Therapy appointment refund rights

BigJoan

screech_78 said:

I’m not sure how you can say they forced you to purchase. You knew what you were buying and did so willingly. 

If you’re now breaking the contract, then they can absolutely keep your payment if they can prove their losses. If they can’t find another customer to take the slot, it’s likely this will be the full amount. 

Sorry I missed this post as I was replying at the same time. 

You are right, they weren't forced to purchase, they just didn't offer an option to book one session. Is trying to cancel a session breaking a contract? I would have expected cancellation terms to be part of a contract but the fact I am asking this on here shows that I am somewhat ignorant.

Alderbank

BigJoan said:

screech_78 said:

I’m not sure how you can say they forced you to purchase. You knew what you were buying and did so willingly. 

If you’re now breaking the contract, then they can absolutely keep your payment if they can prove their losses. If they can’t find another customer to take the slot, it’s likely this will be the full amount. 

You are right, they weren't forced to purchase, they just didn't offer an option to book one session. Is trying to cancel a session breaking a contract? I would have expected cancellation terms to be part of a contract but the fact I am asking this on here shows that I am somewhat ignorant.

A contract is a legal agreement between two parties that A will do X and in return B will do Y. This gives both parties certainty and security. Exactly what X and Y are is defined in the agreed terms of the contract. They might include cancellation terms but they don't have to and most don't.

In this case the therapist (A) agreed to provide 2 sessions (X) and your relative (B) agreed to pay £440 (Y). The contract is binding equally on both parties, if A doesn't deliver or B doesn't pay the contract has been broken and the other party can take them to court to claim damages.

If A is offering a second session but B says 'I'm not going to attend but I will pay the fee agreed in the contract' that is OK, both sides have fulfilled their obligations.

What you are wanting to do is to change the agreed terms of the contract. This can only be done if both parties agree.

born_again

BigJoan said:

Alderbank said:

Your reason for cancelling at a week's notice is 'the family member is just not feeling a connection with this therapist...'

Is this a touchy-feely therapy like Reiki?

If practitioners of alternative therapies gave refunds to everyone who was unimpressed they would struggle to pay their bills.

No, its a psychologist, CBT stuff specifically. They just haven't built any kind of rapport, and they have had about 6 previous sessions or so. Doesn't feel like it is achieving anything and is just a waste of time.

If they have had 6 pervious sessions, was the "No Rapport" not already known, & not achieving anything?

bris

Nobody can force you to book and pay, that's a choice you make. 

When you make that choice you have formed the contract.

Is trying to cancel a session breaking a contract? 

In a nutshell yes, but the the therapist does need to mitigate the loss, they do that by filling the space with someone else.

That however is not really in their best interests, they have already been paid for it so they can just book ahead as usual.

Can you sell the space to some one? That could be an option.

BigJoan

Alderbank said:

BigJoan said:

screech_78 said:

I’m not sure how you can say they forced you to purchase. You knew what you were buying and did so willingly. 

If you’re now breaking the contract, then they can absolutely keep your payment if they can prove their losses. If they can’t find another customer to take the slot, it’s likely this will be the full amount. 

You are right, they weren't forced to purchase, they just didn't offer an option to book one session. Is trying to cancel a session breaking a contract? I would have expected cancellation terms to be part of a contract but the fact I am asking this on here shows that I am somewhat ignorant.

A contract is a legal agreement between two parties that A will do X and in return B will do Y. This gives both parties certainty and security. Exactly what X and Y are is defined in the agreed terms of the contract. They might include cancellation terms but they don't have to and most don't.

In this case the therapist (A) agreed to provide 2 sessions (X) and your relative (B) agreed to pay £440 (Y). The contract is binding equally on both parties, if A doesn't deliver or B doesn't pay the contract has been broken and the other party can take them to court to claim damages.

If A is offering a second session but B says 'I'm not going to attend but I will pay the fee agreed in the contract' that is OK, both sides have fulfilled their obligations.

What you are wanting to do is to change the agreed terms of the contract. This can only be done if both parties agree.

That makes sense, thank you

BigJoan

born_again said:

BigJoan said:

Alderbank said:

Your reason for cancelling at a week's notice is 'the family member is just not feeling a connection with this therapist...'

Is this a touchy-feely therapy like Reiki?

If practitioners of alternative therapies gave refunds to everyone who was unimpressed they would struggle to pay their bills.

No, its a psychologist, CBT stuff specifically. They just haven't built any kind of rapport, and they have had about 6 previous sessions or so. Doesn't feel like it is achieving anything and is just a waste of time.

If they have had 6 pervious sessions, was the "No Rapport" not already known, & not achieving anything?

It wasn't too bad early on but then they seem to have been put off. Things started being all about money. The therapist was very noticeably bringing the sessions to a close after 50 minutes, the admin staff were very aggressive chasing payment in advance. They say it just felt weird.

BigJoan

bris said:

Nobody can force you to book and pay, that's a choice you make. 

When you make that choice you have formed the contract.

Is trying to cancel a session breaking a contract? 

In a nutshell yes, but the the therapist does need to mitigate the loss, they do that by filling the space with someone else.

That however is not really in their best interests, they have already been paid for it so they can just book ahead as usual.

Can you sell the space to some one? That could be an option.

Thank you. Selling it wouldn't be an option, it is quite a niche thing. CBT specific to a particular health condition. I think all we can do is leave an honest review and chalk it down to experience.