Groupon specific refund

ShoesAreDamnExpensive

I've posted separately about general policing about the daily deals lot but wanted some advice on my specific case.

I purchased a voucher back in April from Groupon for 4 sessions of tattoo removal and paid £99. The terms of the deal stated that 'a full refund would be made in you are deemed unsuitable'. I made an immediate appointment for the 'test patch' which enables them to decide whether I would be suitable for further treatment. I have had two sessions previously of tattoo removal at a different clinic so wasn't expecting to not be suitable.

At the first session the therapist asked if I was aware that I had significant keloid scarring from my last session of tattoo removal two years ago (at a different clinic). The tattoo is at the bottom of my back so I can't see it properly. I said no but wasn't entirely surprised as after my last session I was left in a lot of pain and had to treat it as a 3rd degree burn it blistered and oozed puss so badly. Which is why I waited 2 years before considering more treatment.

Anyway, the therapist did a test patch but said she wanted to refer me to her more experienced colleague due to the scarring. I went back in 4 weeks as asked for another consultation. The second therapist was very reluctant to do any treatment as she was concerned asto whether the scarring was a result of a bad practitioner or my skin/ink used in the tattoo. So she wanted to do a bigger test patch and leave it for six weeks before starting treatment.

All fair enough - appreciated that they obviously knew what they were doing. I asked about the voucher and she said 'don't worry about it'. So this week I went back to start treatment with the second therapist. She couldn't find my notes so I had to explain everything from scratch and when she saw the tattoo it was like I had never been before. So had the whole scarring conversation again. It was all very odd. Despite saying at the last test session that if it healed well she would do the treatment this time she flatly refused to proceed. (It had healed well and I had no problems during the healing).

So I said what about refunding the voucher and she went to get the manager to speak to me. She said they couldn't offer a refund as I had brought in the voucher in April so all they could offer was a discount on other treatments they offer such as skin peels or botox. I don't want either of those so said no thanks.

I have contacted Groupon for a refund but they have said unless the company (VG Medispa) issues confirmation that I have not used the voucher they will not process a refund. VG Medispa won't issue the certificate as they state I have redeemed for an alternative treatments credit. I haven't and don't want to.

I had 90 days to use the voucher so in fact the voucher is still in date and also the whole delay was entirely on their terms and had they told me at the first appointment I would not be treated I would have asked for an immediate refund. Yes I do appreciate they are erring on the cautious side - I'm still £99 out of pocket.

The credit card company won't get involved as its less than £100 so not sure what else I can do other than go and have my face burnt off just to use up the 'credit'?

Do the wise moneysavers have any thoughts?