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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to want to complain to the theatre

144 replies

JackieLou · 01/08/2019 12:05

Last week I took my almost two year old son to see a stage version of a popular tv show.
The tickets cost over £40 and the show was less than an hour long.
Add on train travel, refreshments etc and it was a pricey morning out.
Once inside the theatre there was a stall positioned slightly to the side of the entrance selling extortionately priced themed tat- flashing wands, sticker books etc
I managed to avoid my son noticing this as it was out of our direct walking path and we found our seats and enjoyed watching the show.
When we came out of the theatre, two members of staff were stood in the middle of the doorway, with show themed helium balloons - you couldn’t avoid them and they had no price visible.
As we approached, I asked and The balloons were £8 each!!
Eight quid for a balloon!
£8!!!!!
Son obviously wanted one, I couldn’t afford it - or justify it even if I could!
He is one - he cried, I felt bloody awful and it added a real amount mum guilt on to an already expensive day ! Especially when so many other parents had purchased them.
AIBU to complain to the theatre that the staff should not have been stood where they were? Or at the very least have a sign saying how much!
Son is my first child so I’m new to the expense of days out!
The pressure sale approach seems unfair on parents who have already paid so much for tickets!

OP posts:
MinisterforCheekyFuckery · 01/08/2019 13:21

Why would you complain to the Theatre. Surely the Theatre doesn't have a say in how much the producers of ITNG charge for their merchandise? If your complaint isn't about cost but about where the balloon sellers were positioned, are you going to complain every time you take your son to a museum, theme park, art gallery or pretty much any child-friendly attraction and have to leave via the gift shop?

WorraLiberty · 01/08/2019 13:22

and say the merchandise is for children who don't have anything with them

Genius Merlins! Grin

BlackCatSleeping · 01/08/2019 13:26

I usually just budget for a treat when we go out to something like this. Around 10-15 pounds per child so they can have a souvenir of their choosing. It is expensive, but my kids aways feel so happy when they are able to buy a little something.

LaurieMarlow · 01/08/2019 13:28

You are going to have to get used to this. Fast.

We live in a capitalist society. Lots of people trying to sell you crap you can’t afford. You need to be clear with small children that there’s no expectation they get everything they clap eyes on.

Otherwise you’ll have a hellish time for years.

LightTripper · 01/08/2019 13:28

They should at least make the price very obvious so you don't have to ask and can just say "no" to your child straight away. Otherwise you have to raise your child's hopes by asking and then dash them by saying no (and yes, children do have to learn this lesson, but they don't necessarily have to learn it in a crowded public place at the end of a lovely and expensive day out).

SootySueandSweeptoo · 01/08/2019 13:29

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Palaver1 · 01/08/2019 13:32

Complain if it will make you feel better.
I have noticed that sweets have begun to slowly creep nearer and nearer to the tills ,I’m sure that had also been stopped some years ago.
Most of the shows rely on selling merchandise and that’s where they try to make money,this is how it is unfortunately.

LadyRannaldini · 01/08/2019 13:32

I'd start resisting Disneyworld now if I were you!

TulipsTulipsTulips · 01/08/2019 13:36

This would also annoy me OP. Grr the comments on here from other mumsnetters are so mean, that winds me up too!

RachelEllenR · 01/08/2019 13:37

I wouldn't complain but agree it's annoying. My children have been going to the theatre since they were tiny too and my 5 year old really, really loves going now to full length shows.

We do various days out when there's lots of merchandise for sale. As I never buy it, my children know now not to expect it and don't ask so just keep doing what you're doing and he (and you!) will be ok.

HennyPennyHorror · 01/08/2019 13:39

Theatre doesn't make a lot of money for those who create it. These stands and ushers selling tat are normal in the theatre OP.

YABU.

Louloubelle78 · 01/08/2019 13:39

The poster above beat me too.....Disneyland will send you stratospheric in terms of gift shop/ food prices.

A one year old isn't going to understand why they can have the balloon. Keep saying no and they quickly learn. My son is 8 looks at the price in gift shops, sucks through his teeth and says that's a bit a steep like an old man these days. Normally embarrassingly loudly.

Mummyoflittledragon · 01/08/2019 13:40

Totally normal unfortunately. My dd remembers memorable things from about age 3 when she met peppa and George. Personally I think you wasted your money. You’ll understand when your lo is a couple of years older.

