What is a money order?

[paulobrad]

I want to buy something from this American website and the only take credit cards and I only use a debit card. The say you can send a money order if you want to buy internationally - so what is one, where can I get one and if I am buying something in USD and my account is in GBP is there a surcharge? Thanks

[lisaj]

If you're using a VISA debit rather than a switch card, you should be fine using it anyway. Also, get a credit card if you're going to make a habit of buying like this since the Consumer Credit Act offers you far more protection that your debit card does. Finally, be wary of buying from the US since you can incur heavy customs and inport charges. As for a money order, something like Western Union sounds about right, but it's like posting cash - ie. NO protection for you whatsoever!

[cupra]

I agree with lisaj - don't buy anything of value (on the internet or not) with a debit card (and that includes debit cards with a visa on them!)!!

[lisaj]

indeedy: take holidays.... always always always buy holidays on a credit card, even if you have the cash to hand - use the cash to pay the card bill. Two years ago, a major travel agency collapsed after I'd booked a holiday, and they'd rang the airline and hotel after they'd made my bookings, cancelling them and pocketing the cash without refunding me. Luckily, Mastercard are bigger than your average consumer and it took no time at all for them to cough up. A friend who had paid �600 cash for a flight to Canada through the same people lost the money with no come-back. One day everybody will know this and the con-men running such companies will have to find another line of work.

[cupra]

.....another CC tip! The consumer credit act does not (at this moment as far as I know, not being an expert) extend to purchases on partner cards (ie: card on your account but with your partners name on it), so if the CC company is feeling pedantic it may not cover you if you have a problem (and you always find out too late!).

I know Barclaycard have come out and said that they do offer the same protection to both cardholders (even though, legally, it does not have to) but I'm not sure about the others!