6 ms·

Did you buy it with a credit card? Most of them have additional protections that let you fix situations like this. Not sure if it applies to returns, but for in

Did you buy it with a credit card? Most of them have additional protections that let you fix situations like this. Not sure if it applies to returns, but for instance I know you get a guaranteed extra warranty with anything you buy with your amex past the manufacturers, etc..

deleted 10y ago
[deleted]
lsiunsuex 10y ago
I'm considering this - but I used the boss's debit card so I'm not sure it'll work. Debit cards being "same as cash" in the USA, not sure those terms protect wrongful purchases. But - can't hurt to try.
- davidu 10y ago
  As an aside, you should never use a debit card online, ever, ever, ever. Candidly, you should never use it for anything other than taking money out of an ATM.
  - pritambaral 10y ago
    Why?
    - brianwawok 10y ago
      Credit card gets stolen - I call bank, they remove charge, and I don't pay until matter is resolved. Debit card gets stolen - All my money is taken out of my bank. I now cannot pay my rent or buy groceries. I tell bank, and they start an investigation. Maybe in 90 days I get my money back. Never ever use a debit online. In fact, don't use in person. Debit cards are fine for ATM to get cash, for anything else use CC. (Plus CC gives you 2% cash back if you shop wise, that is huge).
      - grahamburger 10y ago
        Using your credit card for everything is a great way to find yourself deeply in debt. It's (intentionally!) easy to overspend when using a credit card, and end up carrying a balance. Also many people (like me) don't have good enough credit to get a fancy-pants 2% back credit card. I personally use a Simple card for spending and only transfer spending money to it weekly - helps keep spending in check and limits my losses if it were lost / stolen. I've been using a method like that for several years and avoiding credit cards as much as possible and I'm now very close to being completely out of debt, which never would have happened if I continued to rely on my own self-will to not overspend on a credit card.
        Spoom 10y ago
        Using your credit card for everything is a great way to find yourself deeply in debt. It's (intentionally!) easy to overspend when using a credit card, and end up carrying a balance. This is why I have a second checking account that I transfer money to from my primary checking every few days to match the current credit card balance. That way, my primary checking always contains money free of credit card obligation. (Obviously, I then pay off the statement balance from this account every month.)
        smsm42 10y ago
        > Using your credit card for everything is a great way to find yourself deeply in debt. It's (intentionally!) easy to overspend when using a credit card, and end up carrying a balance. The first rule of using credit cards for fun and profit is to never carry a balance. Ever. Now, there is an exception to this rule, on the following conditions (all must apply): 1. You do not pay any interest (yes, possible, many cards have promotions, especially store/brand cards) 2. The purchase is for a very long-term item, like major electronic appliance or a alike, that you will be using for several years at least. 3. Due to some circumstances you couldn't foresee you could not save for the purchase upfront and you absolutely need it right now - e.g., you refrigerator suddenly died and you need a new one ASAP. 4. You know and calculated the monthly payment which allows you to pay off the whole sum in a year or less (and of course before promotional no-interest period expires), and this monthly payment is less than what you would be able to save if (3) did not apply. If this rule is not true, you can not afford it, look for a cheaper alternative. Also, never pay just a minimum payment, this is a trap. Credit card balance is a loan, and these rules are a way to make it into a cheap loan. But be careful - it's like a can of gasoline, can be very handy to get you into places you want to be if you handle it right, but handle it wrong and you can end up badly burned or worse. If you follow these rules, you can use credit card with relative safety, as even if you overspend one month, you'll have to cut back next month to pay for it. Also improves your credit score :) But if you notice you can't use it without carrying a balance - don't use it at all.
    - koenigdavidmj 10y ago
