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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:
BuzzShitbagBobbly · 01/08/2019 15:33

Your son is one? And he cried over a balloon?

Most babies I have been around cry at things like their socks; or a leaf on the pavement or whatever other mystical thing gets their attention that second. Next second, they have forgotten and moved on.

He may have seen an overhead a light fitting that he didn't fancy and bawled at that, at the exact same time you were passing the balloon sellers.

Said with all kindness, but you have a tough time ahead of you if you are going to feel guilty everytime something in the world causes him to cry.

Mrsjayy · 01/08/2019 15:40

Every kid event you go to for the next decade + is going to sell tatt and this was your first encounter of thecrap they try and flog us so you really are going to have to toughen up I'm afraid what did you feel guilty for you had already took your baby to a lovely thing why don't you feel that is enough ?

HattieHu · 01/08/2019 15:55

How would they resolve your complaint? Move the balloon seller ? What can they do to make YOU Feel better?

Boulezvous · 01/08/2019 16:20

1 is very young to go to the theatre! It was a very expensive treat. My kids are grown now but it was definitely a once a year thing to do.

Your life will be hell if you don't toughen up to the saying no bit of being a parent. Like when you have two kids (if you do) and one needs a new pair of shoes. They don't both get them. And getting used to the fact that there will always be richer kids who get everything, it's part of life learning.

ILOVM2 · 01/08/2019 16:39

I think YABU. This seems to be an issue with your parenting style / “mum guilt” which is absolutely nothing to do with the theatre.

notacooldad · 01/08/2019 16:40

Go on! complain and tell us what they say!!

Joerev · 01/08/2019 17:10

We went to see les miserables. Normal tickets. No VIP. I wish we had.

We took our girls to see shrek. Each ticket was £55. For a family of 5. That was also a lot

Mrsjayy · 01/08/2019 17:17

Thing is the next time you take him somewhere he will want ridiculously priced nonsense and he is going to get upset when you say no. You are going to have to get used to it untill he is old enough to understand. I would imagine the tourcompany sets tatt prices and the venue will get aprofit from that so it probably isn't the theatres fault btw 8 quid for a foil balloon is nuts! I don't think many people would disagree.

ForalltheSaints · 01/08/2019 17:17

You could argue that they are making difficult for people with not visible disabilities such as those who need to use the toilet in a hurry, but I cannot see the theatre changing its tune.

ShatnersWig · 01/08/2019 18:19

There are tickets to Les Mis from £36.

Original poster
JackieLou · 01/08/2019 18:29

@MerlinsScarf this is genius! Thank you so much!

OP posts:
Joerev · 01/08/2019 18:42

There might well be @ShatnersWig. However we didn’t manage to purchase those. We’ve got Them for the all star cast thing they are running. We are 2 rows from the front. I am so excited I cannot wait! I’m incredibly sick. I’m not sure if I’m going to be able to go but I’m going to give it a damn good try. We only get to experience these things once usually. I’m blessed to of gotten these tickets.

Original poster
JackieLou · 01/08/2019 18:42

@FenellaMaxwell
I could afford the ticket prices and he was the intended age and absolutely loved it. No, he may not remember it in years to come but I saw the excitement in his face yesterday and that was enough.

What I couldn’t afford - or justify- was £8 on a balloon shoved in his face as we were leaving. It’s a pressure sale and using a toddler as a way to make money that I’m uncomfortable with.

Your champagne comparison isn’t relevant - you are an adult, you understand prices and cost and budgeting. A child doesn’t.
It was a balloon, something he often has for free from a party or a clown etc and he wanted one. I did say no but I wasn’t going to burden him with “mummy can’t afford it”

OP posts:
FenellaMaxwell · 01/08/2019 18:46

You are going to be faced with that in so many places. You need to work on your reactions and your child’s expectations rather than complain to every business marketing to children.

Original poster
JackieLou · 01/08/2019 18:48

@nettie434 thank you, this is a very sensible reply.

OP posts:
LaurieMarlow · 01/08/2019 18:59

It was a balloon, something he often has for free from a party or a clown etc and he wanted one

He’s going to want an awful lot of tat along the way as he visits shops, parks, play centres, tourist attractions, etc.

Are you going to complain to everyone or come up with a sensible strategy to deal with his demands?

Bluntness100 · 01/08/2019 19:06

I also think you're being unreasonable, it's hardly a pressure sale. A pressure sale is when they keep on at you about it. Standing as you come out isn't that.

Really just move on next time. There is shit like this where ever you go. If you can't afford it, don't stop and ask the price then get all arsey about it. They were never going to be cheap. And the price of the ticket doesn't entitle you to cheap balloons. Or staff being out of the way so you don't get taken aback.

Original poster
JackieLou · 01/08/2019 19:18

@Bluntness100 - I never said I expected them to be cheap - I also wouldn’t consider half that price to be cheap, but would have paid £3-£5.
I wasn’t getting “arsey” as you so politely put it. I was expressing my shock at how expensive something could be when it is pushed in the faces of babies and children - and yes I do think where they were stood was a pressure sale.

OP posts:
ShatnersWig · 01/08/2019 19:19

Joerev Ah, that's a different kettle of fish to the stage show. That close to the front and all those star names is why you're paying so much. I've never paid more than £50 for a seat in the West End, usually I'll take £20-£30 seats in the balcony and rarely miss anything

Loveislandaddict · 01/08/2019 19:29

kidsweek

In August, you can get free childrens tickets with each adult ticket purchased.

ChoccieEClaire · 01/08/2019 19:41

There is little point in complaining as the theatre did this completely intentionally to make money. They know what they they are doing.
It's worth remembering that most theatre's get only a small percentage of the ticket sales so in order for them to stay operative they must make money on merchandise, refreshments etc.

1stmonkey · 01/08/2019 19:48

It's a business. Literally only exists to make money. Of course they are going to place items they are selling where the most people see them
Is it really that hard for you to say no to a 1 year old. He's going to have to hear the word at some point, i suggest you get him used to it!

Notthetoothfairy · 01/08/2019 20:01

We pre-buy souvenirs from eBay if we’re going somewhere special and know overpriced tat will be there!

Obi73 · 01/08/2019 20:02

Nature of the beast I’m afraid. Wait until they’re adults- we went to London for a total of 10 hours in all. Travelled by train to see a west end show, lunch, a bit of shopping and from start to finish it cost about £500 all in. A fab day, great show and quality time with my child - priceless 😘

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 01/08/2019 20:07

"Learn to say "No"

She did do. She had to. Try reading the thread instead of bounding on trying to be Super nannyHmm.

However op. You can hardly complain.
What would you say.
"How dare you try to make money.