That first chargeback notice feels like a punch to the gut. It's a right of passage for every founder. Most founders lose their first dispute because they don't have a plan. Here's yours.
Follow this straightforward process for handling disputes.
The 5-Minute File: Before you do anything else, immediately collect and screenshot these items. Underwriters review hundreds of these a day; a complete file gets their attention.
Never just write "customer received the item." You need to present a clear, professional case that makes it easy for the reviewer to rule in your favor.
Pro Tip:
The key is to be concise, factual, and provide overwhelming proof. Think like a lawyer presenting evidence, not an angry merchant defending yourself.
The structure of your response is critical. We've built structured response templates designed for common dispute scenarios.
🎯 Stop guessing. Use templates that follow dispute best practices.
Stop guessing. Use structured templates to build your dispute response. This is the single most important asset you can have right now.
(Hint: It's Not About the Amount)
You now have the tools to fight this specific dispute. But here's the alpha that separates pro-level operators from amateurs:
That dispute is a data point. To you, it's a single lost sale. To Visa and your payment processor, it's a red flag that just went up on their risk dashboard.
The Reframe:
Every dispute, no matter how small, pushes you closer to the VAMP program's 0.75% threshold. This is the line that, once crossed, can trigger crippling fines and processor shutdowns.
Your first dispute is actually the first warning shot for potential account termination.
Winning chargebacks is playing defense. The real goal is to build a business that's so compliant, you rarely get them in the first place. That requires understanding your entire risk profile, not just one transaction.
Get your free, 60-second assessment to see your real risk level and get a plan to make your business bulletproof.
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