Help me dispute a credit card charge!!!

[kandb]

We are a family of 5. I purchased gold passes around black Friday for the new Legoland that was supposed to open in NY on July 4, 2020. Due to the pandemic, they are not going to open until 2021. My youngest son (who is 11 and the main reason I bought the passes) has an asthma condition and there is no way I will be bringing him to an amusement park during a pandemic. Many people who purchased these tickets are complaining that Legoland will not refund them and are just saying to use them the following year. I already sent an email but wondering the best way to dispute this with my credit card company. Even if it wasn't for my son's condition, we still did not buy them for 2021-2022, we bought them for this year. Any suggestions?

 

[tvguy]

Just call your credit card company and ask them.

 

[cedricandsophie]

We have chase cards and there is a form on the web site to dispute a charge. But I’d also write to Legoland especially the executives and request a refund first. . Make A paper trail so you have proof of their response or lack thereof. You can find a list of executives from the top down on co websites. Not the same thing I know but I had an issue with Comcast years ago and wrote a letter to the CEO copying a bunch of other executives and sent them for next day delivery. I had two trucks in my driveway within two days. You need to be pleasant and professional but firm. Whining just turns them off.

 

[_19disnA]

The situation you are describing would be best handled with Legoland. Disputing a credit card charge is mostly related to a defective/faulty product or you never received what you ordered. You received the product you ordered, but have decided you don't like the exchange they are offering due to the Covid crisis. I think that is what your credit card company will say.

 

[easyas123]

We have chase cards and there is a form on the web site to dispute a charge. But I’d also write to Legoland especially the executives and request a refund first. . Make A paper trail so you have proof of their response or lack thereof. You can find a list of executives from the top down on co websites. Not the same thing I know but I had an issue with Comcast years ago and wrote a letter to the CEO copying a bunch of other executives and sent them for next day delivery. I had two trucks in my driveway within two days. You need to be pleasant and professional but firm. Whining just turns them off.

We took this exact same approach when we bought a off road vehicle brand new from dealership - it had a HUGE amount of defects, starting with a busted transmission. When I overnighted a letter to the manager of the dealership and the owner of the dealership (after going back and forth with salesman for 2 weeks) AND overnighted a letter to the offices of the manufacturers corporate officers...well, guess what. That got their attention, and the situation was quickly resolved.

 

[kaytieeldr]

You can find a list of executives from the top down on co websites.

Before you start with the CEO, https://www.elliott.org/company-contacts/

BEGIN BY reading and complying with the instructions at the bottom of the page.

 

[wishuponastar1984]

Not the same thing I know but I had an issue with Comcast years ago and wrote a letter to the CEO copying a bunch of other executives and sent them for next day delivery.

I would not start by writing a letter to CEO as it puts you in the category of a "Karen" without first going thru the proper channels. Document your interactions with the customer service showing that your issues are not being addressed. This gives you reason as to why you need to escalate to others. I prefer to do everything via email, online chat and good old fashioned paper letters as it gives you a trail of evidence.

 

[kandb]

The situation you are describing would be best handled with Legoland. Disputing a credit card charge is mostly related to a defective/faulty product or you never received what you ordered. You received the product you ordered, but have decided you don't like the exchange they are offering due to the Covid crisis. I think that is what your credit card company will say.

No, actually I am not receiving what I ordered. I ordered passes for the year 2020-2021, not 2021-2022, put aside the issues of covid.

 

[kandb]

Thank you everyone for your responses. I did email and receive a response from Legoland saying that they would let me transfer the passes to other guests and they said if I get an attorney, they would not deal with me anymore or something to that affect. I can't imagine the tickets would be even worth the same value anymore. If amusement parks are going to limit amount of people in the parks, could a passholder be allowed to go anytime they want? I also feel that since the tickets were supposed to be for 2020-2021 and not 2021-2022, they are not what I purchased. I am just surprised a large company like Legoland will not refund the tickets. I purchased them with American Express, I will try the few suggestions on here before I contact AmEx. Thank you.

 

[Welsh_Dragon]

There is no fault on the part of Legoland. They are no more to blame for Covid than you, so why should they bear all the loss and you none? They offered you a reasonable solution, and a further compromise, probably much more than they are legally contractually obliged to offer. Perhaps anticipate your credit card company similarly advising you.
As soon as you inform Legoland that you have instructed lawyers, they have no option other than to correspond with your chosen law firm and cease all correspondence with you.
Please also bear in mind that if you reject Legoland’s offer, that decision is final, it is ‘off the table‘, you cannot later change your mind and accept it and Legoland are not obliged to reoffer it. Legoland may allow you to change your mind, but don’t presume that they will, as they are under no legal obligation to do so. Compromise is the key here. Objectively weigh up the value of what you have against the value of what they are offering and don’t expect Legoland to assume all the responsibility, loss and consequences for Covid.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I also feel that since the tickets were supposed to be for 2020-2021 and not 2021-2022, they are not what I purchased.

