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

[Reptilefanmum]

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.

This is awful. I hope everyone gets their money back.

Agree moreslack

They're living creatures, not party equipment.

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.

You lost all sympathy when I read that.

What is wrong with you?

Sick animals trump a disappointed child.

Bring a few that are well enough.....they're just a little ill, so fine to entertain your son are they?

I can see he has booked scouts and brownies some have given him glowing reports and some have been asking online if their booking is secure.

The reptiles weren't ill, his dad didn't die multiple times, he wasn't kicked by his horse - they are all his Walter Mitty reasons for not turning up

Another victim but a blogger - oh dear dan wasn't expecting that were you. Don't miss with mum's with blogs! www.mum-friendly.co.uk/reptoparty-what-would-you-do/

This clown is still at it! He made some refunds but has been aggressively offering 50% off and an extra free party. He is clutching at straws.

His dad is very much alive and kicking apparently!

We have managed to push him out the local area due to our FB page. He is obviously trying to get loads of bookings/money by giving deals he has no Intention of fullfilling. Please join and share our group as to avoid any more disappointed children on which should be a special day.
www.facebook.com/groups/306130006424003/

www.mum-friendly.co.uk/reptoparty-what-would-you-do/

www.the1970sdiet.com/2016/09/what-snake-reptoparty-daniel-barnes.html?m=1

Amos he has only just registered his business on 16th November and it is now registered to a lot done generic address. Hmm mmmm not dodgy at all

Never heard of reptoparty but what's with the using living creatures as entertainment? Am I the only person who is more concerned about this than disappointed kids? What about the severe stress to the animals and the high likelihood of them catching things off all these random children/parents? No wonder they are sick. And what on earth does this teach children about animal welfare? Are you all mad? THEY ARE LIVING CREATURES, NOT TOYS!!

Jfk126cars your page gone?

The number of times he claims to have found dead or ill/injured animals should be noted and passed to the RSPCA. Either he's lying to get out of bookings (could be he's double booking days/times then letting one party down hence why some say he is turning up to theirs) or he has no business at all owning/caring for animals.

yep he's still at it - only last week he cancelled on day but he claims it's all a witch hunt - he couldn't get out of the house blah blah but he managed to check in at an airport and go to Egypt ffs!! Lots still waiting for a refund in particular a care home who he did do a couple of parties for then decided not to so still owes them £200 quality. This wasn't in the summer where he claims it was a temporary blimp in his previously unblemished character! Please!!! Re the animals totally agree they are not play things but his excuses are just that although he wants to be careful saying they're all ill etc as he could have them taken away. There are good reputable companies out there with the relevant certificates and they're not having the animals dancing they are teaching the children like they do at a petting zoo I'd imagine

It's terrible business practice. I don't get why he calls it a witch hunt either - had the people who he cancelled on not been able to communicate, they wouldn't have known how frequent his excuses have been.

The lack of refund (and response on his Facebook page) to the care house lady is dreadful. He replied to comments from people wanting to make bookings and couldn't even respond to the lady who posted asking if he'd reply. Pretty much the same as I had when he posted in local groups, telling him he had a message from me (which I then got an excuse from him about, but I knew he had read it).

I'd worry about his parties as he relies on the parents present to look after the children with animals, rather than having one out at a time and HIM being in control.

I too have been duped by Daniel Barnes and his Reptoparty. He was recommended and I paid at time of booking due to the discount he offered. He simply didn't turn up. There were no excuses, no apologises. When we tried to call the phone was simply switched off. Luckily the party was still a great success but I would hate someone to book him and then they have to entertain a large group of children for several hours. It is unbelievable that he let's down children.

He's still scamming with not 1 but 2 facebook pages - another scam group has been set up which am sure he'll try and get taken down. It's February and people are still getting turned over. And as for his partner who is aware of all of the above - wow you must be so proud. He's a keeper.

I've seen so many threads on local FB pages he's cancelled last minute, there was even a post by him a few months back saying he had cancelled last minute due to this and that. I would comment on his ads tbh as people have a right to know especially if he isn't paying back your deposit.

Reptilefanmum, I checked the Companies House website. His name is Daniel Marc Barnes and the address is: 130 Old Street, London, England, EC1V 9BD. Write to him or if you are in the area, knock on for him😀

Omg a reptile party is a fucking thing? That's disgusting! They're animals - not bloody playthings! rspca here I come

I know. It's horrible isn't it?

That address for him is just a registered office address used by multiple companies for the purpose of filing accounts. Save your shoe leather, there'll be No one there.

He's a real piece of crap isn't he.

It is unbelievable that he let's down children

I find it more unbelievable that any one thinks this is an acceptable use of animals. I'm afraid I don't have an ounce of sympathy for any of you who lost money booking him.

Chances are that that is a registered office addres rather than his home address - most directors don't put their private addresses on the publicly accessible Companies House records

And agree that it's a disgusting concept to use animals as party entertainment

Hang on a minute, all the people who've come on here to say this in an awful activity... in my role as a Beaver leader I've come across a lot of these animal organisations.
Firstly, the majority of handlers bloody love their animals and never put them in stressful situations. If an animal shows the slightest sign of distress it goes back into a quiet room or the car to relax.
Secondly, the whole point is to raise vital finds. Many of these animals are exotic species who got abandoned by shitty owners. The rescue homes need money to care for and rehabilitate these animals. £200 for an event booking goes a very long way.
Finally, it's about awareness. By showing the children the consequences of buying exotic animals without fully understanding them, you hopefully spread the word.
So of your high horses until you've actually worked with these organisations.

I think teaching children about them is a great idea as is fundraising. However I don't think bringing them into a situation full of over-excited kids at a party is particularly kind. And is there some kind of welfare certificate to show that the animals are genuinely cared for?