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Original poster

Refused deposit for cancelling party

61 replies

Computer125 · 19/03/2020 17:48

I have cancelled the venue for my daughters party due to ccoronavirus . The party was meant to be this Sunday 22nd March. However they are refusing to give me back my £60 deposit. I automatically thought i would get it back as its unusual circumstances. Not sure what i can do. Any suggestions ? Thanks

OP posts:
FireUnderpants · 19/03/2020 19:33

DS had his party booked for Saturday and DDs was last Sunday. Both were cancelled and, thank fuck, both venues are willing to slot us in in the future. I can completely understand if they had turned around and said 'tough luck'.

Smellbellina · 19/03/2020 19:34

It’s a deposit of course you don’t get it back.

saraclara · 19/03/2020 19:34

You don't seem to understand what a deposit is, OP.

MauriceandAlec · 19/03/2020 19:37

Maybe they don't want a bloody loan from the government to put them in debt. The cancellation policy is just that. You agreed to the T&C, you accepted them, so there's no reason why they should refund deposits.

DifficultPifcultLemonDifficult · 19/03/2020 19:37

From my understanding, if you cancel your event you wont get the deposit back.

I think I would have held out for them to cancel, then you would have had your deposit returned to you, as that would have been their choice, not yours.

MauriceandAlec · 19/03/2020 19:37

The virus is no more their fault than yours.

Wineislifex · 19/03/2020 19:38

They will be able to get a loan from the gov't and still take my money.

How self centred are you! Peoples businesses are going under and your complaining about losing a deposit! Just be grateful that it’s not the full amount with 48hours cancellation notice!

mathanxiety · 19/03/2020 19:39

It's sharp practice on their part.

They're going out of business anyway and they feel they have nothing to lose by keeping your money. No reputation to be trashed, no company office to send a legal complaint to..

Bluntness100 · 19/03/2020 19:44

You think they should take out a loan and give you your deposit back? Hmm

RoseAndRose · 19/03/2020 19:46

I think they should offer you the chance to pick a new date (without having to pay another deposit). Buoys goodwill, and gets customers back after the hard times.

Keeping a few deposits isn't going to save a business. Keeping your customers feeling warm towards you, and getting them back through the door later, might be the most importsntnsteps that can be taken now.

heartsonacake · 19/03/2020 19:47

They will be able to get a loan from the gov't and still take my money.

Don’t be so silly.

MauriceandAlec · 19/03/2020 19:48

But Rose, it's also not good business sense to try to keep impossible to please, entitled and demanding customers who end up being more trouble than worth as well.

BettyIsMyFavouriteSquirrel · 19/03/2020 19:59

It’s a sunk cost, they’ll be losing a lot more than that so let it go.

Think of it this way, if your family had woken up with a vomiting bug on the day of the party you would still have cancelled and you’d expect to lose your deposit.

Original poster
Computer125 · 19/03/2020 20:07

They have offeted to change the date but i dont really know when that can be and its not the same to have a party a few months after your bday. For all those of you that think im self centered then thats thats an eye opener , i never thought of myself that way. Its not just businesses that are affected financially but individuals aswell.

OP posts:
PlatoAteMySnozcumber · 19/03/2020 20:10

We booked a party at a venue that has taken the responsible stance and closed for three weeks. They have therefore cancelled but I will still told to pick a new date and no offer to return the payment, I paid in full in advance. I haven’t asked as I will just reschedule to a later date but just to give you an idea of how these things seem to be being handled.

Nicknacky · 19/03/2020 20:12

Just change the date. Businesses are going to the wall left right and centre and if it helps them with cash flow, then change the date.

It’s not the end of the world that you didn’t get a kids birthday.

ilovesooty · 19/03/2020 20:15

So they offered to change the date? They've done more than enough.

Original poster
Computer125 · 19/03/2020 20:15

Thanks for all your feedback. I know i can rely on mumsnet for honest advice. This is the only place i come to when im unsure.

OP posts:
AlexaAmbidextra · 19/03/2020 20:17

its not the same to have a party a few months after your bday.

Well it wouldn’t have been the same even if you’d got your deposit back surely?

rookiemere · 19/03/2020 20:17

Look it's just bad luck unfortunately. If they were convinced they'd see through the current crisis then they could have offered it against future business, but they're perhaps not. The government money is a loan which has to be paid back in the future.

I lost the entire cost of my ski holiday as I chose not to fly out on Thursday. When France went into lockdown on Sunday I emailed the company to see if they would reconsider and refund me something- not hotel costs, but unused lift pass that they presumably didn't have to pay for or got some refund for. I would even have been happy with the offer of a small discount on next years trip. But no.

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 19/03/2020 20:19

Why would you think you would get it back. Government haven't forced them to shut, they didn't cancel, you did.

whattodo2019 · 19/03/2020 20:19

A deposit is usually non refundable??

fairgroundsnack · 19/03/2020 20:19

I’ve paid in full for a party for my son in April. I doubt it will go ahead but I’ll book for another date later. Might not be near his birthday but it’s still a party! I wouldn’t expect the company to return the money.

whattodo2019 · 19/03/2020 20:20

Why not ask them to move the deposit for when you can re book.

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 19/03/2020 20:21

Even if they were forced to close, I'm not sure if you would be entitled to the deposit back.