Groupon won't return my money. They force me to have groupon credits. What can I do?

Buson

Hello

I bought a deal for a spa day for my boyfriends birthday. Due to corona virus the spa closed down. They asked me to book a further date. I told them I won't be here long and if I couldn't use the voucher then, I will not be able to use it later dates. They told me to contact groupon for refund. After around 48 emails, 3 online chats and around 10 phone calls with both parties , groupon still insist on giving me groupon credit instead of my money. The problem is that I only use groupon for dinners and day outs or hotels. And since the corona virus, everything is closed and I won't be in the country long enough to spend groupon credit.
I believe it is my right to claim refund when I don't receive the deal. I absolutely don't want groupon credit and they absolutely don't give me my money. It is frustrating. 
Please help me. I don't want to leave 59£ behind. 

Thank you in advance 

lisyloo

Have you pointed our your rights I.e. specific paragraph of statute or terms and conditions?
what was their response?
how did you pay? Have you considered a chargeback?

Buson

Below you can see one of the emails I sent them. And it is followed by their reply;

Me:

Hello

I can see from your website (please read below) that you refund the money, there is no option says groupon credit. 

I did book my date but they cannot serve me at the day I booked is not my fault. I did not know 3rd day of the deal the business would shut down, it is not my fault. 

I will be gone before I can use the groupon credit you offer me. What do you expect me to do? I am not giving up on my money. I want my money back. I am sure there are things you can do before it goes on longer. I am sorry but I am not giving up and not convinced with groupon credit. I want my money back. Please help me with this. If there are other authorities that I need to convince, let me know because as much frustration as it is, I will keep emailing to get my money back not groupon credit. 

Kind regards 

For Local Deals, customers can return any unredeemed Groupon for a refund of the amount paid within the first three days after purchase. After that, all sales are final unless stated otherwise in the Fine Print. Groupons may always be redeemed for at least the amount the customer paid for it—even after the promotional value has expired.

For Groupon Getaways, if a customer is unable to book the stay that he or she wants, during the available dates and before the book-by date, we’ll refund the unredeemed Getaways voucher. After the book-by date passes, all sales are final. However, the customer’s unredeemed voucher is always worth at least the amount paid for it. Even though the promotional value has expired, the customer may use the paid value as a credit with the merchant.For hotel reservations booked directly through Groupon Getaways, the specific cancellation and refund policies for the hotel will be listed in the deal’s Fine Print.

Them:

Thanks for getting back in touch.

I am sorry to inform the deal is no longer eligible for a cash refund.

We only have the option to refund for the orde In Groupon credits.

I understand that this isn't your preferred resolution. However, we've provided all of the resolutions available under the current circumstances,

If there's anything else I can help you with, please don't hesitate to let me know.

Buson

lisyloo said:

Have you pointed our your rights I.e. specific paragraph of statute or terms and conditions?
what was their response?
how did you pay? Have you considered a chargeback?

I paid with my credit card. I wrote several emails to them that I can't use groupon credits and I can't use the deal if it was not on the day I booked. I don't know what else to do. The head office is closed, noone to contact. I only have email communication and they absolutely refuse to give my money back. 

Ian_875

I'm in exactly the same situation. Paid £45 for something which obviously couldn't be done now. Asked for a *cash* refund, got Groupon Bucks instead.

I know I should put up a big fight but I just don't have the motivation at the moment. I'm sure they'll be something on Groupon I want going forward.

Buson

I don't want to leave it and let them have it. I can't spend the groupon coupon they give me. There must be something I can do. I will try contacting the bank to see what they can do. 

lisyloo

Ask your credit card provider to do a chargeback.
yes it may take longer due to the global pandemic. Most companies are answering emails although it’s taking longer than normal.
i would suggest you keep all your correspondence.
have you looked through the physical items you could buy from groupon rather than experiences. I know you don’t want to give them the money buy could be a pragmatic solution if there is something that either suitable for you or as a gift for someone you need to buy for.
does groupon exist in your new location?

powerful_Rogue

You purchased a Groupon voucher and they are refunding you a Groupon voucher.

Buson

lisyloo said:

Ask your credit card provider to do a chargeback.
yes it may take longer due to the global pandemic. Most companies are answering emails although it’s taking longer than normal.
i would suggest you keep all your correspondence.
have you looked through the physical items you could buy from groupon rather than experiences. I know you don’t want to give them the money buy could be a pragmatic solution if there is something that either suitable for you or as a gift for someone you need to buy for.
does groupon exist in your new location?

I asked my bank via online chat and I got my money back from bank as chargeback. Thank you very much for this. I didn't know what a chargeback was before I wrote here. 

Buson

powerful_Rogue said:

You purchased a Groupon voucher and they are refunding you a Groupon voucher.

I bought a groupon deal for a spa day. They offered me a groupon credit. Sorry if I confused the terms in my posts

lisyloo

Great news. I just got a chargeback from ATG (ambassadors theatre group) who are the only one not doing refunds. I will certainly be remembering and patronising the companies that have behaved well (and yes I’m choosing to support some, but that should be voluntary).