The only time I ran into DCC was at Burberry Factory Store. I saw the POS show two currency choices, and the clerk looked at that and then look up and asked me which currency to use.

Normally restaurants don't have DCC at all.

I'd say in the UK it's mostly high end hotels and department stores where one encounters DCC. It's not like China, Spain, Ireland, or Poland where DCC is at every turn.

Mrs thought Harrod's price was so not competitive against Outlets in China, so we didn't try our card in it. It's a pity that I can't tell whether DCC is easily avoidable in Harrod Knightsbridge...

Clarification please,

were you dcced? (it should show your card's native currency along with the currency for the country you are currently in) if yes and you had no warning or option to opt out then I would file a dispute with your bank if I were you. Even if you don't know for sure but you think something is wrong with a charge, I would still discuss my options with the bank (that's what they are there for)

Edit

Always use your card for significant purchases
Don't forget that along with the standard protections that come with a card, you also get purchase and return protections which protects against accidental damage,and situations where for one reason or another you are unable to return some merchandise purchased.

I think what he's saying is that the price wasn't competitive to what they could get in China. I, too, have found Harrods to be extremely overpriced. The only stuff I buy is Christmas Pudding when in season for my mom. (I find the stuff to be horrid personally.) Harrods does give a choice if you specify pound sterling from the beginning, but percysmith had issues voiding out a transaction even as a Harrods Rewards Black Tier member. As a Nothing Tier, I don't think I'd have a chance. :D

Yes, I meant because the price isn't that attractive, so we ended up purchasing nothing...

I remembered percysmith mentioned something bad about Harrod, but I am still not sure it was regarding this Harrod at Knightsbridge. I wanted to try the card, but didn't have the chance to. But based on my experience at other higher-end places, I'd say Harrod's DCC should be avoidable and it should be straightforward.

Maybe I'll go back and purchase some meat from Harrod Deli? The rib-eye steak there will set you back for $80 for only 6 oz...

And as a person who has contributed most of the dispensable income to Saks and 赛特奥莱, I seriously doubt I can see my elite status at Harrod :D

Maybe I can borrow percysmith's to get some free coffee there? ha...

It is. You just have to make it very clear you want GBP before handing over the card and make sure they acknowledge.

There is a choice. The problem with their POS is that there is no going back once they (sloppily) press the local currency button.

Is it the same kind of POS I saw at Burberry Factory Store, that once the card is inserted and amount is entered, the display shows a DCC screen prompting for currency selection?

So now I get it, that the problem is once you get DCCed it cannot be voided, not they will force DCC upon you...

Just can't imagine Harrod would treat you like that. I felt the London service industry in general is very professional at serving customers and making them happy (even somewhat better than the US, much to my surprise), and Harrod should be even better, right?

Is HK doing OK?

Well at least Harrod's card desk offered to take down the name of the cashier who DCCed me for "further action", not like Gallaries Lafayette (Global Blue) service desk who essentially told me to fxck myself under similar circumstances.

You mean DCC? I only have second hand info as I use HKD-denominated cards in HK. I had a few visitors last week but either they used Amex or cashed me or another local out.

Or service generally?

Well, I mean is HK doing alright these days, these sensitive days...

From what the media is broadcasting, things are going pretty serious...

Anyway, to all the FTers in HK, take good care.


Regarding DCC in UK, I really think it is quite organized, at least in London. No need to worry about intentional "scammers" at all.

Just back from a 7-day trip to London and Paris.

In London, only at Burberry Factory Store did I encounter DCC.

In Paris, in my memory, I didn't encounter DCC at all. Didn't try Galleria Lafayette, but in Lafayette Gourmet, they just charge me EUR without options.

Is DCC getting better, or getting disappeared? Or my sample size are not large enough? I used my cards extensively in these days, only used cash when cards were not accepted. So this pretty much covered all areas, shopping, dining, transportation, in both cities.

Please let us know when you're next in Hk. We can go to coyote, and you can play ball (I'm already forbidden from using cards there).

My wife and I will be in Hong Kong/Macau (and possibly the Mainland) in October. I am willing to do whatever it takes to avoid DCC (and chargeback the merchants who do it unwillingly).

Actually, my last post is about London/Paris... I heard so many horrible stories about DCC there, but encountered so few. All I encountered were legit, meaning you can choose to opt out very easily.

But yes, I am curious what this Coyote bar is using so that it is different from all other POS I see in HK (that does give DCC options to choose, not hardwired).

BTW, you still go there after they pulled this hard trick on you...? :confused:

It's the best on Lockhart (Thai Farmer has better food, but its "hang out" value sucks).