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BUKMI Knowledge base

Refunds for courses and events - information for businesses

Why this topic is messy

Section titled “Why this topic is messy”

In-person courses, workshops, group classes, and similar offers often combine:

  • remote contracting (online booking and payment),
  • a fixed date or schedule,
  • sometimes a multi-session package (in BUKMI: a series / cycle).

Consumer law (including the right of withdrawal for distance contracts) may be limited or excluded for some of these contracts - but eligibility depends on how the contract is formed and what is promised. That is why no single sentence can state you can “always” or “never” refund.

Below: a rough map of the Polish/EU framework (Poland implements EU consumer rules) plus practical tips for operators.

Withdrawal from distance contracts (very short)

Section titled “Withdrawal from distance contracts (very short)”

For many B2C distance contracts, consumers receive a statutory cooling-off period (commonly 14 days) unless an exception applies.

In Poland, the key statute is the Act of 30 May 2014 on consumer rights (consolidated text in ISAP - verify the current version with counsel). Similar policy goals exist across the EU under the Consumer Rights Directive 2011/83/EU.

The “specific date or period” leisure exception

Section titled “The “specific date or period” leisure exception”

Polish law lists contracts where no withdrawal applies, including (in the consolidated numbering used in official texts) services related to leisure / entertainment / sport / culture **if the contract specifies a day or period of performance - see Article 38(1)(12) of the Polish Consumer Rights Act (verify exact wording in the current consolidated act).

At EU level, the parallel idea appears in Article 16(l) of Directive 2011/83/EU (OJ L 304).

Policy idea: when a consumer books something time-anchored (like a ticketed event), lawmakers treat it differently from, say, mail-order goods - to reduce last-minute mass cancellations that destabilise organisers.

Workshops / single dated runs: many one-day workshops on a fixed date are analysed by practitioners and authorities as falling under this exception - if the contract truly ties performance to a specific day/period. Multi-month programmes, open-ended vouchers, hybrid formats, or B2B sales may differ. Do not generalise without advice.

Multi-session packages (BUKMI cycles): one purchase covering multiple dated sessions raises interpretation questions (entire bundle vs individual sessions). This is a classic “ask your lawyer” moment - align terms, checkout copy, and marketing.

Other remedies still exist

Section titled “Other remedies still exist”

Even when the 14-day withdrawal does not apply, consumers may still have other routes (warranty/statutory remedies where applicable, non-performance arguments under civil law, complaints processes, courts). No statutory withdrawal is not the same as no possible claims.

Practical tips for businesses using BUKMI

Section titled “Practical tips for businesses using BUKMI”
  1. Written terms that clearly state what is purchased (single run vs package), minimum attendee rules, your cancellation policy if you call the event off, and your commercial rebooking/refund policy before payment.
  2. Pre-payment disclosure aligned with distance-selling information requirements - implement with counsel (templates + checkout wording).
  3. Separate messaging for: single session, full package (series), online vs pay-on-site.
  4. Evidence trail: keep the terms version, confirmation emails, and policies dated - helpful for disputes and chargebacks.
  5. Card chargebacks: even if your policy says “no refunds”, the issuer may decide otherwise. Clear terms and proof reduce - but do not remove - risk.

What BUKMI does vs what the business must decide

Section titled “What BUKMI does vs what the business must decide”
  • BUKMI supports booking, online payment (Stripe Connect), cancellations, and series purchase cancellation cascading to child bookings - as documented in the product guides.
  • Automatic Stripe refunds on owner-side cancellation are not assumed to be the legally “correct” outcome for every consumer situation - they are a technical capability you may or may not use according to your policy and legal advice.
  • The legal relationship with the end client is always between your business and the guest.

Where to read the law

Section titled “Where to read the law”
  • Polish Act on consumer rights - current consolidated text via ISAP.
  • Directive 2011/83/EU - especially for cross-border guests within the EEA.
  • National consumer authorities’ educational pages (e.g. UOKiK in Poland) - helpful background, not a substitute for counsel.
Section titled “Related knowledge-base articles”