I owe a small amount to a hosting company after I failed to correctly cancel an account. The problem is that they refuse to take payment via credit card.
The hosting company insist upon payment via international money order. The reason said by their billing manager was: "We do not accept credit cards as payment on past-due accounts. Credit cards payments are not guaranteed funds as they card holder can dispute a valid charge and receive their money back, again leaving us unpaid for services rendered." She also added: "If you are located outside of the US, we can only accept international money orders, as they are guaranteed payment."
I was a customer with the hosting company for four years and never once disputed a credit card payment. Now, just because I am now an ex-customer, does not mean I would do such a thing? No. I'm insulted over the insinuation.
Again from the billing manager, she said: "It is at our discretion as to what method of payments we accept and for past due accounts we do not accept credit card payments." This is of course is contradictory and proves they could take payment via credit card if they chose to do so.
I would also like to point out that at no time in their terms and conditions do the hosting company state payment methods are at their discretion, neither do they state their policy where they insist on international money orders for overseas clients.
I should point out when I signed up with the hosting company, I selected to pay via credit card, not international money order.
Also worth mentioning is that the cost of an international money order is double that of the small amount, therefore the hosting company expect me to pay double for something that I should not need to.
As a compromise, I have offered to pay via international money order provided they cover the bank charges, which would have been deducted from the overall owed amount, unfortunately they declined.
I am, as always, willing to pay via credit card, and must say it's the first I've heard of any company refusing payment.
