Is fax a safe way to make hotel reservations ?
Feb 11th 2003, 6:29 am
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Is fax a safe way to make hotel reservations ?
Hi - I've noticed that some travel guides suggest using fax for advance
hotel reservations. You fax the hotel with information
on the days that you want, the type of room, and a credit card number
for billing the first night's stay. The hotel is then requested to fax back
a confirmation if they are able to accommodate the request.
This all sounds like a reasonable way to make reservations and to help
break through the language barrier. However one possible problem
is that prior to faxing the request, no price has been negotiated for the
room. I'd imagine that the large majority of hotels will simply charge their
normal and reasonable rate. However, it seems as if it would be possible
for a dishonest operator to overcharge my credit card. I'm concerned
that I might be charged $200 for a $50 room with no recourse. I've thought
about including the following text on my original fax :
"If you can provide accommodation for the dates above for less than $XXX,
then please charge my credit card number for the first nights stay and reserve
the room"
But that sounds a bit awkward. Also I'd have to set the cost limit $XXX
to be some price a bit beyond what my most recent travel guide quotes.
I might be charged exactly $XXX whether or not that is the real cost of the room.
Have any other rec.travel.europe readers out there used this fax method
for advance hotel reservation ? Did you have any negative experiences ?
The countries that I have in mind are Czech Republic, Poland, Lithuania,
Latvia, and Estonia.
Thanks,
Bart Thielges
(remove the SPAM in my e-mail address to reply)
hotel reservations. You fax the hotel with information
on the days that you want, the type of room, and a credit card number
for billing the first night's stay. The hotel is then requested to fax back
a confirmation if they are able to accommodate the request.
This all sounds like a reasonable way to make reservations and to help
break through the language barrier. However one possible problem
is that prior to faxing the request, no price has been negotiated for the
room. I'd imagine that the large majority of hotels will simply charge their
normal and reasonable rate. However, it seems as if it would be possible
for a dishonest operator to overcharge my credit card. I'm concerned
that I might be charged $200 for a $50 room with no recourse. I've thought
about including the following text on my original fax :
"If you can provide accommodation for the dates above for less than $XXX,
then please charge my credit card number for the first nights stay and reserve
the room"
But that sounds a bit awkward. Also I'd have to set the cost limit $XXX
to be some price a bit beyond what my most recent travel guide quotes.
I might be charged exactly $XXX whether or not that is the real cost of the room.
Have any other rec.travel.europe readers out there used this fax method
for advance hotel reservation ? Did you have any negative experiences ?
The countries that I have in mind are Czech Republic, Poland, Lithuania,
Latvia, and Estonia.
Thanks,
Bart Thielges
(remove the SPAM in my e-mail address to reply)
Feb 11th 2003, 6:44 am
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Is fax a safe way to make hotel reservations ?
On Tue, 11 Feb 2003 19:29:58 GMT, Bart Thielges
wrote:
>Hi - I've noticed that some travel guides suggest using fax for advance
>hotel reservations. You fax the hotel with information
>on the days that you want, the type of room, and a credit card number
>for billing the first night's stay. The hotel is then requested to fax back
>a confirmation if they are able to accommodate the request.
[snip]
>that I might be charged $200 for a $50 room with no recourse.
Why not omit the credit card number from the process in the first
instance, and send a follow-up fax with the number if rooms are
availalble?
Or use email/web to check availability, then send a confirmation fax.
Must admit, I never seen this sort of thing advocated in travel
guides...
Cheers,
Jason.
--
School of Law
Birkbeck College
University of London
--
wrote:
>Hi - I've noticed that some travel guides suggest using fax for advance
>hotel reservations. You fax the hotel with information
>on the days that you want, the type of room, and a credit card number
>for billing the first night's stay. The hotel is then requested to fax back
>a confirmation if they are able to accommodate the request.
[snip]
>that I might be charged $200 for a $50 room with no recourse.
Why not omit the credit card number from the process in the first
instance, and send a follow-up fax with the number if rooms are
availalble?
Or use email/web to check availability, then send a confirmation fax.
Must admit, I never seen this sort of thing advocated in travel
guides...
Cheers,
Jason.