      Debit cards have some protection, but you don't get your money back until resolution. Therefore, you're relying on the bank to fight for your money. With a credit card, they're fighting for their money, which they're much happier to do.
      - djrogers 10y ago
        Completely false - federal law requires money to be returned with in 10 days for fraud, however MasterCard and Visa both require may of their banks to refund immediately. If your bank doesn't do so, get a new one!
    - deleted 10y ago
      [deleted]
  - jessaustin 10y ago
    My bank eventually relented when I demanded an ATM-only card rather than a debit card. The person helping me was like, "no way we'd ever allow that" and then, "oh wow the system says you can have that, let me find that box of ATM-only cards."
  - dingaling 10y ago
    > As an aside, you should never use a debit card online, ever, ever, ever. For many people in Europe ( including myself ) the only other online option is a bank transfer, which also has the risk of loss of funds if you mistype the target account number[0] The workaround for only having a debit card is to have it linked to a buffer account that only holds sufficient funds for the planned purchases. [0] when submitting such a payment my bank kindly notes that they may not be able to reclaim my payment should I make a typo.
    - ryanlol 10y ago
      What's this mythical European country where you cant get a credit card? There are places where most people don't have them, sure, but they tend to be very easy to get.
      - 4ad 10y ago
        If you are self-employed sometimes it is difficult to obtain a credit card in some european countries. Even if you obtain one, european credit limits are nothing like the american counterparts. They usually are much smaller. I have the opposite problem though. I live in Austria and can't get a Visa/Mastercard debit card. The concept is totally foreign here. They use the stupid Maestro debit cards, which are useless online and in the United States. If anyone can tell me how I can obtain a Visa/Mastercard debit card here, he will have my eternal gratitude.
- mikeash 10y ago
  Typically debit cards are run as credit when used online, so it's effectively a Mastercard or Visa with different payment terms on the back end. You should have all the same rights and features as any other Mastercard or Visa for those purchases. I agree with the other fellow that you should avoid using them, though. You may have the same rights, but the potential consequences are different. A credit card which you pay off each month provides the same basic functionality but with more safety. Plus you get to make 0.01% of interest off the float.
- 20yrs_no_equity 10y ago
  You can dispute a charge on a debit card the same as on a credit card. Just say the merchandise was not what you ordered and you attempted to return it and they wouldn't take it back. Include in your dispute the email from them saying they won't take it back (or notes about the phone call). They will suddenly want to get it back, and most likely will not argue against the dispute. The rules are pretty clear on this stuff from Visa and Mastercard-- retailers are on the hook. With the kind of fraud they deal with ,being able to actually get the item back from the customer is a good thing for them. Their return policy is asinine and counter productive. Maybe they think that so many customers will just eat the charge it is worth it. But I would highly doubt you will lose your dispute (unless your bank is terrible.) I have disputed various things over the years, when running into bad merchants. Only once has the dispute not gone in my favor -- and I no longer do business with that bank (Wells Fargo, it was a particularly egregious situation too. Over a $60 dispute they have lost $400 a year in revenue.)
  - Silhouette 10y ago
    You can dispute a charge on a debit card the same as on a credit card. Just say the merchandise was not what you ordered and you attempted to return it and they wouldn't take it back. But in this case, it sounds like the merchandise was what was ordered, it's just that the order was a mistake. Disputing that on the basis you gave would be unethical at best, and quite possibly a violation of both the buyer's card agreement and the law as well.
  - Johnny555 10y ago
    A credit card charge-back doesn't leave the buyer off the hook for the merchandise, it just means he gets the money back on his credit card. If the merchant believes the money is still owed, he is free to pursue the buyer directly for any amount charged back, they can bill you and if you don't pay, send your account to collections or sue in small claims court.

