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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to think that a"quoted" price should stand?

10 replies

MrsSawyer · 13/07/2010 15:43

Ive booked DS 4th birthday party in a (family friendly) pub and they quoted me £5.95 per child which includes:
Napkin, plates, cups etc (all in a TV charater theme!), a meal and ice cream and juice and PARTY BAGS!

They have now just phoned to tell me that that they need a £30 deposit and its now £6.99 per child as party bags are extra!

AIBU to thinkt that if they quote a price then they should stick to it? I feel like they quoted a price so I would book it, and then put up the price.

Ive invited everyone so now cancelling and changing the venue would be a PITA.

Am I being stupid?

OP posts:

scurryfunge · 13/07/2010 15:47

Re negotiate with them and maybe meet them half way if you really don't want to cancel. Otherwise if you don't mind running the risk, tell them you are only willing to pay what you quoted. You could also do without the party bags and provide your own (cheaper than a pound each?

Dropdeadfred · 13/07/2010 15:48

If you are sure they included that in he orginal quote you could phone back and explain that you are not happy.
£7 is alot considering it's just a pub

LittleMissHissyFit · 13/07/2010 15:53

When did you book this?

When is the party for, and how much time has elapsed between the booking and now?

AFAIAC, the original quote is what you should pay. If you have this written down, then they can't charge you extra.

I'd be inclined to do the party bags yourself then... good thinking scurry!

Original poster

MrsSawyer · 13/07/2010 16:01

I booked it 3 weeks ago, wrote everything down as she was telling me what was included and the party is 9th august.

I told her that when she quoted me the original £5.95 that it included party bags, she said "I thought it was and then I spoke to my manager and its an extra charge"

Im gonna send my DH tonight to negotiate the charge, just cause hes mouthier better at the things than I am.

OP posts:

BunnyBaby · 13/07/2010 16:22

YANBU - an estimate is just an estimate, a quote is a fixed agreed price!

lazarusb · 13/07/2010 17:26

Stand your ground- sounds like they are taking advantage of parents in a difficult position (ie. being forced to cancel a child's party). They've got you over a barrel and it's their mistake, not yours.

Diamondback · 13/07/2010 18:14

Legally, an estimate is flexible/negotiable, a quote is set in stone.

Original poster

MrsSawyer · 14/07/2010 08:22

Thanks everyone, my DH wouldnt go as we have not had a quote in writing, just what I wrote down as she was telling me over the phone, and he said they will simply deny having said that the PB were included, so I'm not sure what to do now.

Have to go this week to pay the deposit so will talk to them then I guess.

Thanks again.

OP posts:

gillybean2 · 14/07/2010 09:00

You have written notes of what ws agreed? Date, time you phoned, who you spoke to?
And you also have notes again of who you spoke to, date, time etc and what was said when they rang back about the change in price quoted? They can't argue that you misunderstood or be vague about who you spoke to if the person admitted they were incorrect to include party bags in the price.

I think if you pushed it and refused to pay the extra you would have a good chance of them having to back down rather than take you to small claims.

Problem is they probably want the full payment now and may withhold party bags and/pr cause a stink at the party making it miserable for you all and upsetting your ds.

At 4yrs old I think your own party bags may be an idea. You can get really cheap bags at a pound shop and fill with ballon/blower, bubble mix and a lolly. Kids normally v happy with that.

Starbuck999 · 14/07/2010 10:55

I do think it's a bit cheeky as she has admitted her mistake therefore the pub should honour the original price even if it was quoted in error.

However, I can't see how you can make a decent party bag for less than £1 per child - that's really cheap! By the time you but the bags even a really simple budget bag would need say a small toy, bubbles a balloon and a sweetie - that's easily over a £1 each - even with poundland stuff! I love making up party bags and spend ages on Ebay and similar before the party buying nice things to put in. Personally I think if you aren't going to do decent ones with more than just the plastic crappy tat in then it's better not to do them at all as the kids just eat the crap sweets and parents have to then throw away the plastic tat. Just give them a nice slice of birthday cake to take home!

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