From: potts@itl.itd.umich.edu (Paul Potts)
Subject: Re:  WARNING !!!
Organization: Instructional Technology Laboratory, University of Michigan
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 1992 19:00:44 GMT

In article <BtpHDs.6BD@watdragon.uwaterloo.ca> cyor@logos.uwaterloo.ca (                ) writes:
>Sorry for wasting everybody time.
>
>Thanks for all those who replied to me.
>Most people told me to ask the credit card company for help.
>Unfortunately, please note the following:
>
>
>1) CIBC Visa Center said that they are not going to help to settle this
>   problem since it is not their jobs to do so.  I talked to the Manager
>   and she told me this.  They told me to settle it down MYSELF.
>   Perhaps Visa Center in the States do help to settle down this kind
>   of problem.  I already pay that VISA bill since VISA Center said 
>   if I don't pay them, then I am in trouble with VISA.

This seems like a problem with CIBC. Who are they? I have good luck
resolving credit disputes with Citibank and AT&T. They have been willing
to accept the validity of my claims, take my documentation, and remove
the charge while they pursue the claim.  Some examples:

Blue Dolphin Computers, Inc., went out of business recently owing me about
$500 for a monitor that I returned. Citibank is investigating.

MacFriends still owes me $100 for a partial refund on a hard disk that I
returned to them. If I don't see it soon I'm going to dispute the charge.

Damark Internation and I had a series of tangles involving a futon bed that
was billed to me months before it shipped, and which turned out to be really
poor quality. I was able to resolve that with a combination of pressure from
me and AT&T.

>Any advice other than calling for help from credit card company is appreciated.
>

First off, don't buy from fly-by-night companies. I have had so much 
trouble with small companies it isn't funny. It is absolutely *astounding*
what they think they can get away with.

Use a credit card backed by a major bank.

Keep all receipts, photocopies of checks, VISA records, bills, invoices,
packing slips, etc. They can become very important later.

Always get the name of the person you spoke to on the phone, and keep
records of when you called, who you talked to, and what was said.
If someone is not being useful on the phone, ask to talk to their manager.

Verify that an item is in stock and get a confirmed ship date. If you haven't
received it within a few days after the confirmed ship date (this is why I
also try always to have things sent overnight, so companies can't play the
"merchandise is in the mail" game) then call and cancel the order.

On the other hand, I've had extremely good service from some mail-order
companies. MacConnection has always treated me extremely well. The Programmer's
Shop has been good to me too.

Be very careful when you call to get technical information or advice on a
product. If the sales rep can't give you the information, or seems to be
saying just what you want to hear (very important), see if you can find another
source for the product. It just isn't worth it to try to deal with people
who don't have good technical training and background.

Hope this helps some for the future. I'm sorry about all the problems you've
been having. My general advice is to be extremely careful with mail-order
companies, because I've been screwed enough times to be nervous.
-- 
"It'sVerySad / toSeeTheAncientAndDistinguishedGameThatUsedToBe / aModelOf
DecorumAndTranquilityBecomeLikeAnyOtherSportABattlegroundForRivalIdeologies
toSlugItOutWithGlee." (from _Chess_). -potts@itl.itd.umich.edu-