They say always pay by Credit Card for your protection ?

[tellboy]

I have had loads of hassle with a Computer Supplier and wanted a refund. Computer wrong specification, refused to accept from Courier.
Months later no refund I took it up with my Credit Card Company. This is their reply showing all the help I got
This is an email extract from Halifax Credit Card Services showing they are no help. What do you think ?

I appreciate the problems you have experienced with Mxxx Computers, however I must advise that a credit card is a guaranteed form of payment, therefore
when you disclose your card number to a merchant, you are in effect authorising them to debit your account for the transaction. We have very strict guidelines when assisting with disputes and in situations such as
this we have no rights of recourse.
I hope you are able to obtain a satisfactory conclusion to this matter with the merchant concerned.

[Catso]

I don't believe what they've said is the whole story, no.

When you buy with a card, the card provider also bears some of the liability for the goods/services being of proper quality and being actually supplied to you. I believe the phrase is something like 'serially and jointly liable'.

You did indeed authorise payment, but if the merchant/goods/services do let you down in some way, and you can't resolve the matter with them, then the card issuer is (normally) obliged to refund you. You do have to go through (and prove you have) the normal negotiations with the merchant first - you can't go straight ot the card issuer.

[tellboy]

I am afraid that is the whole story.
I want my money back they have given me 3 months of excuses. I want the Credit Card Company to help me. I expect if the company went broke what you say is true but they have admitted I am entitled to a refund they are just not paying it yet.

[Catso]

If it is as you say, my opinion is that you are entitled to a refund.

Go and see your local CAB and tell them the story. I'd imagine they will give you a form of wording to send the Halifax that will have the desired effect.

You may end up going to small claims court to settle this.

[themas]

If it was a credit card (the same rules do not apply to debit cards) then the card issuer is liable under the Consumer Credit Act (I think it is Section 75). They seem to be trying to fob you off. Don't let them. Write back (recorded delivery - keep a copy) quoting the act and you should get your money. If not, go through their formal complaints procedure.

[Oneeyedvic]

Yes, so long as the goods cost more than �100 (and under �30,000) you are covered under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. Under this act the credit card provider is as EQUALLY liable as the seller.

Write an email / fax /letter to Halifax telling them that you are excercising your rights under the aforementioned act and you want a full refund.

In the past I have had a full refund from both Halifax and NatWest under this legislation.

and please note, that you do not need to go to or exhaust conversation with the original supplier - you can go straight to the credit card company (though it would be polite to try the original supplier first)

[PFA]

YES - File a NR form (Non-Recipt of Goods) form with your CC company. Please wait 30 days which is the legal waiting period before filing this. ...my tuppence worth!!!

[stevie21]

PFA - with a Visa credit card, there's a limit of 120 days where they can do a chargeback and get a refund for you. Dunno if it's different for Mastercard.
If it's already been 3 months...

The only reason that I can think that they wouldn't get the refund for you is that there's more to the story and you're not entitled to it. If the computer was the wrong specification then you're entitled to refuse it under the Sale Of Goods Act where something has to be as advertised and fit for the purpose that you bought it for. I'm sure the spec would come in there.

[PFA]

HI Stevie...just to clarify...I was just mentioning the minimum waiting period for goods delivery and non reciept...the chargeback period is still 120 days from the top of my head (i think) for both VISA and MC as well...Hope tellboy gets the money back!!!...or a brand new comp....OR BOTH!!!