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In this issue

Dec. 3, 2008

Steven Emerson: Yes, the terrorists are winning

Don Terry: Lifetime, no see

Dec. 2, 2008

Melanie Phillips: The Mumbai atrocity is a wake-up call for a frighteningly unprepared world

Stratfor Geopolitical Intelligence Report: Strategic Motivations for the Mumbai Attack

Dec. 1, 2008

Max Freidlander, as told to Jacklyn C. Wadler: India Inkings

Mark Steyn: Whodunit!?

Nov. 28, 2008

Rabbi Ahron Rapps: An evil seed that didn't have to be

Melanie Phillips: Carpe diem --- or can we all relax now?

Nov. 26, 2008

Michael Feldberg: Meet the Orthodox Jew who laid groundwork for scientific development of ordnance that undergirds America's current world leadership

Andrea Simantov: Shades of life

Nov. 25, 2008

The Jewish Ethicist by Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir : Getting Emotional For Influence

The Kosher Gourmet by Ethel G. Hofman : Thanksiving feast!

Nov. 24, 2008

Rabbi S. Binyomin Ginsberg: 'I just Became a grandchild!'

Barry Rubin: Don't flatter your enemies, protect your friends

Nov. 21, 2008

Rabbi A. Henach Leibowitz: Money matters?

Caroline B. Glick: Civilization walks the plank

Nov. 20, 2008

Rabbi Avi Shafran: Bronfman's blindness

The Kosher Gourmet By Linda Gassenheimer: Portobellos add a hearty flavor to pasta with pesto

Nov, 19, 2008

The Jewish Ethicist by Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir : Spread the wealth? Jewish tradition and income equality

Elliot B. Gertel: 'Mad Men': Tackling prejudices or reinforcing them?

Nov, 18, 2008

Dr. Debby Schwarz Hirschhorn: The End of the Age of Reason

Jonathan Tobin: Does Barack + Bibi = Disaster?

Nov, 17, 2008

Rabbi Yonason Goldson: The End of the Age of Reason

Diana West: Gulling Americans into making terror legit?

Nov, 14, 2008

Rabbi A. Henach Leibowitz: The Power of Spiritual Inertia

Caroline B. Glick: The perils ahead

Nov, 13, 2008

Stratfor Intelligence Briefing: How Bush and Obama together could change the Middle East dynamic

The Kosher Gourmet by JeanMarie Brownson: Sweet and savory, crispy and meltingly tender bestilla

Nov, 12, 2008

The Jewish Ethicist by Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir : Tyrannical Co-Workers

Michael Doyle: High Court to consider today donated monuments that may have religious messages in public parks

Nov, 11, 2008

Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Will Obama stop government officials considering institutionalizing financial jihad?

Jonathan Tobin: They Will Decide Their Own Fate

Nov, 10, 2008

Rabbi Avi Shafran: $8 billion, modern-day Tower of Babel being built?

Barry Rubin: A letter to the president-elect from a Middle East realist

Nov, 7, 2008

Rabbi Francis Nataf: Of Children and Immortality

Caroline B. Glick: Livni's Obama strategy

Nov, 6, 2008

Rabbi Yonason Goldson: How I tricked a classroom of apathetic students into grasping the fallacy of moral relativism

The Kosher Gourmet By Gina Kim: Tips for making the perfect soup --- includes recipes

Nov, 5, 2008

The Jewish Ethicist By Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir: Destitute Debtors

Bruce Weinstein: 'Religulos': Bad title,even worse movie

Nov, 4, 2008

Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Treasury Dept. submits to Shariah law

Frida Ghitis: A surprise for Obama in the Middle East

Nov, 3, 2008

Jonathan Rosenblum: Who says Jews are Smart?

Jonathan Tobin: Was He Wrong About Everything?

March 22, 2007

J-Rhythms with Avraham Rosenblum: JWR's cutting-edge music program showcasing performers -- singers, song writers, musicians, and bands -- who learn and live the Torah lifestyle (OUR NEWEST IGODCAST !)

Oct. 29, 2003
Mortimer B. Zuckerman: Graffiti On History's Walls (MUST-READ!)

Jewish World Review April 15, 2008 / 10 Nissan 5768

Put up or shut up for card companies

By Vicki Lee Parker


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http://www.JewishWorldReview.com | (MCT) For years, credit card companies have bragged about their dispute policies - you know, the ones that let customers challenge charges on their accounts when the services aren't rendered or a product was otherwise misrepresented.

