Can I sue an online seller in small claims court in the US?
Yes, if the seller is based in the US. You must file in the county where the seller's business is located, or where the transaction occurred. For Amazon third-party sellers, you can sue Amazon itself in your county under certain circumstances. For international sellers, a credit card chargeback is more practical than small claims court.
What is the easiest way to get a refund for a bad online purchase in the US?
The fastest path is a credit card chargeback — file with your bank within 60–120 days of the charge. Success rates are high for non-delivery and significantly not-as-described claims. If the chargeback fails or the deadline has passed, small claims court is your next option. Document all communications and take screenshots of the listing before filing.
Does the FTC protect against online purchase fraud in the US?
The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) accepts complaints about online fraud but does not resolve individual disputes or provide refunds. Filing a complaint helps build enforcement cases against repeat bad actors. For getting your money back, credit card chargebacks and small claims court are more effective individual remedies than regulatory complaints.