Customers Rights When Merchants Don't Turn up for Appointments?

cktftw on 03/03/2018 - 18:49
Last edited 03/03/2018 - 18:58

What rights do customers have when merchants cancel appointments at the very last minute, twice!

So I purchased a voucher for a car wash (via Groupon) with Australia Detailing Group Adelaide (https://www.facebook.com/ADGglenelg/) - the kind where they come to your place to do the wash.

Booked in on a Saturday 12pm. Haven't been contacted to give my address, called number at 1130 no answer. Then got a text at 1145 saying he can't make it.

Rescheduled for next day at 10am. Again next morning, 15 mins before appointment, I had to ask to be told he won't be coming again.

See screen shots for the appalling conversation.
https://imgur.com/a/POQbk
https://imgur.com/a/8FGSi
https://imgur.com/a/tYfRZ

In these circumstances - what rights do consumers have? Needless to say if we did this, our coupon would have been forfeited. Twice wasted my day when I could have organised other things.

Also looks like I'm not the only one according to this facebook review
https://imgur.com/a/7cJ0T

Automotive

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 03/03/2018 - 18:51
    +4

    contact Groupon obviously.

    • cktftw on 03/03/2018 - 18:52
      +3

      did of course, refunded voucher.
      what i am more pissed off is that merchants can cancel at the very last minute as they like, but not customers.

  • itsdougie on 03/03/2018 - 18:55
    +8

    Matt Irelands never cancels appointments, he reschedules aye
    Qantas never cancels flights either, they reschedule aye

    Bad time management if you ask me.

    • [Deactivated] on 03/03/2018 - 19:00
      +3

      i bet Matt Ireland can't manage himself.

  • Ocker on 03/03/2018 - 19:22
    +10

    Anything to do with Groupon vouchers is dodgy and should be avoided.

    • ronnknee on 04/03/2018 - 11:11

      Not sure if serious. The Caltex $20 Starcash for $15 was amazing; essentially up to 25% off petrol.

  • xoom on 03/03/2018 - 19:36

    Vote with your wallet. A business that carries on like this dont stay in business for long.

  • supersabroso on 03/03/2018 - 21:14
    +2

    Groupon is super hit and miss. You can get pretty good meal vouchers if you know exactly what to look for (no wine, beware day and time limitations).

    However, services vouchers like massages or car deals are very risky. They usually have a deal because they suck or are a new start up.

  • SmiTTy on 03/03/2018 - 21:16
    +2

    Give a bad review of your experience on social media…

  • jjjaar on 03/03/2018 - 21:33

    Ugh it's like when the doctor is late and you just have to suck it up. I hate that. Why is their time more valuable than mine?

    • Findo on 03/03/2018 - 22:38
      +1

      They might be attending to more urgent matters like hospital admissions or suicidal patients. I will accomodate medical professionals as long as I live as I have had emergency time allocated to me in the past. My doctor is lovely when she’s late, her secretary will make me a cuppa to pass the time.

      • jjjaar on 03/03/2018 - 23:57
        +1

        I agree with emergencies, sure. but mine are usually just dealing with the fact that their patients need 20 mins and they only allocate 15. So if everyone takes longer you end up being late by the end of the day. With no courtesy call to say "come in an hour later".

        It's not just doctors though, it seems many within the service industry that take appointments in general tend to not care if you're delayed. Like hairdressers or even when I take my car for a service.

    • John Kimble on 03/03/2018 - 23:15

      Because it likely is more valuable (in monetary terms) than yours.

  • Findo on 03/03/2018 - 22:39
    -1

    Never trust a bloke who can’t spell. I doubt he’d do a good job detailing your car, especially if you get off on the wrong foot with him.

  • pennae on 04/03/2018 - 00:02

    I had a Groupon booking for a medical pedicure by a podiatrist, confirmed via email. I arrived for the appointment only to be told that the podiatrist was on holidays and wouldn’t be back for 3 weeks. Groupon gave me credit for the voucher but i was annoyed at the 1hr round trip I’d made :(

    • minniethemoocher on 04/03/2018 - 16:23

      You should have got a refund, that’s terrible.

  • pegaxs on 04/03/2018 - 09:42
    +3

    You have the right to cancel on them, get your money back, never use their service again and leave an appropriate review.

    A specialist I had to see once had a clause in their booking paperwork that said if I didn’t give 24 hours notice or arrived 15 mins late for an appointment, that I would be charged a fee. How they charge it, I don’t know. But when I got there, I was told that the Dr was running a little late. After 15 mins, I informed them that there was now a late fee payable. They told me that I can’t do that, I said, neither can you people.

    In the end, Dr. wa 30 mins late and I went home and invoiced them a “late fee” for my time. After sending many a demand letter, they have since removed this stupid clause from their bookings.

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