Anonymous
Post 02/15/2016 16:19     Subject: I contested a credit card charge and the merchant is trying to bully me to drop it
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:What tax (jurisdiction and type) did he charge you? You can always report him to the jurisdiction, tell them that he is improperly charging tax. Maybe he gets audited.


OP here. I don't want to post too many specific details about the situation lest it escalate further. I work in financial regulatory compliance and I have some experience with this so I think I've understood and applied the regulations accurately. If not and I end up having to pay the taxes, fine. But I don't want the guy sending me creepy emails either way!

I filed a report with the consumer protection agency for that state. I contacted visa and they told me to contact my bank (who services the card) tomorrow when they reopen after the holiday.

The merchant's reviews online are mostly positive (for the product, not the service) but the negative ones are from customers who felt threatened or creeped out by this guy (the owner) for a number of different reasons. At least I'm not alone!


Call the taxing jurisdiction and see what they say, if the tax you were charged was legitimate. If they confirm that it was not, ask what your recourse is available to get your money back, as you have already attempted to work with the vendor. If he is not properly taxing your transaction, he is likely not taxing other transactions correctly, plus he may not be remitting all that he (improperly) collects to the jurisdiction. At the very least you can get confirmation on whether the tax was due. Most of the state and local folks are very pleasant and helpful.
Anonymous
Post 02/15/2016 15:38     Subject: I contested a credit card charge and the merchant is trying to bully me to drop it
Anonymous wrote:What tax (jurisdiction and type) did he charge you? You can always report him to the jurisdiction, tell them that he is improperly charging tax. Maybe he gets audited.


OP here. I don't want to post too many specific details about the situation lest it escalate further. I work in financial regulatory compliance and I have some experience with this so I think I've understood and applied the regulations accurately. If not and I end up having to pay the taxes, fine. But I don't want the guy sending me creepy emails either way!

I filed a report with the consumer protection agency for that state. I contacted visa and they told me to contact my bank (who services the card) tomorrow when they reopen after the holiday.

The merchant's reviews online are mostly positive (for the product, not the service) but the negative ones are from customers who felt threatened or creeped out by this guy (the owner) for a number of different reasons. At least I'm not alone!
Anonymous
Post 02/15/2016 15:05     Subject: I contested a credit card charge and the merchant is trying to bully me to drop it
Anonymous wrote:What tax (jurisdiction and type) did he charge you? You can always report him to the jurisdiction, tell them that he is improperly charging tax. Maybe he gets audited.


That would be awesome.
Anonymous
Post 02/15/2016 15:05     Subject: Re:I contested a credit card charge and the merchant is trying to bully me to drop it
OP: how about you send him a nice letter with the words "CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT" on there somewhere?

Methinks he'll shut up nice and fast.

(IANAL!)
Anonymous
Post 02/15/2016 14:52     Subject: I contested a credit card charge and the merchant is trying to bully me to drop it
What tax (jurisdiction and type) did he charge you? You can always report him to the jurisdiction, tell them that he is improperly charging tax. Maybe he gets audited.
Anonymous
Post 02/15/2016 14:43     Subject: I contested a credit card charge and the merchant is trying to bully me to drop it
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Tell the credit card company they are doing this. It is a clear violation of the merchant agreement.


Tell visa - not the CC company. They don't own the merchant agreement.


You're right. I just answered to quick
Anonymous
Post 02/15/2016 13:05     Subject: I contested a credit card charge and the merchant is trying to bully me to drop it
Anonymous wrote:I think you should tell us who the merchant is so we can avoid doing business with them.


No, the OP should tell us the service & the state/local area so it can be verified if the OP is correct.