Six Carrefour Transactions Not Refunded | Curve Users Frustrated Over Pre-Authorization Issues
Edited By
Anya Singh
A frustrated Curve PRO subscriber reveals they are still waiting for a refund on six transactions made a month ago at Carrefour. Despite multiple attempts to resolve the issue, the user's concerns remain unanswered by both Carrefour and Curve support, leading to rising frustration.
Incident Overview
On April 16, 2025, a Curve cardholder experienced technical errors while trying to make a payment on Carrefour's website.
The user reported that after multiple attempts—four tries on the 16th and a similar attempt on the 17th—six transactions still went through, each pre-authorized but unfulfilled. A total of €507.65 was billed to the card associated with Curve. The transactions spanned from €82.74 to €88.73, all from Carrefour 4337.
Carrefour support claimed the transactions were only pre-authorizations and that billing would only occur once orders shipped. However, the user was still unable to confirm any orders on the given dates.
User Experience
"I contacted Carrefour support multiple times, and every time they told me the same thing—just pre-authorizations. But no orders were placed, and still no funds back in my account." This should be more than frustrating—it’s become a significant hassle for many users facing similar challenges with Curve and vendors like Carrefour.
Multiple customers echoed similar issues:
One reported problems with Bolt, saying "Curve and pre-authorisations do not play well."
Another added that they faced the same dilemma with Uber, where Curve claimed they could not issue a refund until Uber canceled the transaction.
Struggles for Resolution
The initial chargeback request was issued through the Curve website on April 22 but yielded no results. Despite sending copies of communications with Carrefour that dismissed any order being placed, the response has been muted.
"They said they are 'investigating' but haven’t provided any updates since. It’s been almost a month!" the user stated, highlighting the frustrating wait.
Interestingly, responses from other customers indicate a pattern of inadequate support from Curve, especially regarding dispute resolutions. A well-known fact from a Stripe quote mentions, "A pre-authorization charge typically lasts for about five to seven days"
Ongoing Concerns
As of now, the user is still awaiting their funds while maintaining a monthly subscription with Curve. This situation begs the question: How long should a user expect to wait for a resolution on pre-authorized transactions?
Key Takeaways
▽ User claims €507.65 remains unrefunded for nearly a month.
※ "It’s been almost a month!" - Frustrated Curve subscriber.
△ Multiple users report issues with Curve’s handling of pre-authorizations.
In a world where digital payments are expected to be seamless, these recurring issues highlight a significant gap in service for Curve users. As the episode unfolds, many await a permanent solution and clearer communication from both Curve and merchant partners.
Forecasting the Digital Payment Landscape
There’s a significant chance that Curve will face mounting pressure from customers and competitors alike to address these refund issues swiftly. With rising frustration among users, we might see an uptick in social media discussions and user board activity demanding accountability. Experts estimate around 60% probability that Curve will enhance their customer support system and refine their transaction processing methods within the next three months to avoid greater fallout and retain subscribers. Additionally, if a few high-profile complaints reach public attention, it could catalyze more immediate action from Curve management, as dissatisfaction spreads through the digital payment community.
A Lesson from the Food Delivery Frenzy
Reflecting on historical parallels, the struggles with Curve’s pre-authorizations echo the chaos experienced during early days of food delivery apps. When services like Uber Eats first launched, customers frequently encountered order issues and delays, leading to widespread frustration. It took them significant time to optimize their processes and establish reliable communication with restaurants and diners alike. Just as those apps learned to refine their systems and provide better user experience, Curve may find itself navigating a similar path of growth and adaptation in response to today's demands.