Influencer hits back after she was slammed for demanding a refund

A popular Aussie influencer who makes up to $3000 per post has sparked an online furore after demanding a refund from a business.

Aussie influencer Jade Tuncdoruk has copped flak after she “demanded” a small business give her a refund on a deposit for her honeymoon stay.

Jade, who boasts almost half a million Instagram followers, took to the social media platform this week explaining that she put down a $2000 deposit with premium holiday rental company Weekenda last year.

However, in August she cancelled her Hunter Valley honeymoon with fiance Lachie Brycki, after postponing her wedding due to Covid.

In the now deleted post, Jade told followers the couple requested a refund, “but they said the best they could do was put it back up online to be booked by someone else”.

“Six weeks out of the booking and we’ve asked again for a refund which they’ve denied.

“They’ve had months to refund us for a booking we don’t need.”

Jade Tuncdoruk, 26, hit back at critics who slammed her for demanding a refund from a small business after cancelling her honeymoon. Picture: Instagram/jadetunchy

The influencer went on to say “they’re taking our money just because they can”.

She described it as “incredibly poor form and so disappointing”, adding that businesses were “taking advantage of people in the middle of a pandemic”.

After she included a link to the small business’s Instagram page, some of her followers lashed out at the company, with Jade then sharing another post announcing that Weekenda had agreed to refund her deposit.

“They’ve agreed to refund us for our stay! Thank you guys for your help,” she said alongside a love heart emoji.

However, the 26-year-old’s actions have since been slammed after her post was re-shared by Instagram influencer watchdog account Celeb Spellcheck, which criticised her for ignoring the terms and conditions of her booking.

The fashion influencer copped flak for allegedly ‘not reading the terms and conditions’. Picture: Instagram/jadetunchy

“Congratulations on not reading the terms and conditions,” the caption read.

“We’re almost two years into the pandemic, 99 per cent of us have had travel plans f***ed by Covid. It sounds like it was her call to cancel, not due to lockdowns or government restrictions out of her control.

“If a small business was willing to list the accommodation and refund me if it got booked, I’d say THANK YOU!”

Following the backlash, Jade jumped on her Instagram Stories to hit back at critics, telling them she’s “every bit entitled to request a refund from a business that’s charging $2k for accommodation I don’t need”.

In a now deleted post, she raged at the small business for refusing to refund her $2000 deposit. Picture: Instagram/jadetunchy

After tagging the small business, some of her followers also hit out at the company demanding they refund the influencer — which they eventually did. Picture: Instagram/jadetunchy

“I gave them 8 months notice. 8 months!! Lots of people have had to reschedule their weddings in the middle of the pandemic and have rightfully requested and received refunds.

“This has nothing to do with supporting small businesses. If you guys want to go around throwing $2k at businesses for services you don’t need and won’t use that’s amazing! I can’t wait to see all your receipts! They’re not a charity though so I’m not doing that.”

After she was slammed for her demand, Jade hit back at critics. Picture: Instagram/jadetunchy

She said some small businesses have been taking advantage of the pandemic. Picture: Instagram/jadetunchy

Jade also raged at the Instagram page for “encouraging bulling and harassment” towards influencers, “just because they can”.

“I emailed the business on multiple occasions trying to sort the refund out and unfortunately posting about it was a last resort.”

Last year, the Sydney-based influencer caused controversy when she revealed companies cut ties when she refused to reduce fees amid the global pandemic.

It comes as Jade cancelled her Hunter Valley honeymoon with fiance Lachie Brycki, after postponing her wedding due to Covid. Picture: Instagram/jadetunchy

“I’ve collaborated / worked with a few brands over time (a long time) who as of late have asked me to work for much, much less … due to budget cuts – which I understand,” she wrote on Instagram at the time.

“However when I’ve said no — which is in my opinion completely warranted — [they] have completely written off the relationship.

“These are brands I’ve travelled with and promoted for years who just throw the relationship away because I’ve refused to work for free.”

The fashion influencer, who regularly posts photos of her wearing big name brands such as Dior and Chanel, makes between $800 and $3000 per sponsored post, according to The Daily Telegraph.

News.com.au has contacted Jade for comment.