The admissions will likely increase in value year over year.

 

[Alan1972]

You don’t have to write letters or call anyone,dispute the charge online and be done.Goods or service not provided. you bought date specific tickets that won’t be honored,the bank will give your money back. The end

 

[kaytieeldr]

the bank will give your money back. The end

Probably best not to speak in absolutes. Probably the bank will refund, but unless the person posting is the same person authorizing or approving this specific dispute, success is only likely.

 

[kandb]

There is no fault on the part of Legoland. They are no more to blame for Covid than you, so why should they bear all the loss and you none? They offered you a reasonable solution, and a further compromise, probably much more than they are legally contractually obliged to offer. Perhaps anticipate your credit card company similarly advising you.
As soon as you inform Legoland that you have instructed lawyers, they have no option other than to correspond with your chosen law firm and cease all correspondence with you.
Please also bear in mind that if you reject Legoland’s offer, that decision is final, it is ‘off the table‘, you cannot later change your mind and accept it and Legoland are not obliged to reoffer it. Legoland may allow you to change your mind, but don’t presume that they will, as they are under no legal obligation to do so. Compromise is the key here. Objectively weigh up the value of what you have against the value of what they are offering and don’t expect Legoland to assume all the responsibility, loss and consequences for Covid.

In normal circumstances, I would accept the tickets to use a year later, however with my son having an asthma condition, I will not be bringing him into an amusement park within the next few years. I also told Legoland I could get a note from my son's pediatrician to verify his condition. I am not blaming Legoland for covid but I feel that they should honor a refund since our family cannot use the tickets because of my son's medical condition, so you stating that "they offered you a reasonable solution" is really not true! Also, at this point, I have cost Legoland nothing. We have never even used the tickets once, so you stating "why should Legoland bear all the loss" really makes no sense! What loss have they had from me???

 

[vegs1]

It’s a difficult situation for everyone. You’re out money for the tickets. LEGO land is out all the money they would have made while they’re closed. Their employees are out money they would have been paid. It all stinks.

Just call your credit card company and ask the question. They have probably heard it before so in all likelihood, have their decision in place.

Good luck!

 

[Welsh_Dragon]

In normal circumstances, I would accept the tickets to use a year later, however with my son having an asthma condition, I will not be bringing him into an amusement park within the next few years. I also told Legoland I could get a note from my son's pediatrician to verify his condition. I am not blaming Legoland for covid but I feel that they should honor a refund since our family cannot use the tickets because of my son's medical condition, so you stating that "they offered you a reasonable solution" is really not true! Also, at this point, I have cost Legoland nothing. We have never even used the tickets once, so you stating "why should Legoland bear all the loss" really makes no sense! What loss have they had from me???

I can hear the anguish in your post and I am sorry that you find yourself in this position but I am just trying to suggest to you what the legal position is. I suppose what I am saying to you is, don’t presume that you are legally 100% right in your opinion, because there are strong counter arguments and you should consider all the alternatives before you ‘charge in all guns blazing’.

 

[easyas123]

Kandb-have you just simply rang up your credit card company, tell them why you'd like to dispute?
Simple, direct. You'd have an answer.....

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

I have experience in this arena as I have worked for banks in customer service involving debit cards which work similar to credit cards in this respect.

I do not see you being successful in disputing this charge through Amex because A- It was not fraud. You willingly gave your credit card to Legoland as payment for a product being offered. B- In the agreement of purchase with Legoland, I am sure there was language that allowed them to substitute a comparable product of equal or greater value. Comparable would be determined by the seller not the buyer, sorry. C- If Amex does agree to dispute the charge for you pending investigation, the credit will only be temporary. Legoland will prevail upon investigation of the agreement and then your credit will be reversed.

This situation is really a buyer beware. It's really no different than buying a product like......say a perfume. It smelled great on the tester strip but when you got home and put it on your skin, you found it smelled differently and didn't like it. You can't dispute that charge with Amex either.

 

[DLgal]

OP, not sure if you are up to speed, but they are now saying that asthma isn't a high risk factor for Covid. I wouldn't just write off using the passes next year. A lot can change in a year with this virus. We could have a vaccine by next summer. I would accept Legoland's offer to transfer the tickets. Hold them for now and if next year comes and you cant use them, I'm sure you will have no problem selling them.

 

[MKTokyo]

Hi OP We were in the same situation - tickets to an event that was postponed, but we did not want to attend on the new date. The company refused to refund so we did a chargeback with Amex. They provided a temporary credit & just yesterday they let us know that the dispute was resolved permanently, in our favor. Amex is wonderful. We never had to call anyone, by the way - you can do it all online. Good luck!