Self employed photography not refunding or respondingh

Beags20

Hi all

Wasn’t sure where to put this. Pre covid I had a booking with a photographer for some LinkedIn headshots (new grad here) obviously due to covid it’s not happening anytime soon. We’ve not had much communication so I reached out weekend before last to say hi checking in, hope all’s ok- obviously travel isn’t going to be happening for a while and I asked whether we should put in a provisional date for next year or if it’s uncertain when she’ll return to work a refund (I put down £60 for our booking, which I have proof of)

0 response back (she’s a legitimate self employed photographer I checked her out before booking with her) it’s annoying as she’s posting on social media frequently. I was going to wait two weeks before approaching again

i know it’s not much money but it’s frustrating that I’ve paid for nothing and she’s not even acknowledging my communications. Is it worth pushing or do I just accept it’s gone?

davidmcn

Have you tried phoning? It's likely she just doesn't feel it worthwhile making the appointment at the moment, not that she's stolen your money.

Beags20

I’ve just emailed as that was our previous correspondence

Beags20

Need to raise this one from the dead

After chasing them again several times they replied and as I feared were avoiding me as they don’t want to provide me a refund

we never agreed a time/date so I have not interfered/caused a loss of income to them
I haven’t signed anything stating this money isn’t refundable 

I’m really frustrating they had the audacity to respond stating ‘I wasn’t serious about it’ so they’re not providing a refund, all my messages show I’ve been chasing them down and they’ve been ignoring me!

How could I go about getting this back, do consumer rights still come into play when dealing with those who are self employed, like in this scenario?

unholyangel

Do you have an address for her? 

davidmcn

Beags20 said:

 do consumer rights still come into play when dealing with those who are self employed, like in this scenario?

Yes, of course. You're a consumer, they're a business. The fact their business is small is irrelevant.

What exactly have they said?

LadyDee

If they are using social media, then ask her there.  Just something along the lines of "As covid regulations are preventing the photoshoot for the foreseeable future, would you be kind enough to return the #60 deposit I paid".  See if she replies.  She might be worried about her reputation being damaged, and just a chance she'll refund you to avoid escalation via facebook or whatever.

Beags20

davidmcn said:

Beags20 said:

 do consumer rights still come into play when dealing with those who are self employed, like in this scenario?

Yes, of course. You're a consumer, they're a business. The fact their business is small is irrelevant.

What exactly have they said?

I kid you not their defense after ignoring me was ‘you were not serious about it before covid’ All previous messages show other wise. I replied to them saying how this is not true as per messages and that I’m disappointed that they’re trying to keep my money when no services have been arranged/provided and would like a refund as we won’t be proceeding arranging anything.

so I feel now 4 days later and they are  ignoring me again while posting on social media I need to follow up stipulating exactly what consumer right they are breaking and where I will take it next. I wasn’t sure whether I could take it anywhere as they’re self employed (I do have proof of transaction and the initial receipt from them in email)

Would this be trading standards?