Representment

When a chargeback arrives, the merchant can accept it or contest it. Contesting it is called representment: the merchant submits evidence through its processor, which forwards it to the issuing bank. Processors call this responding to, countering or defending the dispute.

The evidence must answer the reason code. For a subscription, it usually includes the terms accepted at signup, proof of usage, renewal reminders sent, the cancellation policy and the customer’s communications. Deadlines are strict, and processors such as Stripe allow a single submission that cannot be edited afterwards.

Not every chargeback is worth contesting. Compare the amount, the strength of the evidence and the fees involved. If the issuer rejects the response, the dispute can move on to pre-arbitration.