It's the principal, not the money

[bigpaws]

Keeping it as brief as possible -
My DD missed her school trip last week due to being unwell. I have asked the school for a refund of my trip money. Having asked twice, I was told it is being considered and someone will call you.
I am pissed off they haven't rung me to give an answer - do I take that as 'you cheeky cow, fancy asking'. But part of me thinks 'it was a voluntary contribution - why should I make donations towards school trips in the future?'
Please be honest and tell me if IABU?

[ENormaSnob]

Yabu

[CloudsAndTrees]

Yabvu.

Would you really give your clients a refund if you had done all the preparation to provide your service, you were wiling and able to provide your service at the agreed time, and then they failed to turn up as planned for some reason?

It's probably taking them a while to consider it because they have never come across a parent this cheeky before.

Quite often places that offer free entry still make a charge for school trips because they provide a lunch room or a person to host them.

[MortifiedAdams]

If you are struggling with the daily cost of living then why pay in the first place if it was voluntary?

[ParsleyTheLioness]

OP, YABU for reasons others have said. And its called a voluntary contribution, because it is not mandatory. Not to spare feelings, though this may be a good side -effect. But if nobody paid, they wouldn't be able to go anywhere, would they.

[IntheFrame]

If it's classed as part of curriculum then they have a duty to provide the trip for free and can ask for contributions. Obviously if there isn't enough voluntary contributions the trip can be pulled or the school makes it up.

I think you should get a refund. School is a service to you, not you funding the school. It's not compulsory and your donation was voluntary.

£15 is really expensive if it's just for a coach.

[ImTooHecsyForYourParty]

But they didn't fail to provide a service.

The trip ran. your daughter didn't go.

That's not the same thing at all.

I am also self employed. If I was running something and someone didn't show up - I would still bill them. If I didn't show up, then I'd refund them!

[hobnobsaremyfavourite]

They provided a service .
You did not provide a daughter.
YABU

[LIZS]

So it is about the money really. If they refunded you the cost of the travel even though the seat was presumably empty then next time they hire a 30-seater the cost goes up by another 50p per head to balance the books - is that fair ?

[kukeslala]

YABU

The school didn't fail to meet any of their side of the "contract".

Also do schools ask for voluntary contributions, as they not allowed to exclude children who may not be able to pay? Im not sure but think I remember someone saying that's why they were worded like that.

If you have other issues with the school, concentrate on those.

[Birdsgottafly]

YABU, for all the reasons stated. Do you also realise the extent of what schools have to deal with, these days? To expect an instant reply is totally unreasonable. Also, what other issues do you want communication over? You would be best going to see the relevant staff member. Do you get involved with fundraising or volunteering, at all? this is were the extra money for trips comes from.

[lljkk]

I would think you were more reasonable if you asked for half back. So you & school each equally take the pain.

[PiHigh]

YABU. The school didn't prevent your child going or fail to priovide the service, you kept your DD at home because she was unwell.

Dd1 missed her first school trip because she was unwell. It didn't enter my head to ask for the money back because they would have already spent it expecting her to go. As it happened, lots of children were off ill with the same bug and we got some money back (the entrance price to the museum but NOT the travel costs - I presume the museum only charged on the day for children who were there)

[fedupofnamechanging]

I think you should get a refund. The school would have had to hire the same size coach regardless of whether your dd attended the trip. Your child couldn't go, through no fault of her own and £15 is a bit steep for something your child didn't get the benefit of.

If they don't refund, then view it as money 'owed' and don't pay next time.

I feel strongly that schools should consider the financial situations of families a little bit more than some of them do.