ZeroFX vs Local Currency sub account
GeoffreyChamp
Personally I do not mind paying 0,5% but thinking you pay 0 and discover you pay 0,5% feels like a hidden fee when the only way to know it is going to the table fees.
The zerofx make you think you pay no fees while you need to read carefully to discover you do not pay the « fx fees » that traditional bank surcharge. It’s might be me but I feel if you ask new users majority will think they convert 100 and get equivalent of 100 while they get 99,5 (which is still great)
Imo if a clarification would be good such as a small thing under transaction and explanation as Revolut does
Gia 🇬🇧Ace
@Bogz#281686 Hi Geoffery 👋 Thanks for contributing here! The 0,5% is a Network Fee. In order to maintain the complex network of branches, entities, and partnerships that allow us to offer ZeroFX, as well as cover the risk of currency fluctuation while FX markets are closed, this fee is necessary. While this ultimately saves users money, I do see how it could be construed as a 'hidden' fee, and a small explanation could go a long way to addressing this. Thanks a lot for your feedback, it's great to hear how our users interpret our services and communications! We will be sure to consider this moving forward 🚀
GeoffreyChamp
- Edited
@emily-Blue-Wolverine#281695 thanks for the answer. Yes I don’t know for wise (I think it does) but Revolut displays it clearly and it’s nice.
Because for exemple if I want to get 3,71% interest rate in USD or GBP. I convert form € to £ and an other time £ to € it will decrease interest to 2,71 % + tax it make a quite big difference.
SanderRookie
@emily-Blue-Wolverine#281695
I recently came across this issue too. This very much looks like false advertising.
Fees, whether you call them 'network' fees or something else, remain fees. If you need them to cover the maintenance of a "complex network of branches, entities, and partnerships" that's fine by me.
But making statements such as "Traditional banks charge you extra when using your card for payments in foreign currencies—we don’t!" are simply incorrect and misleading (cf. https://www.bunq.com/features/zerofx).
GeoffreyChamp
It’s not like if it was bad beside Revolut outside weekend everyone charge for it. Just be transparent.
@sander2#286250 Hey Sander! Thanks for your suggestion! We will redirect it to the responsible department 🙌 In the meantime, you can read more about our Network Fee and where it applies here 🌈
I had the same experience when opening a usd savings account thats promises 3.71% interest. I am a "casual" customer with little experience in banking. I wasnt aware of any network fees and lost money because of this. The 3.71% interest doesnt make up for normal interest, not in the short term anyway. You'll be better of putting your money in a 1 year deposit. Just a heads up for anyone thinking about opening a USD or GBP savings account.
GeoffreyChamp
@New-Mauve-Woodchuck-897354373#287008 yes you need to withdraw 0,5% for convert to devise and 0,5% back if you plan to convert again in euro. Bunq is still does not displaying it properly. I don’t get why Bunq does not it’s easy to do, wise and Revolut are displaying it clearly.
GerhardAce
Now that we're out of the zero interest rate environment I really hope we can at least include some base-level of 1k or 2k EUR in "real" ZeroFX on mastercard transactions again one day...
SanderRookie
They added a banner which states "Network fees apply".
For everyone's information, I filed complaints last year with the Dutch Advertising Code Foundation and the Belgian FPS Economy regarding false advertising. I don't know whether they actually handled my complaints, because they are not willing to provide that information.
Anyway, it took bunq one year to add that banner. Inexcusably negligent.
GeoffreyChamp
@sander2#288468 Only on the website, nothing in the app. I still don't know how they think it's ok.
I don't know why more people aren't mad that Bunq say at same time that we have the real exchange rate while they hide their 0,5% fees in it.
And worst is if you ask how much you paid fees for a transaction or in total for a period they say they don't know.
I am reconsidering usage of Bunq because of this because if they are doing this shady thing what else could they do ?
So you call a product Zero fx fees, hide a "network fees" in the exchange rate that only way you are aware is going in terms. And then you need to calculate your self the amount you paid on each payment. But it's not an hidden fee 💀