How to Handle Refund Dispute

The classic example of your deciding what someone else refund policy should be. When you purchase something you enter into a contract -- both written and unwritten - about what you will do and they will do. They stated that taxes and fees are not refundable. What is so hard to understand? The VAT in Europe is huge and often approaches 30%. I am not surprised that the tax and fees are 25%.

What should you do ??? Accept the refund conditions on more on. Since there is no fraud involved and the vendor is operating within their stated policy, there will little that the credit card can do or will do. Next time ask for a complete breakdown, don't pay so far in advance, and do all of your research prior to making your reservation. Sorry, my advice could not be more positive but the vendor has done nothing wrong.

Can I request my credit card company assist with this dispute?

You can 'request' help, but if the refund rules were known, but you failed to determine what the 'taxes and fees' were, I doubt you will get anywhere.

What would you do in my situation?

Kick myself for not finding out what part of the total was the excluded taxes and fees.

With six-plus months notice, I really feel a full refund is not too much to ask for.

I agree, however if the vendor chooses to stick to the published rules, you just have to accept the situation. Are the reviews so bad you cannot just do it?

Vat is 22% in Italy, it may be "extraordinary expensive and unfair" to you but I am afraid that the only opinion that matters is the Italian Government's.

Thank you all for the honest and blunt replies.

I will just lose the money and learn from my mistake.

Since other Italian online sites offer full refunds for services and products, I think the no-tax refund policy is clearly a ruse, a hidden surcharge. I would open a credit card dispute due to false representation as a penalty is not permitted for a refund according the the Italian consumer code. "Se il consumatore-acquirente esercita il diritto di recesso, il venditore dovrà rimborsare al consumatore i pagamenti ricevuti in occasione della vendita, senza alcuna penalità."