If you purchased merchandise or a service with your credit card that turns out to be defective or of poor quality, you may withhold payment on your credit card bill. Try to resolve the problem with the merchant. If you are unsuccessful in your good faith attempts to solve the problem, notify the credit card company and do not pay that portion of your credit card bill. You must, however, pay in full any amount that is not in question. Enclose a letter explaining why you are withholding payment and what steps you have taken to try to resolve the problem.

In order to withhold a credit card payment, the purchase must meet the following requirements: the amount must be more than $50, and the purchase must be made in Colorado or within 100 miles of your home. These limitations do not apply if the retail store and the creditor are the same, such as a department store. Nor do the limitations apply if the creditor mailed you an advertisement for the merchandise or services.

Because of the number of consumer complaints about shoddy auto repair, some consumers use their credit cards to charge repair work. If you find that repair work has not been done or has been done poorly or incorrectly, you can withhold payment. You must always try first to resolve the problem before withholding payment. Keep a record detailing who you talked to, when, what the problem was and what you asked to have done. Notify the credit card company of the dispute, or the company may notify the credit bureau that your account is delinquent. You also should check your file at the credit bureau.