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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think friend should book?

215 replies

HobbyisENetwork · 17/05/2021 21:40

Friend bought me a spa voucher for my birthday last year and now we can finally go. (Yes I know MN hates spa days).

Anyway I’m trying to book and no one will answer the phone. Automated message says to email and then cuts you off. I email and her told they refuse to book by email.

Told friend about the issues but she didn’t offer to help. I’ve been trying for a few days now and it’s stressful and I feel like actually she should be the one to book it - we’re both going together.

OP posts:
cupsofcoffee · 18/05/2021 12:04

Good God, you've had a right kicking here! Lots of people also appear to have lost their ability to read the OP Hmm

My advice would be to leave it for a while and wait until the full Spa has been open a week or so - just to give them a chance to settle in and open up properly. I think lots of places are struggling with a huge influx in interest and bookings at the moment.

Maybe try ringing in the middle of next week or something - not first thing in the morning though!

MummyToBe89 · 18/05/2021 12:08

I'm going to go against the pack here and say YANBU for wanting her to help the spa day that is for BOTH of you. so what if she is paying for you, that doesn't mean you owe her.

But OP, have you actually asked your friend to help?

Maybe a simple text "Can you try the spa as I've been trying for days/weeks and I'm about to pull me hair out haha". Keep it light and straight to the point.

MummyToBe89 · 18/05/2021 12:09

*Help book

SadieCow · 18/05/2021 12:26

@cupsofcoffee you're right about people not reading OP and it's also the same for subsequent updates.

Particularly where OP points out the SPA had been open WAY before today. So not sure your comment on leave it a week or two before you try booking is relevant? It's like you think it's only just reopened?

Honestly people not reading the OP and updates! Grin

sunshinesontv · 18/05/2021 12:34

Surely cups just meant that they were only able to open fully from yesterday, that they have been busy bringing back furloughed staff and planning to reopen those areas and treatments that have had to remain closed until now, even if some areas - I think op said the pools - have indeed been open for a few weeks now.

Original poster
HobbyisENetwork · 18/05/2021 13:04

@youvegottenminuteslynn

Then please tell me how to book it if

1. Phones are just automated and don’t ring or have voicemail options
2. When they do respond to emails they just repeat that you do need to call
3. The place is a 3 hour drive from me
4. I’ve commented/messaged on their Instagram page and nothing and also saw one review on trustpilot that said they were deleting bad online reviews

I understand all that completely, but how will it be different if your friend tries the same methods that haven't worked?

That was a response to people insisting that I’m a stupid moron who cannot function as an adult enough to book a reservation.

Also I know this isn’t what you said but she only gave me my voucher. She has the other one. So I’m not the gate keeper of the vouchers.

OP posts:
ShaneTheThird · 18/05/2021 13:05

This thread is so over dramatic its hilarious Grin

Its been open one day. One. It does not matter if it opened outside parts 2 weeks ago. The inside part with all the staff and treatments have been back one day cut them some slack. This isnt your friends problem its yours. She was nice enough to get you the gift its your responsibility to utilise it and no it doesnt matter that she is going too. The gift is yours so the onus of booking is on you. Also the friend can't do anything differently to you but if you want her to keep calling them then just ask her and stop being bitchy about your so called friend online for getting you a gift.

Cassilis · 18/05/2021 13:20

@ShaneTheThird RTFT, the spa has been open for a while.

myfuckingfreezer · 18/05/2021 13:31

OP when you email and point out that they're not answering the phones, what do they say?

This Spa sounds bonkers Grin

Original poster
HobbyisENetwork · 18/05/2021 13:34

@ShaneTheThird

This thread is so over dramatic its hilarious Grin

Its been open one day. One. It does not matter if it opened outside parts 2 weeks ago. The inside part with all the staff and treatments have been back one day cut them some slack. This isnt your friends problem its yours. She was nice enough to get you the gift its your responsibility to utilise it and no it doesnt matter that she is going too. The gift is yours so the onus of booking is on you. Also the friend can't do anything differently to you but if you want her to keep calling them then just ask her and stop being bitchy about your so called friend online for getting you a gift.

So out of curiosity if I bought the vouchers and I kept one and gave it to my friend and we decided on a date and she said I’m having issues booking this. I should say - oh well it’s on you to book it, I’ve done my part, so good luck.

Maybe on someone’s birthday I’ll say I’m getting them a cake and instead I’ll buy them just the ingredients and be like well good luck with that. Can’t wait for my slice!

OP posts:
Crazycrazylady · 18/05/2021 13:34

Op
Its not essential that you book today is it, I'd leave the dust settle a few days and then try again. I think you are rightly annoyed about not being able to get through but have weirdly managed to transfer that somehow to your friend who is totally blameless on this.
Just relax about this, ye will surely get through in a few days and this will all have been unnecessary, I think its pretty certain that your friend wont have a clue as to why you're annoyed with her. I know i wouldnt.

