At Health and Hydrogen, we strive to provide the best possible service and transparent pricing for all our customers. However, we understand that currency conversion and additional charges can sometimes cause confusion, especially when the amount charged differs from the expected amount. This message aims to explain why these differences occur and how our payment gateways, such as PayPal or Stripe, influence the final amount you pay when you are paying in a currency different from the US dollar.

Why the Final Charge May Differ from the Expected Amount

  1. Exchange Rate Fluctuations:
  – Currency exchange rates are dynamic and fluctuate constantly. The rates you see on Google or other currency converters are typically mid-market rates. These rates are not always the same as the rates used by payment processors like PayPal or Stripe.
  – The exchange rate at the time of your purchase can be different from the rate at the time you viewed the price on our website. This fluctuation can result in differences in the final amount charged in your local currency. For instance, the exchange rate might strengthen or weaken, affecting the conversion.

  2. Payment Gateway Conversion Rates:
  – PayPal and Stripe: Both PayPal and Stripe apply their own currency conversion rates, which are generally higher than the mid-market rates shown on Google. These companies include a markup on the exchange rate to cover their services and potential fluctuations in the market.
  – Conversion Fees: In addition to the exchange rate markup, PayPal and Stripe may charge a conversion fee. This fee varies depending on the currencies involved and the policies of the payment gateway.

Detailed Breakdown of the Conversion Process

When you make a purchase using PayPal or Stripe, the following steps occur:

  1. Transaction Processing: When you proceed with the payment, PayPal or Stripe processes the transaction. These payment gateways use their own exchange rates, which include a markup over the mid-market rate. This markup accounts for the volatility in exchange rates and covers their service costs.

  2. Final Charge: The final amount charged to your account will reflect the exchange rate and any additional conversion fees applied by PayPal or Stripe. This is why the amount may be higher than the rate you saw on Google.

Example Scenario

Let’s consider an example to illustrate this process:

• You are purchasing a hydrogen inhalation machine priced at USD 2340.
• The Google exchange rate shows 1 USD = 1.5 AUD, so you might expect the cost to be 3510 AUD.
• When you make the payment, PayPal processes the transaction and applies an exchange rate of 1 USD = 1.45 AUD, including their markup.
• Additionally, PayPal charges a conversion fee of 3%.
• As a result, the final amount charged to your account could be higher than 3510 AUD, reflecting the higher conversion rate and the additional fee.

Why We Use PayPal and Stripe

• Security: PayPal and Stripe are known for their robust security measures, protecting both buyers and sellers from fraudulent transactions.
• Convenience: These payment gateways offer seamless integration with our website, making the checkout process smooth and user-friendly.
• Global Reach: PayPal and Stripe support multiple currencies and payment methods, allowing us to serve customers worldwide efficiently.

What You Can Do

• Check PayPal or Stripe Rates: Before completing a purchase, you can check the current conversion rates and fees on the PayPal or Stripe websites to get a more accurate idea of the final cost.
• Transaction Details: After completing the transaction, review the details in your PayPal or Stripe account. These details will provide a breakdown of the exchange rate applied and any additional fees charged.
• Contact Us: If you have any questions or concerns about the charges, please don’t hesitate to contact our customer service team. We are here to help and ensure you have a clear understanding of your purchase.

Conclusion

We understand that differences in the expected and final charged amounts can be frustrating. By providing this information, we hope to clarify why these differences occur and reassure you that we are committed to transparency and customer satisfaction. Thank you for choosing Health and Hydrogen.

For any further assistance, please contact us at info@healthandhydrogen.com.

Best regards,
Health and Hydrogen Team