Beauty room vouchers expiring

[Deleted User]

Hi 
for a gift at Xmas I recieved vouchers for a treatment at a local business to use by June 2020, costing £270
I have contacted the owner to say I would like refund as I am unable to use the vouchers - and as there is little timescale As to when the salon may open again - potentially next year I would like my money back, to be told she will extend the voucher.
i don’t want the voucher extended and want a refund, she has no policies on the voucher - none were explained at the time of sale and none on the website ref refunds, I’m concerned her business will fold and I’ll lose the money. 

Any advice please 

LilElvis

As you received the vouchers you have no right to a refund - the person who purchased the vouchers is the one with consumer rights.

[Deleted User]

LilElvis said:

As you received the vouchers you have no right to a refund - the person who purchased the vouchers is the one with consumer rights.

Hi
sorry I probably didn’t explain correctly.
it was my husband that paid. The payment I’ve requested was to the original payee back on to his card 

Fire_Fox

As already advised the buyer (your husband) would need to request the refund.

An outline of the 'lockdown' exit strategy is expected from Boris Johnson at the end of this week. It is being reported on the TV news that guidance will be tailored by sector, I am sure hair and beauty services will be covered.

This may give your husband more leverage, or indeed set your mind at ease.

bradders1983

An extension to the validity seems more than fair to be honest, assuming they continue to trade.

If they dont, he can try a S75 on the card he used to buy it.

[Deleted User]

bradders1983 said:

An extension to the validity seems more than fair to be honest, assuming they continue to trade.

If they dont, he can try a S75 on the card he used to buy it.

I’m not asking what’s “fair” with respect I just want to know the legal implications.
As with the holiday industry are my rights the same in the sense I can refuse a voucher? 

I’m just wanting to know if I’m legally entitled to a refund.

Mrsn

saloosarah07 said:

bradders1983 said:

An extension to the validity seems more than fair to be honest, assuming they continue to trade.

If they dont, he can try a S75 on the card he used to buy it.

I’m not asking what’s “fair” with respect I just want to know the legal implications.
As with the holiday industry are my rights the same in the sense I can refuse a voucher? 

I’m just wanting to know if I’m legally entitled to a refund.

That seems a little harsh to be honest.

Consumer law is very specific with holidays whereas I don’t believe the same protection exists with hair and beauty vouchers. I doubt your card provider would be willing to offer a refund when a viable alternative has been suggested. 

Grumpy_chap

There is a Martin Lewis Newsflash article at the top of this forum under "watchdog to investigate unfair coronavirus cancellation policies" which may be helpful.

Although, that covers cancellation of a service that cannot be provided because of a coronavirus issue, being forced to close.  Unless you had booked a specific date to use the beauty saloon voucher, it seems as though nothing has been cancelled as such (because there was nothing to be cancelled).  What you have from Christmas was a voucher allowing you to book a service at a future date to be agreed.  Because the service cannot be booked in before the expiry date of the voucher (through no fault of yourself or the beauty saloon), the beauty saloon has offered to extend the validity of the voucher.  This does seem fair.

Although, you have said you do not care what is "fair".

If this is a local beauty saloon that you value, then rather than consider what is "fair", you may wish to consider that this is a challenging time for everyone - the beauty saloon as well as yourself.  Being forced to close will make it difficult for the beauty saloon and if you value them as a local business then agreeing an extension to the validity date on the voucher will be reasonable.  You don't have to be reasonable of course and you are not interested in being "fair", so just do your bit to drive another independent business to the wall and we'll look forward to your thread when this is all over bemoaning the loss of local business and so many closed retail units the High Street is dying and why did no-one give any support through coronavirus...

[Deleted User]

Mrsn said:

saloosarah07 said:

bradders1983 said:

An extension to the validity seems more than fair to be honest, assuming they continue to trade.

If they dont, he can try a S75 on the card he used to buy it.

I’m not asking what’s “fair” with respect I just want to know the legal implications.
As with the holiday industry are my rights the same in the sense I can refuse a voucher? 

I’m just wanting to know if I’m legally entitled to a refund.

That seems a little harsh to be honest.

Consumer law is very specific with holidays whereas I don’t believe the same protection exists with hair and beauty vouchers. I doubt your card provider would be willing to offer a refund when a viable alternative has been suggested. 

I don’t think I’m being harsh at all, I have my own set of problems due to this virus and frankly can not afford to prop up people’s businesses 🤷‍♀️ You don’t know my personal circumstances. 

A viable alternative would be a future appointment however at present that could potentially be in years time, who knows! 

I don’t think it’s reasonable to have to wait that long. 

[Deleted User]

Grumpy_chap said:

There is a Martin Lewis Newsflash article at the top of this forum under "watchdog to investigate unfair coronavirus cancellation policies" which may be helpful.

Although, that covers cancellation of a service that cannot be provided because of a coronavirus issue, being forced to close.  Unless you had booked a specific date to use the beauty saloon voucher, it seems as though nothing has been cancelled as such (because there was nothing to be cancelled).  What you have from Christmas was a voucher allowing you to book a service at a future date to be agreed.  Because the service cannot be booked in before the expiry date of the voucher (through no fault of yourself or the beauty saloon), the beauty saloon has offered to extend the validity of the voucher.  This does seem fair.

Although, you have said you do not care what is "fair".

If this is a local beauty saloon that you value, then rather than consider what is "fair", you may wish to consider that this is a challenging time for everyone - the beauty saloon as well as yourself.  Being forced to close will make it difficult for the beauty saloon and if you value them as a local business then agreeing an extension to the validity date on the voucher will be reasonable.  You don't have to be reasonable of course and you are not interested in being "fair", so just do your bit to drive another independent business to the wall and we'll look forward to your thread when this is all over bemoaning the loss of local business and so many closed retail units the High Street is dying and why did no-one give any support through coronavirus...

All said when you don’t know my circumstances! All very one sided!
I didn’t come on here to be judged and vilified I just asked for some advice. 

Grumpy_chap

saloosarah07 said:

I don’t think I’m being harsh at all, I have my own set of problems due to this virus and frankly can not afford to prop up people’s businesses 🤷‍♀️ You don’t know my personal circumstances. 

Based on what you have presented in your OP, you are being harsh.  No-one can provide a response with consideration of your own problems unless you outline what they are.