While pleasantly surprised to see that my order is scheduled to ship next Thursday (April 22nd) I have a small concern with my bank account/check/debit card.
This was a "light" week as far as paychecks go... and after paying a couple bills I have very little remaining in the account until this coming Thursday morning (direct deposit is sooo nice).
Anyway... I guess my concern is that your authorization and those checks I've written out (and mailed this morning) will "cross" and may cause an overdraft. (I know the actual charge won't happen until shipment... and that's good... because I'll have money in the account by the 22nd) but how long does the authorization "stay" active (if that's the right word)?
I'm pretty sure everything will be okay, but I'm just concerned about either an overdraft or the charge coming out before I have next week's paycheck in my account.
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.
Dean
Director of Sales
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While pleasantly surprised to see that my order is scheduled to ship next Thursday (April 22nd) I have a small concern with my bank account/check/debit card.
This was a "light" week as far as paychecks go... and after paying a couple bills I have very little remaining in the account until this coming Thursday morning (direct deposit is sooo nice).
Anyway... I guess my concern is that your authorization and those checks I've written out (and mailed this morning) will "cross" and may cause an overdraft. (I know the actual charge won't happen until shipment... and that's good... because I'll have money in the account by the 22nd) but how long does the authorization "stay" active (if that's the right word)?
I'm pretty sure everything will be okay, but I'm just concerned about either an overdraft or the charge coming out before I have next week's paycheck in my account.
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.
Dean
The authorization should stay active until either it is settled (i.e. charged), or it expires. The length of time before it will expire is at the discretion of the card issuer (i.e. your bank), but is usually around 2 to 5 business days. However, certain types of transactions may be up to 30 days. More detailed information can be found in our FAQ entry on authorizations.
Your transaction, however, should be closed. We shipped your book on Friday and the charge came through at that point. The pending transaction will have been cleared by now, or will be soon.
Thanks,
cos
Thanks Cosmo,
Originally (when I saw that my order shipped as of last Friday) my reaction was "Oh... my." Because I was certain then of an overdraft.
I called my bank and from what I understand (per the teller I spoke with) I shouldn't have any trouble. (And as you pointed out, she also mentioned that the Paizo charge is accounted for) and I'm left with enough to cover the two checks I wrote. (It appears that "extra" amount in my checking account I mentioned last month has come in handy, and has "covered" this month's books). I'm dumbfounded of course. But it seems like I'll make it by the skin of my teeth.
Thanks,
Dean; The_Minstrel_Wyrm
Out of curiosity,
If my order shipped this past Friday (as it had been indicated) then shouldn't it say "Shipped on April 16th" or some such on my Order History page... instead "Shipping" (which would seem to indicate that it hasn't shipped yet...)?
Just wondering.
Dean; The_Minstrel_Wyrm
Mine still says "Shipping" for status, but the package arrived today, so I'd assume it's just an small glitch/change in the system.
Mine still says "Shipping" for status, but the package arrived today, so I'd assume it's just an small glitch/change in the system.
Thanks Snigg... may I call you Snigg... :)
I'm hoping that mine is a similar situation... but I guess I won't know until I get the shipment. :P
Dean (TMW)
Thanks Snigg... may I call you Snigg... :)
But of course, I actually prefer it to my given name...much easier to say an' all ;).
Hope your package arrives soon.
Okay... well now I'm really confused. My order history now says "Shipped Yesterday" which was what my email indicated about a week ago (that my order would ship on Thursday April 22nd). But in Cosmo's reply to my original query, he seems to indicate that my order shipped last Friday (actually he says book implying one book when my order is actually five items). On top of that my bank told me the charge for my order posted Friday but finalized Tuesday... and I was somehow "lucky" that I didn't have an overdraft, because by my records I did not have the money for this order at the time it apparently posted/finalized.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not upset my order shipped early (or on time), or that I somehow had the funds AND not get an overdraft... but I am confused. Because if everything is running smoothly and correct... my order was charged BEFORE it shipped... hasn't it always been that the card (or whatever method of payment) isn't charged until the order is shipped?
Dean
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Director of Sales
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Okay... well now I'm really confused. My order history now says "Shipped Yesterday" which was what my email indicated about a week ago (that my order would ship on Thursday April 22nd). But in Cosmo's reply to my original query, he seems to indicate that my order shipped last Friday (actually he says book implying one book when my order is actually five items). On top of that my bank told me the charge for my order posted Friday but finalized Tuesday... and I was somehow "lucky" that I didn't have an overdraft, because by my records I did not have the money for this order at the time it apparently posted/finalized.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not upset my order shipped early (or on time), or that I somehow had the funds AND not get an overdraft... but I am confused. Because if everything is running smoothly and correct... my order was charged BEFORE it shipped... hasn't it always been that the card (or whatever method of payment) isn't charged until the order is shipped?
Dean
The key bit of information that you are missing here (which explains everything) is that there are two definitions for the term "shipped" that we use. There is the physical act of putting your item in a box, putting postage on it, and sending the package out the door of our warehouse in the hands of the delivery service (UPS or USPS). Alternatively, there is the moment when our system "ships" your order, sends the second confirmation ("Now Shipping") email, charges your card, and prints out the postage. Normally, these two things happen (more or less) the same time, and certainly on the same day.
However, due to the large number of packages going out during a subscription shipment, and in an effort to get subscribers their PDFs as quickly as possible, we will "ship" a large batch of subscription orders at once in the system. We then put all of these mailing labels on pre-packaged boxes containing the appropriate items. This may take a day or three. To compensate for this, we will pick a date by which we will have shipped all subscription shipments. This is the date that appears on your "Now Shipping" confirmation email, and in your order history. Your package will have left our warehouse at any time between when you receive your "Now Shipping" email and the date listen on the email.
These shipments can be a bit confusing as you watch them unfold, but it usually all becomes clear after the fact.
Therefore, in your case, the initial email and authorization was put through on Wednesday, 4/14. Contrary to what they would like us to believe, even electronic transactions do not post to your bank immediately, so your bank didn't show this authorization in your pending transactions until Friday, 4/16. On that day, Friday, 4/16, we "shipped" the batch of orders which contained your order and it was successfully charged (this is when you got your PDF access). At some point between Friday, 4/16, and Thursday, 4/22, your items were boxed up, postaged, and sent out to you. The charge was posted to your account (and the authorization closed) on Tuesday, 4/27.
I hope this clears things up a little bit. :)
Thanks,
cos
Cosmo,
Thanks that does clear things up a little... and like I said, I wasn't upset, just really confused by what was going on.
However, I did receive my package today... but one thing was missing... my copy of Pathfinder Chronicles: Classic Treasures Revisited. (Did it ship separately for some reason)?
Otherwise all is well.
Thanks for all your patience and understanding.
Dean; The_Minstrel_Wyrm
Cosmo,
Thanks that does clear things up a little... and like I said, I wasn't upset, just really confused by what was going on.
However, I did receive my package today... but one thing was missing... my copy of Pathfinder Chronicles: Classic Treasures Revisited. (Did it ship separately for some reason)?
Otherwise all is well.
Thanks for all your patience and understanding.
Dean; The_Minstrel_Wyrm
Hi (again) Cosmo (and the Awesome Customer Service Team),
I just called and spoke with you (Cosmo that is) and have gotten this cleared up. Thanks again for all your time and efforts, the fantastic customer service you all provide is just one of the many reasons I keep coming back. (And of course, the monthly subscriptions too). :)
Dean (TMW)