Sunbed top up credit refund help

kgirl123

Hi,

I have searched the forum but couldn’t find anything similar. In the past I always topped up my account at the sunbed shop when they had an offer so I have accumulated £100+ on my account there. After the first lockdowns I contacted them in June and was told the money is non-refundable but when they reopen it will be there.

Now we are another 6 months in and still in on and off lockdowns, with lots of uncertainty, so I’d prefer to have that money back, but I’m not sure how to approach it this time.

Is there any advice on how to go about this? Any consumer laws I can refer to? Anyone had anything similar with other shops?

Thanks in advance for your help

Jeremy535897

What do the terms and conditions say? There is some general information here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cma-to-investigate-concerns-about-cancellation-policies-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic/the-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic-consumer-contracts-cancellation-and-refunds

unholyangel

Write them a letter before action requesting the money be refunded. Although be aware they may not be willing to have you as a customer in future.
Also, have a look at CMA's unfair contract terms guidance with regards to retention of prepayments. They would only be able to withhold the monies if you had breached a contract with them and those damages were equal to or more than your prepayments. 

Morrigan_2020

unholyangel said:

Write them a letter before action requesting the money be refunded. Although be aware they may not be willing to have you as a customer in future.

With the risk of skin cancer that’s no bad thing either, hopefully this time without tanning has helped the OP wean off their tan!

unholyangel

Morrigan_2020 said:

unholyangel said:

Write them a letter before action requesting the money be refunded. Although be aware they may not be willing to have you as a customer in future.

With the risk of skin cancer that’s no bad thing either, hopefully this time without tanning has helped the OP wean off their tan!

Well given the OP didn't say how often they use them or why, I think it's a bit early to pass moral judgements just yet. 

My mum had a sunbed at home to treat a skin condition, so I'm possibly more aware that it's not always because you want to look like you've been tango'd. 

Plus the last time I looked at WHO's list of known/probable/possible carcinogens, everything was on it - even corn flakes. 

Morrigan_2020

unholyangel said:

Morrigan_2020 said:

unholyangel said:

Write them a letter before action requesting the money be refunded. Although be aware they may not be willing to have you as a customer in future.

With the risk of skin cancer that’s no bad thing either, hopefully this time without tanning has helped the OP wean off their tan!

Well given the OP didn't say how often they use them or why, I think it's a bit early to pass moral judgements just yet. 

My mum had a sunbed at home to treat a skin condition, so I'm possibly more aware that it's not always because you want to look like you've been tango'd. 

Plus the last time I looked at WHO's list of known/probable/possible carcinogens, everything was on it - even corn flakes. 

No moral judgement at all, just as I don't smokers, drinkers or people who eat junk food, but am always delighted to see them able to make a change to stay healthier. 

Phototherapy for conditions such as psoriasis is something that has to be used very carefully and closely monitored and not over-used precisely due to the risk of skin cancer. 

mattyprice4004

You bought credit for a future service - and you'll still get the service once they re-open. I can't see any way you can claim a refund, as the service will be there to use once they re-open. 
It's not their choice to close, it was totally outside of their control. 

kgirl123

Thanks everyone for taking the time to answer, I will have a read through the CMA guidance and go from there.