Merchant refused your refund? Your legal options

Start with a written demand

Email or letter — not a phone call. State the facts, the dollar amount, the deadline you're giving them. If this doesn't work, it's evidence.

Chargeback first, lawsuit second

If you paid by credit card or debit card, file a chargeback with your bank under the Fair Credit Billing Act or Reg E. Even if the merchant fights it, the chargeback record helps your case later. (Tip: file the chargeback for the right reason — "goods not received" or "not as described," not "fraud," unless the charge truly was unauthorized.)

State consumer-protection laws are powerful

Almost every state has an "Unfair and Deceptive Acts and Practices" (UDAP) statute. Many of them award:

• Treble damages — three times your actual loss.
• Attorney's fees — paid by the merchant if you win.
• Statutory minimums — even if your loss was small.

This is what makes a $300 refund dispute economical to litigate.

When you may be able to sue under federal law

• FTC "Cooling Off" rule — for sales of $25 or more made at your home, you have 3 days to cancel.
• ROSCA (Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act) — covers deceptive auto-renewals and "negative option" subscriptions.
• Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act — for warranty breaches on consumer products.

Subscriptions that won't let you cancel

"Cancel anytime" has to actually mean anytime. If you tried to cancel and were charged anyway, save every screenshot, email, and chat transcript. Federal and state laws specifically target dark-pattern cancellations.

When to call a lawyer

You can call us regardless of the dollar amount. If you're entitled to a refund or you didn't receive the goods or services as promised, you may be sitting on a lawsuit.