--
School of Law
Birkbeck College
University of London
--
Feb 11th 2003, 6:48 am
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Is fax a safe way to make hotel reservations ?
Bart Thielges wrote:
> Hi - I've noticed that some travel guides suggest using fax for advance
> hotel reservations. You fax the hotel with information
> on the days that you want, the type of room, and a credit card number
> for billing the first night's stay. The hotel is then requested to fax back
> a confirmation if they are able to accommodate the request.
> This all sounds like a reasonable way to make reservations and to help
> break through the language barrier. However one possible problem
> is that prior to faxing the request, no price has been negotiated for the
> room. I'd imagine that the large majority of hotels will simply charge their
> normal and reasonable rate. However, it seems as if it would be possible
> for a dishonest operator to overcharge my credit card. I'm concerned
> that I might be charged $200 for a $50 room with no recourse.
If they can't show that you've specifically authorized the charge (either by
signing a paper that showed the charge, or by entering a PIN into a
terminal that displayed the charge) then in the event of a difference of
opinion, you can have the charge removed from your account.
miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
> Hi - I've noticed that some travel guides suggest using fax for advance
> hotel reservations. You fax the hotel with information
> on the days that you want, the type of room, and a credit card number
> for billing the first night's stay. The hotel is then requested to fax back
> a confirmation if they are able to accommodate the request.
> This all sounds like a reasonable way to make reservations and to help
> break through the language barrier. However one possible problem
> is that prior to faxing the request, no price has been negotiated for the
> room. I'd imagine that the large majority of hotels will simply charge their
> normal and reasonable rate. However, it seems as if it would be possible
> for a dishonest operator to overcharge my credit card. I'm concerned
> that I might be charged $200 for a $50 room with no recourse.
If they can't show that you've specifically authorized the charge (either by
signing a paper that showed the charge, or by entering a PIN into a
terminal that displayed the charge) then in the event of a difference of
opinion, you can have the charge removed from your account.
miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
Feb 11th 2003, 7:08 am
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Is fax a safe way to make hotel reservations ?
Bart Thielges wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> Hi - I've noticed that some travel guides suggest using fax for
> advance hotel reservations. You fax the hotel with information
> on the days that you want, the type of room, and a credit card number
> for billing the first night's stay. The hotel is then requested to
> fax back a confirmation if they are able to accommodate the request.
I have always faxed for a rate and availability then faxed back with the
credit card number when I have decided on the hotel.
>
news:[email protected]:
> Hi - I've noticed that some travel guides suggest using fax for
> advance hotel reservations. You fax the hotel with information
> on the days that you want, the type of room, and a credit card number
> for billing the first night's stay. The hotel is then requested to
> fax back a confirmation if they are able to accommodate the request.
I have always faxed for a rate and availability then faxed back with the
credit card number when I have decided on the hotel.
>
Feb 11th 2003, 7:43 am
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Is fax a safe way to make hotel reservations ?
On Tue, 11 Feb 2003 19:48:05 GMT, [email protected] (Miguel Cruz) wrote:
[hotel reservation stuff snipped]
>If they can't show that you've specifically authorized the charge (either by
>signing a paper that showed the charge, or by entering a PIN into a
>terminal that displayed the charge) then in the event of a difference of
>opinion, you can have the charge removed from your account.
Not quite correct - telephone transaction have no paper trail (or PIN
trail if you wish) and they aren't removed without question.
Cheers,
Jason.
--
School of Law
Birkbeck College
University of London
--
[hotel reservation stuff snipped]
>If they can't show that you've specifically authorized the charge (either by
>signing a paper that showed the charge, or by entering a PIN into a
>terminal that displayed the charge) then in the event of a difference of
>opinion, you can have the charge removed from your account.
Not quite correct - telephone transaction have no paper trail (or PIN
trail if you wish) and they aren't removed without question.
Cheers,
Jason.
--
School of Law
Birkbeck College
University of London
--
Feb 11th 2003, 8:55 am
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Is fax a safe way to make hotel reservations ?
"Bart Thielges" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi - I've noticed that some travel guides suggest using fax for advance
> hotel reservations. You fax the hotel with information
> on the days that you want, the type of room, and a credit card number
> for billing the first night's stay. The hotel is then requested to fax
back
> a confirmation if they are able to accommodate the request.
