Wait list deposit...would you ask for a refund after 18 months of no openings?

[Anonymous]

We got on the waitlist for our preferred daycare when I was three months pregnant. We paid our $150 deposit and were told it would be 9-12 months. I checked in before I went back to work (9 months from getting on the list) and there was nothing available. Was told to wait 2 months. Checked back: nothing. Checked in regularly ever since. It has now been 18 months and there has been no movement on the list. We are close to the top but their policy is to allow younger siblings in ahead of new families. Fine, I get it. But how incredibly frustrating. For the record, I worke for a preferred employer for the center.

My husband brought up an interesting thought last night. Should we ask for our deposit back? Our kid was at home with a nanny until now but is starting a different daycare next month. Had a spot opened up in the past year we would have taken it. Is he completely off his rocker to ask the daycare to refund the fee we paid?

[Anonymous]

You could always try. I do doubt that they will give it back to you though. No harm in trying!

[Anonymous]

No...I think after 18 months you can ask for your deposit back.

[Anonymous]

I would absolutely ask for it back. They might try and say it is nonrefundable, but they didn't provide you with a service.

[Anonymous]

Is it a deposit or an application fee?

[Anonymous]

I don't understand how after 18 months they would expect you to take their spot if it opened up. One would assume that you would have found alternative arangements by now.

[Anonymous]

My understand was that most of those fees were non-refundable.

[Anonymous]

As far as I know, these aren't refundable. I think it says that on the application. It's to "process your paperwork" and hold your spot on the list. And really, to deter people from putting their names on dozens of lists.

We put in several of these deposits and never got into any of the centers.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks everyone! I went to the center and asked. They said no but said they would ask the higher ups.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like a bright hoizon center. They will say no.

[Anonymous]

Why would you expect a refund if it is an application fee?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No...I think after 18 months you can ask for your deposit back.

Great idea.! I think this place should be required to return the money at some point. Especially the ones that can't prove their is a real list

[Anonymous]

Why are you calling it a deposit? Did they have a disclosure like this one?

"I understand that Huckleberry Cheesecake’s waitlist is
6-12 months* and that the $150.00 fee is a nonrefundable fee that does not guarantee my child a spot at any particular time.

*Please call Huckleberry Cheesecake for current waitlist timeframe."

[Anonymous]

The fee is for holding your spot on the waitlist. You can ask but you very likely won't get it back.

[Anonymous]

"Asking the higher ups" means they are going to wait a few days before they tell you no and read you whatever it is you signed that said it was non-refundable.