Experience the difference of "Elite".

Disputed charge. Stripe is no help.

UstlcRentals
Mar 13, 2022 3:38 PM
Joined Oct, 2021 54 posts

The guest booked VRBO so payment processed through Stripe. They disputed it a month later and Stripe just took it right out of my bank account. They say it'll be up to 8 months before i get it back and that's only if the bank they use agrees in my favor.  

The guest claims they tried to withdraw the dispute but then they went silent after that.  

This is not right at all. Is there no way to protect us better from this type thing happening??

Ken T
Mar 14, 2022 7:06 PM
Joined Aug, 2019 1707 posts

I'm afraid that's just how the credit card payment processing system works.  Buyers can always dispute charges and almost always win; when there's a dispute, the disputed amount is immediately removed from the account of the merchant and held in escrow until the dispute is resolved, which nearly always is in favor of the buyer.  There are a few services that provide what amounts to chargeback insurance, but they are extremely costly and not generally worthwhile.  Unfortunately, chargebacks are kind of a cost of doing business.

The only real protection, if you call it that, is our signed Rental Agreements.  As a legally valid and binding contract, if the guest does not comply with the terms by paying you as agreed, you can sue them in small-claims court.  In most cases, they won't appear in court and you'll win by default, whereupon you can take further legal action with the sheriff's office where they live to collect the debt.  Not fun, and not fast, but it's possible.

UstlcRentals
Mar 14, 2022 9:22 PM
Joined Oct, 2021 54 posts

Wow. Always in favor except when they should be and aren't! I got robbed of 1500 for a website before i found you guys. I didn't win.  

Stripe should offer a protection for this. Paypal would have my back! 

Well if i have to play the legal game, then i will. In 8 freaking months! 

 

Thanks so much for the helpful reply!