Cancelling session

[Jamielyn]

Hi all,

I had a counselling session booked this evening, but I couldn't go due to childcare. I let the person know 4 hours in advance, I called and texted but they did not respond til 10 mins before my session.

They are now trying to charge me a missed appointment fee, but no where in their t&cs and the initial email they sent to me did they mention a cancellation fee for a missed appointment. Therefore, I believe it's ridiculous to charge this.

This is the first time I would have met with them, I understand it's my fault for letting them down but I had no other option.

AIBU to refuse to pay this when it was never stated?

YABVU. It’s their livelihood.

Yabu.

Of course you should pay. You booked them for a length of time and didn't give them enough notice to get another client in. That what pays their bills.

Would you be OK with your employer saying to you 'sorry, I can't make it in today, so you won't get paid even though you've arranged childcare to be at work'?

YABU - how do you think they can fill that time within 4 hours??

Sorry OP. YABU

Yes sorry I think yabu.

I can't see how she's being unreasonable if she wasn't made aware of this

YABU.

They could have been back to back with other clients for the past 4 hours and only just had the chance to check their phone.

Even with 4 hours notice they’re unlikely to be able to fill the appointment.

You are a time waster.

This is someone’s livelihood you’re messing with.

YABU. What if everyone cancelled their appointments at the last minute?

4 hours in advance clearly isn't long enough for them to fill the slot though?

If you're cancelling with less than 48 or certainly 24 hours notice I'd expect to pay a fee

YABU. Cancellation policies of 24/48 hours are standard. How do you expect her to be able to fill your slot with 4 hours notice?

That said, you should have been informed of a cancellation policy at the time of booking. If you haven't signed T&Cs then you're not liable to pay, although of course really you should.

Oh course YABU. Your counsellor can't give 4 hours notice on their bills being late. Whether or not you still wish to attend, apologise and pay up.

Yabu if your childcare isn’t your fault it absolutely isn’t their’s. People always try to take the piss like this with counsellors like it’s some how different to any other profession.

of course YABU

on what planet do you think you can just leave people out of pocket like that?

As a side note, the NHS should start charging patients who miss appointments like that.

Yabu. 4 hours is not enough notice. They wouldn't have been able to fill the gap. Through no fault of their own.

4 hours plus 20 is the normal so YBU

YABU
But I’m sure you’re comfortable with your refusal to pay.
Are you going to look for a different counsellor now?

Yabu. I can't believe you would think otherwise!

YABU.

A agree with the others, YABU. It's too much of a short notice for them to fill the space with someone else. Why should they lose money because you cancelled?

Yabu, of course you should pay!

Behave like a decent human being and pay for the missed session. Or isn't that in your terms and conditions?

Of course you have to pay. Not their fault you let them down.

YABU

24 hours notice is absolutely standard with any service.

Your childcare is not her responsibility, she shouldn’t not get paid because you flaked.

Grovel and pay your bill.

Even my DDs piano teacher requires a full 24hrs notice for cancellations - it’s his livelihood so I wouldn’t ever quibble