Upstream Chargeback Solutions

Recovering What's Rightfully Yours — One Deduction at a Time

About Us

Who We Are

A boutique firm with enterprise-level results

Upstream Chargeback Solutions is a boutique chargeback recovery firm dedicated to helping CPG manufacturers reclaim deductions taken by major retailers. We combine deep industry expertise with proven recovery methodologies to maximize your bottom line.

Founded by industry veterans with decades of experience in CPG trade finance, Upstream CS was built on a simple premise: manufacturers deserve to keep the revenue they've earned. Every year, billions of dollars in legitimate deductions go unrecovered — not because they can't be disputed, but because most companies lack the specialized expertise and bandwidth to fight back effectively.

Our team of chargeback specialists has worked inside the largest CPG companies in the world. We understand retailer systems, deduction codes, and dispute processes from the inside out. That institutional knowledge is what sets us apart from generalist accounting firms and software-only solutions.

We work on a contingency basis — meaning we only get paid when you get paid. Our incentives are perfectly aligned with yours: maximize recovery, minimize your administrative burden, and prevent future deductions through root cause analysis and process improvement.

$2B+

Analyzed

15+

Years Experience

500+

Clients Served

95%

Recovery Rate

Services

What We Do

End-to-end deduction recovery and dispute management

The Problem

Major retailers take billions in deductions annually — many of which are invalid, unsupported, or duplicative. Most CPG manufacturers lack the internal resources to dispute every deduction effectively, leaving significant revenue on the table year after year.

Our Solution

Upstream CS deploys a dedicated team of recovery specialists who audit, classify, document, and dispute every recoverable deduction on your behalf. Our proven process consistently recovers 90–95% of valid disputed amounts within 90–180 days.

Trade Deductions

Promotional allowances
Co-op advertising deductions
Slotting fees
Volume rebates
Early payment discounts
Off-invoice deductions

Non-Trade Deductions

Shortage claims
Freight deductions
Damage claims
Return deductions
Compliance fines
Unauthorized deductions

Pricing Tiers

ESSENTIAL

Essential

Contingency-based

→ Deduction audit & classification
→ Standard dispute filing
→ Monthly reporting
→ Email support
→ Up to $500K annual deductions

PROFESSIONAL

Professional

Contingency + retainer

→ Everything in Essential
→ Priority dispute handling
→ Dedicated account manager
→ Weekly status calls
→ Root cause analysis
→ Up to $5M annual deductions

ENTERPRISE

Enterprise

Custom pricing

→ Everything in Professional
→ Unlimited deduction volume
→ On-site team integration
→ Custom reporting & analytics
→ Retailer relationship management
→ Strategic deduction prevention

The Dispute Cycle

Not a straight-through process

Disputes loop, escalate, and require active management at every stage — up to 120 days

The Dispute Cycle: 8-stage flow from Prevention through Deduction, Validation, Dispute, Research, Recovery, Write-Off, and Monitor — with loop-back and escalation arcs and phase banners for Identify Money, Capture Money, Protect Money, and Eliminate Future Losses

* Write-Off does not follow sequential order. Timeline varies by retailer and deduction type.

Continuous improvement loop: Monitor feeds back into Prevention

Retail Expertise

Every major
retail channel

Our team has direct experience managing deductions and disputes across every major retail channel in the United States — giving us an unmatched advantage when recovering your funds.

We understand the unique deduction practices, systems, and dispute processes of each retailer. Select a channel below to explore our coverage.

Filter by channel

Mass Market

Walmart
Target
Meijer
H-E-B
Wegmans
Hy-Vee
Stater Bros.
WinCo Foods
Fred Meyer
Giant Eagle
ShopRite
Weis Markets
Ingles Markets

Club Stores

Costco
Sam's Club
BJ's Wholesale
PriceSmart
Costco Business Center

Grocery

Kroger
Albertsons
Publix
Ahold Delhaize
Wakefern
Southeastern Grocers
SpartanNash
Associated Wholesale Grocers
C&S Wholesale
Winn-Dixie
Harris Teeter
Ralphs
Safeway
Vons
Tom Thumb
Randalls
Jewel-Osco
Acme Markets
Shaw's
Star Market

Drug

CVS
Walgreens
Rite Aid
Duane Reade
Health Mart
Good Neighbor Pharmacy
Medicine Shoppe

Dollar

Dollar General
Dollar Tree
Family Dollar
Five Below
Dollar Express
99 Cents Only
Deals

Online

Amazon
Amazon Fresh
Amazon Business
Chewy
Thrive Market
Instacart
Walmart.com
Target.com
Kroger.com
FreshDirect
Peapod
Shipt
Boxed
Grove Collaborative

Specialty

Whole Foods Market
Sprouts Farmers Market
Natural Grocers
The Fresh Market
Earth Fare
Lucky's Market
New Seasons Market
Bristol Farms
Gelson's
Central Market
Jungle Jim's
Trader Joe's

Convenience

7-Eleven
Casey's General Stores
Circle K
Wawa
Sheetz
Kwik Trip
Pilot Flying J
Love's Travel Stops
Speedway
Sunoco
ampm
Kum & Go
Holiday Stationstores
Thorntons

CPG Product Categories

Personal CareHousehold CleaningBaby & ChildPet CareFood & BeverageHealth & WellnessBeauty & CosmeticsPaper ProductsLaundryOral CareSnacks & ConfectioneryBeveragesFrozen FoodsDairyVitamins & Supplements

Our Team

Industry veteransdedicated to your recovery

Two co-founders with decades of combined experience inside the largest CPG companies in the world — bringing institutional knowledge directly to your recovery.

Co-FounderBrenda GonzalezOrder-to-Cash & Chargeback SME

Brenda is an accomplished AR and Chargeback Analyst with 8+ years of experience in logistics, compliance, and accounts receivable operations within consumer products environments. Known for her precision and analytical instincts, her background spans end-to-end AR management, chargeback analysis, and vendor compliance. She co-founded Upstream Chargeback Solutions in 2023 to help suppliers close the gap between chargeback complexity and meaningful recovery.

LinkedIn →Email →

Co-FounderJackie "Smith" KornerOperations & Finance

Jackie brings more than 25 years of Order-to-Cash and credit leadership experience supporting supplier organizations across the consumer products industry. Her expertise includes credit and risk management, collections, cash applications, deductions, treasury operations, and digital/process optimization. Known for combining strategic insight with hands-on operational knowledge, Jackie founded UCS in 2023 to help suppliers improve cash flow performance, reduce revenue leakage, and build stronger, more efficient financial operations.

LinkedIn →Email →

O2C Expertise

Roles We've Held

30+ years of combined hands-on experience across every function in the Order-to-Cash cycle.

Contact

Get in Touch

Start your complimentary deduction analysis today

Request a Free Deduction Analysis

Tell us about your business and current deduction challenges. Our team will review your situation and provide a complimentary analysis of your recovery potential — no obligation required.

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