"Chargeback" to reclaim money from plumber

caper7

Hi,

A plumber was supposed to order a part for me, he texted to say it had arrived and asked me to pay over the phone. I believe it was his wife who took the payment. I used a debit card.

He has continuously failed to deliver the part, has had to reorder it, but keeps failing to collect it, and it ends up being sold to someone else. In my last communication I stated I wanted a refund and he agreed, but informed me he was on holiday and would sort it out on his return. Three weeks later I texted again requesting my refund now be dealt with at the earliest opportunity and five days later he has not responded to that text.

To summarise, he has had my money for 4 months and there appears to be no sign of it being refunded.

I read about the little known "chargeback" option, which apparently can be used for amounts under £100.

Would this be the best course of action for me? Would I still be able to go to small claims court if unsuccessful?

I really just want my money back, it would be ludicrous to go to court for £30, however I really can't and won't let myself be stolen from.

Any advice gratefully received.

Zandoni

caper7 wrote: »

Hi,

A plumber was supposed to order a part for me, he texted to say it had arrived and asked me to pay over the phone. I believe it was his wife who took the payment. I used a debit card.

He has continuously failed to deliver the part, has had to reorder it, but keeps failing to collect it, and it ends up being sold to someone else. In my last communication I stated I wanted a refund and he agreed, but informed me he was on holiday and would sort it out on his return. Three weeks later I texted again requesting my refund now be dealt with at the earliest opportunity and five days later he has not responded to that text.

To summarise, he has had my money for 4 months and there appears to be no sign of it being refunded.

I read about the little known "chargeback" option, which apparently can be used for amounts under £100.

Would this be the best course of action for me? Would I still be able to go to small claims court if unsuccessful?

I really just want my money back, it would be ludicrous to go to court for £30, however I really can't and won't let myself be stolen from.

Any advice gratefully received.

Have you checked your bank account to make sure that only £30 has been taken?

Rather than texting. phone the man and ask him what's going on before any other steps.

agrinnall

You may be out of time to make a Chargeback claim, you have 120 days from "purchase or expected service provision date". If it's not 120 days yet then get your claim in asap, if it's already over you may have to argue that the part is linked to a service which had a later start date.

Chargeback guide

caper7

Zandoni- I've always been under the impression it was better to do things in writing rather than over the phone? The guy is very chatty and friendly but never delivers, I feel I'm continuously getting fobbed off.

Agrinnall- I think I made the payment about 121/122 days ago and am concerned about the cut off date, but some things I've read seem to indicate it's a 120 from realising there's a problem. Obviously, on the day I paid I did not realise he would fail to deliver the item.

If anyone has any clarification on the time limit issue that would be very helpful.

theonlywayisup

caper7 wrote: »

Zandoni- I've always been under the impression it was better to do things in writing rather than over the phone? The guy is very chatty and friendly but never delivers, I feel I'm continuously getting fobbed off.

Agrinnall- I think I made the payment about 121/122 days ago and am concerned about the cut off date, but some things I've read seem to indicate it's a 120 from realising there's a problem. Obviously, on the day I paid I did not realise he would fail to deliver the item.

If anyone has any clarification on the time limit issue that would be very helpful.

It may be more prudent to get the claim in now and ask questions later.

wealdroam

caper7 wrote: »

Zandoni- I've always been under the impression it was better to do things in writing rather than over the phone? The guy is very chatty and friendly but never delivers, I feel I'm continuously getting fobbed off.

Agrinnall- I think I made the payment about 121/122 days ago and am concerned about the cut off date, but some things I've read seem to indicate it's a 120 from realising there's a problem. Obviously, on the day I paid I did not realise he would fail to deliver the item.

If anyone has any clarification on the time limit issue that would be very helpful.

MSE's Chargeback article suggests a 120 day time limit.

As Chargeback is not enshrined in law, it is possible for each card provider to have different rules, but my understanding is that most have standardised on 120 days.

As Theonlywayisup says, get your claim in ASAP.

caper7

https://www.help.barclays.co.uk/faq/cards/debit-card/visa-debit-card-problem.html#back=%2Fresults.html%3Fq%3DChargeback%26_charset_%3DUTF-8%26offset%3D0%26origin%3Dwww.barclays.co.uk

However, think I will get a claim in tomorrow.

Is this something best done in branch?

wealdroam

caper7 wrote: »

https://www.help.barclays.co.uk/faq/cards/debit-card/visa-debit-card-problem.html#back=%2Fresults.html%3Fq%3DChargeback%26_charset_%3DUTF-8%26offset%3D0%26origin%3Dwww.barclays.co.uk

However, think I will get a claim in tomorrow.

Is this something best done in branch?

I would just give them a ring.

Their response will almost certainly be to send out a form.

caper7

Wealdroam- called Barclays and they took all the info over the phone, said that I'd actually answered all their questions so wouldn't need me to sign anything and the conversation gets recorded.
Had to choose between non receipt of goods or refund, went with the goods option.
So apparently I now wait 20 days for an update by post.
Either I've won, lost or the other party hasn't provided any info...
So now I wait...