RedBalloon

I have been a loyal customer of Redballoon, always purchasing experiences for myself or as gifts. I have had a bad experience where I believe the experience owes a partial refund to myself. I have tried to resolve this with the organisation and Redballoon. I have also given feedback on the deceptive ad on Redballoon for the experience as the timing is inaccurate. This has not been changed. I have not received the partial refund from Redballoon or the company. I have had emails, phone calls and Redballoon keep putting it back on me to resolve with the company. This is a company they have backed and they need to stand by that and organise to make the person whole when the company has done the wrong thing.
The experience is Japanese Face and Scalp Spa Treatment - 2 Hours and the company is Summer Elisabeth Luxury Day Spa at Broadbeach.

I have a valid 2026 voucher.
Red Balloon tells me that the company involved has gone bust and is no longer honouring vouchers.
I DON'T CARE!!
I am entitled to a refund
under consumer law.
I have not made a booking.
RB has my money.
I want my money back.
Simples.

Hi Craig Rickard, we appreciate your frustration, and understand you've spoken with one of our Senior Staff yesterday. As per your discussion, your voucher has past the 18 month validity period for the experience and is valid towards any other experience on our site until 2026. We are also unable to refund you for a purchase you did not make. Please feel free to PM us if you would like assistance in using your voucher.

to Red Balloon:
thankyou for your speedy public reply.
For the benefit of others I will give more details here:

* the purchasing public has a right
to know how Red Balloon deals with such unusual situations.

* my voucher for this experience has an expiry date of Dec 2026.

this was a change and guarantee legislated by the government due
to covid that ALL vouchers now have a 5 year limit or are unlimited.

*your '18 month validity period' is a condition of your making.
it goes against the current consumer rights legislation.

your '18 month validity' condition means the holder
of the voucher does NOT get that legislated 5 year time period.

*this case is unusual in that the company you had a contract with to supply this experience has withdrawn it.
I consider Red Balloon had a responsibilty to advise all such voucher holders
of this fact.

*I was not made aware of this fact.
only that I wanted
to book and could not find it on your website did I ring RB.

* had I been informed I would have requested a refund at that time.

* I have a valid voucher that has been paid for.
the statement that "we are unable to refund you for a purchase you did not make" makes no sense in this context.
RB has my money. RB cannot supply the service. I am entitled to a refund.

*the legalities of your position will be adjudicated by Fair Trading in the first instance and then the Small Claims Tribunal.

I would claim costs in SCT if I am successful and also seek an order that Red Balloon remunerate ALL customers in this situation.
this is how commercial laws can be changed. as you are aware it is a requirement that I seek resolution with RB first. I then having done that to state to you my intentions.

*this could have been a common sense and good will gesture to refund me the value of my voucher in this unusual case.

Now - it is generating negativity and doubt about a company with which I have never had a previous problem.
'it's NOT that these things happen. it's what Red Balloon management DOES ABOUT them when they do' . . to demonstrate fairness and integrity.

*the purchasing public will make up their own minds.
I give you fair warning that you may wish to offer similar rebuttals on Product ReviewTrustpilot and Word of Mouth websites.

*please make no further comment here and refer this FB exchange vote your legal department.
I will accept an ex gratia payment of my voucher purchase price as full and total resolution if they decide it is a more commercially sensible alternative.

*all the very best. this is a legal dispute not a personal one.

The Gift Voucher has a condition of 18 months of use, which is so tiny that you can barely read it. Upon following it up with the company they dismiss any responsibility about how tiny the writing is and thus if you wish to still use the voucher on the experience after the 18 months surprise you have to pay more. Its a have; if they respect their customers the conditions of its use should be clearly visible and not placed in writing so small the most customers would not be aware of that.

Approximate cost: $900

This company you should avoid at all costs. We have a $100 voucher that is absolutely impossible to use due to the tight restrictions on every chance to spend it. If you want our voucher, which we have had for 12 months for our wedding, we have been unable to spend. You want it, I will send it to you! This company is rubbish. All about the companies as advertising not the clients.

Approximate cost: $100

I was gifted a voucher for Christmas and am really impressed by the price range options. There are what seem to me to be enjoyable experiences for $20 and $200, I really like the choices. The voucher is also valid for 3 years which is handy.

Had some issues with the voucher I brought and found the run around quite time consuming and wasting. That said eventually was worked out for the family.

Approximate cost: $350

I browsed through the RedBallon website last Christmas to find late Chrismas present for my partner. There was so much to choose from! Eventually I booked a Helicoper Flight. He was very happy with that and enjoyed the trip flying around Sydney.

