Best place to read on Irish consumer rights?

Fenster

Probably the wrong board for this, but I apologise.

I purchased an Aer Arann ticket a few days ago on their website, but due to circumstances beyond my control, I had to cancel my plans, so I'm seeking a refund for my ticket. They're absolutely refusing to refund it, but instead trying to offer me another flight.

Quite frankly, I just want to get my money back from them and leave it at that. I'm vaguely aware that I can claim a refund under Irish law, but I want to learn more before I go pressing the point home on them.

BuffyBot

Well, it would depend - was it a refundable ticket that you purchased? If it wasn't, you wouldn't be entitled to a refund of the flight cost. Whether or not it was a refundable fare would have come up during the booking process.

You can, however, make a claim for any airport taxes/charges to be repaid. However, for the amounts involved it's not always worth it, and some airlines are charging an administration fee which cancels the benefit of making this claim out.

rondjon

Under Irish consumer legislation (the be-all and end-all is the Sale of Goods Act), you're entitled to a replacement, refund or repair if the item you purchased is not of merchantable quality, is not fit for its normal purpose, and reasonably durable, or is not as described, whether the description is part of the advertising or wrapping, on a label, or something said by the salesperson.

The law therefore does not apply to changing your mind (for whatever reason!!!).

It doesn't apply if you don't like the colour of the dress you bought, or if something is not the right size.

And, unfortunately for you, "circumstances beyond my control" do not count as a reason for a refund either.

Therefore, you're depending on the good will of Aer Arann. They are perfectly within their rights to refuse you a refund, and it's only their good will at the moment that's making them offer you an alternative flight.

As the 2nd poster above says, if your tickets doesn't mention refunds, basically you're sh1t out of luck. And that's according to the law. Check the small print to confirm, but you'll probably find no mention.

Best you can do, is avail of the alternative flight, and try to leave it open for the moment as to when you take the flight. As I said, aer arann don't have to offer you this at all, and pushing them harder for a refund could cause them to revoke this offer which they're perfectly entitled to do.

So "pressing the point home on them" won't do anything at all for you. Sorry mate.

RainyDay

Fenster wrote:

Probably the wrong board for this, but I apologise.

I purchased an Aer Arann ticket a few days ago on their website, but due to circumstances beyond my control, I had to cancel my plans, so I'm seeking a refund for my ticket. They're absolutely refusing to refund it, but instead trying to offer me another flight.

Quite frankly, I just want to get my money back from them and leave it at that. I'm vaguely aware that I can claim a refund under Irish law, but I want to learn more before I go pressing the point home on them.

Did you check their refunds policy before you booked? There is no general right to refund in law.