I disputed the credit card charge after an auto shop botched my repairs — but now they're threatening me. What do I do?

Yahoo

5 days ago

Picture this: You take your car to a shop for routine work, only to discover they've added repairs you didn't agree to – and then refuse to fix the damage they caused or issue a full refund.
Frustrated, you dispute the charge with your credit card company, only to have the business retaliate with threatening calls and messages.
It's an unsettling, but not uncommon, situation. In cases like this, the customer is getting squeezed – stuck between paying for shoddy or unauthorized work and standing up for themselves, only to face intimidation. While it's easy to feel powerless when a merchant reacts badly to a dispute, you have rights and there are steps you can take to protect yourself.
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Why you can dispute a credit card charge
In a tariff environment when everything costs more, auto parts in particular aren't cheap. And when you consider vehicle owners spend nearly 10 cents a mile on repairs – or about $1,450 annually – it's important to get them fixed right the first time.
Credit card chargebacks exist to protect consumers from unfair billing. If you're billed for goods or services you didn't authorize or didn't receive as promised, you typically have the right to dispute the charge with your card issuer. Common reasons to file a dispute include being charged for work you didn't approve, receiving substandard or incomplete services, or being billed incorrectly.
In this scenario, the car owner agreed to certain work but claims the shop did additional repairs without clear approval and refused to fix the resulting damage. When the business wouldn't issue a fair refund, disputing the charge was a reasonable next step.
Most credit card companies encourage you to try resolving the issue with the merchant first. If that fails, the Fair Credit Billing Act allows for 60 days from the date your credit card statement is issued to dispute a billing error. The card issuer will investigate, which may involve reviewing receipts, contracts, messages or other evidence.
Banks often side with customers in clear-cut cases of unauthorized charges or failure to deliver agreed-upon services. But disputes aren't guaranteed wins: Merchants can fight them by submitting their own evidence, which can result in the bank deciding against you. Additionally, too many disputes – especially those perceived as weak or unjustified – can negatively impact your relationship with your card issuer.
What to do if a business is threatening you
It's stressful enough to deal with a payment dispute without being harassed or threatened. But you have options if the repair shop starts making intimidating phone calls, sends aggressive messages or threatens legal action that seems retaliatory.
First, document everything. Save voicemails, texts, emails or call logs. Take notes on any conversations, including dates, times and what was said. This evidence could be helpful if you need to escalate things later.
Second, set clear boundaries. You can tell the business in writing to stop contacting you except for legitimate purposes. If they continue with threats or harassment, consider sending a formal cease-and-desist letter.
You can also report abusive business practices to your state attorney general's office or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). These agencies take consumer protection seriously and may investigate patterns of misconduct.
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Risks and concerns when disputing charges
While disputing a charge is your right, it's important to understand the potential downsides. Filing a dispute is essentially asking the card issuer to act as an arbitrator between you and the merchant. The process can take weeks or even months, during which time the charge may be temporarily removed but could be reinstated if the bank rules against you.
Merchants may also ban you from future business or, as in this case, attempt to retaliate in other ways. While they can't legally harass or threaten you, you may have to deal with awkward or hostile interactions.
How to avoid needing a dispute in the first place
No one wants to end up in a fight with their mechanic or bank. The best approach is to reduce the chance of disagreement before vehicle work even starts.
Whenever possible, get a clear, written estimate or contract that spells out exactly what work will be done and what it will cost. If the shop calls to recommend additional repairs, ask for the price in writing and approve it before they proceed. Don't assume verbal agreements are enough, especially if the work scope changes.
It also helps to confirm the shop's refund policy in advance. If there's a problem with the work, request a refund immediately and keep your communications polite but firm. Businesses are often more willing to negotiate when the issue is raised promptly and professionally.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
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