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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to be annoyed my daughter’s party package changed last minute?

84 replies

cakeandparty · 15/07/2026 13:38

I booked my DDs party over six months ago, paying a deposit. It’s quite pricey but included all the catering and balloons, party bags and cake so I thought all I had to do was show up.

I’ve called them a few times to settle the balance but the manager has never been in. I finally got through to her today and she casually said that they no longer include cake or party bags. I asked when this changed and the reply was march.

The party is on Saturday. I have two days now to sort a cake and party bags. When I pointed this out she said that she could sort the party bags but unfortunately not the cake.

It isn’t that I can’t get one; I can, although it’s a pain, but I just think I could so easily have turned up on the day and had neither cake nor party bags (as I can pay on the day; it’s just easier to get it all sorted beforehand.)

Feeling a bit stressed at what a near miss it was, to be honest!

OP posts:
Original poster
cakeandparty · 15/07/2026 13:48

JustJoinedRightNow · 15/07/2026 13:47

Take a screenshot of that, email it to their head office and ask for a refund.

It’s a small local business so no head office as such.

OP posts:
Original poster
cakeandparty · 15/07/2026 13:48

12234m · 15/07/2026 13:45

My son's party was a complete shambles. Pizza burnt and raw, took ages, cake not big enough for all the invited children. Had paid a deposit and wasn't asked to pay the balance. You'd be a fool not to ask for some money off as you booked and accepted the price on the basis there would be a cake.

Well, I certainly wouldn’t describe myself as a ‘fool’. I don’t like being difficult to deal with. I will politely ask but am more inclined to vote with my feet. It’s a shame as it’s at a place we’ve always enjoyed going to but I do feel a little taken advantage of. It’s partly the casual attitude towards it but it’s also the fact that you make a booking in good faith understanding that you’re paying for X Y and Z and then suddenly X and Y aren’t included.

I’m worried if I make too much of a fuss they might just cancel the whole booking though and obviously don’t want that!

OP posts:
JustJoinedRightNow · 15/07/2026 13:47

Take a screenshot of that, email it to their head office and ask for a refund.

Original poster
cakeandparty · 15/07/2026 13:45

Latenightreader · 15/07/2026 13:44

Was the change communicated to you in March? If not you should definitely be requesting a discount as you are not receiving the package you booked.

No, it wasn’t. The first I heard of it was today and I’m not sure she’d have told me if I hadn’t asked. The website still says they include cake and party bags too.

OP posts:
12234m · 15/07/2026 13:45

My son's party was a complete shambles. Pizza burnt and raw, took ages, cake not big enough for all the invited children. Had paid a deposit and wasn't asked to pay the balance. You'd be a fool not to ask for some money off as you booked and accepted the price on the basis there would be a cake.

Latenightreader · 15/07/2026 13:44

Was the change communicated to you in March? If not you should definitely be requesting a discount as you are not receiving the package you booked.

Original poster
cakeandparty · 15/07/2026 13:42

Thanks, I probably will suck it up as I don’t want to be moaning on DDs birthday! Just really irritating and I do think some conciliatory words (and an offer of some money off!) would have helped. As it was they were so offhand about it as if it was a really tiny thing like ‘oh yes we don’t give out free ice creams any more’ but the cake and party bags are kind of important (to the children anyway.)

OP posts:
MyArtfulGreySloth · 15/07/2026 13:41

Did they say why? Explain why no one notified you? No apology?

StormGazing · 15/07/2026 13:40

I hope you’re taking the cost of the cake off the bill! Personally I’d suck it up, and write a review that their lack of communication and changing goalposts is pretty poor