A warning to customers outside the US:
 
Few weeks ago, I RMAed my 1080 FTW due to black screen issues and card no longer posting. EVGA processed an advanced RMA and sent me a new card once I submitted the credit card collateral info. Well, once they got my card back, they refunded me the original amount in US funds... except by now the Canadian dollar had fallen, costing me a hair over $36 due to the exchange rate. So, I'm out that money and will have to try and deal with the credit card company and see if they show any mercy. Just disappointed that EVGA outright charges the card instead of putting a credit hold on it (like a hotel does).
 
Can any EVGA rep confirm this is normal?
Has this happened to anyone else here? This is my first EVGA product and incidentally my first EVGA service experience, and I am highly disappointed in how this has turned out so far. Losing money on exchanging a defective product isn't what I expected and this is the first time I've ever seen such a thing happen.

I get the exchange rate function, just curious why EVGA outright charges the CC instead of placing a credit hold? I've done numerous advanced exchanges in the past with different products and that's how other companies handle it. Well, in fact, most companies don't ask for collateral this way, especially for defective warranty issues (I could understand how it would be different for returns/upgrades after buying).

I agree. Definitely a full payment and then refund for the original USD amount... which hurt when converted back to CAD. It really adds up on big items like this.

I called customer support and they explained it to me. The credit card "credit hold", the one that acts like you'd expect, only applies to US residents. Elsewhere you pay the full collateral for cross-shipments. Wish someone told me that ahead of time so I wouldn't have bothered. Sounds like a great process until this happens.
 
So, note to EVGA techs - please inform your non-US RMA customers that this might happen when doing an advanced exchange. Whether the amount is higher or lower, we should know that it might happen ahead of time.

I agree. If only I had known it was going to be a charge and not just a hold, I would have just sent it and waited for the replacement normally. Anyway, life lesson learned.