google checkout distance selling act

[tonedogg]

Hi,

new to these forums so hello everybody.

I recently bought a guitar using my credit card through google checkout, I tried getting a refund for the guitar using the distance selling act, to cut a long story short the guitar is a counterfeit, the company i got it from won't give a refund and have pulled their website and won't answer anything, they have given what seems to be a false address. my credit card issuer says they won't do anything as section 75 doesn't apply because it went through google checkout and google checkout won't do anything because they say they are not responsible for anything the seller does.

trading standards have been informed about the seller.

Do I have any course to get my money back?

 

Thanks in advance

[MARTIN3030]

Welcome to the site.

I think this is best posted in general consumer issues,and so will move there.

[buzby]

It doesn't look good. Google Checkout are acting as the Merchant card processor - but I think the response from your bank is incorrect. What difference does it make, it was YOUR money, and in the case of fraud the payment is always recalled and it would be up to GC to seek repayment from their merchant. Who is your card issuer, and was it Visa or MC?

 

Did you WRITE to request a refund? If you did it by phone, get the pen out and do it again. It would appear you still have the fake goods, which may also complicate things - if it is an obvious fake, then it's easy - but if not it becomes an issue of expertise....

[tonedogg]

Hi,

the seller had no phone,so requests were by email, I now know the site was dodgy, I requested a refund and said he could arrange for collection of the guitar which I am allowed to do but they are obviously just bandits, the reponse from the credit card issuer seems correct from other things I have read as using google checkout is classified as similar to transfering cash to a bank account and then writing a cheque. so things look bad, I was wondering if google were liable even though they say they aren't, and as we know some people say they aren't but consumer rights can override that, but I don't know in this case oh my credit card was mastercard through Lloyds TSB.

[raydetinu]

does google have a similar dispute resolution process as Paypal/ebay? try that.

[Conniff]

What's the name or URL of this site td?

[tonedogg]

Google will only help by contacting the seller but doesn't take any other action according to them. The only so called buyer protection is fraudulent use of your credit card details and not divulging your email addressThe website no longer exists but was MZonline.co.uk

[Conniff]

Domain name:

mzonline.co.uk

 

Registrant:

ZENG JAMES

 

Trading as:

sammi wang

 

Registrant type:

UK Individual

 

Registrant's address:

76 winpcord Lane

Chester Street

Chester

Cheshire

CH1 4DF

GB

 

 

Neither name is in the electoral roll. The address does not exist in it's form/spelling above, but there is a Whipcord Ln at that postcode.

The only 76 is Cambrian View Whipcord Ln.

 

I would report this to the police as deliberate fraud and to your CC co and demand a chargeback.

 

This is from their Terms and Conditions:

Store shopping cart does not guarantee that its security procedures taken will prevent the loss of, alteration of, or improper access to your information.

 

It is definately a [problem] site set up on a temporary basis that takes orders and then runs.

 

You should report your Credit Card compromised to the company and ask for a new one and at the same time, demand a chargeback even though Google says they don't give you full number to the seller.

 

I believe this makes Google the Merchant so they will know in which bank the money was deposited and the name and address of the account holder.

 

Who were the delivery agents? They say they use Royal Mail. If this is how it was delivered to you, then after you have got your crime number from the police, I would write to Royal Mail, (or the company that delivered) and quoting the crime number, ask them where they picked up your parcel.

Edited February 19, 2009 by Conniff

[tonedogg]

Thanks for your help folks, I will continue to pursue this

[juliusceasor]

Hi,

google checkout is classified as similar to transfering cash to a bank account and then writing a cheque.

 

Sorry to hear your plight, good luck.

 

Google Checkout.

Perhaps this should be looked into as a separate topic and advice posted on the safe use of websites utilising Google Checkout for consumer protection.:idea:

I see it's briefly mentioned on moneysavings website but I also found a couple of links explaining Google Checkout complaints procedure and section 75 with Google Checkout

 

http://consumerist.com/consumer/google/we-interview-google-checkout-says-system-will-protect-consumers-221411.php

 

http://www.wheresmyrefund.co.uk/refunds-when-you-pay-credit-card.html

Edited February 20, 2009 by juliusceasor
additional info

[tonedogg]

Google say use chargeback but it does'nt seem to apply in the UK, or at least the banks have a get out clause saying it's not covered. maybe this sort of thing should have to be made very clear instead of being buried in all the terms and conditions, an update lloyds refused chargeback saying they have made their decision, so I have now contacted the Ombudsman, see how that goes.

Edited February 21, 2009 by tonedogg
update