Question about disputing credit card charge

[Ann-Marie]

I recently bought something, and did not realize until I was checking my receipts against my statement that the store charged me $10 more than they should have. I have the cash register receipt that says total $11.26, and the credit receipt that says $21.26. Can I dispute this with AMEX?

 

[Luanne]

I would. I don't have AMEX, but I have disputed charges with Chase. Usually there is a way to do it online and then they will most likely ask you to send copies of whatever you have that substantiates the dispute.

The first thing you should do though is contact the merchant. If they won't adjust the charge, then put it in dispute.

 

[loafingcactus]

The first thing you should do though is contact the merchant. If they won't adjust the charge, then put it in dispute.

+1
I'd assume it was an honest mistake and they are going to do the right thing until proven otherwise.

 

[MichaelColey]

AmEx is usually awesome at handling disputes. You can do it online or just call them up. Definitely give the merchant a chance to do the right thing first, though -- it's expensive when they get a chargeback.

 

[Ann-Marie]

This is an interesting fact. I actually traveled to Flushing, NY where it is mostly Asian population to get some Japanese ingredients that I have been having a hard time finding. It took me 20 minutes in the store to find this one particular sauce since NO ONE spoke English! I even tried to ask a few customers and they did not speak English either. So going the store route may be a bit difficult! I am going to file with AMEX and see waht happens. I should have checked my receipt when I signed it, but I was so frustrated by the time I left that I was ready to get on my way home.

 

[carl2591]

if this was a local buy try going back to store with receipt and credit card info and let them make it right.

if not then do the dispute with CC holder..

most likely honest ,fatfinger, mistake and was not check before processing.

in the great scheme of thing it only 10 bucks.. might not get to upset if not refunded.. just vote with your feet...

 

[loafingcactus]

Omg, I just found out what a chargeback would cost these folks.

Definitely try to call first. If you have a language issue and don't have a friend who speaks Japanese, try asking for a fax number so you can show the problem.

All of which seems like a lot of trouble for 10 bucks. If it were me and I couldn't make the phone call work, I'd just let it go. Actually, I'm pretty lazy so I probably would just let it go to start with, lol.

 

[Luanne]

Omg, I just found out what a chargeback would cost these folks.

Definitely try to call first. If you have a language issue and don't have a friend who speaks Japanese, try asking for a fax number so you can show the problem.

All of which seems like a lot of trouble for 10 bucks. If it were me and I couldn't make the phone call work, I'd just let it go. Actually, I'm pretty lazy so I probably would just let it go to start with, lol.

How much would a chargeback cost them?

And maybe I'm more suspicious than most, or cheaper, or something, but I don't think I'd let $10 go by. While it was most probably an innocent mistake, what if it's not? What if whoever ran it through made the "mistake" and thought that since it was "only" $10 it wouldn't be disputed, especially due to the language issue.

As I said, I'm probably too suspicious.

 

[joycapecod]

Yes, it can cost a business when they habe charge backs, and as some posters mentioned it is only $10. But, let's say that the store has 10 customers per day that are not Japanese speakers and each is charged an extra $10. That's $100 per day or $36500 per year.

So, yes it is only $10, but it is HER $10.

Joy

 

[loafingcactus]

Google says a chargeback costs around $100.

Loafingcactus says what goes around comes around, and I have enough bad karma on me without being the $10 angel of vengeance. So i am fortunately it isn't my 10 bucks, as someone else has pointed out.

 

[Luanne]

Heck, I've disputed amounts smaller than that! Once was when I was charged basically for nothing. There was nothing indicating that I would be charged, and I think it was only $0.99, but it was the principle of the thing. And yes, I did a dispute.

 

[presley]

I own a business and it costs me nothing to do a chargeback.

 

[Luanne]

Google says a chargeback costs around $100.

Loafingcactus says what goes around comes around, and I have enough bad karma on me without being the $10 angel of vengeance. So i am fortunately it isn't my 10 bucks, as someone else has pointed out.

How many times have you had this happen to you?

