14/05/2026
One thing I think people massively underestimate is just how damaging chargebacks and payment disputes can be to small businesses.
When you book with a small business, attend your appointment, receive your service, view your images/products, and then go directly to your bank to reverse the payment without even attempting to contact the business first, you are not simply “raising a dispute.”
You are taking money back for something you have already received.
If those images or products are then still being used, shared publicly or kept afterwards, that is theft from a small business. Plain and simple.
Small businesses are not huge corporations with endless financial protection. Behind them are real people paying studio rent, suppliers, wages, childcare, fuel, editing software, business insurance and trying their absolute best to build something for their family.
Of course, genuine complaints can happen. No business is perfect. But there is a huge difference between trying to resolve an issue fairly and simply bypassing the business entirely to reclaim money after a service has already been provided.
Most small business owners care deeply about their clients and would always rather have the chance to explain, help or put things right before a bank dispute is raised.
Please remember there is a real human being on the other side of your purchase 🤍
