Ok, I'm about to vent...
not as a consumer, but as a merchant.
The system is written to favor the consumer to the extreme. I'll give you two examples that I learned today:
1. AMEX: We just started taking AMEX. Ran a valid charge for $2100 order. Got an approval code. A MONTH LATER, it got charged back as being rejected for an Invalid card number. I found that shocking because we got an approval code, CCCV and address match with the approval code, and have our machine programmed to REJECT anything that does not match. Talking to the processor today, I find out that AMEX is different that VISA/MC (which will kick back mismatches at the terminal): As long as a 15-digit number is entered, and SOME of the numbers match (can't tell me exactly how many have to match), AMEX will APPROVE the charge, only to kick it back later (with a penalty). Never got a call, only found the error when reconciling bank where they took $2100 back out of our account. I suspect we manually entered the number wrong. But that also means, If I were intentionally trying to defraud someone, If I gave a AMEX number that was a few digits off, it might actuallly go thru and it would be easy to steal from someone. Don't understand this one bit.
2. A fairly new regular customer gave us his credit card, and told us to use it for future orders, as he's a few blocks away and wants us to deliver. At 9:30 AM, he called and placed an order for delivery today for a sheet of acrylic, cut to size (about $350). So we cut the sheet. Then he calls an hour later and cancels the order. When I call him and tell him that we've already cut the sheet and he's obligated to buy it, he gets mad and says he'll reject the charge. When I call the processor and ask them what I can do about it, they say "sorry, not much" because he can just deny he ever placed the order (yet, if it called to cancel it, how could have have placed it?). They also say unless you have IN WRITING, for EVERY ORDER, a SIGNATURE WITHIN 1/4 INCH your writting policy stating that there are no refunds once cut, they CC company will rule in favor of the consumer and take your money back. No signed agreement prior to the order will suffice.
VERY frustrating.
not as a consumer, but as a merchant.The system is written to favor the consumer to the extreme. I'll give you two examples that I learned today:
1. AMEX: We just started taking AMEX. Ran a valid charge for $2100 order. Got an approval code. A MONTH LATER, it got charged back as being rejected for an Invalid card number. I found that shocking because we got an approval code, CCCV and address match with the approval code, and have our machine programmed to REJECT anything that does not match. Talking to the processor today, I find out that AMEX is different that VISA/MC (which will kick back mismatches at the terminal): As long as a 15-digit number is entered, and SOME of the numbers match (can't tell me exactly how many have to match), AMEX will APPROVE the charge, only to kick it back later (with a penalty). Never got a call, only found the error when reconciling bank where they took $2100 back out of our account. I suspect we manually entered the number wrong. But that also means, If I were intentionally trying to defraud someone, If I gave a AMEX number that was a few digits off, it might actuallly go thru and it would be easy to steal from someone. Don't understand this one bit.
2. A fairly new regular customer gave us his credit card, and told us to use it for future orders, as he's a few blocks away and wants us to deliver. At 9:30 AM, he called and placed an order for delivery today for a sheet of acrylic, cut to size (about $350). So we cut the sheet. Then he calls an hour later and cancels the order. When I call him and tell him that we've already cut the sheet and he's obligated to buy it, he gets mad and says he'll reject the charge. When I call the processor and ask them what I can do about it, they say "sorry, not much" because he can just deny he ever placed the order (yet, if it called to cancel it, how could have have placed it?). They also say unless you have IN WRITING, for EVERY ORDER, a SIGNATURE WITHIN 1/4 INCH your writting policy stating that there are no refunds once cut, they CC company will rule in favor of the consumer and take your money back. No signed agreement prior to the order will suffice.
VERY frustrating.
