About this calculator
The Chargeback Eligibility Checker helps consumers decide whether a card payment dispute might be better framed as chargeback, section 75, retailer complaint, or small claim preparation. It is useful after non-delivery, faulty goods, cancelled services, travel disruption, or a merchant refusing a refund. Use this expanded guide when you need more than a quick result. It explains the assumptions behind the Chargeback Eligibility Checker, the records to gather, and the decisions the estimate can support. It is especially useful for consumers checking refund routes after failed deliveries, cancelled services, faulty purchases, or merchant disputes. The strongest use of the page is scenario comparison: change one input at a time, compare the output, and keep a note of which assumption changed.
Chargeback Eligibility Checker calculation method
The checker reviews the payment method, purchase value, expected delivery or service date, dispute reason, and timing. It flags section 75 eligibility for qualifying credit card purchases in the calculator logic and checks whether the chargeback-style deadline is still likely open. The calculator result depends on the quality of the inputs and on the rule set or formula selected in the calculator above. For practical use, treat the output as a structured estimate: start with the core inputs, review the main outputs, then test the decision points that matter most to your situation. Key decisions include whether to contact the bank, whether section 75 may apply, what evidence to prepare.
- chargeback deadline = expected delivery or purchase date + 120 days
- section 75 value check = purchase price between GBP 100 and GBP 30,000
- days remaining = deadline - today
- better estimate = accurate inputs + correct rule set + realistic assumptions
- scenario difference = revised result - original result
How to use the Chargeback Eligibility Checker
- Choose the payment method used.
- Enter the purchase amount and purchase date.
- Enter the expected delivery, event, or service date if different.
- Select the problem type, such as non-delivery, faulty goods, or cancellation.
- Check whether chargeback timing or section 75 value conditions are flagged.
- Gather evidence before contacting the card provider.
- Use the result to decide whether to complain to the merchant, bank, or both.
- Gather the main inputs first: payment method, purchase amount, purchase date.
- Check supporting records such as receipt and card statement before relying on a final number.
- Enter one realistic scenario first, using conservative assumptions where the future is uncertain.
- Review the main outputs: chargeback timing flag, section 75 flag, deadline estimate.
- Run at least one alternative scenario so you can see which input changes the answer most.
- Compare the result with card provider rules, Financial Ombudsman guidance, and consumer credit guidance or the relevant contract, bill, statement, or professional document.
- Keep the calculation date and assumptions with your notes so you can revisit the estimate when rates, rules, or circumstances change.
Worked example
Non-delivery paid by debit card
Input: A GBP 320 item was due on 1 April and no delivery occurred by 20 May.
Calculation: The checker counts the likely 120-day chargeback window from the expected delivery date.
Result: The consumer may still be inside the chargeback window and should contact the bank promptly with evidence.
Credit card holiday payment
Input: GBP 1,200 paid directly to a travel company by credit card.
Calculation: The value sits within the section 75 range used by the checker.
Result: The checker flags section 75 as a route to discuss with the card provider.
Late chargeback request
Input: A debit card purchase was due for delivery 180 days ago.
Calculation: The likely chargeback deadline has passed in the calculator logic.
Result: The user may need to consider retailer complaint or small claim routes instead.
Chargeback and section 75 are different
Chargeback is usually a card scheme process. Section 75 is a legal route linked to qualifying credit card purchases. They can overlap, but they are not the same and do not use the same conditions.
The checker helps identify which route looks plausible so your first contact with the bank or card provider is clearer.
What to check before relying on the result
A useful Chargeback Eligibility Checker result starts with the same evidence you would use if you were checking the answer manually. The calculator can organise the arithmetic, but it cannot know whether a payslip is final, a bill is estimated, a quote excludes fees, or a personal circumstance has changed since the last statement.
Before making a decision, compare the calculator result with the source document that controls the real outcome. For this topic, that usually means checking card provider rules, Financial Ombudsman guidance, and consumer credit guidance. If there is a difference between the calculator and an official statement, contract, assessment, or professional advice, treat the official document as the stronger source.
- receipt
- Use this as supporting evidence for the calculation. If it is out of date, estimated, or based on a different period, the calculator output may look precise while still being wrong for the decision.
- card statement
- Use this as supporting evidence for the calculation. If it is out of date, estimated, or based on a different period, the calculator output may look precise while still being wrong for the decision.
- merchant messages
- Use this as supporting evidence for the calculation. If it is out of date, estimated, or based on a different period, the calculator output may look precise while still being wrong for the decision.
- delivery tracking
- Use this as supporting evidence for the calculation. If it is out of date, estimated, or based on a different period, the calculator output may look precise while still being wrong for the decision.
- refund refusal
- Use this as supporting evidence for the calculation. If it is out of date, estimated, or based on a different period, the calculator output may look precise while still being wrong for the decision.
