Need some advice/help/reassurance...

Hello again contributing quicker than I thought

We tanked in Nice early this morning at the petrol station at the airport. There was no cashier on duty so we used our bank card, a system we regularly use in the Netherlands and Italy. I’ve just checked our bank details on line and see that an amount of €130, 00 was charged, yet we only put diesel in to the value of €43.87 I just telephoned the 24 hour /7 day a week bank customer service helpline who confirmed that the French take a deposit of anything between €120, 00 & €150, 00 when buying fuel at an unmanned petrol station and that it will be credited back to us within 14 days. We selected ‘English’ at the pump and there was certainly no ‘warning’ or notification of this or an option to accept or deny I think it’s very cheeky of them

We’ve tanked in France before but always during ‘normal’ working hours so this is new to us. I’m sure some of you have known about this for ages. Anyone out there as ‘dumb’ as us? If so, is the amount always credited back and did it really take 14 days?

WoW what a rip off....

News to me too! Thanks for the heads up.

I agree, what a rip off I sent Total HQ in Paris an email and at least I received a reply

Dear Madam XXXXX,
We acknowledge receipt of your email sent on June 3rd, 2013 concerning your visit in one of our TOTAL station in France.

The 130 euros debit is not operated by the TOTAL station but by the bank which emits the credit card. This amount is blocked and then regularized when the real transaction is transmitted to the bank.

We invite you to check again your balance in few days, you should see appear the real amount of your transaction. We suggest you to contact your bank if you need further information.

We are at your disposal via our Website


Regards,
Webmaster

Corporate Communication

Total

We go through France very often, but we have never had a similar experience. I cannot find any warnings on the French sites. It must be then a policy implemented by the credit car issuer to prevent possible fraud, as TOTAL advised.

My sympathies. My advice: Avoid France and the French - if you can!

Well... it does not look as if the French are guilty in this case. The credit card company seems to be the culprit. I do hope that you will get your money back within a fortnight as stated.

... tell them(Total and your Credit Card Company (FSA if latter UK)) you have contacted the French police about it....

That's worth all us users of hire cars at Nice airport knowing. Never been there when the station was closed though. Hope the refund comes through. If it doesn't your credit card company may well refund it.....

In France, service stations located on all tollways are manned 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. So there will always be a service station open near you. It is not wise to use a service station that is closed using your credit card. There are criminal groups - mainly from some countries in Eastern Europe - that specialise in interfering with the machines, duplicate your credit card and have systems that can read your pin code. This is why credit card companies are extra cautious with certain operations. I am sure that you will receive your refund, but always avoid this type of payment when conditions are not the normal ones. Better look for another service station.

That's worth knowing. However, if you return a hire car at Nice airport it is the on-airport petrol station you need to use to avoid a refuelling charge. No choice for us Ligurians flying into Nice.

Isn't that petrol station manned during normal operation hours for the airport? The trouble seems to be related to those operations that take place at times when there are no tellers around.

Never heard of that at all - what a nightmare. Like you it's our local airport and I know very well the petrol station you're talking about. We've only ever been whilst its been manned so have never had your experience.

Let us know how you get on

Thanks for your support guys
Quick update


Despite reassurance from my bank that the amount will be credited back within 10-14 working days, I’ve decided to take this issue to the top, the EU if necessary.

Although my bank insists that this is a French law, my argument with them is that they are jointly responsible because they are cooperating with this malpractice. It is a ludicrous law and totally unfair to consumers. Interestingly enough, when I asked them if the amount would have been deducted had I been overdrawn, (we used our normal bank debit card and not credit card) he said NO! I also don’t know of many cars that use €130, 00 worth of petrol or diesel in one go. Another point I raised is that if we had travelled through France from the Netherlands where we live and filled up when the petrol stations were closed, we could have reached our end destination with a significant amount deducted from our account. He agreed & said that this has happened countless times before with other customers but again stressed that this was French law. I’m not letting the bank hide behind this ‘law’ because they could refuse to cooperate; in my opinion there are equally responsible.

I have given them 24 hours to return the money, never mind 10-14 days! Just imagine how much interest the banks are earning in holding accounts from this unprofessional conduct.

I have spoken to several colleagues as has my other half and some knew of this and had themselves been victims, others were astonished that this is even allowed!

To be continued…


PS Yes it is the petrol station at Nice airport and as Cassini said, it is the only one you can use if you are returning a hired car. The others are too far away. We’ve used this station several times before but always when it is manned.

Robbin' Frenchies....never trust anyone who wears a Beret.

Flip wrote:Robbin' Frenchies....never trust anyone who wears a Beret.  

You're not suggesting that FC is French are you?   

Quick update *so much to do, so little time*
 
We received the €130, 00 back today, exactly 10 days after the event.  It’s not the end of the matter though as on Monday I sent a strongly worded email to the CEO of our bank. (What did we do before Mr Google? ).  He replied saying that he was in Asia on business but that he has passed the matter to his 2IC and will personally report back to me. I want this archaic and unfair practice to stop.  I am prepared to lobby the EU parliament if I have to.
 
So remember – all unattended petrol stations in France operate this system.  What’s next? A ‘deposit’ at InterMarche just in case…

Well done you!  I so admire your feisty and determined approach.

Are you by any chance available for hire to assist me as and when I need you?

Hope the Italians don't cotton on to this as well, as their petrol stations are nearly all closed at lunchtime!!!!

I read somewhere that merchants take a 100€ "bond" in the case of unattended stations.

Glad to hear it. It reminds me of that ancient Ligurian game .... Pallone elastico. We watch whilst Apricale is building a court for it over the valley. Bounce the ball back at them gal.

@ghiro - now there's a thought:D I would need a deposit though:lol: 

sorry tried to quote your post but it wouldn't let me 

Well, I am glad to see that you got some compensation from the bank. I think that I am going to start complaining about everything!!! It obviously works!!! As for changing the merchant's rules, I wish you luck, but I definitely advise you not to use credit cards in unattended service stations, ATM machines when banks are closed... we have to be extra careful 

I never used a credit card, just our normal bank debit card which we always use in Europe. I would have been less concerned had I used my credit card as at least ‘unlawful’ purchases are protected to a certain value. Normally you have some time before you have to pay your credit card bill whereas with a debit card, the withdrawal is instant.  
 
I just find it a very strange practice and one it seems that has been in existence for several years in France. My French colleague was caught, so that says it all! She hasn’t lived in France for over 25 years. She confirmed that there was absolutely no notice at the pumps of this when they filled up at an unattended petrol station. She also got her so called deposit back after 10 days. When she called her family in France about this, they were surprised that she didn’t know as it is common knowledge to the French!
 
I always complain and go straight to the top if I feel strongly about something. Our last flights in May to Nice were free as I took the trouble to complain bitterly about the service and delays we experienced with the airline in question.  And I only wrote my letter a month after our return. But I also give credit where credit is due 
 
‘Anger & injustice’ are good emotions if channelled correctly…had it not been for ‘anger & injustice’; we would still be shoving children up chimneys!