Refused refund for cancelled swimming lesson

Number22bus

My child goes to swimming lessons which are paid monthly by direct debit. Whenever a lesson is cancelled we are given voucher for another lesson but I don’t want vouchers, there are not enough days in the week to fit in an extra swimming lesson, that’s why I booked them on the day/time I did. Where do I stand with getting my money back instead of vouchers? 

Thanks I’m advance for any replies 

Lomast

Who is cancelling the lessons you or the school?

JGB1955

What does your contract say?

Sandtree

If you've amassed a block of the vouchers what stops you cancelling the subscription and pay for the next weeks/months from vouchers before then restarting the DD mechanism?

Number22bus

Thanks for the replies, the school is cancelling the lessons. 

I’m not sure what the contract says, I’ll check but when I asked about a refund instead of vouchers I was told that it cannot be refunded as part or all of a DD cannot be refunded. 

The vouchers are only valid up to the end of the notice period if I cancel the lessons, basically to stop you from using the vouchers instead of paying. 

pphillips

Except the vouchers are not really vouchers, they are more like some type of second-rate subscriber benefit.

Number22bus

Yeah this is the problem. Can he actually refuse to give me my money back? 

pphillips

Number22bus said:

Yeah this is the problem. Can he actually refuse to give me my money back? 

I haven't seen the contract but I think the the voucher scheme he operates is probably unlawful because it appears to be designed to restrict the rights of consumers to a remedy or to put them at a disadvantage in pursuing their rights. You have a right to the swimming lessons you paid for without unfair restrictions and failing that, a refund.