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.

Have had experience of this type of thing, not involving children's parties though. Report him to the National Fraud Line. Mine is in court next week.

We've had 30 Beavers sitting in absolute silence because they know that if they act up they'll be out. The wellbeing of the animals trumps their right to stay in the room.
The handling is done very calmly and in small groups, with the handler teaching the children what signs to look for that the animal is relaxed or stressed.
In larger, noisier settings, like county events, the handlers bring only the animals who enjoy that, such as the ferrets who go crazy for the attention.
The skunk didn't have her glands removed.... we'd have known about it is she wasn't happy! Same with the spiders and frogs who go for a happy wander and poo on the kids' hands.
Honestly, trust these people (except this reptile twat). They go above and beyond for the welfare of the animals.

Okay if you are saying that children are going to be calm and quiet at a party then great. But is there some kind of evidence of welfare standards?

I don't know about welfare standards, but presumably it's whatever standards normal rescue centres are held to, as that's effectively what most of these organisations are.

Thanks for this the heads up. My friend was about to book him but have warned her off now

Why do people automatically assume the reptiles are poorly treated? I've met some of these people and they always love their animals

People are just raising it as a potential concern, that's all. 30 over excited children aren't an ideal environment for the average reptile I would imagine.

As I understand it trading standards were looking into him (people have complained to action fraud etc) when he lived in Sussex conveniently he has now moved to Kent and the companies address was set up so he can just go bankrupt and not pay back anyone. I have contacted a national investigative journalist and posted on twitter. He is back to just banking £60 and not turning up. That's a lot of cash - sure inland would be interested also. He needs to be locked up. Yes please can I book a party with a man that has no evidence of dbs checks and has admitted to being unstable

His new address (which is available - not the Old Street one) has been passed on to Trading Standards Kent, and he's about to be served with a visit from bailiffs due to non-payment.

In the meantime he's recently let down a Beavers group - he cancelled then on the night he rescheduled just didn't bother showing and isn't replying to their messages. Taking money from charities is not on.

For anyone who is complaining about these parties, I would show concern towards Reptoparty as Dan Barnes often leaves the animals and isn't supervising children. Add to that he puts tarantulas on children's heads (very dangerous - look at his Facebook page). My friend had a party, a group of children were left with a lizard in one corner of the hall while Dan had another creature in another part. Not good.

An ideal party is a low number of children and no more than five reptiles, one out at a time. Done right it is really interesting and informative. If the children are quiet and calm the animals come out.

Animals come first.

And Dan is still at it. He failed to pitch up at a 7 year old's birthday party yesterday. No call, nothing! Reptoparty is crock.

He is planning on moving to devon soon and even ripped off the graphic designer who designed his brochures. The company he is starting is called Radical Reptilesb

Heard yesterday from a woman who'd booked him from today. She had asked if he had insurance and been told he had. Yesterday he cancelled as he's "gone out if business" - and he's not insured.