Do some research using google to find out exactly how a debit card works before you just assume the company is trying to rip you off with “soft charges”. Any time you use a debit card, a “soft charge” is always used. This is because the funds aren’t immediately withdrawn, as the debit process takes 3-7 days to complete (has to do with YOUR bank and how they handle the process)

Companies will put ON HOLD a certain amount of money, that is USUALLY proportional to the amount spent (i.e. the higher the cost, the higher the soft charge). This is to insure that they get their money. If they didn’t do that, and just authorized your card, you could go and spend all the money in your account before the debit process was completed, and said company would never receive their money.

Soft Charges can be as high as 250$ for a 50$ debit at a gas station, however this is YOUR responsibility to be aware of, not the companies that let you use your debit card.(this is why some places do not accept debit cards,people complain about stuff they don’t understand is their fault).

The companies aren’t stealing, or overcharging, as the money does “fall off” and is released once the transaction has finalized(depends on how long it takes your bank to process the debit transaction).

This is how debit cards work, it’s not a credit card with instant processing. A debit card works like a check, in that it takes time to clear. All the company can do is check at the time of the sale to see if you have funds available, and to put funds on hold, so that you don’t go out and spend the money before the transaction is processed.

If you don’t want soft charges, use a check or money order, or get an actual credit card. Debit cards are made for convenience, so that you can receive products and goods immediately., even though it takes a week to process.(again, depends on YOUR bank how long)