Bonton S.F. Inc.

So far so good. You'll likely speak to Lili. She's very nice and explains everything
Jan 17th, 2017

I placed an online order (for a pair of shoes I couldn't find anywhere else and for a skirt) with Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. on 8/18/16. After a difficult time in ordering online - when I would click submit button, it said there was a problem with my credit card, so I clicked again and again to receive the same message. Thinking something might be wrong with my card I tried another card-same message. I called the customer care center and after 45 minutes on the phone with them, I was able to place my order. I checked my cc statements and saw 3 pending charges for $104.03 on one card and 1 pending charge of $104.03 on the other. The total of my order was $104.03, so I was confused as to why there were 4 holds on my cards for the total amount of the order. I called Bonton and was told the pending charges would "fall off" of my cards. On 8.23.16 I noticed on Bonton website that the skirt I ordered had shipped. I checked my credit cards again and now there was a processed charge of $40+ on one card in addition to the 3 pending charges for $104.03 as well as another pending charge on my other card of $104.03. I never received an email from Bonton about my skirt having been shipped. I called Bonton to inquire about the pending charges and got a customer service representative who was less than helpful and rude who gave me the number for Bonton credit card dept who could fix my problem. I called that dept and was told they have nothing to do with outside card companies, so this was a complete waste of time. I was transferred to another representative who told me all about how she used to work in a bank, etc. and how Bonton couldn't do anything with pending charges but my bank could. I was doubtful, but decided to hang up with her and call my two credit card companies who both told me they couldn't do anything with pending charges until after they processed and were processed and then I could dispute them and if I won my dispute, then they could reverse the charge. So basically I have $416.03 worth of holds on my credit cards for a $104.03 order. But wait, it gets better-since the skirt shipped, I was charged for it $40.29 (a processed charge) - that's fine assuming I really receive my skirt. I have my doubts since I've read more reviews, but we'll see. The order for my shoes (which was the item I originally wanted and only added the skirt to my order to receive free shipping) was canceled-this I found out on 8.24.16 after again logging onto Bonton's website and checking my order status. The order now showed as "complete" since one item had shipped and the other canceled. I never received an email from Bonton about them canceling my shoe order. I again checked my credit card websites for the pending charges, and yes, they are still there despite my order being complete and my card being charged for the shipped skirt. Shouldn't the pending charges "fall off" of my cards? I would think so, but they are still there meaning my money is still tied up for no reason now since they've already processed the charge of $40.29 for my skirt. The customer service representative I spoke with on 8.24.16 told me she was a supervisor who was just answering phones due to high call volume and that there is nothing Bon-Ton could do on their end to help me out. She said their hands were tied and I was out of luck as far as getting access to my full credit line on my cards. I have spent a total of about 3 hours on the phone dealing with this mess (not including the time spent writing this review but 3 hours on the phone with Bon-Ton and my credit card companies and on hold). I am beyond frustrated by this company. I hope that someone reads this review as well as others posted before ordering from Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. I just want the pending charges taken off of my cards so that I again have access to the full funds available on my credit cards. Just be careful and don't click the submit order button more than once or you'll get "pinged" for each attempt thereby deducting your available credit on your card.
Dec 27th, 2015