Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to think the church organist deserves to burn for this?!

172 replies

purpleloosestrife · 16/05/2012 20:09

I'm getting married this summer, but everybody in the village knows the local church organist is awful and sounds like Les Dawson playing the piano on a GOOD day.

Anyway, I rang him - and he told me that he was on holiday on my wedding day.

(whilst secretly extremely happy & punching the air) I oh so tactfully and very politely said what a shame and said not to worry as I would organise someone else, and really hoped he enjoyed his holiday. All very nice... but then just as i was ringing off and saying my goodbyes......

Right, he said, now about my fee....I said what fee, you're not even going to be in the country so won't be playing at my wedding??? to which he replied... it is £100 regardless.

He's not even going to be there or play and I have to pay him £100 !!!!

I've had to also pay a second (professional) organist - who incidentally only charges £80 which also includes his travel and an hour of practise ( on a strange organ ooh er !!) before the wedding. So the local organist is overcharging as well as fleecing me!!!

AIBU to think a regular church goer should actually have more christian values????

Oh and he wants it in cash and seemed EXTREMELY put out when I said I would only pay him if he gave me a dated itemised invoice for tax purposes.

OP posts:
5318008 · 16/05/2012 20:11

YANBU at ALL good grief

squeakytoy · 16/05/2012 20:11

How the heck can he demand payment for something that he isnt going to be doing... ???

bruxeur · 16/05/2012 20:11

Just say no.

UnChartered · 16/05/2012 20:12

tell him to swing his hassock elsewhere and use a CD player?

ToothbrushThief · 16/05/2012 20:12

Refuse. What's he going to do? I'd also inform the tax office.... and discuss it with the vicar

GetTheeToANunnery · 16/05/2012 20:13

Yanbu! Cheeky bastard, why should he get paid for a job he's not doing?!

Glitterkitten24 · 16/05/2012 20:13

Why on earth would you need to pay him if he's not there/ playing?
Do you think he's trying to pull a fast one?

YANBU that seems crazy for you to have to pay twice!

eeden · 16/05/2012 20:13
Shock
jade80 · 16/05/2012 20:14

Laugh in his face...

anonacfr · 16/05/2012 20:14

Do not pay him!!!! Specially seeing as he's asking for cash. And talk to the vicar.

NorksAreMessy · 16/05/2012 20:14

just dont pay.
easy

bruxeur · 16/05/2012 20:14

I think a good christian like him would welcome your decision to drop a line to HMRC - render unto Caesar etc etc.

Tee2072 · 16/05/2012 20:15

I hope you're not actually going to pay him! To do what? For the use of the organ? Doesn't it belong to the church?

Quite the scam he's got going there.

Ithinkitsjustme · 16/05/2012 20:15

I would definitely mention it to the vicar, I can see that he may think he is entitled to holiday pay (just about) but the invoice thing sounds well dodgy

mynewpassion · 16/05/2012 20:15

Not burn worthy, imo. Talk to the church to see if this their policy.

Sarcalogos · 16/05/2012 20:16

Dont pay and tip off the vicar.

That is outrageous.

HecateTrivia · 16/05/2012 20:16

What are you paying him for? Is it his organ? How does he justify charging you?

I suggest you go to the vicar and complain and ask the vicar to explain why you have to pay this money.

NamesKerry · 16/05/2012 20:16

Definitely do not pay, even if he gives you a dated itemised bill will bells on. Cheeky git

magoosmom · 16/05/2012 20:17

This is very common in Catholic Churches especially Cathedrals. The organist is employed by the church for all weddings etc so you have to pay regardless of whether you want them/they are available . I agree it's very unfair but I've come up against it myself and have heard it happening to others too.

bruxeur · 16/05/2012 20:17

Is it his organ?

snurk

cory · 16/05/2012 20:18

Agree: check policy with vicar. Given his reluctance to send a proper bill I imagine this is his own private little scam and that the church would never have seen any of that money.

QuintessentialShadows · 16/05/2012 20:18

Church organ rental fee?

Speak to the vicar.

Annunziata · 16/05/2012 20:19

I have never heard of that in my life magoosmum! That's shocking!

SecretNutellaFix · 16/05/2012 20:19

Speak to the vicar about how he is trying to rob you.

AKMD · 16/05/2012 20:19

What?! Good grief, YANBU. Talk to the priest/vicar.