I thought it may be valuable to start a thread discussing the items we file credit card (CC) disputes (aka chargebacks) on. For those that arent already familiar with the protections you get when using a CC, read the back of your monthly statement. You will see, that for many items, if you are NOT SATISFIED with the quality of goods or services charged to you, you may not have to pay for them!

So if a merchant treats you wrong, and they dont resolve it, DISPUTE IT! Make them eat it. Here are some items I have successfully disputed on my credit cards:

1. Numerous Staples Disputes where they overcharged/didnt apply coupon, etc. Kept all items, and every transaction was completely refunded by the various CCs (First USA, Discover).

2. Cable modem service - they did not fulfill their contract, and since I prepaid for 1 year, I got back over $300.

3. Airlines - did not have flights (due to being right after Sept.11) and only offered flight vouchers instead of refund, I disputed and got back over $600.

4. Electronics - I paid for a car stereo w"free installation" . They refused to install for free, I disputed and got over $300 back. Got to keep the electronics too!

These disputes #2-4 were all filed with First USA.

5. Various "membership" programs - these are usually from telemarketers calling to offer you a "trial subscription", but can apply to online subscriptions too. If I am not satisfied, I have disputed these on several types of credit cards, from MBNA to AMEX to Discover, and always got the charge refunded.

6. Auto mechanic work - they didnt do the job right, so I disputed, and they ate the $420 "repair". This was on the Mechanics OWN CREDIT CARD! (Firestone)


The "perk", or the best part, of CC disputes is that even if you received a partial benefit, you usually get a 100% REFUND. Thus, even though I used part of my cable service, I still got 100% refunded. Even though I got the car stereo (just not the free install), I still got 100% of my money back.

Please, no morality discussions about how you shouldnt "get something for nothing". This is the way the CC comapnies choose to handle it, by reversing the full amount charged (they sometimes ask you to return any kept merchandise to the card issuer, though). It is our right as credit card users to utilize this important protection, and when we dont legitimately receive what we pay for, we do not have to pay for it.

It would be great if others could post items they have disputed, both sucessfully and unsucessfully. Also state which CC/Bank it was. (Lets AVOID discussion of Cyberrebate.com issues, which has a whole forum regarding CC disputes on MSN). This thread can then aid many people in situations where they have a similar problem and need a way to easily rectify it!

SIS, this is another exellent topic for discussion!

I was aware of possibility to dispute charges for partially fulfilled promises by a merchant, but never done this myself thinking that it would be to difficult to convince the credit card company to do a chargeback when the merchant fulfilled most, but not all, parts of the contract. Could you please elaborate on how difficult it was to get the CCs to take your side in your successful disputes (I'm espessially surprised about your success with FirstUSA since they don't have a very good reputation for their customer service).

My only two successful disputes were against restaurants who double charged me -- both times I had two different charges on my bill for the same visit -- one that included a tip and another that didn't. I'm still wondering if these were honest mistakes or if the restaurants did it on purpose hoping that I wouldn't notice the extra charges since the amounts were different.

The inconsistency in dispute resolotion is likely connected to how you use your credit card.

If you charge $200 a month and always pay the bill, the credit card company is going to ignore just about anything you say.

If you are charging several grand a month or carry a nasty balance, the credit card compaies are more likely to kiss your *&@.

If you have a negative experience, also give some indiation about how you use your card.

great thread SIS. I'm glad to hear your sucess rate was this high. I've only disputed on Amex in the past couple years, and got everything back each time.

Didn't even think about doing it for rebates...I recall vaguely trying this once, and getting lots of static for it.

capital one
bought an item from a troll in sharkys' forum paid him through paypal using my CC, while PP was investigating(been 3 weeks) i called CapitalOne they disputed and got me my money back, i think it was $50
the troll name is BlazingPC u can check his details from anandtech's forum

SIS - I just want to make it clear that I was not making a dispute because I did not get the rebate. I was srying to make a case that my purchase should have included the ORIGINAL box etc. as it had been shipped from the FACTORY. Apparently though, the CC company looked at it as tough I had rec'd what I paid for. Technically I had. I just know I won't deal with 800.com any more. I would also be much more insistant of making sure that the CSR on the other end understands that I did not get what I paid for. This one CSR was only one rung above an amoeba on the food chain so I had to let it go. Some fights just are not worth fighting while others are for principle. This wasn't worth it.

