GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – As businesses begin to reopen following coronavirus restrictions, customers might notice the lights are out for good at some of their favorite shops or restaurants.
If a business you frequent has fallen victim to the pandemic, many questions arise – like what to do if you have yet to receive goods or services that you already paid for. Susan Bach of the Better Business Bureau says to start off by reaching out.
“Check with the business to see if they still intend to provide that good that or service. Unless it filed for bankruptcy, they are still obligated to do that,” Bach tells WTAQ News, “If they are unable to do that, the next step would be to check with the credit card company that you used to make the purchase. You would dispute that transaction because of the failure to receive the goods or services.”
Some closed companies will offer an email, website or phone number to contact for more information. Check with your BBB to see if they have information about the company, or search for the company on BBB.org. If the business has a physical address, check to see if there is a notice posted with information on where to turn for help. Also look on the company’s website and social media presence for information.
Credit cards offer more consumer protections on purchases than debit cards do, so it’s generally better to do your shopping, particularly for big-ticket items, with a credit card.
It’s also recommended to collect receipts, proofs of purchase and any other documents such as warranties and manuals. These materials will help you prepare for your request for a resolution.
If your items have a warranty, you’ll want to see if the business or manufacturer issued the warranty. When a company goes out of business, its warranties and services often die with it, unless other agreements have been made.
“You need to check with the manufacturer of that product, because if it is a manufacturer’s warranty, then the closing of that retail establishment won’t affect that warranty,” Bach says, “If you have any unused gift cards for a closed business, you’re probably going to be out of luck. That’s why we always recommend to consumers that they use those gift cards as quickly as possible.”
For more about how gift cards and bankruptcy work, head to the BBB’s website.