Original poster
HobbyisENetwork · 18/05/2021 13:38

@myfuckingfreezer

OP when you email and point out that they're not answering the phones, what do they say?

This Spa sounds bonkers Grin

They just repeat themselves and say we are unable to take bookings via email. Doesn’t matter what you say.
OP posts:
AlmostSummer21 · 18/05/2021 13:38

[quote Cassilis]@ShaneTheThird RTFT, the spa has been open for a while.[/quote]
Alternatively you could actually read Shane's post properly.

Original poster
HobbyisENetwork · 18/05/2021 13:40

@Crazycrazylady

Op Its not essential that you book today is it, I'd leave the dust settle a few days and then try again. I think you are rightly annoyed about not being able to get through but have weirdly managed to transfer that somehow to your friend who is totally blameless on this. Just relax about this, ye will surely get through in a few days and this will all have been unnecessary, I think its pretty certain that your friend wont have a clue as to why you're annoyed with her. I know i wouldnt.
But it does need to be booked asap as we’re taking time off work which isn’t easy to do and it’s popular spa so the date we want might go and we also wanted to book a hotel or air bnb - which were not doing until we have confirmation of the spa booking.

I’m just an organised person and would rather get something done then wait and likely miss out on the date we wanted.

OP posts:
Cassilis · 18/05/2021 13:40

@AlmostSummer21 Irrelevant, spa was staffed.

youvegottenminuteslynn · 18/05/2021 14:04

OP, I say this as gently as possible... just bloody ask her! She's your friend, she likes you enough to get you a spa day together so you're surely close enough to say argh this is stressing me out can you see if you get anywhere trying to book it please? Done. She hasn't jumped in and offered to help, it's not the end of the world. Ask her for help if you want help, you're adults and it doesn't need to be a massive issue!

ImThePatronSaintOfTheDenial · 18/05/2021 14:42

@arethereanyleftatall

I think you need to clarify if the spa day is for 'you and her' to enjoy together; or just for you and someone else. I think that would make a difference to the responses..
If you read the op the answer is there
ChubbyMsSunshine · 18/05/2021 14:47

I really want to know which spa it is so I can try and sell them some enhanced CX...

On the positive side OP - at least it won't be getting booked up if no-one can communicate with them! Grin

adeleh · 18/05/2021 14:56

Actually looking at this in the cold light of day I can see your point better, OP. I'm sorry, because I was one of the arsey posters. I don't think your friend is at fault, but I think it would be OK to ask her to see if she can have better luck.

BillyTodd · 18/05/2021 15:45

BUT WHY WOULDN'T YOU JUST ASK YOUR FRIEND TO TRY IF THAT IS WHAT YOU WANT HER TO DO?!

shouty capitals to suit the drama of the thread

Do you wait for people to guess what you want them to do in the rest of your life too? Grin

SkodaKodiaq · 18/05/2021 16:05

@HobbyisENetwork Ignore the AIBU bullies OP. I know just what you mean.
Honestly, it sounds like they may be going out of business? I've experienced similar with businesses avoiding those with vouchers etc and they then go out of business soon after.

I personally would ask your friend to contact her bank and raise a dispute via VISA Chargeback. She has every right to a refund as she's bought a voucher for a service that is not being fulfilled. I wouldn't be annoyed by your friend not offering. Perhaps she just didn't realise how stressful it's being. Some people (ie me!) just don't think enough!

Call her, explain the issues you're having and politely request she does a chargeback via her bank and suggest maybe doing something else together?

toocold54 · 18/05/2021 17:32

Also I know this isn’t what you said but she only gave me my voucher. She has the other one.

So she will need to phone up anyway to book her place too?

The actual situation sounds really stressful and if you’d gone on here complaining about the actual spa you’d have everyone’s full support.
But instead you’ve come on here to moan about your friend even though she’s brought you the gift and if you can’t get through then there’s no chance she will either do I don’t understand your logic and why you seem so annoyed with her.

GreyhoundG1rl · 18/05/2021 17:41

Also I know this isn’t what you said but she only gave me my voucher. She has the other one
This makes zero sense, unless she doesn't want you to go together. Maybe she doesn't...

sunshinesontv · 18/05/2021 17:47

I think your anger towards the useless spa is justified.

Name them and we'll all try to book for you.

But you're being really mean about your friend. One of you had to book and you seem to have stepped up. Why would she also be trying to book? Why would she offer to take over and make the booking, if you haven't asked her to?

I really think that it won't have occurred to her to offer. She'll be thinking what we're all thinking - just wait a few days before trying again.

sunshinesontv · 18/05/2021 17:48

I hope your update is that she used her voucher to go with a kinder friend.

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