I use a variation on this.
First, I fax the hotel requesting availability. If the hotel is in a
non-English or French-speaking country (I speak enough French to get by), I
use Altavista's Babelfish translator and include the translation along with
my English-language request (as well as a sentence apologizing for the poor
translation).
The hotels fax me back with pricing and availability.
THEN I fax my credit card information, and request a return fax with
confirmation.
It's worked great for me throughout Europe.
> This all sounds like a reasonable way to make reservations and to help
> break through the language barrier. However one possible problem
> is that prior to faxing the request, no price has been negotiated for the
> room. I'd imagine that the large majority of hotels will simply charge
their
> normal and reasonable rate. However, it seems as if it would be possible
> for a dishonest operator to overcharge my credit card. I'm concerned
> that I might be charged $200 for a $50 room with no recourse. I've
thought
> about including the following text on my original fax :
> "If you can provide accommodation for the dates above for less than
$XXX,
> then please charge my credit card number for the first nights stay and
reserve
> the room"
> But that sounds a bit awkward. Also I'd have to set the cost limit $XXX
> to be some price a bit beyond what my most recent travel guide quotes.
> I might be charged exactly $XXX whether or not that is the real cost of
the room.
> Have any other rec.travel.europe readers out there used this fax method
> for advance hotel reservation ? Did you have any negative experiences ?
> The countries that I have in mind are Czech Republic, Poland, Lithuania,
> Latvia, and Estonia.
> Thanks,
> Bart Thielges
> (remove the SPAM in my e-mail address to reply)
news:[email protected]...
> Hi - I've noticed that some travel guides suggest using fax for advance
> hotel reservations. You fax the hotel with information
> on the days that you want, the type of room, and a credit card number
> for billing the first night's stay. The hotel is then requested to fax
back
> a confirmation if they are able to accommodate the request.
I use a variation on this.
First, I fax the hotel requesting availability. If the hotel is in a
non-English or French-speaking country (I speak enough French to get by), I
use Altavista's Babelfish translator and include the translation along with
my English-language request (as well as a sentence apologizing for the poor
translation).
The hotels fax me back with pricing and availability.
THEN I fax my credit card information, and request a return fax with
confirmation.
It's worked great for me throughout Europe.
> This all sounds like a reasonable way to make reservations and to help
> break through the language barrier. However one possible problem
> is that prior to faxing the request, no price has been negotiated for the
> room. I'd imagine that the large majority of hotels will simply charge
their
> normal and reasonable rate. However, it seems as if it would be possible
> for a dishonest operator to overcharge my credit card. I'm concerned
> that I might be charged $200 for a $50 room with no recourse. I've
thought
> about including the following text on my original fax :
> "If you can provide accommodation for the dates above for less than
$XXX,
> then please charge my credit card number for the first nights stay and
reserve
> the room"
> But that sounds a bit awkward. Also I'd have to set the cost limit $XXX
> to be some price a bit beyond what my most recent travel guide quotes.
> I might be charged exactly $XXX whether or not that is the real cost of
the room.
> Have any other rec.travel.europe readers out there used this fax method
> for advance hotel reservation ? Did you have any negative experiences ?
> The countries that I have in mind are Czech Republic, Poland, Lithuania,
> Latvia, and Estonia.
> Thanks,
> Bart Thielges
> (remove the SPAM in my e-mail address to reply)
Feb 11th 2003, 9:09 am
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Is fax a safe way to make hotel reservations ?
"Bart Thielges" skrev i meddelandet
news:[email protected]...
> Hi - I've noticed that some travel guides suggest using fax for advance
> hotel reservations. You fax the hotel with information
> on the days that you want, the type of room, and a credit card number
> for billing the first night's stay. The hotel is then requested to fax
back
> a confirmation if they are able to accommodate the request.
Unless you know the right price from advertising or so, I would recommend a
twostep communickation. First ask for price and availability then make a
formal reservation.
If there's no answer and you've provided your card number, be sure to send a
cancellation fax.
L.P
news:[email protected]...
