Hi thanks for your reply, the woman who owns it is Irish so could be to do with that. Ok yes this is what I feared, such a shame that due to my circumstance there couldn't have been a more compassionate resolution offered to me by them, but such is the way of the world I guess! Thanks for your responses, all the best.

Ok thanks. I don't see anything regarding refunds etc...

So I've trawled through my email and can't find any agreement or terms and conditions sent to me after booking. Just a sort of welcome email. Can I attach screenshots?

Thanks so much for your reply! It is by a provider called "easibirthing®" I'll just check my email now for what I received thanks

Hello lovely consumer action group team, This is a bit of a unique one but I am at a loss as to what to do so thought I'd come on here and see what you all think (@bankfodder I'm hoping you'll see this!) I am self employed but I haven't worked since having my 2 babies; 1st at the start of 1st lockdown, and 2nd born 18 months later, last year. In November 2020, I signed up and paid to do an online training course in hypnobirthing. I paid the full fee upfront. I was early pregnant with my 2nd and had hoped that I would be able to use the skills and techniques I'd learn on the course for my 2nd birth, after a very horrendous and traumatic first birth. And then be able to also be qualified to then do hypnobirthing with clients thereafter. In early 2021 I made a very brief start to the online course material, however due to then another challenging pregnancy, plus a 1 year old to look after, I never again found the time to complete the course before baby was born as I had hoped to. I then had another difficult and traumatic birth, and now I simply do not want to even think about anything to do with birth as I simply can't face it. I had waited to see if this might fade and my desire/inclination for the course would return however it is sadly not the case. I have been in touch with the course provider and explained my situation and they have denied me a refund, I proposed perhaps a refund less 20% for example (a percentage for the amount of the course I had looked at) but they declined this also. I had thought they said I could swap to a different course but this isn't the case. Also they said I could swap to a course for new parents but the cost of that is only £60 And I paid £273 for the training course, so that doesn't seem a logical or fair swap. Just looking for advice on my rights in this matter. I feel like because it's a fairly unique position to be in, I would have thought they might give me some sort of fairer options from a compassionate perspective...are there any grounds to my rights as a consumer in this regard? Many thanks and apologies I have probably put this in completely the wrong place.

Just doing this now!

Yep it's absolutely shocking, I hope more people take them on and win and hopefully one day their charlatan scheme will crumble. I was advised on the mediation phone call to await an email with the full write up before emailing hermes my bank details, but I'm still awaiting this email. Advised payment will be made within 14 days.

Delighted to report back that I have won my money back. Minus the £25 claims fee but I did try (I pointed out that this amount is negligible to a huge company but a lot to me). The whole mediation process was completed within 30 minutes, with a bit of back and forward between mediator, Hermes and myself. The mediator was excellent and didn't put any pressure on me. I am really pleased, it's been a long slog and very stressful, but I'm glad I persevered. Thank you so much to everyone here for their help in getting through this! I'll be making a donation as your support is much appreciated, particularly @BankFoddermany thanks

Many thanks all. Apologies for the delay in replying. My rescheduled mediation call is tomorrow morning... I feel prepared and I'm rather looking forward to it now! I'll be sure to report back how it went. Thanks again.

As suggested by @BankFodder I sent an email and have now received a new mediation date (whether there is any correlation between my sending an email and then getting a new date is unknown). This is what they put in their contact emails. 1. For mediation to be successful, you would need to be willing to negotiate on the amount of the claim and have a degree of flexibility 2. You confirm that you have enough information about the claim to allow you to enter into negotiations and that you do not require any further evidence from the other party before you can mediate 3. You confirm that you are available for the entire timeslot on the date stated above. Mediation is only available to you if you can answer YES to all statements above. If you cannot answer YES to all statements, mediation is NOT suitable for your case. Please contact us if you cannot agree to all 3 statements on [email protected].

Thanks @BankFodderit did feel particularly unhelpful and unsupportive of them so I shall follow your advice, cheers.

Hello, had a bit of a setback... I was unable to take my mediation phone call on the set day and time.. My baby was very poorly, my husband answered the call and asked if could reschedule but they just said they'll try but it may not be possible. I haven't heard anything back as yet. I did try ringing them on their contact number before our set appointment, but the wait length time was impossible to get through to speak to anyone, while looking after a very unwell baby. So, again I'll keep you posted on developments, thanks.

Hi all, just an update that my mediation phone call has been rescheduled to this Wednesday morning, so I shall let you know how that goes... Wish me luck!

I have today received a date for my mediation telephone call appointment. Typically it's the exact date and time of a hospital appointment so I'm going to have to try and change it.

Hi just a quick question; On the directions questionnaire it asks which county court hearing centre I would "prefer" the small claims hearing take place and why; I assume I can put my local sheriff court to where I live in Scotland, since it is asking me my preference? It also asks why; how much detail should I provide as to my reason? Many thanks.