# Legal advice please regarding a refund request from a client **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 12, 2017, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-advice-please-regarding-a-refund-request-from-a-client/784343 "2017-04-12T21:22:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![JHBoom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/13edae/32.png) [@JHBoom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JHBoom)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2017, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-advice-please-regarding-a-refund-request-from-a-client/784343/21 "2017-04-13T19:21:28Z")
> [@guitario](#): > > So she pays for a block of 5 lessons for her son. > We have the lessons, and she pays for another 5. > After lesson 1 of the new block, she demands a refund of the remaining lessons. > > She claims in an email that we’ve only had 6 lessons in the last 10 weeks… that it’s not a reflection on their quality, just her son wants them every week, so she wants to find someone else. > > Now, I told her at the start that **I’m very busy and can’t guarantee the same day and time each week** , but I’ll do my best if she can only book certain days. > [@guitario](#): > > I give any refunds at at the end of the month alongside all my other outgoings for easy bookkeeping purposes. You have stated you are gathering opinions - here’s three. As a potential customer: There is no way in hell I’d pursue or pay for any type of instruction with an instructor who can’t or won’t commit to a schedule, whether it’s for me or my family members. Your services, however good they may be, would be excluded from my decision matrix based \*solely \*on that. As a parent of a young child who is still figuring out activities she likes enough to take lessons in (dance, gymnastics, karate, etc.): I’ve had multiple opportunities over the past few years to \*\*request \*\* a refund (note the verbiage) for lessons purchased in a block, but not fully completed due to a loss of interest. With one exception, I have received that refund quickly, with no drama, threats of social media firebombing, or references to “fine print” or other legalese. The lone exception was a studio staffer who was unwilling to issue a refund; when we inquired directly with the studio owner a couple days later, we had our refund \*and \*an apology within 10 minutes. As a customer: IDGAF what makes your bookkeeping easier re: refunds. You state you’ve only had 3 refund requests in 5 years - it doesn’t seem like too much trouble for you to change your bookkeeping once every 1.5-ish years in order to maintain your reputation within your conurbation. * * * Issue the refund ASAP, and be thankful you have enough customers who are willing to “shotgun” their lesson scheduling, or lack thereof, for you to continue having a viable side business. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-advice-please-regarding-a-refund-request-from-a-client/784343.md?page=1)