Covid Testing on return to UK

Coxespipin

Hi, Whilst on holiday in November; uk gov changed the post arrival testing requirements from Lateral Flow to PCR. Whilst still on holiday we had to cancel pre booked Lateral Flow test and re-book PCR test. I have managed to get an acknowledgement from testing company but no refund yet of the £70 paid for the cancelled Lateral flow tests. I have tried to find out what my options are to pursue the testing company for the refund but as far as I can find out we are perhaps an isolated case. Has anyone else had this experience.

onashoestring

You are certainly not alone in being abroad when the rules changed. Some providers allowed upgrades to PCR tests, their customers only had to pay the difference. It all comes down to the T&Cs of the provider that you chose. 

mattyprice4004

They’re not obliged to refund anything - it’s not their fault the guidance changed. 

You’ll need to see if their T&Cs allow you to have a refund 

rufford155

The same thing happened to us in early December.
The lateral flow tests had already been delivered before we left in November.
We just accepted it as a risk of travelling these days, only lost £42, and ordered new PCR's.
Could have been worse - the place your at could turn to red !

CKhalvashi

You should be able to use the LFDs for a future trip if you're outside the time frame for a refund, at least with most providers.

This may need to be registered in their system as such.

jimi_man

This happened to us. Two lateral flow tests were waiting at home for us for our Day 2 tests when the rules changed. They were £12 each so I wasn’t overly bothered. However the company offered several different options including sending them back for a refund/exchange for PCR. They couldn’t have done more tbh. In the event we kept them, and just booked a couple of PCR tests at a drive through, and I’ll use the LFT as pre departure tests on another occasion. 

michael1234

mattyprice4004 said:

They’re not obliged to refund anything - it’s not their fault the guidance changed. 

You’ll need to see if their T&Cs allow you to have a refund 

If I buy a t-shirt, don't like the colour shade and send it back within 14 days I get a refund. That isn't the seller's fault either. So I would suggest the issue isn't whether or not it is the fault of the seller. 

CKhalvashi

michael1234 said:

mattyprice4004 said:

They’re not obliged to refund anything - it’s not their fault the guidance changed. 

You’ll need to see if their T&Cs allow you to have a refund 

If I buy a t-shirt, don't like the colour shade and send it back within 14 days I get a refund. That isn't the seller's fault either. So I would suggest the issue isn't whether or not it is the fault of the seller. 

However this is now outside of the statutory timescales for a return.

Westin

michael1234 said:

mattyprice4004 said:

They’re not obliged to refund anything - it’s not their fault the guidance changed. 

You’ll need to see if their T&Cs allow you to have a refund 

If I buy a t-shirt, don't like the colour shade and send it back within 14 days I get a refund. That isn't the seller's fault either. So I would suggest the issue isn't whether or not it is the fault of the seller. 

If that is what the retailer offers then that’s great and a bonus.  It is however not your statutory right. 

michael1234

Westin said:

michael1234 said:

mattyprice4004 said:

They’re not obliged to refund anything - it’s not their fault the guidance changed. 

You’ll need to see if their T&Cs allow you to have a refund 

If I buy a t-shirt, don't like the colour shade and send it back within 14 days I get a refund. That isn't the seller's fault either. So I would suggest the issue isn't whether or not it is the fault of the seller. 

If that is what the retailer offers then that’s great and a bonus.  It is however not your statutory right. 

I'm surprised you didn't know this as I know you are keen on advising fellow forumites on consumer matters.

https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/i-want-to-return-my-goods-what-are-my-rights-ams3G2z9V7lW#items-that-cant-be-returned

There are of course exceptions but an unworn T-shirt would be unlikely to be one of them.

Online returns

If your item was bought online, over the phone or by mail order, as a customer you have consumer returns rights under the Consumer Contracts Regulations. 

The Consumer Contracts Regulations gives you a cancellation period that starts the moment you place your order and ends 14 days from the day you receive your goods. 

You then have a further 14 days from the date you notify the retailer that you'd like to cancel your order to return the goods to them.

eskbanker

Westin said:

michael1234 said:

mattyprice4004 said:

They’re not obliged to refund anything - it’s not their fault the guidance changed. 

You’ll need to see if their T&Cs allow you to have a refund 

If I buy a t-shirt, don't like the colour shade and send it back within 14 days I get a refund. That isn't the seller's fault either. So I would suggest the issue isn't whether or not it is the fault of the seller. 

If that is what the retailer offers then that’s great and a bonus.  It is however not your statutory right. 

It is for most online or mail order purchases, under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, although these include exemptions for health-related products, so some Covid test kit suppliers have been hiding behind that.