How long do you wait for a business to fix a mistake? « Columbus Underground Messageboard

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How long do you wait for a business to fix a mistake?

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Started 2 years ago by joev
Latest reply from nexttuesday

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advice

joev
Merion Village
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I recently had a bad experience at an area establishment. Actaully, more than bad - I think it borders on a financial crime. And it has happened before to me at the same location in exactly the same way.

The first time, I chalked it up to an honest mistake and didn't do anything about it. This time, I sent an email to the listed contact for this establishment, but haven't heard back yet. I want to give them a chance to make this right before I have to get anyone else involved. What is the appropriate time-table to wait for a response before discussing the matter with the Better Business Bureau or relevant authorities? Needless to say, I'm never going back, but I'd hate for this place to continue to do this to their customers.

Posted 2 years ago #
osulew
My house...in the middle of my street
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Can you give more detail on what actually happened without revealing the identity of the establishment?
I only ask as I feel that the amount of response time appropriate could vary depending on the severity of the situation.
If that makes sense...

Posted 2 years ago #
joev
Merion Village
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Sure. A charge higher than what I authorized appeared on my bank statement. The previous time, it was the same - the dollar amount was even the same.

Posted 2 years ago #
berdawn
near that stretch of N. High Street in the Short North
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You may want to phone before contacting the BBB (or angie's list). unless you get a read receipt, you don't even know if your email got to the right person.

Posted 2 years ago #
HeySquare
German Village
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Are you sure you aren't getting charged a transaction fee by your financial institution?

Posted 2 years ago #
joev
Merion Village
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Positive.

Posted 2 years ago #
bababoohi

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Was it a bar? I've noticed some of the bars in Cbus charge a "tip" on the card.
Regardless, I'd give it about a week, but it does depend on the establishment.

Posted 2 years ago #
DavidF
Elysium Fields
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I don't know. It's been 10 months, and after 9 phone calls and 3 in person visits, I still haven't gotten my money back from a local establishment after they closed another person's tab on my card. This is after being told on at least 6 occasions that they would reverse the charges. I've even offered to take the money in gift certificates.

So my advice would be not to do what I've done. Have you talked to your bank (or credit card company) about disputing the charges?

Posted 2 years ago #
bababoohi

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DavidF wrote >>
I don't know. It's been 10 months, and after 9 phone calls and 3 in person visits, I still haven't gotten my money back from a local establishment after they closed another person's tab on my card. This is after being told on at least 6 occasions that they would reverse the charges. I've even offered to take the money in gift certificates.
So my advice would be not to do what I've done. Have you talked to your bank (or credit card company) about disputing the charges?

That's a good idea. Chase was good to me when I had a contested charge.

Posted 2 years ago #
turnedNOTburned
Grandview/Columbus, Ohio
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Kudos to you for your "Appropriate" handling of this and not making CU platform for attack....

Posted 2 years ago #
DavidF
Elysium Fields
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bababoohi wrote >>

DavidF wrote >>
I don't know. It's been 10 months, and after 9 phone calls and 3 in person visits, I still haven't gotten my money back from a local establishment after they closed another person's tab on my card. This is after being told on at least 6 occasions that they would reverse the charges. I've even offered to take the money in gift certificates.
So my advice would be not to do what I've done. Have you talked to your bank (or credit card company) about disputing the charges?

That's a good idea. Chase was good to me when I had a contested charge.

Normally, I would have contested my charge right away, but having run a small business I was trying to cut a newbie business owner a break. I cut them too much slack and now it's waaay to late to contest. I view it mostly as a mistake on my part. The shame is, it's a business that I otherwise would have patronized but not now.

@Joev: I would call them and if it's not resolved by the end of this week, call your bank.

Posted 2 years ago #
StowCbusCleveland
Jackson Township, Canton, OH
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One of the great things about using plastic: The chargeback. I've had to do it a few times when a business was unresponsive. For something as simple as "You charged me too much", I don't think they get a lot of time to make it right, given that it can be handled VERY quickly if you are actually motivated to make the correction.

Put it this way: If I called or e-mailed on a Monday the action on my part would already be underway before Friday.

Posted 2 years ago #
nexttuesday

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Since you say "establishment" I'm assuming it's a bar or restaurant, in which case I would call on the phone and speak directly to a manager. It could be one bad apple server or bartender who is adding an unauthorized amount to the tip and stealing from lots of customers.

If they fail to fix the problem to your satisfaction (sounds like they have already failed) then dispute with your card company. If it's your debit card you might not be protected in the same way, you'll have to check with your bank.

The only bad thing about complaining to the BBB is that if the company is not registered with the BBB then they might not care.

Posted 2 years ago #