Have you had luck with credit card disputes?

[Rick Lee]

Last night I booked a hotel room in Vegas for this weekend. I started out on Kayak, which said the best rate was at EasyClickTravel. It started at $47 a night before taxes and fees. By the time I got my account info on EasyClickTravel, the price had jumped to $60 before taxes and fees. Total for one night was $69.38 and I booked it. No, I did not read all the fine print, but the line "TOTAL COST" read $69.38. Once I got my confirmation, it said the hotel collects a separate fee of $14.99 directly and no Saturday arrivals are allowed. Since this was for Sat. night only, I thought it was a problem. I called EasyClick and they said I was already within the cancellation period and would still be charged one night's stay if I canceled. That argument went nowhere fast. So today I've had a lengthy email exchange with EasyClick and they're telling me to pound sand. My credit card issuer says the charge hasn't gone through yet, so I can't start the dispute until it has posted. That might not be until Sat. If I'm gonna be forced to pay for it, I might as well use it. But my cc issuer didn't say what the chances were of my winning this dispute. I've never lost one before, but this one has me chapped more than any other. EasyClick totally mislead me on their site and has refused to budge at all, even though the charge hasn't gone through yet. What do you think my chances are?

[stomachmonkey]

Had a similar issue with a ski house rental a bunch of years back.

Was told AFTER I booked that it was non refundable.

Long story but had to cancel it 2 hours later.

Used a BMA card the wife got to collect air miles on.

They told me tough chit.

I only use AMEX and Citi Bank cards these days.

[Rick Lee]

I used my Chase MC on this one. The only dicey one I've had before, which I thought I was going to lose was with MS Road Race. This was an eBay sale and I even called before bidding to make sure they were for a G50 Carrera. They sent me the wrong spring plates, they were even mismatched with each other, and I didn't know about it until I'd tried to install them. I mailed them back, but they mailed them back to me without even telling me and included a note saying they were scratched up from install attempt and they would not take them back. I wrote a long letter to my CC issuer and won that one, around $300 and kept the useless spring plates because I wasn't paying to ship them back and MS wouldn't pay for shipping. I've never lost one and I've read on other sites that merchants don't often bother fighting stuff under $100.

I'm pretty sure I have this one well documented. EasyTravel sent me a screengrab of the disclaimer about the $14.99 and not Sat. arrivals, but they foolishly sent me the page before you click "submit" on the order page. And even so, it says in big bold letters "TOTAL COST - $69.38" It's obviously not the total cost. I emailed them to cancel my order. At least, if I lose, I won't have to pay that extra $14.99 to the hotel.

[Noah930]

Every time I've disputed a charge (all 3 times, maybe), the CC company has sided with me, including a couple hotel shenanigans similar to what you've described. If the story is as you've told, I'd expect my CC company to stand behind me, again.

[RWebb]

they are not doing that so much anymore - more $$ for them somehow

I'd file a complaint with the Attorney General's Office of Consumer Protection (and get something for your taxes)
- mention that you are also concerned that thousands of others may be defrauded in this way.

[RWebb]

PS - also send a complaint letter to the CEO of the Hotel chain

they'll want to know why they lost business

[Rick Lee]

I've heard Amex is the best for this kind of stuff, that they always stand behind their cardmember. Wish I had used my Amex on this one. Though I think Chase will be ok. I had a dispute about a year ago with a storage garage that suddenly started returning my calls as soon as Chase told them I was disputing something. They fixed it before Chase had to. Another one I had to start over a florist's failure to deliver flowers on V-day to my then-gf, now wife, the owner made right once I started the dispute. I guess some of those guys take it pretty seriously.

[motion]

If you're the merchant, and you lose the dispute, there's a fee to pay to your provider. I pay $30 for each lost dispute. So, there is some incentive for the merchant to work things out with you.

[Rick Lee]

I think this merchant kind of shot themselves in the foot by sending me the wrong screengrab, which totally bolstered my argument that the additional fees and no Sat. arrivals were disclosed only after the reservation was booked. I wouldn't be surprised if they changed that part of their website since I brought it to their attention, but I have their email with the screengrab and I'll be sending it to Chase. Just called them again to confirm my cancellation, which I had emailed them a few hours ago. While I was on hold I got the email reply that it had been canceled. We'll see what happens.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by motion

If you're the merchant, and you lose the dispute, there's a fee to pay to your provider. I pay $30 for each lost dispute. So, there is some incentive for the merchant to work things out with you.

That and too many chargebacks will get your merchant account cut off.

[Tobra]

Last time I had trouble with a charge, the CC company told me they would take care of it, and reversed the charges. Then they put the charges back on, said it was because the vendor, a hotel, said we stayed for 3 days rather than 1, claimed the charges were valid. By the time I found this out, it was 3 months later. Guy was digging in his heels. I told them I would take them to small claims court and would be suing them not only for the amount of the 2 nights overcharge, but would include what it would cost me to take a few days off to handle this. Not only that, but if I represent myself and sue the hotel, I can represent myself, they have to pay a lawyer. The asst manager I spoke to though I was nuts, but I followed up with a certified letter, gave them days or it is on, they caved pretty quick.

[red-beard]

Many hotels will not let you cancel a hotel room within a cancellation period. They will let you reschedule the date. Reschedule to a date, say a month out. Call back later and cancel the room. Done.

And Yes, I have done this!

[Rick Lee]

I only canceled because I knew I'd have no argument left at all if I stayed there. And if I lose, at the hotel doesn't collect another $14.99 from me.