My guess is that what showed up on their bank statement is some oblique looking charge that didn't say anything remotely like "Substack subscription: Sasha Stone", but had some financial shell company name these people didn't recognize. They figured it was a fraudulent charge and contested it. My wife and I have to do this frequently enough because - well - there are fraudulent charges being tried. I lost count of how many times we've received notices that our credit card information has been "compromised" by some hacker - and how many times we've had to cancel our cards and get new ones as a result. It's part of the new "global world order" that we all have to live with. While I am sure it's annoying as hell for you, it's probably best to chalk it up to part of your cost of running this kind of business. Think of all those costs you don't have to incur that normal brick-and-mortar businesses do, like shoplifters, people breaking your products, vandalizing your building, etc. My wife had a small retail shop for a number of years. You wouldn't believe some of the stuff she had to deal with.
I think a certain percentage of people are just going to be like that. I have the occasional person in my business that I basically have to blacklist. Thank goodness it's nowhere near enough to dent my faith in basic human decency.
Didn't come right out and tell them, just used the terms of the contract to jack up their billing rates and replaced our "A" client service rep with a "C" level rookie.
They yelled and screamed....then said they were taking their business elsewhere.
Chargebacks are the bane of any business accepting credit cards. They are also an insidious way for credit card processors to get even more money from merchants. In the case of Substack subscriptions, Substack gets a piece of every subscription payment. Stripe (the processor) also gets a piece. On a chargeback the seller gets stabbed for, in this case, $15. This is supposedly to cover the cost of verifying the charge, but there is no incentive to do that, since they stand to make more money by denying the charge. When Sasha gets hit for $15 they do not refund what Substack and Stripe took out of the original payment. One chargeback is equivalent to three cancelled subscriptions. (Side note - I am a boomer, not angry, just explaining the kind of stuff that can happen with online sales. If you want to blame somebody, blame vampire banks.)
Sasha - I own a couple of restaurant/bars. I’d be happy to tell you about chargeback abuses and how helpless we in the industry are to them. It’s not a minor abuse to my business, it’s outright criminal fraud and theft. Even when I have someone’s signed receipt, with video footage of them purchasing, consuming, and paying for their meal and drinks, I am powerless. I lose almost every appeal, regardless of how flagrant the crime committed against my business was.
I'll put $100 in your tip jar today to cover your bank fees for the few thin-skinned imbecile's who don't understand your "speaking truth to power" mantra that we get to enjoy every week.
Perhaps a note could be simpler than what I am writing here, to emphasize that if a person wants to cancel their subscription, the easiest and right way is to simply click "UNSUBSCRIBE". Protesting your credit card charge, causing a Chargeback, penalizes the person you originally subscribed.
I think people see something on a credit card statement and impulse kicks in.
I had that last month when I saw a charge for $350 to some company in NYC...I didn't remember...called the bank...and asked them for more detail on the merchant...and found out that it was a watch winder I'd just bought and it was sitting on my desk in the package in front of my nose.
I'm sure you are too young to remember, but William F. Buckley, Jr. was famous for telling readers of the National Review to "Cancel your own go*damn subscription!"
I wish everyone took the time to become a critical thinker. Are most people so consumed with their programming that they don’t question anymore? Your words have provided hope and comfort to me throughout the last few years. Hang tough and I feel you seem happier through the words you share.
I didn’t receive a chargeback notice and don’t want one. I value this site and expect to stay indefinitely.
So sorry this is happening. Must be so frustrating. You don’t deserve this.
My guess is that what showed up on their bank statement is some oblique looking charge that didn't say anything remotely like "Substack subscription: Sasha Stone", but had some financial shell company name these people didn't recognize. They figured it was a fraudulent charge and contested it. My wife and I have to do this frequently enough because - well - there are fraudulent charges being tried. I lost count of how many times we've received notices that our credit card information has been "compromised" by some hacker - and how many times we've had to cancel our cards and get new ones as a result. It's part of the new "global world order" that we all have to live with. While I am sure it's annoying as hell for you, it's probably best to chalk it up to part of your cost of running this kind of business. Think of all those costs you don't have to incur that normal brick-and-mortar businesses do, like shoplifters, people breaking your products, vandalizing your building, etc. My wife had a small retail shop for a number of years. You wouldn't believe some of the stuff she had to deal with.
It wasn't me!!! I LOVE your site, and your unique POV.
I think a certain percentage of people are just going to be like that. I have the occasional person in my business that I basically have to blacklist. Thank goodness it's nowhere near enough to dent my faith in basic human decency.
We had to fire a client this week too.
Didn't come right out and tell them, just used the terms of the contract to jack up their billing rates and replaced our "A" client service rep with a "C" level rookie.
They yelled and screamed....then said they were taking their business elsewhere.
Problem....solved.
… once again monthly email comes and says I paid whoever on substack. Kind of simple.
You are the ffirst author that I've seen address this in a forthwright posting. Bravo.
Chargebacks are the bane of any business accepting credit cards. They are also an insidious way for credit card processors to get even more money from merchants. In the case of Substack subscriptions, Substack gets a piece of every subscription payment. Stripe (the processor) also gets a piece. On a chargeback the seller gets stabbed for, in this case, $15. This is supposedly to cover the cost of verifying the charge, but there is no incentive to do that, since they stand to make more money by denying the charge. When Sasha gets hit for $15 they do not refund what Substack and Stripe took out of the original payment. One chargeback is equivalent to three cancelled subscriptions. (Side note - I am a boomer, not angry, just explaining the kind of stuff that can happen with online sales. If you want to blame somebody, blame vampire banks.)
ok ty.
Good to know. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Sasha - I own a couple of restaurant/bars. I’d be happy to tell you about chargeback abuses and how helpless we in the industry are to them. It’s not a minor abuse to my business, it’s outright criminal fraud and theft. Even when I have someone’s signed receipt, with video footage of them purchasing, consuming, and paying for their meal and drinks, I am powerless. I lose almost every appeal, regardless of how flagrant the crime committed against my business was.
I'll put $100 in your tip jar today to cover your bank fees for the few thin-skinned imbecile's who don't understand your "speaking truth to power" mantra that we get to enjoy every week.
There's always a few crazies in every crowd.
Better idea, I'll upgrade to Founding member.
Done. ✅
Dear lord. It’s always something. Their devious minds never stop.
It’s one more way to punish you for speaking out.
Let’s all chip in & pay these stupid back fees. How bout it everyone?
Perhaps a note could be simpler than what I am writing here, to emphasize that if a person wants to cancel their subscription, the easiest and right way is to simply click "UNSUBSCRIBE". Protesting your credit card charge, causing a Chargeback, penalizes the person you originally subscribed.
I don't think that's the issue.
I think people see something on a credit card statement and impulse kicks in.
I had that last month when I saw a charge for $350 to some company in NYC...I didn't remember...called the bank...and asked them for more detail on the merchant...and found out that it was a watch winder I'd just bought and it was sitting on my desk in the package in front of my nose.
But..I didn't do a chargeback...I inquired first.
I'm sure you are too young to remember, but William F. Buckley, Jr. was famous for telling readers of the National Review to "Cancel your own go*damn subscription!"
I wish everyone took the time to become a critical thinker. Are most people so consumed with their programming that they don’t question anymore? Your words have provided hope and comfort to me throughout the last few years. Hang tough and I feel you seem happier through the words you share.