Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is this extortionate or am I going mad?!

65 replies

TeachBee · 29/05/2025 08:42

I booked a day out for my two children at popular outdoor venue that we'd never been to before. Online tickets were £22 each plus £4 booking fee. I saw that they offered an annual membership for £60 each so figured I'd get that as it saves money down the line.

After purchasing the passes, I was told that each time I book (even with the passes - what?!) there would be a £4 booking fee. This wasn't just for online bookings - it was all of them, including in person, on the day bookings. I can understand a small fee for online bookings but to charge for in person, and £4, is extortionate in my view.

On top of this, which wasn't made explicit at all before booking, there is a parking fee of £10.50 per visit.

So, if we use the passes x5 times, that's an extra £72.50 we'll have to pay in addition to the cost of the passes.

FYI, this is a place on the East Mids/North Yorks area so not as expensive as other places.

AIBU or is the company?!

OP posts:
Helloworlditsmeagain · 29/05/2025 15:12

What do they do?
You are asking for opinions and no one knows what it is and why?

Original poster
TeachBee · 29/05/2025 15:01

While I accept that the parking isn't their choice, there wasn't anything in the activity page I looked at (specific to my venue) that mentioned a parking fee - including in the FAQ's. I had a known that the charge would have been £10.50 a visit, I wouldn't have bothered. Only after I booked and clicked on their link did I realise there was a charge.

And I have to disagree with your analogy too. My local cinema uses a car park that's not theirs so also has extra charges (less than £5 for the day!) but you receive a parking voucher that can be then used on cinema purchases, even though it's nothing to do with them.

OP posts:
Helloworlditsmeagain · 29/05/2025 14:50

TeachBee · 29/05/2025 13:57

This is a ridiculous comment in my opinion. 🙄Hundreds of companies all are associated costs and none charge a booking fee! Whilst I get that some places do charge an online fee, which I've happily paid in past, it's usually £1 (or less) and you have the option to chance turning up on the day and seeing what spaces are available to avoid this fee altogether.

Edited
Show quote history

Of course you would think it's ridiculous. Paying £44 plus parking at £10.50 plus £4 booking fee comes to £58.50 a visit. If you think it's more cost effective to go once or twice a year then do that. I think paying £120 for two passes for the year gives you unlimited visits and all you have to pay is parking and the admin fee of £14.50. if you don't plan on using the passes then get your money back and look for cheaper days out. Parks are free.

Bonsaibaby · 29/05/2025 14:29

TeachBee · 29/05/2025 14:06

In the pass page it says 'You can guarantee your spot online with the £3.95 booking fee per booking, or can try at the cabin on the day (this may involve waiting for the next free spot).' which is why I thought booking in person would avoid the fee. However, when I spoke to an employee they told me this is incorrect and booking at the cabin would also be charged £4.

Show quote history

Yes that definitely sounds like turning up means no booking fee and is misleading

Original poster
TeachBee · 29/05/2025 14:06

ChocolateIsForLife · 29/05/2025 10:46

  1. There will be a booking fee for online bookings or future bookings made at the cabin using your pass.

It says this in the T&Cs. Are you sure you haven’t misunderstood re having to always pay the booking fee as that isn’t what the website seems to say.

In the pass page it says 'You can guarantee your spot online with the £3.95 booking fee per booking, or can try at the cabin on the day (this may involve waiting for the next free spot).' which is why I thought booking in person would avoid the fee. However, when I spoke to an employee they told me this is incorrect and booking at the cabin would also be charged £4.

OP posts:
nomas · 29/05/2025 14:05

Coasterfan · 29/05/2025 10:33

The day Merlin start charging me for parking is the day I give up my annual pass! I know it’s not Merlin but the principle applies.

The parking is extortionate but I guess the booking fee is cheeky but understandable as it’s limited how many people can do a session and if they have a lot of pass holders booking and not turning up they lose a lot of money over the year.

We got annual passes for Twycross zoo this year as part of their visit once return for free for the rest of the year. They do charge for parking every visit but it’s only £3 so I just see it as a day out for £3 really so you could look at it like that.