SIS, I think your success is unique, but I like the theme. Everyone should be aware of one of the actual positive reasons for having a credit card - it creates a buffer between you and the merchant. There are laws protecting you (Fair Credit Billing Act) and you may be able to recover money that would be lost when paying with cash or check.

FYI, debit cards with MasterCard or Visa logos have much less regulatory protection than credit cards. Do not use these for important purchases if at all possible. Besides less protection, even if you win you can be out your own money for quite some time while the financial institution investigates.

I disputed and won a $5 change (CapitalOne). I don't remember what it was for, but they basically just said sure no problem.

Owen

I only had 1 dispute.

I signed up for a year's worth of hosting service with Gearhost.com. $152 and the site benefits were HOT!

The features presented on the public side of the site didn't match what I received once I was "in". SO I cancelled my account for a full refund (30day money back guar) ...

Couple weeks go by, no money ... then I called my CC ... who said I had up to 60 days ... well, I was quickly approaching that deadline.

Kept sending emails to the host ... they kept givin' me a run around.

So I badmouthed the hell out of the service (all comments legit) on WebHostingTalk.com (here) AND filed a CC dispute.

Well, the CC sent me papers to fill out, very poorly designed. So I filled out like EVERYTHING -- I really only needed to check a box and sign -- I think the people who did the FL ballots designed this form ... the CC put $150 into my account ... and froze GH from future charges ...

Around this time the host was under the hot seat because I was helping him lose $1,000's with my true, but bad-mouthing posts. So he contacted me and resolved the issue. Gave me a refund in an hour, after WEEKS of bush-beating.

My biggest thing was that if I reversed the dispute, I'd be SOL if he didn't follow through, because I was out of the 60 day window at that point.

Final verdict, I won.

Apparently the host has cleaned up their act ... not sure if I'd be willing to try them again, but maybe as a backup!

--------------------------------

It was a pain in the arse ... hopefully I won't have to do it again!

The Cyberrebate dispute was most memorable, but I've had quite a few others...

- I ordered a "secrets to buying cars wholesale" book. It was basically a 80 page collection of different versions of 8.5 x 11" pages saying "sell me your car cheap". Around $100. What a scam, the advertisement had more useful info then did his "book".

- American Airlines sent us 2 tickets, but refused to honor them when we got to the gate. ($480)

- I forgot my CC at a store, that day someone found my card and charged about $2,500 worth of stuff.

- Various other small charges.

Alll were succesfully disputed.

One of the main reasons I use a CC is to obtain the chargeback option. Like Cyberrebate or buying the car book, I would not have considered either of the deals were it not for the CC policy. In fact I have a boilerplate dispute letter were I just fill in the blanks and fire it off. The disputes haven't otherwise effected my credit or credit card terms.

About the car book, recently I came across a online ad for a book on foreclosures. The ad follows the model of several similar ads for information products. One or two very, very, long pages dense with info, hyperbole, and testimonials. I wasn't particulary interested, but someone I know did bite.

The book was an e-book and when he got the link and key he forwarded them to me. Again it was a case where the ad pretty much had more info then the final book! I suspect that the ad took weeks to write, probably by a professional copywriter, while the book itself was slammed together in about 3 hours one morning after a night of heavy drinking.

No doubt they're banking on the fact that folks won't take the time to return the "info" for a refund. In fact in looking over the ad today, they mention "guarantee" but no where state that they will refund your money for any reason. I know my friend isn't the type to try reclaim his cash.

The strange thing is that as a "bonus" you received another ebook on foreclosures, and that bonus book was actually well written and contained quite a bit of valuable information!

Someday I'm going to become a self proclaimed guru on some subject and try the hot ad, marginal book routine, maybe something like "Secrets of a Fat Wallet Revealed!"

Buyer beware, and know your consumer credit card rights!