Cedit Card Chargebacks

"Money isn't everything - there's credit cards, money orders, and travelers' checks" - anon
One advantage of using credit cards for purchases is the option of a Chargeback. When you feel that you have been defrauded by a vendor and the vendor is unwilling to refund your money or replace damaged goods, then you can ask your credit card to cancel the charge off your card.

However a chargeback is not a sure thing. Check out the Consumerist article, Top 10 Reasons Your Chargeback Will Be Denied.

1. You are lying. The vendor will present their evidence.
2. You waited too long. Most cards have a 60 day limit on chargebacks.
3. Not getting independent proof of damage/fraud for chargebacks over $100
4. You bought it overseas. (Chargebacks are only valid on US goods.)
5. You stayed in the hotel room. (No chargeback for a room, no matter how bad, if you spent the night there.)
6. No proof that you mailed back the goods. (Use registered mail.)
7. You don't remember the date or details. (Be as specific as possible. At the first hint of trouble, write down all details do you don't forget)
8. You did not allow the vendor a chance to fix the problem
9. You are disputing the wrong things (Don't try to use legal language you might get wrong)
10. You used Mastercard. With Mastercard (MC) the burden of proof lies on you.

Bottom Line

For more details, check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chargeback. This site lists four general code categories for chargebacks:

Technical - Expired authorization, non-sufficient funds, or bank processing error.
Clerical - Duplicate billing, incorrect amount billed, or refund never issued.
Quality - Consumer claims to have never received the goods as promised at the time of purchase.
Fraud - Consumer claims they did not authorize the purchase, or identity theft.