Is This Legal?

[Palustris]

They had organised 2 fundraising events just before lockdown, a disco for the kids and a family bingo night. We had bought tickets for both, £5 each.
When they both got cancelled owing to lockdown we were told they didn't have the staff to process refunds so we'd our money back in due course.

In this week's newsletter (so not even a specific communication to those of us owed money) it says, "we hope you don't mind, we've decided to keep the money as we've not been able to do much fundraising".

[ladybirder]

If it is it shouldn't be. What a cheek.

[maggiebee]

Not sure about the legality of it but certainly not ethical.

[jno]

they're in breach of contract. (Two contracts, by the sound of it.) They haven't fulfilled their part of the deal. They should have insured against cancellation.

[Jackdaw33]

Although it has no bearing on the legality or otherwise of this, who were they raising funds for?

[ladybirder]

Had I been asked I'm sure I would have said keep it but just helping themselves, no.

[sanmac]

As JD has already said, what or who for is the organization raising funds?

[Zacs-Master]

Do they mean keep the money or pass it on to whatever charity / organisation they were raising money for?

If it’s the former then it could be challenged legally

[THECORBYLOON]

Let them know you do mind and you want a refund of the money.

Take a copy of the tickets and enclose that with your letter or attach it to an e-mail.

You could suggest that the tickets be used instead for the next events they arrange.

[Tuvok]

Is it a local hall or another type of venue?

I would ask to see what their constitution says about refunds.

[woofgang]

whatever they intend to do with the money, if they didn't give you what they contracted to do then they can't keep the money.

[Tuvok]

You could threaten/go to the local paper

[bednobs]

Who is "they" in your post?

[Palustris]

P.T.A. is 'they'.

[woofgang]

gosh they should know better!

[TrevorThePug]

If it were me.....

Yes I do mind actually.

Give me my money back, and then I'll decide what I do with my money.

[bednobs]

they have probably shot themselves in the foot, but you need to ask yourself - would you be happy to donate £10 to your kids school? if yes, let them have it, if no ask for it back

[bednobs]

they will rpbabaly give anyone their money back who asks, but I hardly think it's criminal

[jno]

not criminal, bednobs, unless some court were to find they'd obtained money by fraud or something; but breach of contract is separate from criminal law.

[woofgang]

its pretty blooming arrogant