Visa Reason Code 53

Visa Chargeback Reason Code 53: Not as Described or Defective Merchandise

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Description

Issuing bank received complaint from the customer that goods or services he purchased wasn’t as described at the time of the purchase, in other words goods or services are defective, damaged or not fit in the expectation of the customer.

Customer claims that policies explained verbally by merchant during purchase were different, and that what he received was different than expected.

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Most Common Causes

• Wrong merchandise/goods sent to the cardholder.
• During shipment, goods got damaged.
• The goods or services were described inaccurately.
• The services purchased by the cardholder weren’t cancelled on time.
• The services did not perform as it was described.
• The returned merchandise was not accepted by the merchant.
• The returned merchandise accepted but merchant did not issue credit to cardholder.
• Counterfeit consumer goods.

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Evidence Required

• If goods were returned or services were cancelled, the merchant must provide the bank with all the information or evidence of the refund.
• If the merchant hasn’t received the returned goods or the cardholder has not cancelled the service, inform the bank. The cardholder must make a valid effort to return merchandise or cancel the service. The merchant must ensure that the incoming shipments are recorded to later verify.
• If the cardholder’s complaint is legal, and the merchant have received the goods, but have not refunded the amount, he must accept the chargeback. Do not process a credit until the chargeback has performed this function.
• If the goods were accurate and as described, provide the merchant bank with specific information and invoices to deny the cardholder’s claims.
• If merchandise was damaged and it was returned, provide evidence that it was repaired or replaced.

 

Common Examples

1. Linda bought few beauty products online however, upon arrival she finds few broken pieces in her kit. She decides to return the kit but the time passes by and she forgets to return it on time. She speaks to the merchant if she would be refunded or allowed to return the product after the dues date. Merchant refuses as the policy doesn’t accept returns after 30 days. Linda finds it difficult to use the product as decides to dispute the transaction in the hope of winning the chargeback under the Reason Code 53: Not as Described or Defective Merchandise.
2. George was surfing online and spontaneously decides to buy shoes for himself. He orders a pair but later realizes that he is short on money for the month. Unfortunately, by the time he realizes the mistake and tries to cancel, the product passes through processing and gets shipped. He wants to reach out to the merchant, but in a hurry to avoid deduction from his amount, he decides to dispute the charge under the Reason Code 53: Not as Described or Defective Merchandise.

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