When DIY Deduction Disputes Backfire: Why Experience Matters More Than Automation
- Jon Allen
- Jun 26
- 1 min read
Automated deduction tools are fast, convenient, and a great place to start.But here’s the truth no one wants to say out loud: They can’t win back the big dollars.
Why? Because software doesn’t negotiate. It doesn’t write compelling disputes. And it doesn’t know when to push back and escalate with nuance that only experience brings.
Let’s say you’re disputing a $58,000 compliance charge from a major retailer. It’s outside your normal chargeback type, and the EDI trail is murky. Your software tool submits a canned response—and it gets denied.
That $58K is gone. Forever. Now imagine having a seasoned deduction expert who spots a mismatched PO revision, ties it to a known system glitch in the retailer’s portal, and gets it reversed.
Through our partnership with HRG, we've recovered over $1 billion—not with robots, but real humans who know retail inside and out.
When Does DIY Break Down?
High-dollar disputes that need context
Errors with incomplete or conflicting documentation
Retailer systems where escalation isn’t automated
Take Action
Using automation for deductions? Great! But don’t go it alone on the big stuff.Let’s talk about a hybrid approach that blends tech + expertise.
Woodridge Deductions are powered by HRG.
