Hi guys, This is a UK based question, regarding a refund on a distance learning course.?

Question

I am currently studying via distance learning, and having paid several instalments totalling (£600) with a £250 deposit. I am now dissatisfied with the training provider, waiting over 6 months for a email to be replied to, which in turn means I haven’t really been able to complete much of the course content. Therefore I am looking for a refund.

I know that my deposit is not refundable as I have signed a waiver to say my deposit will not be returned. Although I have not signed any terms and conditions regarding standing orders or further payments.

Has anyone experienced anything similar or can anyone provide some advice on the above?

Answer 1

I cannot possibly answer without seeing the actual contract.

Answer 2

Not enough information to help properly......... who is this online provider? Are they UK based or not? Are they licenced/registered?https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-become-an-approved-training-provider-and-bid-for-funding



Suggest you get everything together with regard to them and book an appointment with your local CAB who can signpost you with regards to reporting them and suing for return of money

Answer 3

Who are you studying with , that is important as there are scam colleges in the U.K.

Answer 4

The waiver may be meaningless if the provider has breached the contract.



The "non refundable deposit" may also be illegal if it's a distance-buying situation (you did not visit them to buy the product/service) and it's a mass distribution course that they sell to many people, rather than something personalised or bought in explicitly for you.



Re. the failure to respond to email - see section 3.4 on page 14 of the document here:

"A commercial practice is unfair if:

• it is not professionally diligent"



https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/284442/oft1008.pdf



Read all the way through that and see what other regs they may have broken, then write to them and say you demand a refund due to breaches of the Consumer Protection regulations.



Note that the OFT (Office of Fair Trading) has been replaced by the "CMA Board".



Contact your local Citizens Advice centre for legal assistance and backup with enforcing the regulations if needed. Note that you may need to ask specifically to speak to one of their solicitors as the normal volunteers, though helpful, are not always fully knowledgeable on the details of consumer law; they can even be totally wrong..



The site the document above is from, with more information:

Answer 5

I suggest that you go directly to either the people that you pay or to the admissions office for further information.