Dear Harry: Last month, I bought a TV from a national appliance chain. The electrical connections on the back of the set were bent so they could not be used.

It appeared to me that it had fallen before or during the packing. I returned it the following day, And I got a receipt and a credit to my credit-card account.

The credit did not appear on my next statement, so I contacted the bank by phone and mail to protest. I sent them a copy of my credit with my protest, and they said they would investigate.

A few days later, they sent me a letter saying that they had investigated, and the store had told them they had no record of my credit.

As a result, they were eliminating their temporary hold on the charge.

I made several calls afterward and got nowhere. I even sent them another copy of my receipt and credit.

What can I do to get my credit?

What Harry says: I hope you're not pulling my leg in an attempt to embarrass a particular bank or store. That's why I made sure that all names were edited out of your letter.

If your letter depicts a real situation, contact the Consumer Assistance Group. This is a government agency that attempts to resolve disputes between card issuers and customers.

Try once more to reach someone in authority at the bank. If that fails, call 800-613-6743.

They have really done wonderful work, and I'm certain they will help.

Write Harry Gross c/o the Daily News, 400 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19130. Harry urges all his readers to give blood - contact the American Red Cross at 800-GIVE LIFE.