Wellp, dunno why people were inserting emotion into the dispute process, like it “get someone’s goat” and whatnot. You don’t have to get emotional to just yank their strings and get back what you’re owed.
Once I bought a bunch of 30Qs and put in the order without checking the shipping amount. It was something like cells 20.57, after shipping 23.88, not bad, just a few bux for shipping… or so I thought. Uhhh, no, it was shipping an extra 23.88, more than doubling the price!
And to add insult to injury, the cells never made it. Oh, I was expecting it at work, where the receptionist was always there or at least someone to sign for the package. Yet it was marked as “delivered”, no one remembers signing for anything, and there was no signature or anything given (even on Amazon, you’ll see “signed for by: Eric” or somesuch).
And what was odd, it was the only time ever — not before nor since — where I got a separate email from GB asking if I received the cells. Curiouser and curiouser.
Wellp, for sure if I got raped on shipping, I damned well BETTER receive the cells, so I contacted them and told them that I didn’t received them. “But they’re marked as delivered.” “Don’t care, I never received them.” “Can you check at your Post Office?” And around and around…
It got irritating with all the stubborn back’n’forth, the time-wasting, them trying to just wear me down so I’d go away, but I didn’t give up. It was almost a game at this point, like being in a staring contest and seeing who’d blink first.
Wellp, they were pointing fingers at the carrier, trying to make me go hound them instead, file a claim with them (and prove… what?), and I’m sure the carrier would point the finger back at GB, and meanwhile I’d be without the bux and without the cells.
I was offered new cells but I’d pay shipping (ha!), or new cells and shipping and we’d split the cost, in both cases I’d be expected to lay out an extra 20bux+. Nuh-uh. No way.
Finally, the solution was simple. “Okay, I’m done. I’m just going to have the CC chargeback the items and get my bux back, and then you and the carrier can duke it out to see who wins.”
Guess what? I got a full refund.
I couldda saved so much time by just playing the first round or two, and then go nuclear. But that’s often the solution, just letting the CC, PP, whatever, do the chargeback. Make the offer first to let them make good on it on their own, but if not, let them know unambiguously that’s exactly what you’ll do.
Methinks most CS reps are programmed to just read from a script. Apologise and advise you to wait. Offer a fraction of the value. Offer slightly more in “points”. Wear down, wear down, wear down, keep going acto the script, wear down some more, rise, repeat. Maybe they get incentives for how much less-than-value they save the company, and/or “punished” for having to concede completely. Either way, it’s institutionalised.
So… don’t get worked up. Just play the game as long as it’s still amusing, then when you grow bored, go nuclear and be done with it.