£40 for a cake and two jars of jam

[Fredmitten]

End of a lovely holiday, staying in a little bungalow. On arrival a week ago we were offered a homemade cake by the owner (to be made after asking us what we liked) and asked whether we wanted jam. Said yes please to cake, and that we'd come back to them on jam. Cake arrived, was delicious and big, have eaten about half of it as just two of us. Two jars of jam also turn up in kitchen when we're out. Can't open the jars so just pop in fridge and forget about them.
This morning owners have popped in to say we owe them 44 euro for the cake and the jam
I know we should have asked how much at the time, I know I'm
going to have to pay them. But AIBU to say well bank transfer tomorrow, firstly because I've only got 35 euros on me as trying to run them down, and also so they'll need to email with the amount for each thing. I will pay, btw, as it's my own stupid fault - but I would be flagging the price when offered if in the £20 for a cake range. And they insist we take the unopened jam home - I may just leave in the fridge and ask for that to be deducted.

[iMogster]

At the holiday home, I stayed in recently was 1 bottle red wine, 1 bottle white wine, 2 litres milk, loaf of bread and 2 boxes of After Eights! All included and polished off pretty quickly!

[SapphireStrange]

Nell, that's lovely.

How much do I want an iced cupcake now?

[NotMyMoney]

Went to Italy last month the owner had a put a bottle bubbles, 2 nice wines, 2 fruit juices, nice coffee and loads of bits of food for us! Was included in the price amazing

[NellMcBride]

We stayed in a pod on a campsite/farm near St Davids this summer. After two days of solid rain the wonderful owner, despite being a busy working farmer, made every single guest on the site a batch of cupcakes, beautifully iced, to cheer us all up and make up for the weather. How kind was that?

[Mamadelou]

What a horrible end to a lovely holiday.

Do you intend to return? Would you recommend this place?

If the owners are French the there is a very definite lost in translation situation. But they are taking advantage. Either way it is best to be very clear that it is a pity that this misunderstanding will spoil your experience and has made you feel uncomfortable and sad.

It will be a tough conversation but if it does not shame them into an apology then they are are not worth it. Be firm that this is unprofessional, if not amoral. Stand up for yourself calmly an politely and agree to walk away with what you are prepared to pay. Do not take jam!

[pollymere]

I wouldn't pay for any of it. A cake is a usual welcome gift when staying S.C. Two years ago we actually commented on the lack of milk, cake etc as feeling unwelcoming (there were other problems too, we're not that picky!) And we stayed there again and there was a free, massive gluten free cake. Even in a restaurant you only legally need to pay what you think it was worth so you might only pay half if a meal was bad. Pay what you feel is fair. Most school cake sales charge £5-6 for a cake...

[liz70]

"Welcome to Spain (where I live), the place where everybody thinks they have the right to scam you."

We stayed in Menorca for a fortnight a couple of years ago, in a lovely SC apartment. We had a great holiday, and never once felt scammed.

[usernamealreadytaken]

MissBee please can I come and live in your barn, forever? It looks beautiful ❤️

[dailymaillazyjournos]

Oh hang on, you've not already paid for the cake. In that case, don't! It's a total cheek.

[londonrach]

Wow thats a new one. Never ever have i heard of that. If theres a charge its mentioned before but usually theres a little welcome basket of milk, tea, sugar, biscuits if you rent a cottage. Id have throught cake and jam was a welcome item. No way pay and id leave the jam and a review. Shocked

[hollieberrie]

I stay on a Greek island every year, the lovely owner always makes us a cake or trifle type dessert and never charges. Of course this in turn inclines us to leave a extra big tip and rebook for next year, so your owners are doing themselves a disservice by being so grabby. Cheeky bastards. Go for it with the review !

[dailymaillazyjournos]

Blimey, cakes in Betty's Tea Rooms up here in Yorkshire are expensive but not THAT expensive.

Totally agree that you were asked if you WANTED a cake not if you wanted to BUY a cake. No way would you assume you'd be charged if it was worded like that. It's really sneaky and mean spirited.

Seeing as you've already paid for the cake (don't pay for the jam ) I'd leave a review on tripadviser warning prospective guests not to accept an offer of cake and jam unless they don't mind paying 44e for it.

My friend and I were given a jar of homemade honey each when we stayed in an apartment in in Dubrovnik and found a big plate of pancakes slathered in homemade jam and cream one day when we got back in from a trip somewhere. It would have left a bad taste in the mouth if we'd have then got a bill for these when we were leaving.

It's a really short sighted thing to do is this because whereas we left reviews saying how generous and thoughtful the people we rented the apartment from were, the owners of your place will start getting a well-deserved reputation that will affect their business.

[itlypocerka]

We've had free "welcome gift" cakes before but they've been factory-made and probably only cost £1.

I do notice that your thread title says £40 but this is actually 44 euro which a year ago would have been £30 not £40. Still expensive but their costs haven't gone up by 33% it's just that the pound is worth so much less now. Everyone going to a European holiday from the UK will have a shock at the price of things now.

[user1470269632]

I wouldn't pay for the jam as you didn't ask for it.
As for the cake, I'd be inclined to say that you thought it would have cost a lot less and you only have X euros left. See what they say. Hopefully they'll be embarrassed at trying to charge you so much.
Did you have to put down a deposit for the rental of the property btw?
Like OP, I'd definitely mention this on TripAdvisor, without fail!

[RetroImp]

Unless I was specifically told that the cake would cost something and the price, I'd have paid bugger all. If I was somehow forced to hand over money and since it was paid by bank transfer and not via credit card, I'd have taken 30 Euros worth of stuff, mebbe a couple of pillows etc. But then I don't have much patience for con artists.

[Probableunstoppable]

We have a holiday cottage and always leave a decent bottle of red as well as tea, coffee, hot choc, sugar sachets (for hygiene). Most guests are really appreciative and if I was living nearby I'd love to throw in a pint of milk and loaf of bread. It's hospitality at the end of the day, I don't think they will be getting your repeat business!!!

[mamma125]

I wouldn't even pay for the cake

[Tapandgo]

Never heard of such grasping behaviour - if he didn't ask if you wanted to BUY a cake, I'd assume it was a gift. I certainly wouldn't have considered paying that price.
Yep - fury and indignation on Trip Advisor

[MissBeehiving]

Welcome pack is the pictures.

//www.english-country-cottages.co.uk/cottages/seaglass-barn-ukc522

[MissBeehiving]

BubblestarUK

//www.seaglassbarns.co.uk

[CurtainsforRonnie]

It must go on Trip Advisor.


We ate out in Spain & loads more items were added on the receipt. They took them off when I questioned it all.

[fuzzyduck1]

Please name and shame these people so no one else gets done by them please give as much details as possible we can make them pay for their ill judgement.

[BubblestarUK]

MissBeehiving have you a link or details? Your place sounds lovely thank you. OP I can't believe the cheek of the owners. I'd have left a note pretending to be a critic for international homebaked goods lol x

[chiquita1]

bird, we have lived here for 6 years and we do feel like that and what has happened to the OP is proof of that, they would never have done that to a spanish couple staying there.
Apart from the fact that we have been robbed on the street, broken into, etc.

[Birdandsparrow]

chiquita I live in Spain, ahve done for 17 years and don't feel like that!