GrabOne massage vouchers refunded

Group buying website GrabOne has refunded 62 customers who bought massage vouchers from a Mount Maunganui business through the site.
Marama Bodywork & Balance offered two GrabOne deals, one which expired at the end of January and the other in April.
The business sold 563 coupons between the two deals.
But demand from the deal meant customers had trouble booking in their massage before the coupon's expiry date, resulting in complaints to GrabOne.
One of those customers was Bay of Plenty Times journalist Genevieve Helliwell, who bought a $30 GrabOne voucher in October for a one-hour "Starry Hibiscus" massage at Marama Bodywork.
She rang to make a booking 10 days before the expiry date of January 31, but was unable to get an appointment.
The business owner was difficult to get hold of, Miss Helliwell said.
"I rang her about four or five times. When I did get hold of her she said I had to book online. When I went to her page it was booked until mid March, therefore I couldn't get an appointment before the expiry date. I did try calling her again but after a few attempts I decided to flag it."
She did not approach GrabOne for a refund.
But GrabOne operations manager Kelly Duncan confirms the website refunded 11 per cent of customers who bought coupons for the business.
Ms Duncan said it was an unusual case and urged customers having similar problems to contact the site.
"We have a GrabOne promise that effectively means that we offer refunds, we don't ask too many questions. We are more than happy to do refunds. We always make sure our 'grabbies' are happy. We are always happy to hear from anyone that's had an issue."
Ms Duncan would not comment on whether Marama Bodywork had breached GrabOne's terms or if the website would deal with the business again.
She said GrabOne "always checked with businesses to make sure they are going to be great in the market".
GrabOne advised businesses on setting a limit to the number of deals they should offer, Ms Duncan said. "GrabOne applies industry knowledge and discusses capacity with the business to come up with a limit for the deal. Advisement is also taken from the business on how many they can fulfil within the deal time period," she said.
Ms Duncan advised anyone having trouble booking in an appointment before the expiry date to contact the website.
The GrabOne website says if a business closes down or does not honour a coupon, GrabOne will make sure the customer gets their money back.
The Bay of Plenty Times Weekend tried booking an appointment with Marama Bodywork online at its booking page on ClickBook.net. The booking calendar indicates there are no appointments until October 17.
A link to the company's website www.maramabodyworkandbalance. co.nz said the IP address could not be found. Marama Bodywork & Balance is run by Amy Campbell, who says in her bookings page she is a certified massage therapist (CMT).
The Bay of Plenty Times Weekend tried to contact Ms Campbell, but the phone number on her website had been temporarily disconnected and she did not reply to an email sent through the site.