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I bought a spa voucher but the spa has ceased trading. What can I do to get a refund?
Spa gift vouchers or pamper-day packages are a great way to treat yourself or a loved one, especially as they often offer a discount on individual treatment prices, and a day of pre-paid self-indulgence is obviously a fab gift to receive! However, there are some things to consider before you buy.
1. Spa vouchers are usually valid for a limited period of time, so do check if the voucher has to be redeemed before a certain date. For example, if the spa voucher states that it must be redeemed within 12 months, the voucher will become invalid after that date and it is very unlikely that you will be able to seek any compensation if it has not been used.
2. If a spa ceases trading and the company goes into liquidation before your spa voucher has been redeemed, there is no possibility that you will be able to claim a refund. In almost all cases, too, you will have no way of claiming any compensation for the voucher that you have purchased. (This is because once a company has gone into liquidation, it is only possible to claim from them if they declare that they have the assets or funds available to repay customers. Since the company will have gone into liquidation because of its insolvency, this is very unlikely.)
For more information on this, you can call Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06, or visit their website at www.consumerdirect.gov.uk. The Citizens Advice Bureau's website can also assist with some helpful tips, such as their explanations of what happens when a company goes out of business.
While this all sounds rather worrying, it's not a common occurrence. However, while there will be no way of finding out if a spa is in financial difficulty, it may be worth considering buying a voucher from a spa in your area that is well-established and busy. Also, plan to use the voucher soon after purchase, rather than leaving it for months before contacting the spa.
Do consider how much you're willing to spend, too. If buying a £500 voucher means maxing-out on your credit card, perhaps it isn't the wisest purchase!
Another option could be buying Good Spa Guide vouchers. Unlike other vouchers, you're not limited in choice, as Good Spa Guide vouchers are accepted by over 150 UK spas and valid for 12 months.
See also:
* What do I get on a pampering day?
* Do spas usually charge for cancellations?
* Can I have complementary therapies at a spa?
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