Christmas club cancellation

Studentmum

Hi
I'd like help with a query please
A local chemist/shop was offering a service whereby you could lay items away and pay up for them on the run up to Christmas. I did indeed lay an item away which was £100. Today I saw the same item in a high street store for £40.
I went to my local shop and asked them if they could cancel my Christmas club and I was informed I couldn't get my money back!
Is this permitted?
Thanks in advance

hollydays

What type of item was it?

Studentmum

It was a gel nail starter kit for my daughter. I had expected to pay a handling cost but didn't bargain on them keeping the £50 I'd paid!

hollydays

Are there any signs up about terms, in the shop, were you give receipts or similar with terms on saying you could not cancel?

Studentmum

No signs and receipts just indicated what the remaining balance was.

hollydays

Is it worth you going back into the shop to check? I'm finding I t hard to believe it doesn't say something like " CHRISTMAS club money will be paid out in vouchers" or" layaway club can only be used to purchase goods from this shop"

Studentmum

I'm going back tomorrow to speak to a supervisor. I'm embarrassed to say I'm a law student so I really should have asked terms and conditions before i put the item away

hollydays

Ok-I think you may find there is a sign, but additionally, you were happy to pay £ 50 for the item a few weeks ago, did you think a local shop was going to be able to compete with the high street.they aren't going to offer this service for free so you can just take your money out when it suits you.
In your first post you say £100

Studentmum

It never occurred to me that it would be cheaper elsewhere. £60 is too much of a difference to ignore though. I'd be happy to accept gift vouchers/credit note. At this time if year every penny counts so I thought I'd try to get a refund

hollydays

I'm confused in your post you talk about the £50 you paid.
Ok, so you made no effort to check what these items were elswhere, now decide to check afterwards. Buyer beware.

It never occurred to you it would be cheaper elsewhere! Why not?!!

hollydays

Studentmum wrote: »

It never occurred to me that it would be cheaper elsewhere. £60 is too much of a difference to ignore though. I'd be happy to accept gift vouchers/credit note. At this time if year every penny counts so I thought I'd try to get a refund

The vouchers you get on this deal even if they are part of the arrangement could also only be spent in that shop...
You are being rather ..er..shortsighted here..