Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!mnetor!seismo!gatech!gitpyr!jkg From: jkg@gitpyr.gatech.EDU (Jim Greenlee) Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc Subject: Re: PC's Limited - Buyer Protection Message-ID: <3495@gitpyr.gatech.EDU> Date: Sat, 25-Apr-87 13:21:02 EDT Article-I.D.: gitpyr.3495 Posted: Sat Apr 25 13:21:02 1987 Date-Received: Sun, 26-Apr-87 20:50:09 EDT References: <440@csm9a.UUCP> Reply-To: jkg@gitpyr.UUCP (Jim Greenlee) Followup-To: misc.consumers Organization: Georgia Institute of Technology Lines: 45 In article <440@csm9a.UUCP> japplega@csm9a.UUCP (Joe Applegate) writes: >Mr. Briggs could have easily recovered his money if only he had placed the >original purchase with a major credit card. Federal law allows the remedy >of debt removal for unsatisfactory merchandise if a credit card is used and >the purchase is made from a firm 100 or more miles away from your residence >(or place of business). I want to point out that there are certain restrictions and guidelines which must be followed before you can do this. This procedure is referred to as a "charge-back" and is mandated by the Fair Credit Billing Act, a 1974 amendment to the Truth in Lending Act. It spells out specific steps that must be taken to reverse the charge. Firstly, the firm must be at in your state or within 100 miles of your home or place of business for purchases under $50. For purchases over $50, the distance test does not apply. Secondly, the purchase must have been by MAIL order (technically, telephone orders do NOT count). You must first try to settle the dispute with the merchant. If the matter is not resolved to your satisfaction, then you must notify the card issuer that you are requesting a charge-back. During the time that the matter is in dispute, the card issuer may not charge you interest on the amount, nor report your account as being delinquent. Of course, all correspondence should be as well documented as possible, with copies of any pertinent documents included. It's also a good idea to send everything via registered mail, so you have some proof that the letters were received. The procedure, although simple, must be followed to protect your rights under the act (and also your wallet :-). In reality, most banks don't follow the law to the letter, but in situations like this, it is always best to play it safe. For anyone who is interested, there was an excellent article in the February issue of "Consumer Reports" that covers this subject in great detail. I've changed the "Followups" line to go to misc.consumers for anybody who is interested in pursuing this discussion. I think further postings will be more appropriate there. Jim Greenlee -- The Shadow...!{akgua,allegra,amd,hplabs,ihnp4,seismo,ut-ngp}!gatech!gitpyr!jkg Jryy, abj lbh'ir tbar naq qbar vg! Whfg unq gb xrrc svqqyvat jvgu vg hagvy lbh oebxr vg, qvqa'g lbh?!