Generic decline?

GlenMark

What does it mean when a credit card fails to process due to a "generic_decline"?

MamaDuke7

I get that for several different reasons.  It's not one specific thing.

GlenMark

It'd be nice to NOT have such a generalized error message. I currently have a tenant whose card has been declined on multiple occasions. She has contacted her bank. The bank told her that she had funds and that her card should be fine. On my end though, it keeps coming up as a generic_decline.

jimbo1956

I HAVE SEEN RANDOM CAUSES-SOMETIMES CARD IS LOCKED- SOMETIMES THE ADDRESS DOESNT MATCH

BusyProperties

In the few instances that I have had here recently, they have all been a lock on the CC placed by the bank for suspicious activity. Once the customer speaks to them, they have called us back and it was okay to run. 

ESS

I have this happen more often than I'd like. It happened today: swiped her card, entered CVV, filled in AVS info, "generic decline". She even got the notice from her bank that it was declined. Tried again, same steps...approved. 

storable_support

Hi @GlenMark - This is a processor response. It could be anything from insufficient funds (the usual reason), card over limit, expired card, etc. It really depends on what the processor bundles under that response code.

GlenMark

storable_support said:

Hi @GlenMark - This is a processor response. It could be anything from insufficient funds (the usual reason), card over limit, expired card, etc. It really depends on what the processor bundles under that response code.

Well, when there are insufficient funds or expired cards, the error message will say that. But a generic decline is too broad... and is a waste of my time, to be honest.

MamaDuke7

GlenMark said:

Well, when there are insufficient funds or expired cards, the error message will say that. But a generic decline is too broad... and is a waste of my time, to be honest.

Why does it matter?  If it declines, it declines.  I let the customer know and I move on.  I don't care WHY it declines.

sonyawiprud

I have found that a generic decline often means they got a new card, I call those people first priority over insufficient funds because they'll likely update their card immediately. Whereas Insufficient funds is going to give me the same response over the phone, "Yeah, I don't have the money right now". 

GlenMark

MamaDuke7 said:

GlenMark said:

Well, when there are insufficient funds or expired cards, the error message will say that. But a generic decline is too broad... and is a waste of my time, to be honest.

Why does it matter?  If it declines, it declines.  I let the customer know and I move on.  I don't care WHY it declines.

With all of the changes being made to SiteLink and their credit card processing issues, it does matter to me why a card would decline for a generic reason; especially if the tenant says they've talked to their bank and everything seems fine on their end. 

Catch my drift?

teamcapitola

I've posted this link before; It's a site showing a huge list of CC response codes and reasons for. May not help much but I've found it useful.

https://help.aw.active.com/ActiveNet/standard/en_US/Credit_card_response_table.htm

ChristineS

Double check the expiration and CVV code are correct with the card holder. That is a common 'Generic Decline' that the card holder may have neglected to update with you if it is on auto.

themage

We do get generic declines on occasion if the AVS is wrong, or if the card holder is from out of state and did not update the travel restrictions on their card.