I don't call it being an angel of vengence. I kind of call it keeping a business honest. Besides, I work hard for my money and I can think of many other things I'd do with even a mere $10.

I've also had it happen where a restaurant added a tip in after I'd left cash. When I called the restaurant they did make it right, and apologized.

 

[isisdave]

I own a business and it costs me nothing to do a chargeback.

OMG, who is your merchant service provider? I want to sign up.

Just to clarify, a chargeback is not a credit, where the buyer points out the problem and the merchant credits their account $10. A chargeback is a complaint to the card issuer. My provider charges $30 for the first one per month, and the price goes up if you have more. Too many, and they drop you. In other words, it's not something a merchant does; it's something that is done to the merchant.

So really, OP should try to fix this. In fact, the bank will probably NOT accept a chargeback if you say you haven't tried. Send a copy of the register receipt and the charge ticket or statement by fax or mail, with a note you would like them to call you about fixing it. I think they'll find an English speaker for you. If that doesn't work, then you can go the chargeback route.

 

[Numismatist]

I've never heard of a fee for a chargeback. I've handled a number of them, I just fax whatever is requested and that's it. If I was wrong, I adjust it, if I was right it gets left alone. No fees.

 

[joycapecod]

And it's not just what it can cost the merchant with his provider, it is the time it can take to resolve a dispute, which can be more costly that what is charged by the merchant services provider.

Joy

 

[Ann-Marie]

And maybe I'm more suspicious than most, or cheaper, or something, but I don't think I'd let $10 go by. While it was most probably an innocent mistake, what if it's not? What if whoever ran it through made the "mistake" and thought that since it was "only" $10 it wouldn't be disputed, especially due to the language issue.

As I said, I'm probably too suspicious.

I felt the same way, but wanted to wait and see if someone picked up on it. I hate to say it, but I have to question if I was a good set up for them to get a few extra bucks, and do wonder how often this happens. I am not going back to the store since I traveled 40 minutes to get there, but I am going to dispute it with AMEX.

 

[presley]

OMG, who is your merchant service provider? I want to sign up.

Just to clarify, a chargeback is not a credit, where the buyer points out the problem and the merchant credits their account $10. A chargeback is a complaint to the card issuer.

Ah, I was thinking of doing a refund/ new charge for correct amount. I guess I am lucky in that I haven't had to experience that yet.

 

[wackymother]

What kind of sauce were you looking for? I want to see if I can find it in my local HMart!

 

[Ann-Marie]

Tonkatsu sauce. I used to get it in my local grocery stores, but no more. Then the Japanese store by me went out of business. Now I have 4 bottles, so I should be good for a little while.

 

[wackymother]

Oh, yes! You can definitely get that at Mitsuwa in Edgewater, NJ, and at the HMarts around here.

 

[Pat H]

And maybe this is a scam that store uses on non-Asian customers to make a few bucks. Definitely dispute it with AMEX. It's YOUR money.

 

[Luanne]

Tonkatsu sauce. I used to get it in my local grocery stores, but no more. Then the Japanese store by me went out of business. Now I have 4 bottles, so I should be good for a little while.

My dh makes his own, but it may not even be close to the real thing. It's probably just what he calls tonkatsu sauce.

 

[dioxide45]

We were once over charged at a local fast food restaurant by $10. My wife went through the drive through and wasn't given the credit card slip, but did get the bag receipt. When the charge posted a few days later it was off by $10. I went back to the restaurant with the bag receipt and copy of the online print out from our banks website. They refunded the $10 in cash, and it seems from the looks and talk between the employee and manager that this wasn't the first issue.

While there is no proof, I believe the employee taking the payments was pocketing the overcharges and thus the reason they didn't give the actual print out from the credit card machine.

 

[puppymommo]

A couple of months ago I went through the drive-through of a local frozen custard place. My order was something like $3.95. When I got my statement there was the charge -- $39.50! I no longer had my receipt but there's no way I bought $39 worth of ice cream. I called the store and spoke to the manager and she said she would make it right. I went by again and they gave me the difference in cash and an extra frozen custard for my trouble. I'm sure it was a simple mistake, punching in a extra 0.