Can't get refund on swimming lessons

peaceandfreedom

Not sure if this is the right place to post but you all are so knowledgeable on here, so here goes.

In July, I signed up for and paid for swimming lessons for my daughter with our local council-run leisure centre, starting in September. She has been having lessons there for years. In September, she decided she didn't want to do the lessons any more, and I decided I could use the money (£58.50). Since I was starting a new job, it was also difficult for me to be at the lessons at the appointed time anyway.

The people at the leisure centre said that they did not know if I could cancel and have my money back, but they would get the swimming co-ordinator to call me. I did get a call, where I was told it was OK to cancel. My husband took the call so I'm not sure exactly what was said. Today (some three weeks later) I called in to collect my refund and I was told no refunds were possible. Council policy.

It does say on the booking letter that the lessons are non-refundable, but in very small type. No-one told me this when I was paying, I signed nothing to this effect, and I was entirely unaware of the no-refund policy.

Apparently, if people move house away from the area, they don't get a refund either. This sounds like daylight robbery to me. Do I have any rights here. Can the council just run off with my money?

I'd be grateful for any info on this, I'm so cross about it. :mad:

sarriep

I don't now the answer to this but surely you could argue that if they have filled your daughters place (our local baths alays have a long waiting list!) then they are not losing out financially. Maybe you could contact your MP? If they said you could cancel then this implies there may be a refund - otherwise, why cancel at all!

~daisy~_2

i work at a leisure centre and refunds for swimming lessons or any other dry side courses will only be given if the space has been re sold and with swimming in particular this can only happen in week one of a ten week block
there are no movements or new children joining classes after week one to try and keep a level of continuity

hollydays

how many lessons are in one set?
Problem is,they can't take someone else in midway through the classes,so they lose out.
You made a commitment,you should see it through.

peaceandfreedom

hollydays wrote: »

how many lessons are in one set?
Problem is,they can't take someone else in midway through the classes,so they lose out.
You made a commitment,you should see it through.

Normally, I would agree with you. But you are asked to sign up 2 months before the start of lessons, with no clear warning that you won't get your money back should your circumstances change.

The class my daughter was in has only 3 pupils out of a possible 8 this term. Her place could not have been sold to a waiting parent as there are none waiting. In any case, they say they would not give a refund under any circumstances except medical need. What really annoys me is that they didn't make that clear at any time until I asked for a refund.

sara1880

I know it might sound a bit harsh, but as you said your self it was stated on the booking form that the lessons are non-refundable we are all guilty of not reading the small print at times, because they put it on the booking form I think you are fighting a loosing battle as technically they haven't done anything wrong.

Sorry

peaceandfreedom

sara1880 wrote: »

I know it might sound a bit harsh, but as you said your self it was stated on the booking form that the lessons are non-refundable we are all guilty of not reading the small print at times, because they put it on the booking form I think you are fighting a loosing battle as technically they haven't done anything wrong.

Sorry

Thanks everyone for your input, it's good to get nice balanced perspectives, all I could think about was the money! I suppose, I'll just have to take the hit, and as you say Sara, check the small print in future - or just ask them before I pay up, which I failed to do. I'm going to try one letter to a higher authority to appeal to their sense of fair play. After that, I'll write it off as a lesson learned.

moanymoany

I wonder if you could get your daughter there? It would be good for her to realise that her choices have repercussions, even though she is young.

It is something we need to learn - one of the most important life lessons.

My children often wanted to try activities and if they started we insisted they went for how long it was paid for or four times. It was often that after the four times they kept going, only once did ds stop.

OliveOyl_2

on the other hand, if they decide that the class isn't worth running with only 3 pupils, they are allowed to close the class and refund the money? (that happened to my DD) so keep in touch in case this happens.

blue_monkey_2

I think all pools have different policies. At the one I used to send my daughter to (council run) they would refund, and they would let children move classes and also join in later in the programme - although the children I know that moved came from other swimming lessons so they could swim.

I know the pool I use now will not do refunds. Some do credits though so it might be worth asking if they can give you credit towards another class/day/time. I guess 3 weeks have passed now so some time has been lost anyway, but always worth a try.

I agree with moany, my daughter often says she does not want to go but I've paid for it and so she is going whether she likes it or not (unless she is ill). I tell her she should have made the descision before the class was paid for!! However, she always enojys it once she is there anyway. She did this with dance/drama and swimming.