Stagecoach cancellation asking around 200 pounds as cancellation fee

[janett2]

We have enrolled for a stagecoach class for my kid in July and the class is due to start this September first week. I have sent an email confirming the same but we haven't paid the deposit.

Due to a conflict with another class, my kid won't be able to join Stagecoach as planned. We didnt expect this when we booked in July :(

After informing them about the cancellation ( 2 weeks ago ), they are asking us to pay half of the term fee (around 200 pounds ) 😓

This is totally not affordable for us and would be great if you could help us/give some pointers to resolve this.

https://www.stagecoach.co.uk/terms-conditions

Thanks :)

That's their policy. Our branch makes the half term thing clear every year. Did you not get a couple of weeks to try it first?

If you didnt pay a deposit, the you didnt have a confirmed place. Its nothing more than an enquiry. So I would ignore any demands for payment if you are not intending to go.

The problem is that by not cancelling until the last minute, you've been taking a space that could otherwise have been filled by someone who would be paying for the classes - potentially leaving them out of pocket. It does seem steep, especially if it is a popular class with a waiting list, but it's standard practice and I don't think that a clash with a different activity is a good enough reason to appeal their policy (unlike serious illness, redundancy etc)

Did you formally accept the T&Cs referred to in the link you posted? It does seem that they've slipped up themselves by not taking the deposit.

It says this:

From the date the Deposit is paid, you have a fourteen (14) calendar day cancellation period ("Cancellation Period") to change your mind and cancel the Student's place on the Stagecoach Activity, subject to clauses 2.6 and 2.7 below.

You don't have to pay anything, if you' haven't paid the deposit.

Look at section 5 - did you do any trial classes?

As above if you never paid a deposit you never formally took up a place.

@pastaandpesto my kids have done a huge number of different extra curriculars over the past 13 years, and I also run one myself and I have never heard of anyone being liable for any payment if they never went to the class!

There's nothing they can do to make you pay this, so ignore them. I know this because I spent a lot of time and energy attempting to get an overdue payment for classes a child had actually attended and the parent just kept ignoring me. Short of paying a fortune (more than the amount owed) to take them to court there is nothing I could do to force them to pay.

Thanks for all your replies.

HI @pastaandpesto , I sent an email regarding the cancellation 12 days ago and that implies around 18 days before their first class. So definitely, not a last-minute act I would think.

I haven’t accepted any terms through an online signature or something. But Yes In July, I emailed them confirming we are keen to join this class and haven’t transferred the deposit.

Reg the trial class, My kid attended stagecoach for a different age group (Early stage) during Spring Term 23 and did not continue during the summer Term. Ideally, wanted to clarify them about taking 2 trial class for this term and Main stage. But dint ask them as had to drop out of this. Not sure why they didn't even factor in the trial classes as well.