Clintons Cards - Activity Superstore

jude1952

My daughter bought me a Champagne Afternoon Tea gift with Activity Superstore from Clintons Cards for my 60th birthday.
Although the package said there were locations near me there was no further information on the website so I called Activity Superstore to check - it turned out there was nowhere I could go to take up the activity in my local area. So I took the package back to Clintons for a refund but they said that as they only act as agents for Activity Superstore I had to seek a refund from them direct.
There were a lot of phone calls and toing and froing, but eventually I was put through to Luke Hermitage at AS who agreed a refund. However after he sought agreement from his supervisor, he came back and told me that as Clintons had gone into administration, they weren't prepared to refund as they hadn't been paid by Clintons.
Clintons were still selling these activities at the beginning of this week.
I know it's my daughter not me who would normally be entitled to a refund, but she paid cash, I have the receipt, and it states clearly on the box that they are happy to accept returns within 28 days of purchase.
Anyone got any ideas, or do I just accept it's yet another hard life lesson?

System

Clintons will probably come out of administration. As I understand it from a friend who works there they've been forced into administration by a company that wants to take them over. They basically bought Clintons debt then demanded payment. Therefore I believe they will come out of administration under new ownership. If you're lucky they may honour these debts, pay the experience provider who will then refund you.