Credit Card Chargebacks – God’s Way?
Updated: Apr 29, 2021
I had a client that, after completing everything for the job, put in a chargeback for $2500 with her credit card claiming she didn’t get the deliverables she wanted.
The problem was that I didn’t have that much money in my bank, so when the credit card company pulled that money back from my account, it overdrafted.
This then caused a domino effect because it was unexpected, so I had paid bills and all of those payments began to bounce, causing over a dozen overdraft fees of $35 each.
Also, I couldn’t pay myself for a short period of time there.
I wouldn’t have been so shocked if it was my fault if I deserved the chargeback because I didn’t deliver the services. But I did some of my best work! I spent so much time and energy on the project, going above and beyond what was agreed and paid for.
I sent in the paperwork required to prove I was right, and eventually, the money was returned to my account as her credit card sided with me and denied her claims.
I had a right to be bitter. I could have been very angry. I should probably still be holding on to resentment against her. After all, she caused me great distress and embarrassment as checks bounced and overdraft fees piled up.
I have witnessed a lot of tribulation, abuse, and hurt by the powers of the marketplace. When I feel I have been created by a client, partner, or employee, I make a choice to allow myself to become bitter and withdrawn or I can decide to learn from the experience and become better.
Here is the wisdom I’ve gained on the subject of forgiveness from the Bible:
"Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends." Proverbs 17:9 NLT
At the peak of my agency life, my partner was stolen from me by my best client. This rocked the entire operation. Both my client and my partner were an integral part of my income.
But this was not the end of my life as I supposed. It was merely a temporary detour that eventually helped me move in a more positive direction with my company.
God has revealed to me that the way I choose to interpret what happens in my business life, more than the actual circumstances and experiences, is what determines my destiny. Bitter or better—I get to decide!
Here is my observation: It is the one who has been wronged in business who has all the power, not the one who does the wrong. And my power comes in the form of forgiveness. When I forgive, I liberate myself to live the business life God has given me.
Godpreneur Rule: Forgiveness is a powerful force in the hands of the Godpreneur who has been wronged.