Thread: Do you issue refunds?

Just being curious.

I had a call today from someone who wanted a refund on a gift certificate that they were given for Christmas. I chose not to offer a refund as it is my policy.

Are there any circumstances that you offer a refund on classes and/or gigs? Beside that the obvious that you as the instructor/performer have to cancel.

I don't offer refunds unless there is a specific personal situation that would prohibit the person from reasonably being able to attend classes or hold their event. For instance if they had an injury or family emergency. I think it was Daniela who once said that the only time she gave a refund was for a wedding performance where the couple broke up prior to the wedding. If it was just someone who changed their mind after booking a show or didn't feel like coming to the rest of a class session they paid for I would not give them a refund.

On the topic of gift certificates I just got some printed up last month. I haven't actually sold any yet but I put the terms and conditions on the back side one of which states that the gift certificate has no cash value. Maybe you could try putting something like this on yours or state the conditions (no refunds etc.) at the time of purchase?

The terms are on my site but not on the actual gift certificates - except the inspiration date.
I told the recipient that I would be okay with her re-gifting it or selling it to a friend.

I just wondered if anyone else offered refunds. I have never heard of anyone who did.

I wouldn't give a refund on gift certificate, but I would allow her to pass it on to someone else who was interested in using it. I never thought about putting "no cash value" on the certificate itself, but that sounds like a very smart idea!

Mahin

In this case I wouldn't offer the refund. In cases where parties have had to cancel for circumstances beyond their control I have, but if it's a late cancellation for no apparent reason I keep the deposit.

Originally Posted by MahinS

I wouldn't give a refund on gift certificate, but I would allow her to pass it on to someone else who was interested in using it. I never thought about putting "no cash value" on the certificate itself, but that sounds like a very smart idea!

Mahin

That's what I said. I told her that even though I put her name as issued to on the certificate I had no problem with her re-gifting it or selling to a friend.

Originally Posted by ScarletDancer

Just being curious.

I had a call today from someone who wanted a refund on a gift certificate that they were given for Christmas. I chose not to offer a refund as it is my policy.

Are there any circumstances that you offer a refund on classes and/or gigs? Beside that the obvious that you as the instructor/performer have to cancel.

i will offer one of my DVD's instead ..i also honor a credit for a year after it was issued.

What cheek! Whoever tries to get a refund on a gift certificate?!!

I don't do class refunds. If someone's seriously ill or moves interstate or something like that, and it's before term starts, I'll offer to transfer their entire enrolment to the following term or to another student. If they've already started but can't continue, I'll allow them to transfer half the missed classes. It's not the full amount, because I'm trying to give them something without making it too easy for people to drop out.

For gigs, I always take a 50% non-refundable deposit up front (unless it's someone I know, or a regular gig/customer). If they cancel, they lose the deposit.

Under certain circumstances (death/injury/emergency) I will bend my policy. But even then, I've had people tell me there's an emergency and discovered later that they'd really just found a better deal with a cheaper dancer. So I'm pretty skeptical on a case-by-case basis.

If I were teaching regularly, or selling my own merchandise I likely wouldn't offer refunds. Exchanges maybe, but no refunds - especially on a gift certificate.

(double post - oops!)

Varies by circumstance.

Deposit for Gigs:
Client cancels: no refund
I cancel and am unable to find a substitute: refund

Classes:
Student takes first class and decides it's not for him/her: refund (if notified prior to second class meeting)
Student takes two or three classes and decides to not return: no refund
Student misses a class or two in session: no refund
I miss class: refund, credit toward next session, or free class next session

Gift Certificates: no refund; possible exchange

I think "no cash value" is a very important little phrase to put on gift certs. I have donated a performance/lesson at silent auctions for charities and always have an expiration date on the certificate issued for the auction, too.

Deborah

If you were to offer a refund on a gift cert. I think it would be fine for you to tell the person to send the person who bought it to come in and file for a refund

Hell no- I wouldn't give a refund on a gift certificate.
When I sell gift cards at work and I work in a mall so I can tell you that no store will ever give refunds or exchanges for a gift card. And you can't buy gift cards with gift cards and treat them like cash- you loose it your out of luck. I would put that as a policy no refunds or exchanges on gift certificates or gift cards. Your not being mean you are in business to make money and refunds hurt your profit margin.
Especially if you are teaching and/or pro- dancer and this is your only source of income. You got overhead, rent bills expenses like any business.

For classes gigs etc its up to the individual dancer on how they will set their policies. I'm only addressing about the gift certificate.