Refund Process

Grumpy_chap

Hi, I hope the collective mind can clarify something for me.  

While on holiday, my wife and I went for a massage.  When we came to pay, the first time I got a "declined" for some reason - they gave me the slip saying so.  I therefore put my card to pay a second time.

When the statement came through, the transaction had gone through twice.  I called my card but they said they will not do a chargeback but I need to contact the vendor.  I sent the vendor an e-mail and they have replied saying that if I send my IBAN and full name, they will credit the funds back to the account. 

I think IBAN means my bank account number and sort code.  Is that correct?

Although I am sure this is an honest company, I'd really have thought the refund should have simply gone back to the credit card and I should not have to share bank account details.

Or, have I mis-understood what they are asking for by requesting the IBAN?

McKneff

Ask your bank for your Iban no. 
It is separate no. From you account no. In fact it may be on your bank statement 

eskbanker

Grumpy_chap said:

Although I am sure this is an honest company, I'd really have thought the refund should have simply gone back to the credit card and I should not have to share bank account details.

Likewise - I was under the impression that merchants were obliged to refund to the same card, but perhaps different rules apply in whichever country you were in?

Grumpy_chap said:

I called my card but they said they will not do a chargeback but I need to contact the vendor.

My understanding of chargeback is that you can only invoke it if the merchant has failed to cooperate, so if you request a refund to the card from the merchant and they refuse, then you should be able to refer it to your card provider again as a duplicated payment.

Grumpy_chap

Thanks both.

I can get my IBAN from the bank statement.  Am I safe to share this for the refund?

eskbanker

Grumpy_chap said:

Thanks both.

I can get my IBAN from the bank statement.  Am I safe to share this for the refund?

It's the equivalent of sharing your sort code and account number - the usual response is that those numbers are at the foot of every cheque you've ever used and therefore the risk is minimal in that there's nothing much anyone can do with that data (other than set up a mischievous (but recoverable) direct debit, as in the famous Jeremy Clarkson example).

Grumpy_chap

OK - I'll go ahead and send the details to the company.

Thanks for the advice everyone.