Some merchants think they’re saving money by managing chargebacks manually, or worse, ignoring them. But when you break down the actual cost of a few lost disputes each month, it becomes clear how quickly the numbers stack up. So we did the math. Here’s what it really costs to lose chargebacks compared to paying for Chargeblast.
The Real Cost of Losing a Chargeback
Let’s start with what you actually lose when you don’t fight a dispute:
- The transaction amount
- A chargeback fee (usually $15 to $35 per case)
- The product or service already delivered
- Time spent handling angry customers or dealing with Stripe/Shopify/Square, etc.
Example 1: A merchant selling $100 items loses 10 chargebacks a month.
That’s:
- $1,000 in lost revenue
- $250 in chargeback fees (at $25 each)
- $1,250 total
And that’s just from 10 disputes a month.
Chargeblast’s Cost vs. Doing Nothing
Chargeblast uses a pay-per-alert pricing model, so you only pay when there's something to act on. Each chargeback alert gives you a chance to resolve a dispute before it hits your account or recover lost revenue automatically. Here’s how pricing works:
- Visa alerts: $35 per alert
- Mastercard alerts: $40 per alert
- Dispute responses: $15 per case
Compare that to what it costs to do nothing:
Assumes $100 lost per dispute + $25 processor fee.
In each case, Chargeblast costs less than the money lost on disputes. And this doesn’t even account for the time saved or protection from being flagged by Visa’s VDMP or Mastercard’s chargeback monitoring program.
These are rough estimates assuming a 50/50 split between Visa and Mastercard and one response per alert. Even if just a few alerts prevent disputes or recover the revenue, the tool pays for itself fast. And unlike flat monthly fees, you're only paying when action is needed.
Doing nothing costs more and gives you nothing back.
Chargeblast Also Helps Prevent Disputes
Besides recovering lost revenue, Chargeblast automates alerts, pre-dispute responses, and customer communication to reduce disputes from happening in the first place.
Fewer disputes mean lower fraud ratios, less stress, and a healthier Stripe or PayPal account.
Is It Worth It?
If you’re losing more than a few chargebacks a month, not using Chargeblast is like burning money. Even one dispute can trigger Stripe’s radar, delay payouts, or get your account flagged. This isn’t a “nice to have”; this is what keeps your payment processor from dropping you.
How to Calculate If It’s Worth It for You
Answer these three questions:
- How many chargebacks do you get per month?
- What’s the average transaction amount lost per dispute?
- What’s your dispute fee per processor?
Now compare that to Chargeblast’s pricing. If the losses are higher than the monthly plan, you're bleeding cash.
Wrapping It Up
Chargebacks are expensive, avoidable, and often preventable with the right system in place. For most merchants, Chargeblast ends up paying for itself within the first few recovered disputes. Instead of reacting after the damage is done, protect your margins before the dispute even hits.
FAQ: Chargeblast Pricing vs Chargebacks
What payment platforms does Chargeblast work with?
Chargeblast supports major platforms like Stripe, PayPal, Square, and Shopify Payments. It also works with processors like Adyen and Braintree.
Can Chargeblast prevent all chargebacks?
No solution can stop all chargebacks, but Chargeblast helps reduce the volume through alerts, automated responses, and smarter dispute handling. It also helps you recover more money from the ones you do get.
Is it hard to integrate Chargeblast?
No. Most merchants are fully integrated within a day. The dashboard is easy to use, and Chargeblast’s team assists with setup and strategy.
What happens if I get flagged by Visa or Mastercard?
Chargeblast helps merchants respond fast and reduce future dispute risk, which is critical if you’re in a monitoring program like VDMP or the Mastercard Excessive Chargeback Program.
Let Chargeblast Cut the Damage Before It Starts
Chargebacks Don’t Wait. Neither Should You.
Chargeblast works behind the scenes to stop disputes before they happen and respond to the ones that do—fast. If you're tired of losing money, time, and sleep over disputes, it's time to switch to something smarter.
Book a free demo to see how Chargeblast can save you more than it costs.
