Online & In-person training: What rights have I to canecel this?

Rabbit2000

I booked two courses with a company over the internet, at the same time. Within 90 minutes or less, I realised that I had made a mistake and contacted the training company to cancel. They have refused, saying that I accepted their Terms and Conditions, and in doing so I am unable to cancel. At the moment, I am going ahead with the training as I have already paid and will receive no money back if I cancel. What are my consumer rights?

HillStreetBlues

What kind of courses are they (will depend if you have any consumer rights)

Rabbit2000

One is a PA1 (using weedkiller safely) and the other is a Safe Use of a Brushcutter / Strimmer course. In their T&C's it's says there are no refunds.

theoretica

Were they related to your job?

https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/i-want-to-cancel-a-course-i-booked-online-what-are-my-rights-aassz5p3mdCx

Rabbit2000

@theoretica unfortunately it is work related, as I am a Gardener. A useful link if I was a consumer though.

powerful_Rogue

Rabbit2000 said:

@theoretica unfortunately it is work related, as I am a Gardener. A useful link if I was a consumer though.

In which case Consumer Rights don't apply and you need to be looking at the limited Sales of Goods Act.

Rabbit2000

@powerful_Rogue I have found the Sale of Goods Act 1979 in relation to the limited Sales of Goods Act, but I am unsure which section applies to me.

DullGreyGuy

If you look at the current form of the SOGA then what few sections remain will apply to you... most of the SOGA has been repealed to be replaced by the CRA.  Both however have few rights in relation to cancellation. 

The CCR is the consumer legislation that gives the rights for cancellation when buying online etc but consumer means not something related to your trade, job or business. There is no non-consumer equivalent. 

What is wrong with the courses you booked? Does the provider offer other courses you prefer to transfer rather than cancel? What do the T&Cs say about either cancellation or transfer?

tightauldgit

If these are business purchases and provided you had access to the terms and conditions before you ordered then the short version of the answer is that you have to abide by the terms that you signed up to so if they say no refunds or cancellations then no refunds or cancellations. 

Rabbit2000

@DullGreyGuy & @tightauldgit I was applying for funding to do the courses. Mistakenly I thought that I had to book and pay for the courses before I made the funding application. So I booked the courses. As soon as I started to complete the funding application form, it said 'do not prebook any courses beforehand'. Upon realising this I immediately emailed the training provider and asked to cancel my bookings. This was within 30 minutes of booking their training courses. They have refused, stating their T&C's, which say 'No refunds' and which I agreed to at the time of booking. Therefore I am being forced to do the training or loose my money.

Manxman_in_exile

I know this is shutting the stable door etc etc, but the lesson to take away here is that when entering into any contracts related to your business, make sure you read the T&Cs and have any necessary funding (or other) arrangements in place before you commit yourself.

The law doesn't give businessmen anywhere near the level of protection it gives consumers.

Sorry.