Paying on Credit Card

This Question cropped up in my Money Saving Expert newsletter this morning, and although it may not directly relate to the current girls (PIPs etc), it does still hold some truths.

"Q. I paid a £500 deposit using my credit card for a breast enlargement operation. I discovered I had the faulty PIP implants and I am trying to claim the cost back from the card provider under Section 75. It has refused to pay out as it's not my card account, I'm only an additional cardholder. Is it legally entitled to do this? Christine, via email
MSE Helen's A: Although we have heard of successful Section 75 claims for faulty PIP implants, you can't usually make a Section 75 claim if you're an additional cardholder - it's listed as one of our 'When you can't use S75' points in our guide.
You ask if this is legal? Well, while it's not written into legislation, it's based on a ruling the Financial Ombudsman made back in 2007. It ruled this way because for Section 75 to work, there has to be a clear link between the lender, the borrower and the supplier. And because there's no such thing as a joint credit card, it means when either card is used, it's the primary cardholder who is provided with credit, so that chain isn't present.
However, there may be one avenue to explore, although don't hold out hope. The Ombudsman would look at what is "fair and reasonable". If it is minded to believe that the breast implants provide some benefit for the primary cardholder, it could find in your favour. However, as they're your implants, you may find this difficult."

So whilst paying a percentage of your total on a credit card is normally the safest way to pay, as you will be protected for the whole amount if the company were to go bust, its only if YOU are the main cardholder and the account is in your name. The waters get muddy if you are an additional card holder on someone elses account.

Thank you Charlii, that's really good to know. 

I've paid in cash for all of my procedures, but after the whole PIP saga I  do have plans to pay on my card, which is a second card as my husband hold the lead name on our joint account. So I guess he's going to paying for my boobs then lol.

Seriously though, for those women who are new to research some clinics a few years back used Breast implants filled with 'matress silicone' and not the high grade silicone that was agreed before awarding EU approval for the implants. These implants were called PIPS. And co-incidentally, the manufacturers went bankrupt, so there was no money there to claim and the clinics refused any responsibility either, so they were literally left high and dry.

When the story broke, it was found that these implants were rupturing very early after implantation and with not knowing exactly what was in the filling thousands of women went to their clinics for help to have the clinics removed. The clinics who used these implants (no BAAPS surgeons used PIPS) turned these women away, they refused them a free replacement. it was heartbreaking for us who were here at the time seeing these women so upset because understandably they weren't prepared for this. Many just didn't have the money to replace and we even had one pregnant woman here in fear for her baby - it was awful.

In all of this there was a glimmer of light to help those women who paid on their credit cards for their surgery. 
Those who paid by credit card found that because they were sold 'faulty goods' they would refund the entire costs. So those women did receive that money and were able to have their revision. 

Just to add that this is a scary story to read isn't it. But I want you all to know that ALL implants currently used in the UK ARE safe. 

I'm not covering my back paying by card because I'm fearful my implants may be found faulty...it's just the way I am and how I've been previously treated 'in this business' that I'm very careful now. 

ALL IMPLANTS NOW USED ARE SAFE THOUGH 

That's a great post Charli as I was about to put a 5 person holiday to Thailand/Malaysia on a card purely to get the payment protection (we always immediately pay it off) but would have been pointless as I'm the additional cardholder and hubby is main account holder! Looks like he's paying ;@)

The whole pip scandal must have been awful.