I get it’s annoying though!

I thought Merlin do charge for parking? Or do they not charge annual pass holders?

Do they charge a booking fee each time?

Original poster
TeachBee · 29/05/2025 14:03

Coasterfan · 29/05/2025 10:33

The day Merlin start charging me for parking is the day I give up my annual pass! I know it’s not Merlin but the principle applies.

The parking is extortionate but I guess the booking fee is cheeky but understandable as it’s limited how many people can do a session and if they have a lot of pass holders booking and not turning up they lose a lot of money over the year.

We got annual passes for Twycross zoo this year as part of their visit once return for free for the rest of the year. They do charge for parking every visit but it’s only £3 so I just see it as a day out for £3 really so you could look at it like that.

I get it’s annoying though!

Apparently they terminate the pass if you book and don't show. If you need to amend your time, there's a £5 fee! 🙄

I completely understand that this is an attraction with limited spaces and therefore they don't want people booking and not showing, but if you're going to book 'at the door' surely that would eliminate the possibility of that as you're already there and committing to that booking.

OP posts:
Original poster
TeachBee · 29/05/2025 13:57

Helloworlditsmeagain · 29/05/2025 11:48

The booking fee is standard. Do you expect the admin department to work for free?

You are still getting a good deal compared to how much you would have paid if you went 5 x a year. You paid for unlimited visits and that on its own is a massive saving. I voted you are being unreasonable.

Show quote history

This is a ridiculous comment in my opinion. 🙄Hundreds of companies all are associated costs and none charge a booking fee! Whilst I get that some places do charge an online fee, which I've happily paid in past, it's usually £1 (or less) and you have the option to chance turning up on the day and seeing what spaces are available to avoid this fee altogether.

OP posts:
nomas · 29/05/2025 13:57

What bastards for misleading people. I wouldn’t give them a penny of my business if I could help it. Are there alternatives around?

Original poster
TeachBee · 29/05/2025 13:55

Viviennemary · 29/05/2025 10:37

Report them to Trading Standards if you feel you have been misled. Sounds like you were.

Thanks! Worth a try I suppose!

OP posts:
TheSwarm · 29/05/2025 13:24

marsal · 29/05/2025 11:22

of course it does. They are not sitting there with a little notebook and a pencil. It's all automated and in all likelihood still has to be entered onto the system even if someone just turns up without booking so that the slot doesn't then get double booked by another person simultaneously booking online.

Show quote history

Entering a row into a database to say person x has booked at time y doesn't cost £4, does it. You might as well say that shops should charge a "putting it through the till" fee.

The cost of the admin to actually get someone through the door should just be built into a standard ticket. It's not like it's optional.

MagpiePi · 29/05/2025 12:02

Coasterfan · 29/05/2025 10:33

The day Merlin start charging me for parking is the day I give up my annual pass! I know it’s not Merlin but the principle applies.

The parking is extortionate but I guess the booking fee is cheeky but understandable as it’s limited how many people can do a session and if they have a lot of pass holders booking and not turning up they lose a lot of money over the year.

We got annual passes for Twycross zoo this year as part of their visit once return for free for the rest of the year. They do charge for parking every visit but it’s only £3 so I just see it as a day out for £3 really so you could look at it like that.

I get it’s annoying though!

I used to live near Twycross and paid for annual membership as it was a few pounds more than for a single visit and under 5s were free; I had two toddlers. I think parking was free too but it was 20+ years ago.

I swear we were the only visitors sometimes during the winter, but it saved my sanity. That and Snibston Discovery park for when the weather was too awful for the zoo.

Helloworlditsmeagain · 29/05/2025 11:48

TeachBee · 29/05/2025 09:45

Whilist I understand you point, I paid for the pass thinking I will go very often (I'm a part time teacher so lots of opportunities on my non-working days as well as school hols) and once I'd paid that would be it. We're on a very tight budget so the additional costs aren't something I had factored in, regardless of if it is a saving compared to not having the pass. The reality is, if I had know I wouldn't have booked at all!

