Core Viewpoint - The recent complaints from Meituan users regarding unreceived refunds have raised concerns about the reliability of electronic payment systems on internet platforms [1][2] Group 1: User Complaints and Refund Issues - Users have reported that refunds initiated years ago, particularly between 2014 and 2019, have not been received, leading to widespread self-audits of transaction histories [2][3] - Meituan's official response indicated that refund issues stem from two main categories: delays in displaying refund progress and anomalies in users' payment channels, which may result in refunds being credited to Meituan balances instead of original payment methods [2][5] - A user discovered over 30 orders from 2015 to 2017 marked as "refund failed," and after following up, was able to recover over 1,000 yuan in delayed refunds [3][5] Group 2: Types of Refund Problems - Refund issues are categorized into four types: failed refunds that can be manually re-initiated, orders still showing as "in refund," completed refunds with zero amounts, and refunds that appear completed but have not actually been received by users [3][4] - Users have reported discrepancies in refund amounts displayed at different times, indicating potential system errors [3] Group 3: Impact on User Trust and Customer Service - Following the complaints, there was a significant increase in user inquiries to Meituan's customer service, with reports of long wait times and high volumes of users seeking assistance [5] - Some users found that refunds had been credited to their Meituan balances without their knowledge, leading to confusion and dissatisfaction regarding the refund process [5][6] Group 4: Historical Context and System Issues - An employee from Meituan's transaction system indicated that the refund issues may be due to historical system bugs or third-party payment SDK vulnerabilities, complicating the refund process [6][7] - The refund situation has highlighted the historical challenges Meituan faced in establishing a compliant payment system, with past incidents of refunds being mismanaged before the company obtained the necessary payment licenses [7][8]

Core Viewpoint - The recent controversy surrounding Meituan's refund process has led to widespread consumer dissatisfaction, with many users reporting issues of refunds not being credited to their accounts, sparking a "self-checking" movement among consumers [3][4][40]. Group 1: Consumer Reactions - Many consumers initially dismissed the refund issues but later discovered discrepancies in their accounts, leading to a significant number of users checking their past orders for missing refunds [2][7][8]. - The situation escalated into a "nationwide checking action," with users meticulously tracing back their orders and refund statuses, often uncovering multiple unresolved transactions [6][40]. - Reports indicate that some users have experienced refunds that were marked as "failed" or "in process" for extended periods, with one case taking as long as eight months to resolve [10][11][15]. Group 2: Meituan's Response - Meituan attributed the refund issues to system delays and payment channel anomalies, promising to optimize the refund process [3][25]. - The company acknowledged that some refunds were not processed due to users having deactivated their payment accounts, leading to confusion and frustration among consumers [11][25]. - Meituan's customer service has faced criticism for requiring users to provide extensive documentation to verify their claims, which many users found unreasonable [27][61]. Group 3: Broader Implications - The refund issues with Meituan have prompted consumers to scrutinize refund processes across various platforms, including Taobao and JD.com, indicating a broader concern about refund reliability in the e-commerce sector [40][41]. - The complexity of refund processes, involving multiple parties such as merchants, platforms, and banks, has been highlighted as a significant factor contributing to delays and confusion [58][59]. - The controversy has raised questions about consumer trust in large platforms, as many users initially believed that such companies would not overlook small amounts of money [62][63].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses ongoing consumer complaints regarding delayed refunds from Meituan, highlighting issues with the refund process and customer service responses [3][5][9]. Group 1: Consumer Complaints - Multiple consumers reported difficulties in receiving refunds, with some stating that refunds from as far back as 2018 have only recently been processed [3][5]. - Consumers expressed frustration over refunds not being returned to the original payment method, but instead being credited to Meituan Wallet, which they perceive as a coercive tactic to encourage further use of Meituan services [3][9]. Group 2: Customer Service Responses - Meituan's customer service indicated that the refund timeline typically ranges from 1 to 3 business days, depending on the payment method used [3][7]. - The company acknowledged that cases of refunds taking years to process are "relatively rare," yet many consumers have shared experiences of prolonged delays [7][10]. Group 3: Historical Context - Complaints about Meituan's refund process date back several years, with users from 2015 to 2019 frequently voicing concerns about slow refunds [5][7]. - A lawyer suggested that consumers should keep detailed records of their refund requests and payment transactions to support their claims if issues arise [10].