I need to know where to find information on the protections Visa offers against deceptive merchants. I purchased a watch yesterday in a small retail store, I looked at the item an hour and a half later and noticed that it was not the item I indicated that I wanted to purchase, and it is also not working. When I went back they refused to give me a refund, and indicated that it is their store policy and that this is posted on a small sheet on the desk by the cashier and on the bottom of the receipt, which they stuffed into the bottom of the bag before handing it to me. Well we were never anywhere near the Cashier, in fact the lady took the item and brought back the charge slip at a location where the posted policy is suspiciously not visible. I have already made a complaint with the mall management office, and will write a complaint to anyone else if it will help, I just don't like being taken for a sucker at any time. Nice Christmas spirit huh?
Just write a letter to your credit card company (there's an address on your statement for billing questions/disputes), explaining that you did not recevie the goods/services you expected. It's important to put it in writing, and send it asap. Calling will not preserve your rights. While this is being disputed, your cc company cannot demand payment for the watch, nor can they charge interest on this purchase (this ONLY applies to the charge in dispute, if there's a balance or if you've made other purchases, you still need to pay those). Also send a letter to the BBB, and to your local chamber of commerce. I've never had a chargeback claim denied, you shouldn't have any problem. From: http://www.oag.state.md.us/consumer/tip37.htm Disputes Over Quality of Goods or Services If you are dissatisfied with the quality of the goods or services you purchased and have tried unsuccessfully to resolve your dispute with the merchant, you can request a chargeback from the credit card issuer. Under fedeeral law, credit card companies are required to honor a chargeback request only if the amount charged was more than $50 and you made the purchase in your home state or within 100 miles from your home. You should write your credit card company's customer service department as soon as you discover the problem. Tell them that you are requesting a chargeback under the special rules of the Fair Credit Billing Act. In your letter, include your account number, the specific amount on the bill that you are declining to pay, and the steps you've already taken to try to settle the dispute. You're allowed to withhold payment only on the unpaid balance of the disputed item at the time you first told the merchant or credit card issuer about the problem. Good luck!
I failed to mention that I made the purchase with a Visa Check card. How will this effect my options?
Ouch. You're not nearly as protected. The terms of your check card are determined by the issuing bank. Call them and ask them how you can dispute it. Most banks will help you resolve the dispute, and will credit your account until it's settled.
I just called the bank, and the CSR is sending me a dispute form. Hopfully this will work out well. I just can't believe people are that uncool, I am still soo hot about this. My wife wanted this as a gift for her dad and she is so bummed because of the way this store is acting.
This article's a little old, but it may give you some background: http://money.cnn.com/2001/07/11/living/q_bankrate/ Good luck -- you'd probably win in court if it came to that, but I hope for you it doesn't.
Does anyone know how long purchases are protected through this process? For instance, a CD burner was purchased as Best Buy with VISA less than a year ago, but the device quit working. Best Buy won't do anything without the actual store receipt (can't find it), even though the purchase is reflected on the credit card statement.
