expired spa vouchers

bergh

I bought £240 worth of spa vouchers as a treat for my mum and I in 2019. Due to covid we could not go, then mum has been very ill with covid and aftermath, I have been busy getting back to normal etc etc. Now able to use but they say they expired New Years Eve. Initial plea to supervisor at this spa fell on stony ground, she said the Board of Directors clearly state expired vouchers are not blah blah blah......?  When I phoned during covid they reassured me I could use them when able but now say they have no record of a call from my home number. Also that vouchers due to expire  due to covid would be redeemable till New Year and this was advertised on social media? Well, I don't follow social media that much so did not know this?  Emails sent  are not getting me anywhere? I am £240 down and no goodwill at all? I didn't get beyond direct email with a "supervisor" so wonder several things....should I ask for a Directors personal email? Have I got a leg to stand on? I cannot believe they will not budge an inch and am absolutely gutted. £240 down the swanny......I can't really afford a legal battle if no hope of winning? But I ain't giving up yet?  Any help I'd be so grateful?  Rachel

jon81uk

What expiry date is printed on the vouchers?

powerful_Rogue

bergh said:

I bought £240 worth of spa vouchers as a treat for my mum and I in 2019. Due to covid we could not go, then mum has been very ill with covid and aftermath, I have been busy getting back to normal etc etc. Now able to use but they say they expired New Years Eve. Initial plea to supervisor at this spa fell on stony ground, she said the Board of Directors clearly state expired vouchers are not blah blah blah......?  When I phoned during covid they reassured me I could use them when able but now say they have no record of a call from my home number. Also that vouchers due to expire  due to covid would be redeemable till New Year and this was advertised on social media? Well, I don't follow social media that much so did not know this?  Emails sent  are not getting me anywhere? I am £240 down and no goodwill at all? I didn't get beyond direct email with a "supervisor" so wonder several things....should I ask for a Directors personal email? Have I got a leg to stand on? I cannot believe they will not budge an inch and am absolutely gutted. £240 down the swanny......I can't really afford a legal battle if no hope of winning? But I ain't giving up yet?  Any help I'd be so grateful?  Rachel

You can ask, however not a chance they will give it to you.

eskbanker

bergh said:

I bought £240 worth of spa vouchers as a treat for my mum and I in 2019. Due to covid we could not go, then mum has been very ill with covid and aftermath, I have been busy getting back to normal etc etc. Now able to use but they say they expired New Years Eve. Initial plea to supervisor at this spa fell on stony ground, she said the Board of Directors clearly state expired vouchers are not blah blah blah......?  When I phoned during covid they reassured me I could use them when able but now say they have no record of a call from my home number.

Many organisations relaxed their expiry dates to accommodate issues arising from the pandemic, and allowing use up to the end of 2022 was probably at the generous end of the scale, unless they were originally valid for numerous years?  I can imagine them being sympathetic on the call you refer to, but it does sound unlikely that they'd have guaranteed that they could be used without any sort of limits on timescales?

macman

When did the venue reopen post-covid? Probably more than a year ago?
If your mother has been ill since then, that is unfortunate, but it doesn't mean that the validity can be extended yet again. You are dependent on their voluntary goodwill, which doesn't seem to be forthcoming.
You can pursue via small claim process for just £35, but it would be futile, as you have no case.

sheramber

All temporary Covid restrictions werfe removed March22 so they gave a goodwill gesture of ten months since then to use the voucher.

Was your  mother ill for all that ten months?

bergh

Thanks for all these comments and I am obviously very frustrated but really appreciate the frank down to earth comments! Cheers to this forum 100%  Rachel

ellenvan

I have always found in similar cases stressing the goodwill element works best - sometimes it depends who you speak to on the day too.
Try a nicely worded letter appealing for goodwill - you have nothing to loose asking again.

bergh

Thanks Ella, this is exactly my thinking right now? I cannot win a legal battle but am going to hope for some human compassion? Wish me luck 🤞

TELLIT01

macman said:

When did the venue reopen post-covid? Probably more than a year ago?
If your mother has been ill since then, that is unfortunate, but it doesn't mean that the validity can be extended yet again. You are dependent on their voluntary goodwill, which doesn't seem to be forthcoming.
You can pursue via small claim process for just £35, but it would be futile, as you have no case.

I have to agree with this above.  Most restrictions have been gone for about a year so the spa extending usage to New Year was pretty generous.

Wonka_2

bergh said:

Thanks for all these comments and I am obviously very frustrated but really appreciate the frank down to earth comments! Cheers to this forum 100%  Rachel

Exactly this - whilst they may not accept them at a peak time for the original purpose you may be more successful in getting an off-peak redemption or for an activity of lesser value