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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think parents lying about their child's age to get cheaper tickets is wrong?

252 replies

Liketochat1 · 25/07/2012 15:29

The swimming thread got me thinking about a chat I was having the other day. Parents were saying they lie about their child's age to get cheaper or free tickets to parks, zoos, shows etc... They claim their children are under 5, 3 or whatever when they aren't.
AIBU to think this lying is wrong and unfair or is it just to be expected?

OP posts:

WorraLiberty · 25/07/2012 18:24

I've done this loads of times

WhyAndBother · 25/07/2012 18:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BoneyBackJefferson · 25/07/2012 18:25

Becareful when doing this on public transport as the ticket is (i am led to believe) also your insurance, if you have the wrong ticket you are not insured.

thekidsrule · 25/07/2012 18:28

ive always done it,be it a bus, swimming,theme parks

do i feel bad,like hell do i

just find it annoying when they were clearly to big to get away with it anymore

lol

BikeRunSki · 25/07/2012 18:29

Height is not fair either though. DS was charged full price (£17!!!!) Diggerland when he was 2.6 because he was over 90cm, then only allowed on about 3 rides because they were not insured for under threes.

amothersplaceisinthewrong · 25/07/2012 18:31

All that will happen is that the prices will go up for everyone.... it is stealing and not the best example to set to kids.

usualsuspect · 25/07/2012 18:36

Oh well ,meh

CovMum · 25/07/2012 18:40

I wouldn't do it as I feel too guilty. However at Drayton Manor and Cadbury World I was told by the staff that my child was younger than they were so got in free. I didn't argue with them.

WorraLiberty · 25/07/2012 18:42

I don't believe the price goes up for everyone just because parents 'extend' their kids ages for a year or two.

Most of these places give 2 for 1 deals at quiet times of the year

If anything pushes the prices up, it's that.

GhostShip · 25/07/2012 18:44

I'd do it.

Only because these places need to make their minds us with what is classed as a child or adult.

bogeyface · 25/07/2012 18:46

Yep I have done it, yep I will still do it.

There are far worse things to do, and I dont give a toss who gets judgey about it. Get over yourselves with your "stealing, immoral, lying, bad example" rubbish. If theme parks didnt take the piss with prices, ditto trains buses etc then no one would do it.

bogeyface · 25/07/2012 18:46

That should have been "take the piss with kids prices"

DowagersHump · 25/07/2012 18:47

Height stuff with rides is much better - I'm not willing to pay for a load of rides that DS can't go on. Themeparks should always charge by height IMO because that has such a direct correlation with the rides you're allowed on.

I don't lie about most stuff - I accidentally forgot to buy a train ticket for DS recently but actually with a F&F railcard, it's cheaper than paying for me and him going free

Hulababy · 25/07/2012 18:49

A fair few places have staff that actually encourage you to do it! I remember in new York that DD was supposed to pay to go on the train but the staff said not to - not one person told us to pay that week when it came to the public transport infact!

DD's never looked younger than her age though and is quite tall so could rarely get away with it for her even if we wanted to. Besides when longer she'd have probably declared her real age for all to hear!

Think my parents did it a fair bit when we were little especially as me and my brother were tiny for our age and looked ever so young for ages.

I think for theme parks it should be height based - linked to the rides they have inside. I also think that pregnant women shouldn't have to pay full there too though.

Mind - Disney you have to pay full adult price from 11!

thekidsrule · 25/07/2012 18:53

so those that do not do this because its stealing etc,do you take your own drinks and snacks to soft play,pubs,resturants that make it clear only their food and beverage should be consumed on the premises

do you buy everything on that premises then

not even slip a packet of raisins through,i doubt it

LeandarBear · 25/07/2012 18:54

I have never done this but I often ask if my DC can have a kids ticket even though they are technically over the age limit. I used to do this a lot when I took them skiing and often the cashier would agree. . I think they were so used to people obviously lying that they took pity on me and appreciated my honesty.

When I asked I would show some proof of age so they knew I 100% telling the truth.

I don't know if this would work in UK theme parks though.

I would worry that if I lied about this in front of the DC's they would see that it is acceptable to lie and steal.

my 'honesty' was nothing to do with the fact my kids were all tall and I would never have got away with lying anyhow

DeWe · 25/07/2012 19:11

I have a certain sympathy with people that go somewhere like Legoland and doesngrade their child's age. Because it is very expensive and if you go with a 3yo you're going on their rides for their benefit-and you have to buy a ticket for you too.
I've recommended a parent price/annual card before now for them to try. The idea would be that you get the child's ticket/pass and then you have one that is valid only with that child or up to 3 named children for a nominal fee.
I also think height is much better than age. Firstly because most rides go by height and so it makes sense to pay more when the child can go on the rides. Secondly because you can't get away with it as easily.

I think though if you lie about the age to get in you then shouldn't change the age to get on the ride you want. So that if you've said they are under 3 to get in, then you don't say they're 3 so they can go on the driving school. They're getting wily there though, they'll often ast to see tickets.

LesleyPumpshaft · 25/07/2012 19:16

My parents used to do this. They were both teachers and "respectable". I would say it's fair game for everyone if a couple of teachers would do it.

LesleyPumpshaft · 25/07/2012 19:19

My parents used to do this and they were "respectable" teachers by profession. I would say it's fair game if even teachers are doing it.

Booette · 25/07/2012 19:21

Ds5 has just turned 5 and is short for his age so he's still 4 on public transport. It's very annoying when a 12 year old is considered an adult. What world are they in that 12 is an adult? This is why we rarely go out as a family (that and family tickets that are only for 2 adults 2 children)

Like others have said we probably wouldn't go at all if we had to pay full price.

paradisechick · 25/07/2012 23:21

And surely if attractions felt it was a problem they'd tackle it.

teenagedreams · 25/07/2012 23:24

I'm a teacher and I do it too

ReindeerBollocks · 25/07/2012 23:25

My children were always every articulate from an early age (about 18 months onwards). They would have been very honest if I'd tried to lie about their ages. Especially DS1 as he is tiny and I would probably get away with it, if only he wasn't so bloody obstinate that he was 3/5/7 !

perfectstorm · 25/07/2012 23:26

I'd be too scared of being caught, but not for a theme park, no. Tiny kids can't use most of the rides but WILL want the food and treats etc, so I think it's a bit of a cheek charging. I'd be happier if they did it by height (and my kid is very tall, so I'm not being selfish there) as it would reflect how much use and therefore wear and tear/supervision the park had to pay for.

When it comes to public transport I think under 12s with an adult should be free as a way to encourage its use. Private cars are tempting when taking a family on a train costs so much.

maytheoddsbeeverinyourfavour · 25/07/2012 23:31

Im another one who hates the adult prices for older children, especially when they have to pay an adult price at 12 but also aren't allowed to unaccompanied so they have to have a 'real' adult with them

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