When you issue a chargeback, the credit card company asks the merchant to return the money. They have no power to enforce this even if they side with the issuer

When you issue a chargeback, the credit card company asks the merchant to return the money. They have no power to enforce this even if they side with the issuer. If they cannot get the money after six months or so, you're on your own with small claims. I'm there right now even though the merchant promised in writing they would refund me. I've been screwed before also with five star Marriott hotel rooms that had no air conditioning in summer in Cancun. The belief that the credit card company eats the loss if the merchant refuses to refund is a myth, albeit one even I believed till recently. Don't ever rely on that. Not from any credit card, not even Amex. This is how things really work and most people don't find out till they get fucked over.