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What do you do when a business you frequent suddenly closes down? If you have not received goods or services you have already paid for, all may not be lost. BBB has these tips to help you toward resolution:
- Collect receipts, proofs of purchase, and other documents such as warranties and manuals. These materials will help you prepare for your request for a resolution.
- Check with the bank or credit card you used to make the purchase(s) at the now-closed company. You may be able to dispute the transaction(s) due to failure to receive goods or services. Credit cards offer more consumer protections on purchases than debit cards, so it’s generally better to shop with a credit card, particularly for big-ticket items.
- Try to contact the company to complete the transaction or resolve the issue. Some closed companies will offer an email, website, or phone number to contact for more information. Check with your BBB to see if they have information about the company, or search for the company on BBB.org. If the business has a physical address, check for a notice posted with information on where to turn for help. Also, look at the company's website and social media presence for information.
- If the company has not filed for bankruptcy, the business is still obligated to fulfill your order for goods, services, or a refund. Closing a business doesn't relieve the owner of that responsibility. While it can be time-consuming and expensive, a consumer may take the company to court.
- For returns: if you have a warranty for an item you bought at the store, look into whether the manufacturer or the store issued the warranty. If the manufacturer issues the warranty, it will most likely honor it. When a company goes out of business, its warranties and services often die unless other agreements have been made.
- If you have unused gift cards for a closed business, bankruptcy filings will likely determine if and how they can be used or claimed. Read more on gift cards and bankruptcy.
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BBB Serving Western Pennsylvania contributed to this tip.