Spas step in after voucher firm folds

Rhiannon Hayman had been saving the luxury spa voucher that boyfriend Aaron Dixon got her for a special occasion. Photo / Dean Purcell

More than 15 beauty spas have offered to cover Rhiannon Hayman's treatment after voucher company Total Experience left her empty handed when it filed for liquidation this month.

Miss Hayman, 19, received a $300 spa voucher from boyfriend Aaron Dixon for Christmas but will not be able to redeem it as Total Experience filed for liquidation on January 17.

Mr Dixon, also 19, bought the voucher for Spa Di Vine in Kumeu, northwest Auckland, but as an unsecured creditor was told his girlfriend would not be able to use it.

Miss Hayman has had offers from a variety of spas including Forme Spa, Body in Balance and Pure Skin.

Her mother Jill was outraged when she heard of Total Experience's liquidation and that the vouchers would not be honoured.

"This seems a really easy cop-out for company directors. We should have more protection for the people who have bought vouchers in good faith and company directors [should be] held to account."

Mrs Hayman was surprised at the generosity of the spa owners who called the Herald. She said Rhiannon was feeling like "quite a celebrity".

Ngaire Marwood is another unhappy Total Experience customer. She spent $420 on son Jarrod's Christmas present - an adventure in a V8 car.

"Jarrod is bitterly, bitterly disappointed ... He was so excited when he received it and I was so excited to give it to him."

Ms Marwood said she thought someone was "having her on" when she received the email from Total Experience informing her the company had collapsed.

Luckily, Ms Marwood paid for the voucher by credit card and should get a full refund.

A BNZ spokesman said if a customer didn't receive goods or services due to a company's liquidation he or she should apply for a refund.

An undisclosed buyer has bought the name Total Experience, the website and its client list, liquidators Gerry Rea confirmed yesterday.

The company has a $1.2 million debt and $300,000 worth of vouchers outstanding.