Credit Card Purchase Protections for an "Unreturnable" Purchase

[cv91915]

What's the best card to use with an unfamiliar online merchant, for a custom item that cannot be returned unless it arrives damaged?

 

I want to make sure we're in the strongest position in case we need to do a chargeback... let's say the item arrives and it's not exactly as depicted or described online.

 

I'm also thinking about extra warranty protection benefits for the purchase, although I'm not sure if those typically apply to furniture.

 

 

[mendelssohn]

Amex?

[nysbadmk8]

Amex has always been leaps and bounds better then my visa cards for this.

[cv91915]

Thanks, guys.

 

I've done chargebacks with Amex and B of A recently. Both were very easy, but they were both $50 or under transactions.

 

I'm more than a little hesitant to spend thousands of dollars with an unknown merchant on an un-returnable, custom item... but we're having a lot of problems finding something we like in meatspace.

[hegemony]

Palladium has been better than amex plat IME.

[mendelssohn]

Didn't they shut the door for Palladium apps that aren't through a private banker?

[PotO]

AmEx and ...

 

CapOne.

[hegemony]

Didn't they shut the door for Palladium apps that aren't through a private banker?

 

which only requires a pulse...

[BDK]

Amex?

Without question, Amex.

[cv91915]

 

Amex?

Without question, Amex.

 

 

Very close to picking out our sofa. This helps.

[BDK]

 

 

Amex?

Without question, Amex.

 

 

Very close to picking out our sofa. This helps.

 

Pic?

[cv91915]

I'm currently lobbying for this in grey, but the counter-argument I'm getting is to look for something with some tufting on the seat cushions, so the leather doesn't start looking stretched prematurely. I had to look up "tufting."

 

In reality, my priority is to get something simple and comfortable, where I can park my lazy flowers while berating people on CB from my tablet.

 

[BDK]

I'm currently lobbying for this in grey, but the counter-argument I'm getting is to look for something with some tufting on the seat cushions, so the leather doesn't start looking stretched prematurely. I had to look up "tufting."

 

In reality, my priority is to get something simple and comfortable, where I can park my lazy flowers while berating people on CB from my tablet.

 

Are you English, or American?

[cv91915]

 

I'm currently lobbying for this in grey, but the counter-argument I'm getting is to look for something with some tufting on the seat cushions, so the leather doesn't start looking stretched prematurely. I had to look up "tufting."

 

In reality, my priority is to get something simple and comfortable, where I can park my lazy flowers while berating people on CB from my tablet.

 

Are you English, or American?

 

 

Maybe.

[BDK]

Or do you mean that in the more modern sense that the two are actually separate colors - grey having more of a silver hue and gray merely being 1/2 way in between black and white?

[cv91915]

The color is called "Italian charcoal," which is silly because the color isn't very dark. No idea why I chose that spelling...

 

[BDK]

The color is called "Italian charcoal," which is silly because the color isn't very dark. No idea why I chose that spelling...

 

I like that name! But it is really difficult to gauge "color" in a black and white photo!

[cv91915]

I've never burned (or even seen) charcoal in Italy, so maybe it's me.

[BDK]

I've never burned (or even seen) charcoal in Italy, so maybe it's me.

Unless it is some kinda exotic wood being made into charcoal, I imagine that all charcoals are equal across the World.

[cv91915]

I just talked to Amex.

 

Here's a wrinkle:

 

The purchase/charge-back protection is good for three months from the date of the charge. The lead time on this furniture is significant since it's a custom order, and it could take longer than three months to arrive.

 

I need to find out if this merchant charges the card when the order is placed, or when it ships.

 

Looking through our recent furniture purchases on our current Amex bill, it's a mixed bag:

 

- Sectional for TV room (stock item, immediately available but delivered later): Card charged on the day it was delivered.

 

- Table/chairs for breakfast room (normally a stock item, but OOS when we purchased it): Card was charged a deposit paid when ordered, but the balance charged on delivery day.

 

- Dining room table (normally a stock item, but OOS when we purchased it): Charged upfront, not here until late September.

[Omnipotent]

Amex will cover the return as long as your return. Protection covers up to that dollar amount.

[cv91915]

Amex will cover the return as long as your return. Protection covers up to that dollar amount.

 

Not sure I follow.

[tophie]

Amex is the best for Chargebacks, which is why most businesses won't accept them. As a business owner, we're in business to ensure that we don't get screwed over and we make money. Amex should pay you out of their pocket and not the merchants.

[cv91915]

Amex is the best for Chargebacks, which is why most businesses won't accept them. As a business owner, we're in business to ensure that we don't get screwed over and we make money. Amex should pay you out of their pocket and not the merchants.

 

Unless the merchant screws me. That was the nature of my question. I don't want free crap at your expense.

[PotO]

Amex is the best for Chargebacks, which is why most businesses won't accept them. As a business owner, we're in business to ensure that we don't get screwed over and we make money. Amex should pay you out of their pocket and not the merchants.

 

Why should AmEx pay when you screw over your customers?