LonginesPrime · 01/08/2019 13:41

OP, pester power is generated everywhere nowadays - it's, it means you have more to say no to but that's a symptom of commercialism.

As a PP says, it's usual to exit through the gift shop in all these places, and it was a commercial endeavour in the first place.

I'm not saying kids' theatre has no creative value but let's face it - the key reason companies put on theatre shows for actual babies is to take the parents' money.

EleanorLavish · 01/08/2019 13:41

This thread reminds me of The Apprentice. When they made chocolate lollipops and went to London Zoo. They went up to kids and said would you like a chocolate lollipop? Obv child said yes please and took it, then they turned to the parents and said £5 please.
The look on the parents faces!
Brilliant TV but by golly I'd have been raging if I was a parent.Grin
YANBU to be hacked off OP, but that's life I'm afraid. You live and learn with kids and days out.

HennyPennyHorror · 01/08/2019 13:47

With babies you can just say "Oh no, those are the man's balloons...we can't have one...it's his turn"

Or some such crap.

notacooldad · 01/08/2019 13:48

I missed that EleanorLavish
They would have got their lollies back straight away and my child would be told that the man had tried to play a mean trick on us!!!

FenellaMaxwell · 01/08/2019 13:49

Your child is never going to remember this so it would have made more sense to wait and spend the money on doing it in a few years, particularly if you can’t really afford it.

As to the merchandise, YABU. I can’t afford champagne every time I go to the supermarket. Doesn’t entitle me to complain about them having an end of aisle promotion.

Dangermouse37 · 01/08/2019 13:49

You have taught your child a lot in saying no and meaning it. The crying is down to his disappointment but as he learns to deal with this more, it will reduce. I think it isn't a bad thing to have to deal with things like this.

TheRedBarrows · 01/08/2019 13:51

"This is to expected at a theatre for any event, child or adult."

Not necessarily. Lookat your local arts council subsidised theatre and you will find it much less commercial and rip-off.

Best to wait til kids are at least 3, I think, unless the show is specifically aimed at under 3s or babies.

Some are. Polka theatre and Unicorn in London have regular shows for U3s and are much cheaper than £40. These shows tour to other theatres, too.

nettie434 · 01/08/2019 13:54

I think it would be worth contacting the theatre. Of course, sales from programmes, drinks, ice cream are an essential part of theatres’ income but I think this was a bit of a ‘pester power’ tactic. It’s quite easy to avoid merchandise/ice cream/programme sellers in productions where almost all the audience are adults. I’m very conscious that ITNG is aimed at very young children who are too young to fully understand what they can or can’t ask for.

I’d ask the theatre if it was their decision to position the ballon sellers at the exits or the way the production company expected the theatre to run things. You could point out to them that if they are too ‘pushy’ it could make parents/grandparents etc more reluctant to go to pantomimes or other events aimed at children put on by a different company.

Biancadelrioisback · 01/08/2019 13:56

OP, complain until you're blue in the face but just remember that your email will probably be read by someone on minimum wage who probably won't care that you were upset by the price of a balloon. You'll receive a standard "we're sorry if your experience didn't live up to your expectations" reply and that will be it. The staff will still be stood there next time because your complaint is a bit ...meh.
Oh no, a business tried to get money out of you, shocking.
Plus if you can afford hundreds of pounds on theatre trips and west end shows, and do quite happily, you must understand how theatres work. Doesn't matter if your child sees it, wants it, cries for it, grabs at it, just say no and move on. What an absolute none event.

ItsAllGoingToBeMagnificent · 01/08/2019 13:57

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ASundayWellSpent · 01/08/2019 13:59

Its annoying, and also obviously your first time for this kind of thing. But it is standard practice and I wouldn't complain as it will achieve nothing. I know you want to give your son lovely experiences but honestly save your money until he is a bit older. When my DD was under one I remember planning a trip to the aquarium which we could ill afford and my mum said "take her to see the fishes at the pet shop instead" and she was absolutely right, she was just as mesmerised and it didn't cost us 100 quid!

gabsdot45 · 01/08/2019 14:01

DD and I go to Disney on Ice every year. The rule is that she can have one treat and I budget for that.
When we go to see a musical in the theatre we don't even look at the merchandise.
Any of those shows have ridiculously over priced rubbish for sale.