Refused refund or credit note for court booking at Gym

Smilee4Miles

I am having issues with my local leisure centre which is owned by the local council. I have booked a squash court and asked for it to be cancelled and refunded as I am no longer able to make the date. I am a non member so pay for courts and I have friends that are members who are allowed to cancel as and when they please and even not turn up and face no charges.

The leisure centre has told me that they do not offer refunds or credit notes and that if they do these are discretionary. Their terms and conditions state;

“All booked sessions are non-refundable or transferable so please ensure you can make the time slot you have booked before confirming your booking.”

is this even legal under consumer rights law and where do I stand in challenging this? It’s a separate issue but I also have a disability and from time to time I need to cancel for health reasons. 

DE_612183

Did you pay in person or over t he phone / online - strange as it may seem it may make a difference ( be considered a distance sale? ).

MorningcoffeeIV

Smilee4Miles said:

is this even legal under consumer rights law 

Yes, it's even legal.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

You need to read 15.3 onwards regarding trader's retaining payments in the event the consumer decides not to go ahead with the contract:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/450440/Unfair_Terms_Main_Guidance.pdf

You could raise an official complaint with the council but I'm assuming the cost isn't worth too much time  

Alderbank

DE_612183 said:

Did you pay in person or over t he phone / online - strange as it may seem it may make a difference ( be considered a distance sale? ).

It's not how you pay that may make a difference, it's whether you have visited the premises before entering into the contract which determines whether it is considered a distance sale.

Consumer rights give you extra rights to cancel a genuine distance sale because when you get to see the premises or goods they might not match up to what you were told. These rights do not apply if you have already seen the goods or premises.
For example if you visit a furniture shop and examine the sofas then go home and buy one online that is not a distance sale because you have had the opportunity to examine the goods in person.

Every indication here is that the OP is familiar with his local leisure centre.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

More simply the right to cancel doesn't apply to the supply of accommodation, transport of goods, vehicle rental services, catering or services related to leisure activities, if the contract provides for a specific date or period of performance.  

sheramber

I have friends that are members who are allowed to cancel as and when they please and even not turn up and face no charges.

That is a benefit of paying a membership fee.

if you want that facility then you need to become a member.