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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to want to complain to this soft play place?

24 replies

thisisyesterday · 28/02/2011 20:33

cos I can't decide if I am or not!

a new-ish soft play place near here has a "toddler morning" on a couple of days a week. This special offer includes a free lunch box worth £3.95

My 2 youngest children are both dairy and egg intolerant, so we are used to not being able to get stuff to eat in places, but I figured I'd have a look anyway.

They made me up 2 jam sandwiches with no butter, that was fine.
But the only other things they could have (it was a pick-n-mix type thing) was fruit and vegetables.

they had 2 flavours of crisps, tomato or cheese, but both flavours had milk powder in. They also sell ready salted crisps seperately, but would not let me have those in the lunchbox instead.

they had 3 different kinds of milk chocolate biscuit.
They also sell those little packets of normal biscuits with 3 in a pack and I asked if I could have one of those instead of a chocolate biscuit or even if I could have one and split it between both the lunchboxes.
they said no, if i wanted them i'd have to buy them.

Now, this just seems really mean to me! one packet of cheap biscuits costs less to them than 2 penguins surely?

I do realise though that the lunchbox was free, and so in some way I feel like I can't complain about them having nothing suitable. I could have bought the children something else, but then I thought well why should I? it isn't my fault they have intolerances and yet I have to pay for a meal while everyone else gets one free

I am known for getting quite stressed by stuff like this though, so I can't decide whether or not to write to them and say that I think their provision for children with allergies/intolerances is poor or not?

OP posts:

Doodlez · 28/02/2011 20:35

I wouldn't get stressed about it but a polite letter might actually educate/help them become more inclusive and extra child-friendly.

LaurieFairyCake · 28/02/2011 20:36

weeeeeel you have a point that they are not catering to children with allergies/intolerances

but the food is so utterly shit sounding anyway you're not missing much

Write away, it might do some good. And I'm sure you already have a handbag full of dairy free stuff to supplement if it happens again.

LadyBiscuit · 28/02/2011 20:36

Were the ready salted crisps the same brand/size as the packs they were offering? If so, then YANBU. Nor about the chocolate biscuits.

Maybe if it's just started out, you were talking to a member of staff who didn't feel comfortable bending the rules but I'd write to the management if I were you. My local place caters for all manner of food intolerances - I think they have to nowadays really

Cher87 · 28/02/2011 20:36

yanbu. I too think they should have made more of an effort to accomidate your DC's needs. I would complain too!

lockets · 28/02/2011 20:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HecateQueenOfWitches · 28/02/2011 20:37

I think it would be worth writing a nice letter, asking them to please consider children will allergies.

Original poster

thisisyesterday · 28/02/2011 20:39

lockets, yes... was treasure chest.

i kind of feel like they'll come back and say "well we do cater for them, they can have a jacket potato" or something like that.
which is true. but i do think it's unfair that my kids can't get the free lunchbox that others can

the food IS shit. the crisps they give in the lunchboxes say 15p in the corner of them lol

they also wanted to charge me £2.50 for a jug of squash!!!

OP posts:

LaurieFairyCake · 28/02/2011 20:44

you're missing a trick - what you do is take the free food then hide it and eat it all yourself later

then give your kids the jam sandwich and a dairy free biccy you have in your purse

that way you get to eat the penguins and crisps

Original poster

thisisyesterday · 28/02/2011 20:47

Laurie you might be onto something there. I'll need both boxes worth that's for sure. the portion of grapes was only FOUR grapes! lol

OP posts:

BuzzLiteBeer · 28/02/2011 20:49

I don't think you can complain that the free food is not suitable for your childrens allergies. And I have at least one allergic child (not sure about a second yet).

PfftTheMagicDragon · 28/02/2011 20:50

The lunch box is not free, it is included in the price. YOu have paid for it when you paid for your admittance.

Laurie is right though

Firawla · 28/02/2011 20:51

I think yabu really, they are offering the free lunchbox its not their fault you don't want to/can't take up the offer, and they did make them a jam sandwich so have made an effort to accommodate them. No it's not your fault your children have allergies but it's not theirs either

chinook · 28/02/2011 20:55

Is this the Treasure Chest in Crawley? I was in there today and was told we couldn't have the 'free' lunch box as it was an inset day. And don't get me started on the 2 hour thing....

YANBU definitely complain.

3littlebadgers · 28/02/2011 20:58

YANBU You have a right to have your child's need met. Write a letter it might not only make things easier for your family in the future but also other families too.

BuzzLiteBeer · 28/02/2011 20:59

but what if I go in and tell them I want a lunch box for my lactose intolerant wheat free oat free coeliac who can't have fruit or juices? Would you be surprised if they didn't have a free lunchbox suitable?

If you feel its a case of inflexibility or poor staff training, sure write a note. If you think its because they should be obliged to give free food to all people regardless of their specific needs then YABU.

Original poster

thisisyesterday · 28/02/2011 21:01

chinook, yes it is!

we didn't have an inset day today either

OP posts:

Original poster

thisisyesterday · 28/02/2011 21:02

i guess my issue buzz, is that they COULD have provided me with other items. they just chose not to.

if I ran a place like that I'd like to think that I would do my best to provide appropriate things for people with allergies/intolerances

OP posts:

BuzzLiteBeer · 28/02/2011 21:08

I would too, seems stupid not to really. But, you know, no obligation to.

Original poster

thisisyesterday · 28/02/2011 21:10

absolutely.

maybe I will write a letter just pointing out that maybe they could improve it, rather than complaining?

OP posts:

PfftTheMagicDragon · 28/02/2011 21:18

I would say it is fair to write a letter suggsting that they stock a wider range of items for the lunchboxes. They can't cater for everyone, but it makes good customer service sense to stick in plain biscuit, or fruit instead of crisps, or other suitable items.

I wouldn't complain - it's not about they pandering to your needs, but it makes sense for them to vary what they put in the boxes.

BuzzLiteBeer · 28/02/2011 21:21

More flies with honey and all that....

worraliberty · 28/02/2011 21:31

But is the honey organic?

chinook · 28/02/2011 21:45

thisisyesterday I have seen your posts and didn't know you were local. Don't worry you won't know me. I have been unable to post for the last 12 months as I usually have a sleeping ds on my knee while I lurk.

I think you are right to suggest an improvement. The manageress was saying today her staff were a little inflexible. I just asked at he front desk for an extra 5 minutes at the end of my allotted 2 hours so the dc's could finish their lunch and was told no. Even after pointing out that I had spent 20 minutes of my 2 hours queuing to get in. The lady in charge came and apologised and let me stay. It is a new business so I am sure she would like some feedback.

Original poster

thisisyesterday · 28/02/2011 22:26

maybe we should have a meet-up at treasure chest chinook! lol

OP posts:

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