. In fact, the lack of any credit balances is probably a big reason as to why it's so good.

There's a grace period on all credit card purchases, so you never have to pay interest if you don't want to / can afford to avoid them.

The other is a personal issue (spending discipline), but I understand how that would appeal to someone who lacks that control.

Your good credit can most definitely be (in part) a result of not carrying balances. [note that credit card companies will sometimes close accounts due to lack of activity, it sounds like you're staying ahead of that] The other is home, personal, student, and car loans. Credit building early on (say through someone's early 30s) is very much about credit use, and demonstrating that discipline algorithmically. Ultimately, having high income/wealth is the best 'credit builder'.

There are many grey areas, I'd argue there's many more than two sides. Because of this when doling out advice on the internet it's best to provide many sides in addition to the pros and cons. You can 'do you' without fearing I'll take that away from you, but when words hit the screen for the world to see they are going to be subject to review.

 

[Sal1950]

My credit is excellent. It didn't get that way by making payments on credit cards. In fact, the lack of any credit balances is probably a big reason as to why it's so good.

Same here, last I checked my rating was an 800+

 

[Calcaneous]

I had my card hacked about 2 days after ordering the Thin Lizzy disc from SDE. I didn't use PayPal or Apple Pay. Thing is, that was the only time I used that particular card in 2024. The CC company noted something was amiss immediately and no harm done beyond needing a new card. The problem may not be on SDE's end but it seems as if there is a problem somewhere along the chain.

 

[stoopid]

That sucks Calc. Might want to message SDE, they seem to be in denial it's happening much(?).

 

[Quadkid]

I put in an order with my credit card last week. Nothing suspicious so far on the account.

Same here!

 

[Veganfloyd]

I had my card hacked about 2 days after ordering the Thin Lizzy disc from SDE. I didn't use PayPal or Apple Pay. Thing is, that was the only time I used that particular card in 2024. The CC company noted something was amiss immediately and no harm done beyond needing a new card. The problem may not be on SDE's end but it seems as if there is a problem somewhere along the chain.

That sucks. I just set up a virtual card with a low-spend limit in my Revolut account to use exclusively for SDE purchases (without Paypal). I am curious to see if any issue comes up with attempted uses by third parties. I would encourage others to use a similar set up if they can easily obtain a virtual/extra card. A dedicated card seems like the only way to move from speculation and monitor if there is something truly going on with SDE.

 

[admsh]

No issues for me. Since this is an international transaction, PayPal and other payment platforms do the conversion, and they take a cut. So you end up paying more. For those who have more high-end cards like Chase Sapphire or Amex Gold/Platinum (and others, check your CC) there is no fee for international transactions - use your card directly for the lowest rate and pay in the original currency (not in USD).

 

[ar surround]

I've heard of banks dragging their feet and in some cases not even crediting the account holder when fraud takes place. It depends entirely on the bank, which unnecessarily introduce...

Yes. We had problems with a large bank taking their sweet time to refund us for obvious fraud. (They recently paid a $3 billion fine for their bad behavior.). Credit cards are much more responsive when paying refunds for fraud.

 

[CymruQuad]

I emailed them about it. They responded that they were sorry this thread had “disquieted “ me, but that ordering from them is 100% safe. They felt that my card getting hacked had nothing to do with them. Not very reassuring

No neither was this latest response.

I am sorry you feel like that ... I can assure you that our platform is secure.
Hopefully your bank can let you know where the data breach happened.
Anything else I can help with then please let me know.
Thanks Anne