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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To lie about his age for free admission?

592 replies

WaitForCake · 16/07/2020 10:29

It's DS's 3rd birthday in a couple of weeks. I'm taking him to an attraction.

It's free for under 3s, but adult price at 3 upwards. Money is tight, but after a tough few months between lockdown and his DF moving out after our split, I want to do something nice for him.
As there is no inherent difference in what he'll get from the experience the day before his birthday and on the day of his birthday, WIBU to just buy him a 2 year old ticket?

I can't take him the day earlier due to work (I did consider this already).

YANBU - get the 2 year old ticket
YABU - pay the adult price for him

OP posts:
LolaSkoda · 16/07/2020 10:30

Yanbu

Rememberallball · 16/07/2020 10:31

I see if you can take him somewhere that doesn’t charge adult prices for a 3 year old.

purpleboy · 16/07/2020 10:32

As the margins are so tight I would just say he is 2. Sounds like you all deserve a treat.

AskingforaBaskin · 16/07/2020 10:32

YANBU

AryaStarkWolf · 16/07/2020 10:33

YANBU, an adult ticket for 3 years up is a bit steep

Alloftheboys · 16/07/2020 10:33

How likely is it that he’ll blab that he’s 3? Grin

Original poster
WaitForCake · 16/07/2020 10:34

He specifically asked for this attraction after seeing it on TV. Granted, he'll be 3 and if I just start talking about somewhere else he might forget but he can be quite one-track minded so I think he'll still keep reminding me about it if I don't take him.

OP posts:
Ponoka7 · 16/07/2020 10:34

I totally agree with you doing this. It's a complete rip off. We are looking at AI for next year and the primary age children are the same price as Adults.

Pricing used to be a lot fairer.

BobbieDraper · 16/07/2020 10:34

I just dont think it's right.

You can argue all you like about the venue arbitrarily choosing 3 as the payment age, or about the difference between 2 and 364 days old and 3 years old but the bottom line is, they are a business and they choose the terms. It is your choice to go or not to go once you know the terms; if you dont like them, then dont go. No one is forcing you. But dont go and steal a day in the park. It is theft.

Your son will surely be able to do more activities than he could 6 months ago, at aged 2. The park have to choose a cut off for when children will start using more of the activities, and 3 is a reasonable age for their movement and strength etc.

I just think its wrong; all these places have been closed for months. Many will be really struggling. To steal from them isnt right.

I know a whole bunch of people will say it's fine, and I'm guessing those are the responses you will pay most attention to, but it doesnt make theft ok.

notanothertakeaway · 16/07/2020 10:34

YABU and you know it

Hope he enjoys his birthday, but it's not on to lie

Original poster
WaitForCake · 16/07/2020 10:35

@Alloftheboys

How likely is it that he’ll blab that he’s 3? Grin
Good question! He's already going round telling people he's 3 now and he's not quite there yet. Grin
OP posts:
nettytree · 16/07/2020 10:35

I remember on my 5th birthday, I got on the bus and told the driver. My mum was not happy she had to pay the child fare then. Make sure your child keeps quiet and not wear any age badges.

PleasePassTheCoffeeThanks · 16/07/2020 10:36

For the sake of 1 day... most people would do it (but won't admit it on MN!). Especially if from 3y they have to pay adult price.

converseandjeans · 16/07/2020 10:36

YANBU
I find MN ridiculous - someone claims benefits fraudulently and apparently that's OK and people should keep out of it. Yet this is always judged as being out of order.

GetUpAgain · 16/07/2020 10:37

Of course buy him the cheaper ticket. No one in their right mind would begrudge this. It is perfectly fine. Have a lovely time!

AryaStarkWolf · 16/07/2020 10:37

@notanothertakeaway

YABU and you know it

Hope he enjoys his birthday, but it's not on to lie

for fucks sake Grin
Mywifeandkids1 · 16/07/2020 10:37

Considering business’s will be really suffering atm, I just couldn’t do it personally!

paintedsmile77 · 16/07/2020 10:37

I wouldn't think twice, lie.

FrugiFan · 16/07/2020 10:38

You could get away with it but personally I dont think I could as I would feel too guilty about lying.

Our local theme park charges for children over 1m, rather than by age. It does make sense as they can actually check it whereas by age then it's easy to lie and I'm sure a lot of people do. Also you can go on nesrly all the rides when you're 1m so its s bit more logical whereas 3 is arbitrary really.

Pinkchocolate · 16/07/2020 10:38

Everyone I know has done this at least once! If your son says he’s three, laugh along and say “yes, next week you are three”. YANBU. Enjoy your day.

BobbieDraper · 16/07/2020 10:38

There are plenty of place which have adult and child prices, and there are plenty of place which have the same price for adults and children.

At a park, the kids really get the same enjoyment (sometimes more) as the adults get, so charging the same price really isnt unreasonable.

There is an amusement park in the valley near me, and its £10 for adults and children. When it opened, nobody was complaining about the prices.

The place you want to go is a private business. It's not a right. It isnt something being provided by the government for all. It's a business.

In the rest if your life, when you cant afford something.. do you lie and steal to get it? Because that is what you're doing. Just because it isnt a physical item, doesnt change that.

Do it if you want too, but dont pretend it isnt stealing.

BiggerBoat1 · 16/07/2020 10:39

I can see how its tempting but it is essentially theft. Attractions have had weeks and weeks of closure during what should have been their busiest time. Their employees are probably facing tough times too and they're not out of the woods yet. Not all of these attractions will survive which means not all of the people who work at these places will keep their jobs and they must be as worried about money as you are. Do the right thing and pay the right price. If you can't afford to go, then plan a treat for your DS that you can afford.

PumpkinP · 16/07/2020 10:40

I did this till my son was about 5, use to have a double buggy so I stuck him in the bottom seat with a blanket over him 😂. Would still do it now (he is 6) if I still had the double, always got away with it.

Original poster
WaitForCake · 16/07/2020 10:41

If we are talking about businesses needing money, isn't it better they get one full paying adult over not having a booking? It's on a standard working day and there's loads of tickets available so in that sense, having some income is better than none.

(Yes, I know I'm clutching at straws here).

OP posts:
ThePlantsitter · 16/07/2020 10:42

What time of day was he born? Grin

Mumsnet always says an aghast 'no' to this stuff but yes of course you should do it. They should have a more sensible pricing structure.

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