> Hi - I've noticed that some travel guides suggest using fax for advance
> hotel reservations. You fax the hotel with information
> on the days that you want, the type of room, and a credit card number
> for billing the first night's stay. The hotel is then requested to fax
back
> a confirmation if they are able to accommodate the request.
Unless you know the right price from advertising or so, I would recommend a
twostep communickation. First ask for price and availability then make a
formal reservation.
If there's no answer and you've provided your card number, be sure to send a
cancellation fax.
L.P
Feb 11th 2003, 9:19 am
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Is fax a safe way to make hotel reservations ?
"Jason Hobbs King" skrev i meddelandet
news:[email protected]...
> On Tue, 11 Feb 2003 19:48:05 GMT, [email protected] (Miguel Cruz) wrote:
> [hotel reservation stuff snipped]
> >If they can't show that you've specifically authorized the charge (either
by
> >signing a paper that showed the charge, or by entering a PIN into a
> >terminal that displayed the charge) then in the event of a difference of
> >opinion, you can have the charge removed from your account.
> Not quite correct - telephone transaction have no paper trail (or PIN
> trail if you wish) and they aren't removed without question.
Depends of the legality where you are.
At least here in Sweden you can't be charged against your approval unless
you have signed on a paper.
If in trouble you can deny the charge and the seller (not the card company)
have to sue if they want money. Guess it works the same way in some other
countries.
L.P
news:[email protected]...
> On Tue, 11 Feb 2003 19:48:05 GMT, [email protected] (Miguel Cruz) wrote:
> [hotel reservation stuff snipped]
> >If they can't show that you've specifically authorized the charge (either
by
> >signing a paper that showed the charge, or by entering a PIN into a
> >terminal that displayed the charge) then in the event of a difference of
> >opinion, you can have the charge removed from your account.
> Not quite correct - telephone transaction have no paper trail (or PIN
> trail if you wish) and they aren't removed without question.
Depends of the legality where you are.
At least here in Sweden you can't be charged against your approval unless
you have signed on a paper.
If in trouble you can deny the charge and the seller (not the card company)
have to sue if they want money. Guess it works the same way in some other
countries.
L.P
Feb 11th 2003, 10:01 am
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Is fax a safe way to make hotel reservations ?
"Lennart Petersen" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Bart Thielges" skrev i meddelandet
> news:[email protected]...
> > Hi - I've noticed that some travel guides suggest using fax for advance
> > hotel reservations. You fax the hotel with information
> > on the days that you want, the type of room, and a credit card number
> > for billing the first night's stay. The hotel is then requested to fax
> back
> > a confirmation if they are able to accommodate the request.
> >
> Unless you know the right price from advertising or so, I would recommend
a
> twostep communickation. First ask for price and availability then make a
> formal reservation.
> If there's no answer and you've provided your card number, be sure to send
a
> cancellation fax.
> L.P
Also, don't forget to ask for their cancellation policy. I just reserved a
Paris hotel that has a 20 day prior to arrival deadline for cancelling
without being charged for one night's stay.
GG
news:[email protected]...
> "Bart Thielges" skrev i meddelandet
> news:[email protected]...
> > Hi - I've noticed that some travel guides suggest using fax for advance
> > hotel reservations. You fax the hotel with information
> > on the days that you want, the type of room, and a credit card number
> > for billing the first night's stay. The hotel is then requested to fax
> back
> > a confirmation if they are able to accommodate the request.
> >
> Unless you know the right price from advertising or so, I would recommend
a
> twostep communickation. First ask for price and availability then make a
> formal reservation.
> If there's no answer and you've provided your card number, be sure to send
a
> cancellation fax.
> L.P
Also, don't forget to ask for their cancellation policy. I just reserved a
Paris hotel that has a 20 day prior to arrival deadline for cancelling
without being charged for one night's stay.
GG
Feb 11th 2003, 10:04 am
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Is fax a safe way to make hotel reservations ?
On Tue, 11 Feb 2003 22:19:30 GMT Lennart Petersen
said...
> Depends of the legality where you are.
> At least here in Sweden you can't be charged against your approval unless
> you have signed on a paper.
So how do you go about telephone or internet transactions?
--
Phil Richards
London, N4
said...
> Depends of the legality where you are.
