Not being allowed a refund?

sublime_envy

Hi there, I hope someone can help as I'm not very good at technical jargon and am finding it hard to fight my corner.

I undertook a course with a company, where I had to pay for the full course fees up front to the tune of about £3,000. All the information on the website, and T&Cs said that all course fees must be paid before 28 days before the course start date.

I actually started a week after the course start date, about 2 weeks ago so I was late to start and paid a week late.

So owing to a change in circumstances, I have to withdraw and have said I would like to book on a future course instead. I have enquired about getting my course fees returned to me as in the T&Cs it's states:

The full course fee is payable at time of booking. If you cancel or transfer within 28 days, the deposit, or 10% of the full course fee, is non-refundable and you will be liable to an administration fee of £75. Beyond this period, no transfers or cancellations will be permitted.

However, it also states this further on:

A letter of cancellation, together with an alternative booking (on our enrolment form), must be received at our head office no later than 28 days before the start date of the original course. In such circumstances any fees paid, including the deposit will be transferred to the alternative course. In the case of cancellations not accompanied by an alternative booking, a refund of fees paid, less the 10% deposit, will only be made if the cancellation is received at our head office no later than 28 days before the start date of the course. N.B. No refund will be given for changes or cancellations made with less than 28 days notice. Under no circumstances can the deposit be refunded. An administration fee will be levied for any changes.

So if people would book through the normal channels they would be entitled to a cooling off period, but because I started and paid late I have no entitlements. Is this correct?

Thanks in advance!

sublime_envy

If anyone has an idea then I'd appreciate it, as I need to get back to them tomorrow

Mankysteve

From what i can make out no you can't as the start date has passed. Have you asked the company?

hollydays

surely you could only get a refund or transfer if you hadnt started.Because of your actions you cant expect the company to lose out on the fees from the place you are dropping out from.

RadoJo

Unless the Ts and Cs weren't made available to you before you paid for the course then I think you may be stuck with either continuing the course you're currently on or forfeiting the fees. If your change in circumstances is something serious enough (e.g death of a close relative) then they might be inclined to be more flexible, but I wouldn't expect too much.