Guys,
Can someone point me to where in that link (
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/billed.htm) it says a merchant cannot charge before shipping? I don't see it anywhere.
I do see this:
"In addition, many credit card issuers have policies against merchants charging a credit card account before shipment. If you think a merchant charged your account prematurely, report it to the credit card issuer. Otherwise, the credit card issuer has no way to know that the merchant is not complying with its policies."
That section leads me to believe that is not against the law to charge before shipping. It is against the law to charge without shipping (ever).
The reference to General Industry Practice is in this section:
"Tell the credit card issuer if the premature charge was unexpected. Some credit card issuers make an exception to the general industry rule against merchants charging before shipping if the merchant tells you about its practice at the time of sale. If you're certain the merchant said nothing or wasn't clear about its charge practice, the credit card issuer is more likely to allow the dispute."
So - again, where does it say it is against the law to charge before shipping? I'm not trying to be a Richard here. Am I missing something? Where does it say it explicitly? I feel like there is a comprehension problem here (probably on my end or on other posters).
On another note:
Remember - there should be a pre-authorization transaction when you first order. You may see some purchases online appear immediately in your online banking/Credit Card information. This pre-auth doesn't mean you have been charged. It should stick when the transaction is complete or disappear canceled.