RetireJapan

Hi,

Rakuten Card blocked an online purchase from a Japanese furniture company.
I called them to remove the lock but I still cannot make the purchase.
I enter the card details and enter the 3D Secure password but keep getting a Japanese message saying "your card details are incorrect or your card is unusable".
I triple checked my card details.
I phoned up the vendor and they don't know what is going on.
I phone Rakuten Card back and they confirmed the lock had been removed and that there were no security concerns about the transaction.
I have more than enough balance in the credit card account.
I even tried to make the purchase after temporarily turning the 3D Secure setting off.
What the F is going on?

Were you trying to do the repeat transaction on the same day?

If so, try again tomorrow, as it can take overnight for the systems to sync.

I just did.
Still doesn't work.
I tried with another card that worked.
Note to self: don't use Rakuten Card for anything outside the Rakuten ecosytem. It's only good for getting points on Rakuten Pay/Cash/Securities and even those aren't what they were.
What an appallingly bad service. I just read other people's comments from a year ago.
viewtopic.php?t=2579

Additional comment on Rakuten, they tend to die on you at international vendors quite unexpectedly (one moment working, dead at another shop) and frequently (come to think of it, it's not unexpected as it happens frequently). I have had it happen to me during my trips in India, Singapore, Peru, Nepal and China. I even called to check with them. They say everything is fine on their end and no holds for transaction internationally.

Some of these were on premium card and some on basic family card.
Always carry a back-up card if Rakuten is the primary card. That's my take from it.

On a related note, Amazon mastercard (which apparently is SMBC card) and normal SMBC card (the newly re-branded Olive as well) work like a charm.


(sorry for using many brackets. I like context and backgrounds, that is all.)

I am waiting to hear back from the furniture company, which is investigating why the Rakuten Card didn't work.
I don't think I will ever take Rakuten's useless card overseas, given what I have heard from others and my experience in Japan.
You probably know this, but Rakuten being Rakuten only operate their international line (81-924-746-287) for unlocking cards between 9:30 and 5:30 Japan time, whereas SumiTrust Club have a 24-hour line.

ToushiTime wrote: ↑Fri Sep 01, 2023 1:58 am .....
I don't think I will ever take Rakuten's useless card overseas, .....

This is the smart thing to do!

goran wrote: ↑Fri Sep 01, 2023 1:21 am

On a related note, Amazon mastercard (which apparently is SMBC card) and normal SMBC card (the newly re-branded Olive as well) work like a charm.

I had a look at the Amazon Prime Mastercard page. My name won't fit so I would have to apply by post. Did the application go smoothly for you?

ToushiTime wrote: ↑Fri Sep 01, 2023 2:05 am

goran wrote: ↑Fri Sep 01, 2023 1:21 am

On a related note, Amazon mastercard (which apparently is SMBC card) and normal SMBC card (the newly re-branded Olive as well) work like a charm.

I had a look at the Amazon Prime Mastercard page. My name won't fit so I would have to apply by post. Did the application go smoothly for you?

Got rejected on their quick review thing. And was sent to full review, got approved within a week without making any change from my initial application. I did the online application.

OK thanks