Consumer complaint received 2023-03-10
Company: DISCOVER BANK
State: CA
Product: Credit card or prepaid card
Sub-product: General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Problem with a purchase shown on your statement
Sub-issue: Credit card company isn't resolving a dispute about a purchase on your statement

Complaint:
This complaint is with the credit card ( Discover card ) I filed with the merchant ( XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  ) to be on the waitlist for a concert ticket that would take place on XXXX XXXX XXXX The ticket order # is : XXXX and I was charged {$660.00} for merchandise ( in this case a ticket ) that was not received. 

It all started when I was interested in buying a ticket for the above concert. The tickets sold out quickly earlier that year in XXXX, so I decided to get on the waitlist to see if there is a chance for me to buy a ticket at a later date. Under the merchant 's sign up page for a waitlist ticket, it said that I needed to agree on their ticket and wristband policy where it states " All sales are final - no refunds or exchanges '' in which I needed to check mark the box for me to proceed. I did with my credit card on file with them. Several months go by until XXXX and no communication from the merchant ( I assumed I wasn't fortunate enough to buy a ticket ). 

On the day of the concert itself on XX/XX/XXXX, I happened to check my statement balance online and saw the charge from the merchant for {$660.00}. I quickly emailed XXXX XXXX XXXX about the charge and if I can get a refund because I wasn't notified that I will be charged for the ticket in such short notice ( I believe ticket will be mailed out XXXX weeks prior to the event day itself ) which I never received. XXXX XXXX XXXX responded and told me to email XXXX instead. I did the same day and asked once again if I can get a refund due to no previous communication from them whether through text, phone call, email, or mail. I didn't get anything at all so how am I supposed to know that I was getting a ticket and be charged for it... 

The next day on XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  replied back saying per their ticket and wristband policy, they are unable to refund me my money back. So on that same day I reached out and talked to a dispute specialist from Discover card and asked if they can do a chargeback for the ticket on good/services not received from the merchant. They granted me a 30 day credit while they investigate the charge. Thirty days go by and I found out that due to the no refunds policy from the company, Discover card was unable to proceed with the chargeback. I was shocked and upset with this decision. I thought credit card companies would side with me for the screenshots and information I provided them with this dispute. 

After a couple weeks, I decided to once again file another chargeback with the merchant. And again, Discover card gave me another provisional credit while they investigate. Second time I lost the case again due to the same no refunds policy. I again emailed the merchant XXXX on XXXX XXXX XXXX and demanded my money back, but again they responded that due to their no refund policy, they are unable to provide me with a refund. I even pointed out to them in the email that I was charged a {$7.00} shipping fee and another {$10.00} for handling but they never mailed anything to me. When I asked about a tracking number for proof, I was never provided that at all. 

Lastly, I filed a third dispute case with Discover card because this is not right at all and I am entitled to a refund back. Another dispute specialist told me the same thing the others have been telling me and advised I file this complaint with the FTC and report the merchant. I did just that on the same day after speaking with the Discover card dispute specialist on XXXX XXXX. Since then, I have not heard back from the FTC. 

Here we are now on XXXX XXXX XXXX and I have to pay that amount by mid XXXX so I don't have to incur any interest payment. I have tried XXXX times to dispute the case with Discover card and each time they failed me. This is a ticket that was never mailed to me, an event I never went to due to no communication from the merchant whether through phone call, text message, email, mail, etc. If the event were in my hometown of XXXX XXXX, then I would've driven to the box office/will call and see if they have my ticket available. Since the event is in XXXX XXXX, there was no way at all for me to travel day same day. They just charged me blindly. As you can see in XXXX of my attachments labeled " XXXX XXXX, '' third page under " Scan/Fullfillment Summary, '' it says under Unpicked up : 1, Unfulfilled : 1, Unscanned : 1, which means that the ticket I bought was never used nor picked up by me. Please help me get my money back. This is unfair by both parties to be doing this to me. Thank you!

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation