How Long For A Refund Really?

[meglet]

I was given a voucher for a meal at a very posh hotel which we booked for 26th April. Come the day, I couldn't find the voucher so rang ahead to explain our predicament. They said I could pay for the meal and then, when I found the voucher, send it to them and they would refund me.

So I paid the bill by debit card and the money left my account the following day. I also found the voucher on the 27th and duly posted it to them and they were happy to agree to a refund. They said it would take 5-7 working days. Roll forward to yesterday and the refund still hadn't appeared in my account so I rang them. They were apologetic and said it hasn't been processed and that I would receive my refund in (another) 5-7 working days.

Surely if money can leave my account within 1 day it can go back within the same time frame, no? When do I throw a hissy fit?

[sherrardk]

Considering that they helped you out I would hold on to the hissy fit in case they change their mind.

[meglet]

True. But surely payments are so quick these days that quoting 5-7 working days is somewhat taking the mick?

[wiltsman]

Yes - it's not time for a hissy fit yet. They seemed to be bending over backwards to help you, and though they said 5-7 working days, I would give it three weeks. I presume you have the persons name who agreed the refund.

[DTCwordfan]

A lot of companies pay by BACs for their convenience and this can be on a once or twice-a-week run, often Friday, and then there is the transfer time to your account if you are not with the same bank as them, the banks using the money for the overnight markets and, believe me, this is highly profitable to the banks.

[ummmm]

I was going to say similar to DT. Accepting payments is much more straight forward than paying out and often there are only a very few people authorised to pay by bacs.

[meglet]

Don't you need account and sort code for BACS?

[DTCwordfan]

If not Bacs, writing cheques or crediting cards tends to be done in batches - not on an individual basis, this going back to financial control......and when the staff member concerned, if a small operation, gets around to it. Sorry meglet, c'est la vie.

[meglet]

Righto. I guess I just expected better (it was The Ritz after all!)

[sherrardk]

I don't expect the Ritz are going to rip you off.

[DTCwordfan]

I used to work for them as a secret shopper, the Ritz Carlton Group, meglet, and they usually honour such requests, so a little patience and you will be there

[meglet]

I really don't think they are going to rip me off. Just a bit peeved that they are going to have £200 of mine for 3 weeks, that's all. I assumed, wrongly I suppose, that it would be as straightforward as returning something to a shop!

[DTCwordfan]

well, meglet, try a car hire company then.....three weeks, bah....

[sherrardk]

Asda take the money for my on-line grocery shopping twice each week and I have to ring my bank up to get it back every week - some companies just seem inefficient at some things.

[Maydup]

That explains it. Beautiful and sophisticated they may be at The Ritz but I doubt they are very high tech. Think along the lines of three fold carbon paper and double signature authorisation.