To ask for our money back

[crazycatgal]

We have booked to go out to a restaurant for dinner on Christmas day and have paid deposits. When we went into the 2nd lockdown the restaurant rang and said that they would know what they are doing for Christmas day when announcements are made around ending lockdown.

Obviously those announcements have now been made and we have found out that we are in a tier 3 area when we come out of lockdown. I have looked on the restaurant's social media and they have said that they are waiting and hoping for better news on the 16th of December.

Aibu if I ask for our money back now? They did say they would know what they are doing when we come out of lockdown and I think that the 16th of December is far too late to find out what we're doing and rush around trying to get sorted for a dinner at home.

How much is your deposit? Presumably they were non-refundable if you cancel and they can still go ahead you're not entitled to it back.

Government have said unlikely to go down a tier. I'd just plan to eat at home and wait for deposits back after 16th.

We've paid £25 per person as our deposit.

I can't afford to plan to eat at home and then hope it's cancelled and we get our money back. My DP has just been made redundant so I need to know if I need to buy food for us to have at home or if we'll still be having dinner out.

Did they tell you the deposit was non-refundable?

Id ask for a refund, explain about dp being made redundant and appeal to their good nature, the money back will be of help.

Sorry to hear about dp job.

I think that the 16th of December is far too late to find out what we're doing and rush around trying to get sorted for a dinner at home.

It's nine days!

If you don't want to go anymore then cancel, but nine days not being long enough to plan a Sunday roast is a flimsy excuse

@Nicknacky I honestly can't remember what they said about the deposit so i'll have to check.

@Whammyyammy That's what I'm going to do, give them a call to explain and see what they'll do.

@Plonque If we're not out for Christmas dinner we'll need to put an order in at the butchers, 9 days before is too late. Plus there's never anything left on the shelves right before Christmas, never mind this year when all the stockpilers are out clearing the shelves. We actually really like the restaurant and went for our Christmas dinner last year.

Could you book a shopping slot for later on and then cancel if you know the restaurant will go ahead?

Will they not be offering delivery/take out if they can’t serve in the pub? Would that be an option for you?

@juneybean I don't normally shop online so I didn't think about doing that, thanks for the idea!

@Newpuppymummy They didn't mention that when they called us before lockdown but we would be happy with that if that was the alternative option.

You'd be better waiting until they have to cancel you - because it's likely you'll get a refund if THEY cancel, but if YOU cancel they'll be able to remind you that your deposit is non-refundable. Similar to holidays etc.

Lots of our locals are offering that, we are in Tier 3 too

Are you even eligible to get your money back just yet though?

If they can go ahead, there’s no reason to refund you.

If they can figure out a workaround eg delivering the food to you with a possible goodwill gesture included, you would probably be on shaky ground to demand a refund under the circumstances

You did book the table being fully aware of the pandemic and the impact it may have