Why do I get debited twice?

[Angel]

I am located in Europe. Every time I make a purchase, like paying my leased galleries from a US based company, my credit card gets debited twice. Once for authorization then a second time when the charge goes thru (both for the same exact amount). It then takes 7 days before my credit card is credited back for the full amount of the first authorized transaction. This only happens in the US. How come?
I hope I made it clear enough. LOL

[AcidMaX]

Are you using a credit card or a debit card? It is a debit card many places do that (hotels have done that to me before with debit cards). They do it to ensure you have the proper amount of funds in your account I believe and that you don't do a huge withdrawl.

Andy

[DangerDave]

Standard practice for 99% of credit cards.. the first is a pre-authorisation, and is re-credited.

Not sure why content providers are doing pre-auths....? It could be worth talking to them personally.

DD

[Useless]

What they said. The initial debit reserves the purchase amount so you can't go spending it elsewhere. Why they don't just go ahead charge it the first time? I don't know.

[Angel]

Originally posted by AcidMaX
Are you using a credit card or a debit card? It is a debit card many places do that (hotels have done that to me before with debit cards). They do it to ensure you have the proper amount of funds in your account I believe and that you don't do a huge withdrawl.

Andy

Thanks for the input people!
True. I am pretty sure that its related to the online system they use. The card is pre-authorized by the system then it is finalized by their account dept. so I am charged twice. I called them and there is no way around it. The funny part is that my bank say that its their bank's fault and they say that its my bank's fault. Who the hell is right?