I am a merchant who accepts credit cards. On this end it's pretty cut and dry. I get a notice of a chargeback and I must produce my copy of the credit card receipt with their signature on it. It must be either imprinted or through a terminal. With online sales I must produce the hard copy of the order. I have 5 business days to either send or fax my copy proving the charge, or the money is automatically deducted from my bank. Plus a $25 fee. I get chargebacks because I'm an artist who does art and craft fairs throughout the northeast and there are times people in say, New Jersey see a charge from a company they never heard of in Vermont. "I've never been to Vermont!" So they challenge. I produce the receipt and a note they made a purchase at such and such craft fair, and it's done. Go to your credit Union in person and talk to someone who can actually help you. Have someone with some authority help you. You're finding out phone tag doesn't work. Go up the chain of command at the CU to get things done. You have 24 months from the date of the alleged charge to challenge it. The merchant has 5 business days to answer.

Geez, what a nightmare. Why can't people just be honest and treat others like they'd like to be treated? I just don't get it, it's not that hard. I really wanted to bid on some beautiful RL bedding, a rare style, but I really had to read between the lines and push to get info. Apparently with the shams the seller mentioned although never used, she did launder one "by mistake", but it went right back in the package. Saw no logic in that whatsoever... Since it was cotton and lace (delicate), I wondered if she dried it (which would ruin it). I emailed her asking if the washed sham had been distorted or shrank as a result. No reply. I wait a few days, auction is nearing and end, and basically email her a 'hey, I'd really like to bid, but have not received a reply to my question so I'm giving it one more try here.' That generated a response from her, she admitted that the laundered sham was 'snug' and corners 'curled', but suggested ironing would make it fit properly again. Good grief. (She failed to include that significant detail in her description, even after I asked, she didn't post my question and her answer.) Very cat and mouse. I'm glad I took time to push it, because although it was a beautiful set I might well be out the $, and it would be worthless with only one good sham (and it garnered pretty high $$). I'm watching to see what kind of feedback occurs once the buyer receives it. Anyway, back to valinsv's guy. Clearly there are major issues with some items he sells. Is he too ignorant to realize that having integrity would only bolster his business that much more? That's the part I just don't get. Treat people right, they'll keep coming back. Treat them badly as a habit and sooner or later he's going to lose. Seems to me with the type of volume he does he'd be a lot further ahead if he'd just be honest. Just curious mona if you might know: if he does get kicked off, is his IP address banned, or just his ebay ID? He seems to have such a huge system set up and selling high volume, can't see him just walking away. Could he just come back under a new ID? (Although given his business and volume and listing style, it would be easy to recognize it might be him.)

My son works for a bank (not Citibank) and I happened to mention this to him. He asked if you could go into a branch and talk with the branch manager and request that this be expedited. While the branch person can't correct the credit card issue they should at least get this moved up. I've never dealt with Citibank but they keep send me credit card applications. I've probably received 8 or 10 in the past 12 months. Even though I've told them to remove me, and opted out through the credit bureaus they keep on coming.

Robo dialers can sense when the phone has been answered. It can filter many voicemail and answering machines and on those, most will mark the number as working and put it back into the queue for future use/sale. Picking up the phone tells them it's an active number. And of course when you talk to them, it's marked as verified working which increases the value of the number for resale. What has been surprisingly effective for me is using the SIT tone (special information tone) and a recording of "the number you have reached has been disconnected..." on blocked calls. I tried it once before on my answering machine but a few legitimate calls it confused people so I quit using it on there. I should add that there are a few legitimate places who will put you on a DNC list, but that still doesn't excuse waking me from a nice nap or interrupting me when busy. Keep in mind that people often bring on these calls to themselves by calling 800 numbers of less-than-reputable places, giving numbers for contests and the like. So to get control, you have to control who gets the number(s). That won't help for wardialers, that just dial number after number (and not from a list), but will help for others. Hit the music! Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be telemarketers...