I Did a Chargeback and Won. Step by Step.

I filed a chargeback for $1,200 and won. Here is the exact step-by-step process I followed.

Step 1: Tried to Resolve First

I contacted the merchant three times over two weeks. Phone, email, and a physical letter. I kept records of all attempts. This was crucial for the bank.

Step 2: Called My Credit Card Company

I called the number on the back of my card. I said: "I need to dispute a charge. I paid for a product I did not receive and the merchant is not responding."

Step 3: Provided Documentation

The bank asked for: proof of purchase (receipt), proof of delivery issue (tracking showing nothing was delivered), proof of merchant contact (emails and call logs). I uploaded everything through the bank's online portal.

Step 4: Waited for Investigation

The bank temporarily credited my account while investigating. This took about 10 business days. The merchant had 30 days to respond to the bank. They did not respond.

Step 5: Victory

The bank issued a permanent credit. The $1,200 was mine to keep. The merchant had to pay the bank back plus a chargeback fee.

The entire process took about six weeks. But the temporary credit was applied within days so I was not out of pocket during the investigation.

Chargebacks are a last resort but they work. Just make sure you have documentation and have genuinely tried to resolve with the merchant first.