Approximate cost: $300

My husband experienced the best day of his life when he went in the race car. Red ballon is very popular and you have to book early. It is great quality for the price.

Recently bought a present for a work colleague that was leaving our workplace, great present ideas.
Red Balloon has a great website to browse around in.
Red Balloon is very popular also, i have had many people refer me to Red Balloon, but never bought on it.
I was impressed

I brought a race car experience for my dad and it was one of the best days of his life. The prices are great for the opportunities. The staff were great to talk to over the phone. If you are a thrill seeker or just want to go to a restaraunt this is for you!

Red Balloon is a good present idea if you have a lot of people chipping in and want to give them a memorable experience. However keep in mind the prices for each activity is very expensive. I booked a 3 night getaway in the South Coast and it was over $600. The stay was amazing, but very costly. I've never had an issue with them, so I'd recommend this if you have the funds. If not, stick with Groupon/Scoopon stays.

lots of great selections of activities, restaurants, accommodations and gifts etc. i had a $500 voucher from work that has lasted a while. they do have expiry dates however you can easily exchange your voucher to another voucher and get a new expiry date. all experiences I've had so far have been great! its a great gift for someone who enjoys doing something memorable. Also the website is easy to use.

Approximate cost: $varies

I used red balloon a few years running to purchase vouchers for christmas gifts. There are a lorge range of various adventures on the site at a great price. I received the vouchers via email with minimal hassell or waiting period.

Approximate cost: $100

Great website with heaps of different experience vouchers for sale. I used this site a lot last year to purchase unique Christmas gifts for some hard to buy for family and friends. The vouchers were delivered by email so that they could be printed out and given to the chosen recipient.

This is a brilliant site, and I use it all the time. It's what to get when the person you'r buying for has everything. The website is really easy to use, you can select your price range and location, and the giftcards are lovely. This has been my salvation for many a birthday gift.

Great user friendly website . Fantastic ideas especially when figuring out what present to buy for a girlfriend who wants something "different" every birthday! . I bought her some windsurfing lessons and she loved it and the instructor was great. Well worth it.

Approximate cost: $70

I am quite pleased with this service. I have bought vouchers on numerous occasions. I have been wine tasting, dining and having great experience with these vouchers. Great for an unique present. Some of them could be pricey but it is worth it. I will definately purchase again.

Too expensive these days with all the great vouchers you can buy. Nothing really amazing. I bought my husband a voucher from Red Balloon costing over $150 and saw the same thing two weeks later on a group buying site for $75...

I received one of these as a gift and believe me their offering is not for everyone. It was only for $100 and when I didnt want it the only choice was to cop something else or add more money. So called Customer Service has a tough luck to you attitude.

Approximate cost: $100

I purchased a gift voucher for a V8 drive for my dad, it came in an awesome box and presentation was amazing. When we booked the drive it was so easy and when my dad actually did the drive he had a ball. Was a great experience and a great gift.

This is a great website for gifts for those who have everything and I think it is true that you remember an experience much more than a normal gift or money. Helped me with several last minute ideas and the pressies were very appreciated!

I bought a V* Racing Car experience for my husband for his 30th birthday. It was good, he did enjoy it but we thought maybe he would get to go a bit faster???? The price was competitive and the service was great although we were told we couldnt bring our kids but when we got there other people had brought their kids so that was disappointing. Overall a good experience.

Approximate cost: $500

wonderful range of adventures and activities to choose from, great gifts for people who have everything as you can buy a voucher and they can choose for themselves, fabulous concept!

Booked a romantic day with a flight and restaurant. The day was amazing and all the people involved were friendly. One of the best days I have ever had and never had to worry about getting my wallet out for the day as it was all pre paid. Would recommend 100%

Approximate cost: $900

I love this site I have bought so many gifts and experiences for friends! I recently bought my husband a simulator flight in a 747 - he loved it! Would highly recommend it if you are buying for the person you has everything!

Approximate cost: $150

I highly recommend Red Balloon Days. I have bought a number of gifts off here and the receiver has never been disappointed. They have fantastic experiences to book into.

I'd recommend this site to anyone who is unsure of what gifts to buy and that are quite unique. I can not rave enough about the great experiences I have been on and share these with family. A great website to check out especially for Christmas. Even if your unsure you can get gift vouchers too....

I have purchased from this online store a few times now, and am yet to be disappointed. It is easy to navigate and the confirmation emails and options to print the vouchers are great!

There are a plethora of unique gifts here, some over priced. Great to reward business team members. I enjoyed the V8 experience despite waiting in a long line to actually drive the car. The laps were very short but had fun overall.

wonderful gifts for the people who you just dont know what to get! no more hassel with those hard to buy for friends and family