> At least here in Sweden you can't be charged against your approval unless
> you have signed on a paper.
So how do you go about telephone or internet transactions?
--
Phil Richards
London, N4
Feb 11th 2003, 11:07 am
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Is fax a safe way to make hotel reservations ?
"Phil Richards" skrev i meddelandet
news:[email protected]...
> On Tue, 11 Feb 2003 22:19:30 GMT Lennart Petersen
> said...
> > Depends of the legality where you are.
> > At least here in Sweden you can't be charged against your approval
unless
> > you have signed on a paper.
> So how do you go about telephone or internet transactions?
> Phil Richards
> London, N4
Such things are put on the monthly bill from the cardprovider as anything
else.
If ok just accept and the money is withdrawn from the account.
If not deny the charge. The cardproviding bank can't do anything but to send
back the request to the seller which have to, if necessary, sue for the
money and provide evidence there have been a transaction.
L.P
news:[email protected]...
> On Tue, 11 Feb 2003 22:19:30 GMT Lennart Petersen
> said...
> > Depends of the legality where you are.
> > At least here in Sweden you can't be charged against your approval
unless
> > you have signed on a paper.
> So how do you go about telephone or internet transactions?
> Phil Richards
> London, N4
Such things are put on the monthly bill from the cardprovider as anything
else.
If ok just accept and the money is withdrawn from the account.
If not deny the charge. The cardproviding bank can't do anything but to send
back the request to the seller which have to, if necessary, sue for the
money and provide evidence there have been a transaction.
L.P
Feb 11th 2003, 1:04 pm
#12
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Is fax a safe way to make hotel reservations ?
Bart Thielges wrote:
> Hi - I've noticed that some travel guides suggest using fax for advance
> hotel reservations. You fax the hotel with information
> on the days that you want, the type of room, and a credit card number
> for billing the first night's stay. The hotel is then requested to fax back
> a confirmation if they are able to accommodate the request.
Web search and email is simpler, and you should be able to find plenty
of choice on the internet.
Either way, don't forget to bring a copy of you the email/fax with price
etc. It makes things clearer if their paperwork is confused.
joan
--
Joan McGalliard, UK http://www.mcgalliard.org
> Hi - I've noticed that some travel guides suggest using fax for advance
> hotel reservations. You fax the hotel with information
> on the days that you want, the type of room, and a credit card number
> for billing the first night's stay. The hotel is then requested to fax back
> a confirmation if they are able to accommodate the request.
Web search and email is simpler, and you should be able to find plenty
of choice on the internet.
Either way, don't forget to bring a copy of you the email/fax with price
etc. It makes things clearer if their paperwork is confused.
joan
--
Joan McGalliard, UK http://www.mcgalliard.org
Feb 11th 2003, 4:46 pm
#13
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Is fax a safe way to make hotel reservations ?
Bart Thielges wrote:
>
> Hi - I've noticed that some travel guides suggest using fax for advance
> hotel reservations. You fax the hotel with information
> on the days that you want, the type of room, and a credit card number
> for billing the first night's stay. The hotel is then requested to fax back
> a confirmation if they are able to accommodate the request.
I generally make my reservations by e-mail. Then (if the hotel does not
have a secure web-site - but many do) I will fax the credit card info,
referring to the reservation number they've given me. You don't HAVE to
provide a credit card number to make a reservation - just to insure that
they'll hold it for you. (They want that information enough in advance
of your scheduled arrival so if you don't show, they can charge you for
a night's lodging.)
>
> Hi - I've noticed that some travel guides suggest using fax for advance
> hotel reservations. You fax the hotel with information
> on the days that you want, the type of room, and a credit card number
> for billing the first night's stay. The hotel is then requested to fax back
> a confirmation if they are able to accommodate the request.
I generally make my reservations by e-mail. Then (if the hotel does not
have a secure web-site - but many do) I will fax the credit card info,
referring to the reservation number they've given me. You don't HAVE to
provide a credit card number to make a reservation - just to insure that
they'll hold it for you. (They want that information enough in advance
of your scheduled arrival so if you don't show, they can charge you for
a night's lodging.)
Feb 11th 2003, 4:50 pm
#14
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Is fax a safe way to make hotel reservations ?
