Time limit for merchant debiting card

[Shades]

Does anyone know if there is a limit on how long after a service is rendered, can the charge be put through on a debit card? I gave my details over the phone about two weeks ago to pay for a gardening service and the transaction has still not been processed to my account. Is there a point at which they can no longer charge the account?

[Fleur]

I'd like to know too, I got my debit card a couple of weeks ago and it's mucking with my budget tracking :s Seems like things are charged / taken out ages after I thought they would be....

[Mum2Romone]

Four days in the max they can wait if it's visa etc.

[Shades]

Seriously? It's a debit MasterCard does the same limit apply? Who do I go to to stop them taking it now, if I choose to? I'm pretty annoyed as I called them a week ago to ask what was going on and they said it would be done last Wed. I hate having to make sure I don't accidentally spend what I've set aside for them. Sounds trivial I know but I'm peeved now.

[Kazbah]

You could call them and find out what's happening?

[Shades]

I tried that last week and they said it should have already been done, if not it would definitely be done tomorrow (last Wed). They seem quite useless.

[briggsy's girl]

contact your bank and check - i thought they had a longer amount of time than four days - the initial transaction puts a hold on the funds for a certain period (with ANZ, it's up to six working days) but the money isn't actually deducted until the vendor reconciles their transactions - which can be longer again. i know my visa debit shows most transactions as authorised but the money is just "held" and unavailable for me to use for up to a few days. one of the local shops is notorious for taking four or five days for transactions to show up - drives me batty!

[Shades]

Yeah the money hasn't even been 'held' yet- if it was I wouldn't be worried about spending it by accident. I'll contact my bank.