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Original poster

Reptoparty cancelled on the day and no refund - anyone else?

112 replies

Reptilefanmum · 10/07/2016 22:45

I have namechanged as I'm a regular user and Reptoparty have my details. We booked Reptoparty six weeks before my son's birthday party using their 50% off parties offer on Facebook. He was recommended by a colleague and there are a number of reviews, photos etc on Facebook so I had no reason to be concerned. I paid the total requested by bank transfer, communication was very quick and it was all sorted.

Two days before the party I again messaged Reptoparty to confirm the booking was all in order and received a reply to say they were coming.

At 8am on the day of the party, I got a text message to say three of the reptiles had come down with a respiratory illness so he would have to cancel the party as he couldn't risk the others getting ill. As we had already arranged a party with all his school friends we asked if he could at least bring a few of the reptiles who were well enough as my son was extremely disappointed. He said he would see after going to the vet.

In the meantime I began calling other reptile party organisers, and was surprised to find this was an extremely common problem for Reptoparty and they had all received a number of similar phone calls from people who had been let down on the day. Several of them sent messages saying (direct quotes) 'He is giving us all a bad name' 'Let's just say that name does not surprise me' 'Had quite a few people contact me lately in the same boat and by same company'.

He later messaged to cancel and promised a refund which has not materialised after a week. He has also now blocked me on Facebook which I realised after trying to send a message today.

Anyone else had a similar experience or know how I can get a refund? Fortunately I was able to find another entertainer who saved the day but it was very expensive and stressful. I am shocked that someone would callously cancel a child's party on the day leaving parents high and dry. If it was an exceptional emergency of course that would be different but it seems to be commonplace and i have found several other reviews online with the same complaint.

OP posts:
Mummyme1987 · 04/09/2016 17:36

Sounds like he works when he feels like it and if he doesn't he keeps the money. Shady.

SolomanDaisy · 04/09/2016 17:46

Wow, you felt so happy with your party that you joined Mumsnet to say so and it's all you've commented on! It must have been great.

Feenie · 04/09/2016 17:48

Interesting first post, Jess. Hmm

RichardBucket · 04/09/2016 17:53

I'm glad Jess bumped. I didn't see this thread first time round, and now I know never to book this company. Thanks, Jess!

wonderwoo · 04/09/2016 18:17

Your bump helped me out too Jess. I now know to avoid this company too. Thanks! Hope you got a refund in the end OP

tash640 · 06/09/2016 18:14

2 x friends in the Croydon area had their child's party cancelled on the morning of the party. We shared this on twitter etc but he just blocks you etc . I have a successful blog and will be posting on there with tags etc. Lowest of the low

lazydog · 06/09/2016 18:36

Ugh!! I just went and had a nosey at their facebook page. There are photos of his reptiles wandering (or slithering, in the case of a burmese python!) on the rugs of a preschool. So, even if he's ensuring all those kids take proper hand washing precautions after touching the reptiles (unlikely) there's still going to be a high chance of salmonella having been shed all over the non-washable surface of the rugs that the young kids sit and play on...

RhiWrites · 06/09/2016 18:42

Hi Dan Jess! Nothing like a single positive experience to cancel out hundreds of negative ones. Oh wait...

Ribbityfrogand3 · 07/09/2016 07:52

Dan Jess also commented the same thing on my Repto party thread here too...no shame

tash640 · 10/09/2016 18:27

Dear Dan oh sorry Jess - here's a thought when you book a party and take the person's money turn up! Not that hard quite simple really then you won't have all this ball ache of having to monitor social media constantly. Simples

tash640 · 13/09/2016 19:03

I have written a blog post here with all links to references to him cancelling on the day - littered all over the internet. One woman contacted me (he deleted her post after 3 hours he cancelled on day letting down 16 children and had happened to another woman for the same time. You won't find anything bad on his fb page as he blocks and deletes well he can't block my blog and as for 'Jess' would that be the same jess that follows the account on instagram and clearly is known to him if not is him www.the1970sdiet.com/2016/09/what-snake-reptoparty-daniel-barnes.html

wonderwoo · 13/09/2016 19:22

Ha Jess. Maybe you are not as clever as you think you are.

Disappointing small children on their birthdays... what a way to "earn" money.

RavioliOnToast · 13/09/2016 19:35

Excellent thread bump, my DH cousin was looking at reptile parties, I'll tell her to steer clear of this one!

wonderwoo · 13/09/2016 20:18

Maybe we should bump on a regular basis...

MermaidTears · 13/09/2016 21:30

He has basically robbed you of hundred pound? What a heartless bastard.

greathat · 13/09/2016 21:34

How many places can people put bad reviews on?

TrollTheRespawnJeremy · 13/09/2016 21:35

Filed in my 'To avoid' list for parties.

Silly Jess.

wonderwoo · 13/09/2016 22:05

Is this the company?
reptoparty

Stelh2016 · 18/09/2016 17:08

We had similar yesterday and now he has blocked me, has anyone tried small claims?

notausernumber · 18/09/2016 17:14

We had zoo lab. They were fantastic. This guy sounds like a right git.

Stelh2016 · 18/09/2016 17:16

I received a message from a 'colleague' of his 2 hrs before the party saying him and reptiles were in a serious accident...I felt terrible for him, but now I realise it's a big scam. I had a heartbroken boy and we had to entertain a load of 6 year olds with very little notice!

UterusUterusGhali · 18/09/2016 17:21

Sweet.
Couldn't remember the name of the dodgy chap.
Thanks for the heads up. :)
Timely bump.

Weller87 · 19/09/2016 15:13

Same thing happened to me yesterday!! He messaged me on the morning of he's party and said he found 4 dead replies and the rest are unwell he's needed to take vets at 9.00 and would have to cancel. He told me he would refund asap. Still nothing! Found out from another company that saved the day for us that he's well known for doing this with no refund. I have reported him to trading standards and the police today. Police told me to message him and tell him he has 48hrs to repay my money or I will contact the police. Which I have done and no reply no money. So now I have to wait 48hrs the phone a fraud line. 4 other parents have reported him yesterday as well. He needs to be stopped!!

Stelh2016 · 19/09/2016 15:47

He could have at least used the same excuse? I got told he was in a car accident, I've messaged him, but he seems to have blocked me, his email returns and his phone rings out...what a horrible person!

memyselfandaye · 19/09/2016 16:05

What a fucking piece of work, hopefully he will get what's coming to him soon.

Shithouse.

He also sounds thick as fuck, he could have a thriving business by the sounds of it, instead he's on his way to a criminal record for conning people.