Getting a refund—be it for theater tickets, summer camp or other events—can be especially difficult during the pandemic. And with many local businesses facing possible closures again as Covid-19 numbers inch higher, it may get even more confusing to get your money back.
It takes some trial and error, says Sally Greenberg, executive director at the National Consumers League, a Washington-based consumer-advocacy nonprofit. “As a consumer you have to fight it out on your own,” she says.
Here’s what experts recommend.
How can I get the attention of a business not responding to my refund request?
Start with an email or letter directly to the business that states why you’re seeking the refund and the amount. Some companies may be more willing to honor a request in writing, Ms. Greenberg says. Rather than threaten legal action, it’s more effective to add that you’ll “consider other legal options,” she says. Legally, businesses that don’t offer refunds run the risk of breaking each state’s unfair and deceptive practices laws, she adds.
