Purchasing Card Program Frequently Asked Questions

Cardholder Questions:

Question: Can I use the card for employee travel related expenses?
Answer:   When traveling on University business (approved Travel Authorization should always be in
place), the card can be used for the following: registration fees, car rentals, gasoline to refuel rental car, and airline tickets. You may NOT use your card to pay for gasoline to refuel your personal vehicle when traveling on behalf of the University.  You may NOT use your card to pay for hotels or meals.  You may not use your card to reserve a hotel room pertaining to employee travel.

Question:  How can I dispute a charge on my bill?
Answer:  Attempt to contact to vendor to obtain a credit.  If the vendor cannot be contacted or if the vendor will not issue a credit, you can dispute the charge directly with the bank.  You must fill out a dispute form and fax it to Bank of America.  The dispute must be done within 60 days of the date of your VISA statement. Click here for a copy of the form.

Question:  Can I use the card to purchase items on the internet?
Answer:    Yes, but make sure that you print out your "shopping cart" and forward to your liaison for reconciliation.  In addition, once the item is received, forward the packing slip to the liaison.

Question:  Can I used the card to place orders via the telephone?
Answer:    Yes, but make sure that the vendor faxes or emails you a confirmation to be used for a receipt.   The vendor SHOULD NOT send an invoice to Accounts Payable.

Question:  What should I do if my card is declined?
Answer:    Call the Card Administrator in Purchasing Services at 803-323-2143, ext. 6025.  The Administrator will immediately contact the bank and determine the reason for the decline. If the Card Administrator and the Bank resolve the decline, then the vendor can call 1-800-300-9776 to obtain a manual override for that particular transaction.

Question:  Can the card be used with Aramark?
Answer:    Not at this time; use the purchase requisition system for Aramark orders..

Question:   Can the card be used at The Bookworm?
Answer:      Yes.

Question:    What if I lose the receipt?
Answer:      Contact the vendor for another receipt.   As a last resort if no receipt can be
obtained, create a receipt and document the situation, listing the items that were purchased,
including vendor name, charges, and date purchased.  Sign the document and forward to your
department head for signature.  Then forward to liaison for permanent retention.

Question: What Are the Limits on My Card?
Answer: Default University limits are: $10,000 per month and $1,500 per transaction.  However these limits may vary from card to card.  The Purchasing Card Administrator will cover these limits with you at the time of card distribution and will so notate on your Cardholder's Quick Reference Guide distributed at the same time as card distribution. If you cannot remember your card limits, contact the Purchasing Card Administrator at ext 6025.  

Liaison Questions:

Question:  During the reconciliation process, when should the "Taxes Paid?" field be changed to N?
Answer:  When sales tax was not paid and SHOULD have been paid.  For example, if you purchase a tangible item and no sales tax was charged, then change the field to N.  When the PCS charges are posted to FRS, an additional 7% will be automatically encumbered on your account.  This will be paid directly to the State of South Carolina since the vendor did not charge you sales tax.  Some purchases are not taxable, thus you should NOT change the field to N.  For more information regarding sales tax, click here.

Question: What are the most frequent reconciliation errors?
Answer: Click here to view a helpful guide.

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