Inputs that usually change the answer
The most important input is not always the largest number on the form. Sometimes a date, threshold, percentage, eligibility flag, or timing assumption changes the result more than the headline amount. This is why scenario testing is more useful than a single calculation.
| Input | Why it matters | What to double-check |
|---|---|---|
| payment method | It feeds directly into the estimate or changes which rule is applied. | Check the period, units, eligibility, and whether the figure is final or estimated. |
| purchase amount | It feeds directly into the estimate or changes which rule is applied. | Check the period, units, eligibility, and whether the figure is final or estimated. |
| purchase date | It feeds directly into the estimate or changes which rule is applied. | Check the period, units, eligibility, and whether the figure is final or estimated. |
| expected delivery date | It feeds directly into the estimate or changes which rule is applied. | Check the period, units, eligibility, and whether the figure is final or estimated. |
| dispute reason | It feeds directly into the estimate or changes which rule is applied. | Check the period, units, eligibility, and whether the figure is final or estimated. |
How to interpret the output
The output should be read as a decision aid, not just a number. For Chargeback Eligibility Checker, the useful question is often what the result means for timing, affordability, eligibility, comparison, or next steps.
- chargeback timing flag
- Use this output alongside the other results rather than in isolation. A monthly amount, percentage, date, or payback figure can look acceptable until fees, timing, evidence, or eligibility conditions are added.
- section 75 flag
- Use this output alongside the other results rather than in isolation. A monthly amount, percentage, date, or payback figure can look acceptable until fees, timing, evidence, or eligibility conditions are added.
- deadline estimate
- Use this output alongside the other results rather than in isolation. A monthly amount, percentage, date, or payback figure can look acceptable until fees, timing, evidence, or eligibility conditions are added.
- evidence checklist
- Use this output alongside the other results rather than in isolation. A monthly amount, percentage, date, or payback figure can look acceptable until fees, timing, evidence, or eligibility conditions are added.
Scenarios worth comparing
A single estimate is a snapshot. A better approach is to save a base case, then adjust one assumption at a time. This shows whether the result is stable or whether a small change in timing, rate, usage, income, or cost creates a very different answer.
| Scenario | Change one assumption | What the comparison shows |
|---|---|---|
| Base case | Use the best current evidence. | Shows the result you would expect if nothing important changes. |
| Conservative case | Use lower income, higher cost, slower growth, or less favourable timing. | Shows whether the decision still works with less optimistic assumptions. |
| Improved case | Use the realistic upside, such as lower cost, better rate, higher usage, or stronger evidence. | Shows the potential benefit without treating it as guaranteed. |
Common mistakes and edge cases
Most errors come from using the right formula with the wrong assumption. Dates can be counted differently, rates can change, official thresholds can move, and real bills or contracts often include conditions that a simple calculator cannot infer automatically.
- Wallet payments can complicate protection.
- Check this point before using the estimate for a payment, claim, purchase, application, employment decision, or health-related decision.
- Deadlines can run quickly.
- Check this point before using the estimate for a payment, claim, purchase, application, employment decision, or health-related decision.
- Section 75 has value and link conditions.
- Check this point before using the estimate for a payment, claim, purchase, application, employment decision, or health-related decision.
- A bank may ask for merchant contact evidence.
- Check this point before using the estimate for a payment, claim, purchase, application, employment decision, or health-related decision.
Next steps after calculating
Once you have a result, write down the key assumptions and compare them with card provider rules, Financial Ombudsman guidance, and consumer credit guidance. If the number affects a deadline, tax return, benefit claim, employment issue, medical question, finance agreement, or major purchase, use the calculator as preparation for a more formal check.
For lower-stakes use, the next step may simply be comparing two or three scenarios. For higher-stakes use, the next step should be checking the official guidance, speaking to the relevant organisation, or getting qualified advice before acting.
Common mistakes and edge cases
- Bank transfers and some wallet payments may not have chargeback protection.
- Section 75 usually needs a direct debtor-creditor-supplier link.
- The 120-day clock can run from expected delivery or service date, not always purchase date.
- Evidence from the merchant can affect whether the bank reverses the transaction.
- Wallet payments can complicate protection.
- Deadlines can run quickly.
- Section 75 has value and link conditions.
- A bank may ask for merchant contact evidence.
Limitations and advice boundary
This checker is general information only and is not legal or financial advice. Card scheme rules, bank procedures, and section 75 facts can vary. This is general information only and is not legal or financial advice. The calculator is designed to support understanding and planning, but it cannot verify documents, predict future rule changes, or account for every exception. Use it as an estimate and check the official source before acting where the result matters.
- Use the result as an estimate and keep the source documents used for the inputs.
- Check current official guidance, contracts, bills, statements, or professional advice where the result affects a real decision.
- Run a conservative scenario as well as the main scenario where costs, dates, rates, eligibility, or behaviour may change.
- Check card provider rules, Financial Ombudsman guidance, and consumer credit guidance for current rules, rates, definitions, and eligibility where relevant.
- Do not rely on a single scenario where income, costs, dates, rates, usage, or health circumstances may change.
- Keep records of the inputs used so that the estimate can be reviewed later.
Frequently asked questions
Is chargeback guaranteed?
No. It is a request through the card provider and can be challenged by the merchant.
Is section 75 only for credit cards?
It normally applies to qualifying credit agreements such as credit card purchases, not ordinary debit card purchases.
Should I contact the merchant first?
Often yes, unless urgency, fraud, or bank instructions suggest otherwise.
Can I use chargeback after PayPal?
It depends on the funding route and bank rules; wallet payments can complicate disputes.
What should I send the bank?
Send receipts, order confirmation, delivery evidence, merchant messages, and refund refusal where available.
Can the merchant reverse a chargeback?
A merchant can dispute it, so clear evidence matters.
Related calculators
- 30-Day Right to Reject Calculator
- Small Claims Court Calculator
- Court Interest on Judgments Calculator
- Limitation Period Calculator