Now the dispute policies will be put to a real test as thousands of travelers try to recoup money from troubled airlines that recently went bust, including ATA, Skybus, Aloha and Frontier.

No doubt when it's all said and done, this problem will show consumers just how serious credit card companies are about customer service.

Lindy Marshall, who lives in Johnston County, N.C., is hoping to get a refund of $5,000 for five tickets she bought from ATA Airlines with her Wachovia Visa credit card.

For the past five years, she and her husband Mike have saved to take their entire family in August to Hawaii on their 25th wedding anniversary. Without a refund, the trip will be canceled.

"I can't afford to spend another $5,000 on tickets," Marshall said.

Marshall said she called Wachovia on April 5 and again Monday. She was told in a company e-mail message that she had to complete dispute papers, which would be mailed to her within 30 days. After that, it could take an additional 90 days to resolve her case.

Wachovia spokeswoman Christine Shaw said that is the bank's policy for purchases bought with a Wachovia credit card.

Typically in these cases, if a consumer bought tickets with a credit card, he or she should get a refund. But given the enormity of the situation - complicated by airlines seeking bankruptcy protection - that's a big if.

"In general, the ... (dispute policy) is a great benefit and usually works quite well," said Curtis Arnold, founder and director of CardRatings.com. Credit card companies "typically get the money back. They can get results that the average consumer can't get."

A couple of credit card companies have said that their dispute policies are still in effect and that they offer instant refunds while charges are being disputed.

"When customers dispute a charge, they receive an immediate credit or reversal of charges," Chase spokeswoman Megan A. Stinson said. Chase customers can dispute charges online, by phone or by mail.

Discover gives customers a credit while it investigates a dispute, spokeswoman Laura Gingiss said.

Disputes are usually resolved within 30 days, she said.

Attempts to reach Visa, Master Card and American Express representatives for this column were unsuccessful.

Gingiss explained that because the merchants are the credit card company's customers, too, they have agreements that aid in resolving disputes.

For those who bought tickets with cash or check, the chances of a refund are bleak. Those customers will have to try to recoup their money in bankruptcy court, where they will likely be at the tail end of a long list of creditors - and unlikely to get any of the remaining cash.

There is still a question for people who paid with debit cards.

Ellen Cannon, managing editor of Bankrate.com, said based on recent conversations with representatives at Visa and MasterCard, the companies intend to offer the same protection to debit card users that they do to other credit card customers.

"You should be able to dispute a debit charge just like you would a regular Visa or MasterCard," Cannon said.

But some bank analysts say that might not be so easy. Getting a refund through a debit card depends on the banks' cooperation, Cannon said. Ultimately, the bank is the creditor, and it would have to put the funds back into the checking account.

For consumers, this refund issue is going to be a good lesson in customer service. For credit card companies, this will be a chance to shine by proving how well they protect their customers.

Whether you have charges in dispute or not, it's important to pay attention to how these customers are treated. The credit card companies that offer instant credit, resolve the dispute quickly and side with the customer are the ones I want to do business with.

Ditto for Marshall.

Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.

Vicki Lee Parker is a columnist for The News & Observer. Comment by clicking here.

Previously:

Don't fall for rebate check scams
Recall agency needs help
Account can help you save
Gift refund made him feel cheated
7 gifts to build wealth
Dump your bank escrow account, earn some interest
Enticing e-mail may lead to viruses, ID theft, malware
Ask to receive discounts
Learn from a con man
Nitrogen: pricey way to keep tires pumped
Buying private health coverage
Better Business Bureau ramps up
Two beeps, one item: Listen for overcharges
Recalls: What to do next
Do your homework before home repairs
To tip or skip it: Gratuity must be earned
Advice is free, if you look
Hire a cleaner who won't clean you out
Teach children smart money tips that will keep them busy all summer long
Warning: Don't trust the ATM
Reasons to beware of ‘We Buy Homes’
Too wise to fall for a scam
Untethering cell phone from carrier
Re-check your credit card rewards
Treasure might be buried in medical bills
Tax-time saving tip: Free filing is available
College money is waiting; don't procrastinate
Extended warranties rarely worthwhile
Too busy for tax planning? It'll cost you


© 2007, The News & Observer Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services

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