---
title: Why a Refund and a Chargeback Can Happen at the Same Time
description: A refund and a chargeback can be initiated on the same day without either canceling the other. Learn why this happens, what it costs, and how to avoid it.
---
[Skip to content](https://support.hellowalla.com/why-a-refund-and-a-chargeback-can-happen-at-the-same-time#main-content)
English
Show submenu for translations
Open main navigation
Close main navigation
- English
Show submenu for translations
How can we help you?
- There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.
1. [Walla Knowledge Base](https://support.hellowalla.com/?hsLang=en)
2. [Merchant](https://support.hellowalla.com/merchant?hsLang=en)
May 7, 2026
# Why a Refund and a Chargeback Can Happen at the Same Time
## There are rare occasions where a merchant initiates a refund and a cardholder opens a dispute on the same business day. When this happens, both processes run simultaneously on separate tracks — and the result can be frustrating. This article explains why it happens, what it means for your account, and how to reduce the chances of it occurring in the future.
#### What Happened?
When a cardholder opens a dispute with their bank on the same day the merchant initiates a refund, Stripe receives the dispute from the card network before it can detect that a refund is already in progress. As a result, the refund is voided and the dispute takes over as the active process.
This is not an error, but the result of two separate systems operating independently of one another. The refund originates on the merchant side through Stripe. The dispute originates on the cardholder side through their bank and the card network. Neither system has visibility into what the other is doing in real time.
---
#### Why Can't This Be Prevented?
The dispute process is initiated by the cardholder's bank, not by Stripe or Walla. Once a dispute enters the card network, it moves independently of anything happening on the merchant side. There is currently no mechanism to flag a refund in progress at the point of dispute intake.
---
#### What Does This Mean for My Account?
Even though the refund was voided, as a chargeback, the disputed amount is returned to the cardholder — which is the standard outcome when a dispute is resolved in the cardholder's favor.
However, because a dispute was opened, Stripe's $15 dispute fee applies. This fee is assessed to all disputes regardless of circumstance, including cases where a refund was already underway. It is non-refundable.
---
#### How Can I Reduce the Chances of This Happening?
The most effective prevention is speed. The window between a cardholder becoming dissatisfied and contacting their bank is the only opportunity to close the loop before a dispute is opened. Processing refunds promptly — before a cardholder has had time to escalate to their bank — is the best way to prevent a simultaneous dispute from occurring.
If you are aware of a situation that may lead to a refund request, acting on it quickly is always the safer path.
---
#### Still Have Questions?
If you have questions about how dispute fees work or what to expect on your invoice, the following resources are a great place to start:
- [What are Stripe Dispute Fees?](https://support.hellowalla.com/what-are-stripe-dispute-fees-walla-support-center?hsLang=en)
- [Chargeback Disputes FAQ](https://support.hellowalla.com/chargeback-disputes-faq-walla-support-center?hsLang=en)
You're also welcome to reach out to us directly at [support@hellowalla.com](mailto:support@hellowalla.com) and we'll be happy to help.
- [Getting Started with Walla](https://support.hellowalla.com/getting-started-with-walla?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [🤝 Onboarding](https://support.hellowalla.com/getting-started-with-walla?hsLang=en#onboarding)
- [Migrations](https://support.hellowalla.com/getting-started-with-walla?hsLang=en#migrations)
- [Products](https://support.hellowalla.com/products?hsLang=en)
- [Branded App](https://support.hellowalla.com/branded-app?hsLang=en)
- [Classes](https://support.hellowalla.com/classes?hsLang=en)
- [Managing Your Studio](https://support.hellowalla.com/managing-your-studio?hsLang=en)
- [Integrations](https://support.hellowalla.com/integrations?hsLang=en)
- [Enrollments](https://support.hellowalla.com/enrollments?hsLang=en)
- [WallaPredict](https://support.hellowalla.com/wallapredict?hsLang=en)
- [Franchise Features](https://support.hellowalla.com/franchise-features?hsLang=en)
- [Clients](https://support.hellowalla.com/clients?hsLang=en)
- [Sales & Marketing Center](https://support.hellowalla.com/sales-marketing-center?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Sales Pipeline](https://support.hellowalla.com/sales-marketing-center?hsLang=en#sales-pipeline)
- [Conditions](https://support.hellowalla.com/sales-marketing-center?hsLang=en#conditions)
- [Builds](https://support.hellowalla.com/sales-marketing-center?hsLang=en#builds)
- [Google and Meta Integration](https://support.hellowalla.com/sales-marketing-center?hsLang=en#google-and-meta-integration)
- [Journeys and Audiences](https://support.hellowalla.com/sales-marketing-center?hsLang=en#journeys-and-audiences)
- [Virtual](https://support.hellowalla.com/virtual?hsLang=en)
- [Payments](https://support.hellowalla.com/payments?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [💰 Payments](https://support.hellowalla.com/payments?hsLang=en#payments)
- [Walla App](https://support.hellowalla.com/walla-app?hsLang=en)
- [Packs & Plans](https://support.hellowalla.com/packs-plans?hsLang=en)
- [Appointments](https://support.hellowalla.com/appointments?hsLang=en)
- [For Studio Clients](https://support.hellowalla.com/for-studio-clients?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Using the Walla App](https://support.hellowalla.com/for-studio-clients?hsLang=en#using-the-walla-app)
- [Your Walla Login](https://support.hellowalla.com/for-studio-clients?hsLang=en#your-walla-login)
- [Using Walla Widgets](https://support.hellowalla.com/for-studio-clients?hsLang=en#using-walla-widgets)
- [Staff](https://support.hellowalla.com/staff?hsLang=en)
- [Reports](https://support.hellowalla.com/reports?hsLang=en)
- [Client Communication](https://support.hellowalla.com/client-communication?hsLang=en)
- [Memberships](https://support.hellowalla.com/memberships?hsLang=en)
- [Walla Websites](https://support.hellowalla.com/walla-websites?hsLang=en)
- [Walla FAQ's](https://support.hellowalla.com/walla-faqs?hsLang=en)
- [Walla Customer Service](https://support.hellowalla.com/walla-customer-service?hsLang=en)
- [Walla Subscription](https://support.hellowalla.com/walla-subscription?hsLang=en)
- [Merchant](https://support.hellowalla.com/merchant?hsLang=en)
- [Widgets](https://support.hellowalla.com/widgets?hsLang=en)
[](https://www.hellowalla.com/)
[mailto:support@hellowalla.com](mailto:support@hellowalla.com)
Copyright © 2026, Walla Software