#Restaurant #Refund #DoubleCharged #CustomerService
#####The Initial Double Charge Dilemma
Upon visiting a restaurant with my sister, we encountered an unsettling situation where my debit card declined, yet my bank account showed the payment went through, resulting in my sister footing the bill in full. After speaking with a manager, we were assured that the charge would drop off within 48 hours.
#####The Elusive Refund Promise
To our dismay, the charge remained, prompting a call to the restaurant. They promised a refund and provided an E-receipt marked as “VOIDED,” claiming it signified the voiding of the original transaction, even though it had already posted. However, after a week with no refund in sight, a follow-up call revealed the restaurant’s uncooperative stance, shifting blame to my bank for the missing refund.
#####The Bank’s Response and Potential Resolution
Taking matters into my own hands, I contacted my bank to discover no record of a refund or reversal of the charge after more than 12 business days. They advised me to consider disputing the transaction, a process that could take up to 90 days for resolution.
#####Seeking Further Action
The restaurant’s dubious practices were highlighted in negative reviews, indicating a pattern of overcharging and questionable behavior. Feeling taken advantage of, I am considering reporting this incident to relevant authorities to prevent further misconduct.
In such a situation, clarity and persistence are key. If you find yourself in a similar predicament, it is essential to exhaust all avenues for resolution, including communicating with the restaurant, your bank, and exploring options for dispute. Remember, your rights as a consumer deserve protection, and taking action against unethical practices ensures accountability and fair treatment for all.
I’d go through your bank at this point. Voiding a transaction is not the same as refunding. It’s more used in the event a server entered something in error as opposed to a double charge. I assume your bank allows you to file a dispute online. You could notify BBB but I wouldn’t expect anything to change.
Yes, they have told you that they want you to handle it with the bank. So it’s time to deal with the bank!
Don’t wait any longer. Banks can be weird about refunding cards that were swiped and especially since it’s a debit card. Don’t pay with a debit card ever again if you can help it, always use a credit card. They have much more robust features. And you can just dispute that shit online really easily in most cases.
Yes, it’s time to file a dispute. While some banks will provide a provisional credit while the dispute is investigated, not all will. It’s not required. This is one of the reasons credit is better than debit.
You’ve got the documentation and the facts on your side, even their unsuccessful attempt at voiding. This will be an easy win, but correct, it’s unlikely to be instant.
In the payment portals I’m familiar with, voiding a receipt or bill that has been paid does not automatically trigger a refund. I would go through your bank.
I’d start the charge back with your bank and also add another negative review to which ever site you saw they had complaints on.
aside from the other helpful information, i’ll just add that in almost all circumstances you should avoid paying for anything on debit card, and instead use a credit card. there are a few different reasons why, but pertinent here would be an easy dispute path, and not being ‘out’ any money while it is resolved.
Assuming you are in the US, you shouldn’t ever pay anything with your debit card, provided they accept credit cards and there isn’t an additional fee. Debit cards are inferior in every way to credit cards, especially with regards to security and ease of transaction disputes.
With all that said, yes you need to dispute with your bank (and next time use a credit card).
Did you confirm your aisters oayment went through and they didnt accidentally void that one?
Just name the restaurant….
that’s all it takes to get your revenge. If they don’t value their reputation over $150, that is their problem.
Go through your bank and go straight to this restaurants corporate office electronically if at all possible. Someone is running a scam for sure. This is a very common server scam.
Each table/transaction has a ‘check number’ or specific ID code for that table’s order. They should be able to pull the check number with your sisters card charge. There is no reason that they can’t provide you with a copy of your itemized receipts for both charges. Each credit card charge is going to be associated with a specific check number.
The more common scam is create a ghost check in the computer, repeating the exact same items. Going to the computer, creating a table that doesn’t exist and ringing up the exact same items. This will generate a different check number. The way this is profitable to a server is that someone comps off the whole meal except for a 3.00 Iced Tea. Then run the card for 3 and tip themselves 147.00 to equal 150.00 In order to pull this off, they most likely would have had to get a managers card or ID number. Many get busy and just hand their cards out.
If they drag their feet or pretend they can’t provide you with check numbers, call the police after collecting the statements from both you and your sister.
Do the dispute. Just do it. Depending on the bank, you’ll get your refund instantly. The 90 days is there for the restaurant to present a counter-argument. If they don’t, money’s yours.
When issues like this happen to me I call the company and let them know their error. If it isn’t fixed in a week I call my bank. I don’t trust anyone anymore and I’m not giving them weeks to fix the issue.
If they voided the cc transaction, it would have a transaction number.
I’m so sick of the “up to 90 days” bullshit… In today’s day and age of information technology and the speed of electricity refunds do not take that long. I think they say 90 days in the hopes that you’ll wait that long and forget about it or neither the business or the bank will be obligated to reverse the charges given the length of time from the original transaction.