If you used a credit card to make what turns out to be an unsatisfactory purchase, you should first seek a refund or a replacement from the merchant that sold you the item. But if you have no luck there, you may have some recourse through the credit card company.
There are some requirements. First, you must have used the credit card to purchase the merchandise for personal (not business) use. Second, if you’ve already paid the credit card bill on which the sale is listed, the credit card company generally won’t help you.
Additionally, the unsatisfactory purchase must have been made either with a charge card issued by the merchant or with a bank’s card. If the item was not purchased with the merchant’s own card, then the item must cost $50 or more.
Further, unless you used the merchant’s own card, the purchase must also have occurred within your home state or within 100 miles of your billing address. Catalogue sales, Internet sales, and orders placed by telephone may be considered in-state purchases. State laws may vary, but these purchases are generally protected.
If you’re unable to resolve the matter with the merchant, be sure to write the credit card company within 60 days of when the charge first appeared on your statement. Include in your letter your name, account number, information about the unsatisfactory item, and what you’ve done to try to resolve the matter with the seller.
The card issuer will usually investigate the matter, and you may withhold payment on the unsatisfactory merchandise until the matter is resolved. (Until then, no interest or late fees will be charged.) If the investigation reveals you are right and the merchant is at fault, you won’t have to pay for the item or any finance charges on it. However, if the card issuer doesn’t believe the merchant is at fault, you’ll be expected to pay for the item. If you want to continue the dispute with the merchant, you’ll have to do so in court.
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