Jason Hobbs King wrote:
>
> On Tue, 11 Feb 2003 19:48:05 GMT, [email protected] (Miguel Cruz) wrote:
>
> [hotel reservation stuff snipped]
> >If they can't show that you've specifically authorized the charge (either by
> >signing a paper that showed the charge, or by entering a PIN into a
> >terminal that displayed the charge) then in the event of a difference of
> >opinion, you can have the charge removed from your account.
>
> Not quite correct - telephone transaction have no paper trail (or PIN
> trail if you wish) and they aren't removed without question.
Must depend upon the credit card company (and perhaps its past
experience with the customer). I've never had any difficulty getting
charges removed from my account when they were erroneous, but then it's
not something I make a habit of asking for, either.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Jason.
>
> --
> School of Law
> Birkbeck College
> University of London
> --
>
> On Tue, 11 Feb 2003 19:48:05 GMT, [email protected] (Miguel Cruz) wrote:
>
> [hotel reservation stuff snipped]
> >If they can't show that you've specifically authorized the charge (either by
> >signing a paper that showed the charge, or by entering a PIN into a
> >terminal that displayed the charge) then in the event of a difference of
> >opinion, you can have the charge removed from your account.
>
> Not quite correct - telephone transaction have no paper trail (or PIN
> trail if you wish) and they aren't removed without question.
Must depend upon the credit card company (and perhaps its past
experience with the customer). I've never had any difficulty getting
charges removed from my account when they were erroneous, but then it's
not something I make a habit of asking for, either.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Jason.
>
> --
> School of Law
> Birkbeck College
> University of London
> --
Feb 11th 2003, 4:55 pm
#15
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Is fax a safe way to make hotel reservations ?
Lennart Petersen wrote:
>
> "Jason Hobbs King" skrev i meddelandet
> news:[email protected]...
> > On Tue, 11 Feb 2003 19:48:05 GMT, [email protected] (Miguel Cruz) wrote:
> >
> > [hotel reservation stuff snipped]
> > >If they can't show that you've specifically authorized the charge (either
> by
> > >signing a paper that showed the charge, or by entering a PIN into a
> > >terminal that displayed the charge) then in the event of a difference of
> > >opinion, you can have the charge removed from your account.
> >
> > Not quite correct - telephone transaction have no paper trail (or PIN
> > trail if you wish) and they aren't removed without question.
> Depends of the legality where you are.
> At least here in Sweden you can't be charged against your approval unless
> you have signed on a paper.
> If in trouble you can deny the charge and the seller (not the card company)
> have to sue if they want money. Guess it works the same way in some other
> countries.
I think that's true in the U.S., too - assuming it's a "credit" card
(meaning you get a monthly bill to pay) not a "debit" card (where the
money is transfered from your account when it hits your bank). The
credit card company may tell you to contact the merchant, but if you
insist you did not receive the goods or service for which they charged
you, the card company will generally accept your word, credit the
charge, and let the merchant fight it out with you directly.
>
> "Jason Hobbs King" skrev i meddelandet
> news:[email protected]...
> > On Tue, 11 Feb 2003 19:48:05 GMT, [email protected] (Miguel Cruz) wrote:
> >
> > [hotel reservation stuff snipped]
> > >If they can't show that you've specifically authorized the charge (either
> by
> > >signing a paper that showed the charge, or by entering a PIN into a
> > >terminal that displayed the charge) then in the event of a difference of
> > >opinion, you can have the charge removed from your account.
> >
> > Not quite correct - telephone transaction have no paper trail (or PIN
> > trail if you wish) and they aren't removed without question.
> Depends of the legality where you are.
> At least here in Sweden you can't be charged against your approval unless
> you have signed on a paper.
> If in trouble you can deny the charge and the seller (not the card company)
> have to sue if they want money. Guess it works the same way in some other
> countries.
I think that's true in the U.S., too - assuming it's a "credit" card
(meaning you get a monthly bill to pay) not a "debit" card (where the
money is transfered from your account when it hits your bank). The
credit card company may tell you to contact the merchant, but if you
insist you did not receive the goods or service for which they charged
you, the card company will generally accept your word, credit the
charge, and let the merchant fight it out with you directly.
