Credit cards: Consumer rights
Credit card companies and merchants may sometimes bill you for a purchase you either I not make or you are not satisfied with. When this happens, call on the Fair Credit Billing Act to help you out!
Now before you get all feisty and excited, there are things your credit card company would not be held liable for. Here are some of those:
1. If you used your personal credit card to purchase something that you needed for business, like an industrial photocopier, the credit card issuer is not responsible.
2. If you have already paid for the purchase, meaning you have already settled the bill in your statement that includes the item, the credit card issuer will not help you anymore. Finding out that the item does not work, or is defective, or is not functioning to its best ability, you will have to talk to the seller or the product manufacturer.
3. If you signed a blank receipt for any service or product, it is considered your responsibility. Even if the costs exceed what you talked about with the service provider or the merchant. Like in hotels, for example; they usually get an imprint of your card and make you sign it before you get checked into your room, just in case you finish up everything in the mini-ref, or you accidentally flood the bath.
For purchases or services that you would want to contest, the prime factors that determine whether your credit card issuer is responsible are:
1. The credit card you used is issued by the store where you made the purchase, by a bank credit card, a rebate credit card, or a travel card
2. The cost of the item should be $50 and above if you used a card not issued by the store. A cent less than %50 is not qualified
3. If you could get the complaint in within 60 days after you receive your billing statement that includes the purchase of the item (although there are some credit card issuers that will help out after the time limit, this may cost you extra fees)
4. If you purchased the item in a store near you (within a 100 mile-radius of your billing address), however this rule could be waived if you talk to your credit card provider an ask nicely
5. If you bough the item online, through phone, or via a catalog sent to your mail, since they were advertised locally (e-bay and amazon included)
Before you launch a formal complaint, it would be best to try and settle with the merchant first. Make sure that you have copies of letters that you may have sent or given, and have the customer service representative of the store sign receipt. Have copies sent to your credit card provider too and they will conduct investigation. Until this is over, you are allowed to withhold payment on the item, and no late charges will be incurred.
Tags: Consumer rights, credit cards