So a second post for today! I meant to add this into my last post, but I forgot... so I'll make it another post. If you only want to read about happy things don't read this, because it's going to be a frustrated rant.
First you should know that while I have an Austrian bank account with a bank card (and more money than my American account), Austrian bank cards don't work like debit cards. While I can use my card in any ATM here, and in most stores I wouldn't be able to use it in an American ATM- or really in the states at all. Some European websites accept the use of a bank card, but most don't so it's pretty useless for online things.
A huge part of the reason why I even left my American account open was so that I could use my American debit card for online things- it's supposed to function just like any other MasterCard. My Kindle is connected to it so I can buy books anywhere, I pay for my SmugMug account that way, and it's also handy for plane tickets, train tickets and hotel reservations.
The whole reason this rant came about was because my SmugMug subscription is due this month, but it had my old card information stored. When I went to update it the site said there was a problem running my card. I also bought a book on my Kindle, and then promptly got a message that my card is no longer working. Of course I'm panicing, thinking that my card number has been stolen, or that the bank shut down my card for fraud or something. After calling home, and then dad calling the bank, and then skyping with him I found out the real problem. The "International" Bank of Amherst (the tiny privately owned bank I have my account with) has changed their policy so that their customers can no longer use their debit cards for international online sites.
So basically they're screwing me over, because now I can't use my card online at all, even when it's with an American company (like SmugMug and Amazon)! They say I can use my card in person, but not online, which is pretty much the only reason I have it over here!
Their reason for the policy change is understandable- people were buying diet pills and other such BS medications from other countries online, getting ripped off, then the bank would have to refund their money, but the bank couldn't get its money back because of different international regulations. However, they didn't notify their customers of this change, which pisses me off!
A further, more offensive rant:
I'd like to say a big "Thank you!" to all the idiots in Central Wisconsin who fucked this up for the rest of us... really? Buying meds online... get smart people (hmmm there's probably some sort of pill you can take for that). We're not THAT far from Canada, just get in your car, drive there and buy the things yourself- then at least you know what you're paying for!
Alright, now that's out of my system... back to NOT booking my trip for next weekend since I don't have a card I can use... *#`$@%~*&#@
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