Show quote history

The booking fee is standard. Do you expect the admin department to work for free?

You are still getting a good deal compared to how much you would have paid if you went 5 x a year. You paid for unlimited visits and that on its own is a massive saving. I voted you are being unreasonable.

marsal · 29/05/2025 11:22

TheSwarm · 29/05/2025 11:00

The parking is fair enough, but booking fees in general piss me off. I wouldn't expect to pay that as an annual pass holder.

What's the fee for, exactly? It doesn't cost any company money to note down that person X has booked a certain timeslot at an attraction, or a seat at a gig or whatever, especially in a time when printing off and sending out paper tickets is no longer a thing.

of course it does. They are not sitting there with a little notebook and a pencil. It's all automated and in all likelihood still has to be entered onto the system even if someone just turns up without booking so that the slot doesn't then get double booked by another person simultaneously booking online.

TheSwarm · 29/05/2025 11:00

The parking is fair enough, but booking fees in general piss me off. I wouldn't expect to pay that as an annual pass holder.

What's the fee for, exactly? It doesn't cost any company money to note down that person X has booked a certain timeslot at an attraction, or a seat at a gig or whatever, especially in a time when printing off and sending out paper tickets is no longer a thing.

Digdongdoo · 29/05/2025 10:56

It says right there in the description that there will be a booking fee. When you book anything at all, it tells you all online booking are £3.95. I wouldn't personally pay any of that, or think it's value for money, but I don't think it it is particularly hidden. Most Go Apes don't have their own car parks, so that's nothing to do with them. Try a different location.

marsal · 29/05/2025 10:50

The parking at Sherwood Pines is nothing to do with Go Ape. It is £10.50 for three hours but that charge is a charge for the forestry commission's car park.

Your argument would therefore be analogous to complaining about a cinema annual pass cost because you park at the NCP next door.

ChocolateIsForLife · 29/05/2025 10:46
  1. There will be a booking fee for online bookings or future bookings made at the cabin using your pass.

It says this in the T&Cs. Are you sure you haven’t misunderstood re having to always pay the booking fee as that isn’t what the website seems to say.

marsal · 29/05/2025 10:40

The reality is that at Go Ape you would always want to book your slot anyway otherwise you could easily turn up and not get on at all or at least not get on together at the same time.

Viviennemary · 29/05/2025 10:37

Report them to Trading Standards if you feel you have been misled. Sounds like you were.

ChocolateIsForLife · 29/05/2025 10:36

You can see the availability before you set off so you could avoid the online booking charge. It does mean you’d have to go at less busy times. Can you park further away and not pay. The go apes I’ve been to don’t charge for parking.

edited as I’ve reread and agree that the wording is misleading if you have to pay the booking fee even if you wait at the cabin.

Bonsaibaby · 29/05/2025 10:35

If it were for chatsworth or something the booking fee would be unreasonable but I do think using it to secure a specific time slot on the course is more understandable and holds you to it.

Bonsaibaby · 29/05/2025 10:33

Can you use it at different go apes? The one in Sherwood pines has nothing to do with the parking arrangement. The booking fee is more like to guarantee your time slot. I would just turn up and have a go

Coasterfan · 29/05/2025 10:33

The day Merlin start charging me for parking is the day I give up my annual pass! I know it’s not Merlin but the principle applies.

The parking is extortionate but I guess the booking fee is cheeky but understandable as it’s limited how many people can do a session and if they have a lot of pass holders booking and not turning up they lose a lot of money over the year.

We got annual passes for Twycross zoo this year as part of their visit once return for free for the rest of the year. They do charge for parking every visit but it’s only £3 so I just see it as a day out for £3 really so you could look at it like that.

I get it’s annoying though!

dogcatkitten · 29/05/2025 10:31

marsal · 29/05/2025 10:21

You would always have paid for the parking though so it's a non point.

The £4 fee is annoying but again it is something you would have paid regardless of whether you purchased the annual pass

Parking is free at some attractions, like Whipsnade zoo, taking your car into the park is an arm and a leg though.

How can there be a booking fee if you are paying at the door on the day?