Making Large Purchases? You may find this information useful.

My purchase was for windows but through this purchase experience I have become a little wiser.  Some of you may not agree with my recommendation but there may be some of you who will.  My recommendation for purchasing anything is to use a credit card and not pay by check, especially for large dollar amounts. You will need to verify with your credit card company how they handle and view disputes.  You should seek out a credit card company who will remove the money being disputed from the merchant and hold it until the dispute is resolved.  This gives both the merchant and the consumer an EQUAL opportunity in resolving the dispute.   It is easier to recover your money from a credit card company proving breach of contract and fraud as long as the windows have NOT been installed. Since the installers removed every window in my home before I examined the windows which were still on the truck, I had no option but to allow the installation of windows I did not contract for. 

I contracted for an Energy Star approved window which was backed by Good Housekeeping.  The windows delivered to me were neither.  Do you think the window company knew exactly what they were doing by removing every window in my home at one time? By allowing them to install the fourteen windows the credit card company viewed it as my acceptance of the substitute windows and therefore I could not dispute the charge on the basis of breach of contract and fraud. If I had refused installation my home would have been left with fourteen very large holes since the installers demolished every window they removed from my home. Unethical companies are very savvy and knowledgeable in knowing how many credit card companies are going to view these types of purchases. My credit card company also required me to attempt to return the "merchandise" to the merchant! This seemed pretty laughable but very disturbing.  My credit card company was viewing this purchase which became a permanent fixture to the structure of my home, as a piece of merchandise which can be easily returned. They were treating it as if it were a small appliance which could easily be removed and returned to the merchant! The credit card company stated that my only dispute would be regarding poor installation. My credit card company required me to supply them with a second opinion from another window company stating specifically what was wrong with the installation and how much it would cost to repair or replace what was needed. 

To add additional insult to injuries this same window company ran my credit card without my authorization for the balance of the cost of the windows. I now had not one, but two disputes to resolve!  After running my card for a second time for the balance of the contract the owner of window company then contacts me.  He is willing to return all my money and let me keep the windows (with no warranty),  if I sign his General Release.  The release included language stating that I would not proceed with any action whatsoever against him!  Needless to say, I did NOT sign his release.  I was very fortunate in locating a window company who was willing to give me the second opinion letter, but it was not at all easy to find a company that would do so and I am very thankful to them, and I am very thankful to the installer which did such a poor job of installing the windows I did not contract for. To date, I have received all my money back from my credit card company except for $1,000.00 check paid to the window company which is going to be harder to collect since I will now have to use legal avenues to do so. I will be replacing all fourteen windows in my home for a second time and I will be contacting the merchant to come and pick up his MERCHANDISE.  I will also be requesting they bring $1,000.00 cashiers check when they do!   

In making large purchases there are two ways I have learned I can protect myself.  1.  If you determine you are dealing with an unethical shady merchant and you decide to dispute the original charge you should notify your credit card company to give you a replacement card with a new number so the merchant cannot make a second unauthorized charge to your card for the balance without your authorization.  2.  Many banks will give you a credit card with a $0.00 credit balance and you can transfer money from your savings or checking to the card so your credit line will not be at risk.  An example would be if you were required to put a deposit of $3,000.00 for a large purchase, you would transfer only $3,000.00 to the card.  I hope you find this information helpful in avoiding what I have recently experienced.