Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/22/2023

  Type:Order Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  First off, I really value Alaska Premier ************************************************ However, *** learned they charge a convenience fee of 4% when paying with a bank DEBIT card. I understand the justification for this fee when paying with a credit card, but its my understanding it is not legal to charge a fee for using a debit card. *** brought this to their attention, but they insist they can charge this as a convenience fee. Is their position accurate? If so, please let me know and dismiss my complaint. But if they are incorrect, I think they need to be told they need to change this policy to keep them as fully honest and transparent a company as I believe they want to be. Thank you.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 07/01/2023

  Thank you for taking the time to formally document your concerns with the Better Business Bureau, for which we are proud to be an accredited business with an exemplary A+ rating record with thus far, as well as being the recipient of 2021 Torch Award for Business Ethics winner. 

   

  We take all concerns regarding business practices and ethics extremely seriously and appreciate this opportunity to clarify the matter. We have reviewed this concern in depth with our legal counsel, who has advised there are no laws being violated by charging a

  convenience fee for processing cards, a common practice in our industry and

  beyond.

   

  You were made aware of this practice and agreed to it in the last sixteen auctions that you registered for, and agreed to the terms of conditions of our sales when you registered to bid and do business with our auction house. 

   

  We would encourage you also to seek input from your legal counsel on

  the matter but have done our due diligence and will not be changing our practices

  accordingly.

   

  Furthermore, all customers are always free to pay with alternative

  methods of payment, such as cash, cashiers check, bank transfers, and wire

  transfers upon request, all of which avoid a percentage-based fee. 

  
  

  Thank you,

  Alaska Premier Auctions and Appraisals LLC

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/01/2023

   
  Complaint: 20219657
  
  I hope you saw my correspondence with BBB because it was not a complaint at all. I was hoping for clarification from them. Its obvious I value and respect your business, and nominated you for the Best Of last year. I hadnt noticed the credit card fee on my prior payments to you, but I accept that you are perfectly within your rights to charge a convenience/service fee, as you a charged by the credit card company.
  

  But my question specifically concerns DEBIT cards - not credit cards.  Debit cards are issued directly by banks, not credit card companies, and are a direct transfer from my bank account to you. I dont use my debit card very often as I dont get any of the bonuses, like air miles, that credit card companies offer. Banks dont charge you a service fee, which is why it seems inappropriate for you to charge a fee for this service which is no different than if I wrote you a check - except that it is immediate and a convenience for you. When I search online all the sources state that it is not legal to charge a service fee for a DEBIT card. That is the only issue Im raising.
  

  I hope you wont ban me from your auctions. I believe you want to do the right thing, which is why I continue to persist on this specific point about DEBIT cards. 
  
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