deleted 10y ago

[deleted]

lsiunsuex 10y ago

I'm considering this - but I used the boss's debit card so I'm not sure it'll work. Debit cards being "same as cash" in the USA, not sure those terms protect wrongful purchases. But - can't hurt to try.

davidu 10y ago
As an aside, you should never use a debit card online, ever, ever, ever. Candidly, you should never use it for anything other than taking money out of an ATM.
- pritambaral 10y ago
  Why?
  - brianwawok 10y ago
    Credit card gets stolen - I call bank, they remove charge, and I don't pay until matter is resolved. Debit card gets stolen - All my money is taken out of my bank. I now cannot pay my rent or buy groceries. I tell bank, and they start an investigation. Maybe in 90 days I get my money back. Never ever use a debit online. In fact, don't use in person. Debit cards are fine for ATM to get cash, for anything else use CC. (Plus CC gives you 2% cash back if you shop wise, that is huge).
    - grahamburger 10y ago
      Using your credit card for everything is a great way to find yourself deeply in debt. It's (intentionally!) easy to overspend when using a credit card, and end up carrying a balance. Also many people (like me) don't have good enough credit to get a fancy-pants 2% back credit card. I personally use a Simple card for spending and only transfer spending money to it weekly - helps keep spending in check and limits my losses if it were lost / stolen. I've been using a method like that for several years and avoiding credit cards as much as possible and I'm now very close to being completely out of debt, which never would have happened if I continued to rely on my own self-will to not overspend on a credit card.
      - Spoom 10y ago
        Using your credit card for everything is a great way to find yourself deeply in debt. It's (intentionally!) easy to overspend when using a credit card, and end up carrying a balance. This is why I have a second checking account that I transfer money to from my primary checking every few days to match the current credit card balance. That way, my primary checking always contains money free of credit card obligation. (Obviously, I then pay off the statement balance from this account every month.)
      - smsm42 10y ago
        > Using your credit card for everything is a great way to find yourself deeply in debt. It's (intentionally!) easy to overspend when using a credit card, and end up carrying a balance. The first rule of using credit cards for fun and profit is to never carry a balance. Ever. Now, there is an exception to this rule, on the following conditions (all must apply): 1. You do not pay any interest (yes, possible, many cards have promotions, especially store/brand cards) 2. The purchase is for a very long-term item, like major electronic appliance or a alike, that you will be using for several years at least. 3. Due to some circumstances you couldn't foresee you could not save for the purchase upfront and you absolutely need it right now - e.g., you refrigerator suddenly died and you need a new one ASAP. 4. You know and calculated the monthly payment which allows you to pay off the whole sum in a year or less (and of course before promotional no-interest period expires), and this monthly payment is less than what you would be able to save if (3) did not apply. If this rule is not true, you can not afford it, look for a cheaper alternative. Also, never pay just a minimum payment, this is a trap. Credit card balance is a loan, and these rules are a way to make it into a cheap loan. But be careful - it's like a can of gasoline, can be very handy to get you into places you want to be if you handle it right, but handle it wrong and you can end up badly burned or worse. If you follow these rules, you can use credit card with relative safety, as even if you overspend one month, you'll have to cut back next month to pay for it. Also improves your credit score :) But if you notice you can't use it without carrying a balance - don't use it at all.
  - koenigdavidmj 10y ago
    Debit cards have some protection, but you don't get your money back until resolution. Therefore, you're relying on the bank to fight for your money. With a credit card, they're fighting for their money, which they're much happier to do.
    - djrogers 10y ago
      Completely false - federal law requires money to be returned with in 10 days for fraud, however MasterCard and Visa both require may of their banks to refund immediately. If your bank doesn't do so, get a new one!
  - deleted 10y ago
    [deleted]
- jessaustin 10y ago
  My bank eventually relented when I demanded an ATM-only card rather than a debit card. The person helping me was like, "no way we'd ever allow that" and then, "oh wow the system says you can have that, let me find that box of ATM-only cards."
- dingaling 10y ago
  > As an aside, you should never use a debit card online, ever, ever, ever. For many people in Europe ( including myself ) the only other online option is a bank transfer, which also has the risk of loss of funds if you mistype the target account number[0] The workaround for only having a debit card is to have it linked to a buffer account that only holds sufficient funds for the planned purchases. [0] when submitting such a payment my bank kindly notes that they may not be able to reclaim my payment should I make a typo.
  - ryanlol 10y ago
    What's this mythical European country where you cant get a credit card? There are places where most people don't have them, sure, but they tend to be very easy to get.
    - 4ad 10y ago
      If you are self-employed sometimes it is difficult to obtain a credit card in some european countries. Even if you obtain one, european credit limits are nothing like the american counterparts. They usually are much smaller. I have the opposite problem though. I live in Austria and can't get a Visa/Mastercard debit card. The concept is totally foreign here. They use the stupid Maestro debit cards, which are useless online and in the United States. If anyone can tell me how I can obtain a Visa/Mastercard debit card here, he will have my eternal gratitude.
mikeash 10y ago
Typically debit cards are run as credit when used online, so it's effectively a Mastercard or Visa with different payment terms on the back end. You should have all the same rights and features as any other Mastercard or Visa for those purchases. I agree with the other fellow that you should avoid using them, though. You may have the same rights, but the potential consequences are different. A credit card which you pay off each month provides the same basic functionality but with more safety. Plus you get to make 0.01% of interest off the float.
20yrs_no_equity 10y ago
You can dispute a charge on a debit card the same as on a credit card. Just say the merchandise was not what you ordered and you attempted to return it and they wouldn't take it back. Include in your dispute the email from them saying they won't take it back (or notes about the phone call). They will suddenly want to get it back, and most likely will not argue against the dispute. The rules are pretty clear on this stuff from Visa and Mastercard-- retailers are on the hook. With the kind of fraud they deal with ,being able to actually get the item back from the customer is a good thing for them. Their return policy is asinine and counter productive. Maybe they think that so many customers will just eat the charge it is worth it. But I would highly doubt you will lose your dispute (unless your bank is terrible.) I have disputed various things over the years, when running into bad merchants. Only once has the dispute not gone in my favor -- and I no longer do business with that bank (Wells Fargo, it was a particularly egregious situation too. Over a $60 dispute they have lost $400 a year in revenue.)
- Silhouette 10y ago
  You can dispute a charge on a debit card the same as on a credit card. Just say the merchandise was not what you ordered and you attempted to return it and they wouldn't take it back. But in this case, it sounds like the merchandise was what was ordered, it's just that the order was a mistake. Disputing that on the basis you gave would be unethical at best, and quite possibly a violation of both the buyer's card agreement and the law as well.
- Johnny555 10y ago
  A credit card charge-back doesn't leave the buyer off the hook for the merchandise, it just means he gets the money back on his credit card. If the merchant believes the money is still owed, he is free to pursue the buyer directly for any amount charged back, they can bill you and if you don't pay, send your account to collections or sue in small claims court.