Tips: What to do if a company does not
Honor its Money-Back Guarantee?
Tips: What to do if a company does not Honor its Money-Back Guarantee?
You bought a new product that you had high hopes for.
However, after you tried it out, you did not get the expected benefits or promised results, and you ended up being disappointed.
Since you remembered this product came with a money-back guarantee, you contacted the company’s customer support and asked for a refund.
However, to your utter amazement, the vendor refused to honor the guarantee for one reason or another, leaving you in a state of anger and frustration.
Sound familiar? Has that ever happened to you?
If this is indeed the case, continue reading and learn what you can do.
First Step: Read the Guarantee… Slowly!
The very first thing you need to do is visit the company’s website and read the money-back guarantee’s text in full – slowly and calmly, including the ‘fine print’.
This preliminary check will help you assess where you stand and who has a better case: you or the vendor.
After reading the full text, if you find out that you meet the policy’s terms, the business has no legitimate reason to refuse to your request for a refund.
However, if the guarantee’s text tells a different story, then you’ll probably have a tougher case.
Second Step: Contact The Company
After doing your homework by closely reading the terms of the MBG, you’re now in a better position to understand who has a stronger hand in this unpleasant poker game, you or the seller.
Why is it so important, you ask?
Well, this vital information will help you prepare your refund request in a more compelling and persuasive manner.
If, after conducting this research, you reach the conclusion that the company did nothing wrong and the reason you are not given a refund is justified according to their written policy, then all you can do is ask for it (nicely!) and hope for their understanding.
On the other hand, if you think the facts of this case are in your favor, gather all the evidence that supports your claims, contact the company (preferably by phone), and explain to the rep why you should get your money back in a clear and confident manner.
If you believe that it’s not a clear-cut situation and each side has valid arguments for its position, consider asking for a mutually agreed-upon compromise.
Third Step: Taking Action
When a business you bought from does not honor its promise to return your money back if you are not happy with the product, you don’t have to sit around and take it.
If you believe you were mistreated, misled, deceived, or scammed, there are numerous practical steps you can take.
Let’s explore some of them.
You can report the business to federal and state level authorities, law enforcement, and consumer protection agencies.
- State Consumer Protection Offices
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
- State Attorney General’s Office in the state the business is located
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Complaint Assistant
- Your local police department
You can file a complaint with consumer help organizations.
You can share your experience with others on consumer complaint websites.
You can also write a review about a business on Yelp, Sitejabber, or Trustpilot.
You can try to share your story with local and national newspapers, radio, or television stations that cover consumer rights issues.
Want to take legal action? File a lawsuit in small claims court.