Basic Account Debit Card

[bottomburp]

I have a basic account with a debit card at Nationwide. The other day I tried to use the card to buy a train ticket. I put the card in the terminal, entered the PIN etc but the transaction was refused. I had enough in the account to cover the cost of the ticket.

 

Now, and here's my question-- according to the Nationwide they authorised the payment but, also according to Nationwide, the train company's bank refused to accept the payment... I have looked at the receipt, it has no authorisation code on it (whereas all other transactions that have gone through OK have authorisation codes).

 

The Nationwide is saying it's not their fault. The train company is saying it's not their fault. Meanwhile my money (the cost of the ticket) was "blocked" for several days because Nationwide had earmarked it for the payment even though the train company's bank had declined to accept it...

 

I know it sounds bizarre but there's nought stranger than the truth!

 

I have complained to both sides - and both have told me it's not their fault!

 

Anyone heard of this before?

[silverbreak]

yes, the earmark has to be removed by the intervention of a Nationwide employee - just a quirk of the system and maybe a clue as to the state of their computer software

[bottomburp]

But when I telephoned Nationwide and asked them to release the funds - I had the receipt which clearly stated "authoriser declined" and "authorisation declined" - the Nationwide told me there was nothing they could do except wait for HSBC (the train company's bank) to drop the payment request.

 

Nationwide say they authorised the payment and that it's HSBC that's fault as they declined to accept the offered payment... the train company say they would not refuse to accept a payment...

 

If HSBC refused to accept the payment how are they able to get the money put to one side?

 

If the Nationwide agreed to make the payment why do I have a receipt that (a) says "authoriser declined" / "authorisation declined" and (b) has no authorisation code?