Computers & Internet Buying online in foreign currencies

[outofthegloom]

Basically my question is... are there any problems with purchasing services from an online website in US currency rather than AUS currency?

The website is Busabout and I'm purchasing bus tickets in Europe for 2010. On my home computer, the website defaults to Australian dollars and the ticket I want is $1,439. On my work computer, the website defaults to US dollars and the ticket I want is $735.

After converting the US dollars, it works out about $600 cheaper to go with the US site. In fact, the websites are actually the same address, it's just the default currency (which cannot be changed manually) is different.

Any reason why I shouldn't go the US one?

 

[giantroo]

I'm pretty sure you will still pay the Aus cost. How are you paying?

If by card, your bank will convert it to the Aus amount regardless.

Anyway, it should convert when you checkout.

 

[outofthegloom]

So you think it would revert to the Australian amount? The conversion from US to AUS still falls $600 short of what the price is on the Australian site, so you don't think it would just convert to that?

I'd be paying by credit card.

 

[hamG]

I can't think of any reason. It just looks like their Australian price is not dynamic to the currency change in the last 24 months.

Buy the USA currency one, your credit card won't know the the difference. I doubt the company would notice anyway.

 

[giantroo]

I can't think of any reason. It just looks like their Australian price is not dynamic to the currency change in the last 24 months.

Buy the USA currency one, your credit card won't know the the difference. I doubt the company would notice anyway.

It will. When he gets a statement, It will show the difference on it.

 

[giantroo]

So you think it would revert to the Australian amount? The conversion from US to AUS still falls $600 short of what the price is on the Australian site, so you don't think it would just convert to that?

I'd be paying by credit card.

Buy it from the US site. Must be something wrong with the aussie one.

 

[hamG]

It will. When he gets a statement, It will show the difference on it.

The difference of what? He'll be charged whatever the conversion of $735 USD is + currency conversion fee. My point was credit cards have universal value, he won't be charged the much higher Australian price for buying the product in $USD.

 

[outofthegloom]

Yeah, cheers guys. Looks like it's just pricing differences which haven't been updated to account for the recent change in exchange rates. Think I'll just go ahead and book the USD one and should just go through at the lower amount.

 

[The Sultan]

USD 735 = 735 / 0.91 (approx AUD/USD x-rate)
= AUD 807.70

vs.

AUD 1439.00

Id buy the USD ticket

 

[giantroo]

The difference of what? He'll be charged whatever the conversion of $735 USD is + currency conversion fee. My point was credit cards have universal value, he won't be charged the much higher Australian price for buying the product in $USD.

Yeh, that's what I meant.