VFS Global's Unfair Refund Policy

On October 25, 2023, I entrusted a friend with the task of applying for a Swiss Visa on my behalf due to my busy schedule. I provided all the necessary information for the application. Unfortunately, my friend mistakenly scheduled a visa appointment at the Swedish Visa application center (online at https://visa.vfsglobal.com/tur/tr/swe) instead of Switzerland. To make matters worse, he paid the 926.00 Turkish Lira transaction fee, which is the visa appointment application fee, using my credit card. Later that same day, upon realizing the error, I attempted to cancel the appointment online, but the system did not allow me to do so. I decided to contact the call center (212 37358 03) at 16:25 and explained the unfortunate situation I found myself in. The call center representative informed me that cancellations couldn't be processed through their service and instructed me to send an email to [email protected], outlining the situation. They mentioned that a refund might be possible if the circumstances warranted it. Consequently, I composed and sent an email detailing the situation. However, the reply I received via email on October 26, 2022, at 09:22 stated that "an appointment has been made, and in accordance with our company's refund policy, refunds are only granted in cases of force majeure (such as Covid, death, disease, etc.)." My request for a refund was declined on these grounds. I find it unfair to be denied a refund for a mistake made on the same day, particularly as I haven't caused any loss of appointment slots since there were vacant slots both before and after my appointment date. I cannot accept being charged for a service that was neither provided nor will be provided to me. I kindly request a refund of the payment made from my credit card to the same credit card. Attached to this message are documents supporting my case, including my flight ticket for my Switzerland trip and the payment receipt for the Swedish Visa Appointment fee I received from VFS Global.