All definitions

Representment Rights

Simple definition
A business's right to challenge a chargeback.
Expanded definition
The rights granted to merchants allowing them to dispute and challenge chargebacks initiated by cardholders.

Introduction

Receiving a chargeback can be a frustrating and costly experience for merchants. But before taking the loss, merchants have an important right - representment. Crafting a compelling rebuttal during representment can overturn erroneous chargebacks and protect your bottom line.

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Understanding Chargeback Representment

Representment gives merchants the chance to dispute a chargeback by providing evidence the transaction was legitimate. Within prescribed time limits, merchants can submit documentation like receipts, proof of delivery, customer correspondence, or other details.

If this evidence sufficiently refutes the cardholder's chargeback, the issuer may overturn the chargeback in the merchant's favor. Representment reverses the loss of funds and avoids damage to the merchant's chargeback ratio.

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Keys to Successful Representment

Follow these tips when exercising your representment rights:

  • Respond quickly within representment time limits such as 14-21 days.
  • Submit robust evidence proving order accuracy, delivery, or adherence to policies. Receipts, shipping proofs of delivery, crating the customer and advisor transaction approval and issuing refunds as necessary.
  • Highlight relevant fair use or return policies accepted by the cardholder.
  • Contest any erroneous or questionable details in the cardholder's claim.
  • Emphasize the cardholder received the intended goods or services.
  • Request chargeback reversals in writing through proper channels.

With compelling evidence and a timely rebuttal, representment can overturn invalid chargebacks. Avoid representments you can't thoroughly support - issuing banks disregard weak submissions.

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Bottom Line

Don't absorb chargebacks without exploring representment. Leverage it to protect revenue from misleading cardholder disputes. By proactively using representment, merchants can uphold fair commerce and reduce dispute losses.

Representment is a merchant's path to fighting chargebacks and upholding legitimate transactions. Submit thoughtful, evidence-based cases and your representment dollars will go far.

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