Chargeback
A chargeback is a payment reversal initiated through the customer’s bank rather than a refund requested from the store.
What a chargeback is
A chargeback is a payment reversal the customer gets by disputing the charge with their bank instead of asking the store for a refund.
The bank pulls the money back, the store gets a dispute case, and a fee lands either way.
Why chargebacks matter
Each one costs the sale, the product, and a fee, and the rate is watched: stores with too many disputes face higher processing costs or lose the ability to take cards at all.
Common chargeback causes
- Actual fraud on a stolen card
- Friendly fraud: the buyer disputes a purchase they made
- Item not received or not as described
- Unrecognized billing descriptors on the statement
Frequently asked questions
How do stores prevent chargebacks?
Clear product pages and photos, honest delivery estimates, a recognizable billing name, tracking on every order, and refunds made easier than disputes.
Can you fight a chargeback?
Yes, with evidence: delivery confirmation, order records, correspondence. Some are worth contesting; many cost more to fight than to absorb, which is why prevention wins.