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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Spoilt the surprise

139 replies

baytreelane · 08/03/2022 23:07

It was my birthday last week and I had hinted for an expensive treatment. I received an email from said salon to say I have an appointment, immediately followed by another to thank me for my visit. It turns out when DH purchased the voucher they asked if the recipient had been to the spa before, and he gave my name.

I acted surprised when I got the voucher but I felt like it was a ruined surprise due to the emails in the days leading up.

I have emailed to book the treatment today and explained I was disappointed that they alert the recipient of a gift voucher and that it was a birthday present of mine. They sent some dates of availability and completely ignored my comments. I now feel slightly annoyed that they haven't even acknowledged it, let alone apologised. I totally get it could be human error and I would be fine with that but I now feel like I don't want to visit there now but I have this voucher!

Am I being unreasonable here? I'm not one to complain; it wasn't even a compliant. I simply wanted to let them know it's not ideal for anyone receiving a voucher.

OP posts:
BeHappy91818 · 09/03/2022 06:50

Your DH should of gave his own email address Confused

Wulfenite · 09/03/2022 06:56

I wish anyone who told anyone else "be grateful" could automatically have frogs fall on their head.

ReeseWitherfork · 09/03/2022 06:57

Think most PP are focusing on the wrong bit. OP clearly says the bit she is miffed about is them not even acknowledging her comments in the email, let alone apologising, not that the surprise was ruined. They've got a crap system for dealing with gift vouchers and she pointed it out to them. I don't think that makes her a brat, or any of the other things she's been called.

YANBU. They shouldn't have ignored it and they clearly need to change their approach to gifts.

Joystir59 · 09/03/2022 07:00

You are being silly. Enjoy the gift you've asked for and stop being so petulant. Are you very young?

AssignedBlobbyAtBirth · 09/03/2022 07:02

FFS
I hope your H learns from this and gives you supermarket flowers and a box of roses next year. He really can't win

GreyCarpet · 09/03/2022 07:15

Or... you could just be grateful that you got the expensive present you asked for... 🤷🏻‍♀️

lottiegarbanzo · 09/03/2022 07:15

It was your DH who screwed up. He was a twit to give them your name without saying 'it's a surprise gift'.

They employ ordinary receptionists, doing an ordinary reception job.

Go and enjoy the gift you asked for!

NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 09/03/2022 07:17

OP I think you are being a bit childish expecting a total 'surprise' as an adult? In the nicest possible way, it's time to grow up!

Bonbon21 · 09/03/2022 07:18

Hope you had a lovely birthday.
Hope you grow up soon.
Honestly... this is your biggest problem/disappoinment in life? Do you know what is going on in the world right now?
Get a grip.

gogohm · 09/03/2022 07:19

The email from the salon was probably automatically generated. Your dp should have given his email, moan at him or grow up

lottiegarbanzo · 09/03/2022 07:21

NOBODY gives the recipient's details when they buy a gift voucher. They buy it. They give it.

You can't be cross with a receptionist for following their normal system. Your DH should have made sure they only had and would use his details for correspondence in relation to this purchase.

The exception would be an online order that's posted - with a gift receipt. Wrapped, if secrecy is important.

tinyt137 · 09/03/2022 07:25

There are families struggling to pay for heating, feeding their children and innocent people being killed in Ukraine at the moment. Get a grip. Honestly. You are beyond a diva.

Huckleberries73 · 09/03/2022 07:30

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

girlmom21 · 09/03/2022 07:31

I don't understand. Are you upset because you were told about your birthday present (that you asked for) before your birthday or are you upset because you thought he'd just bought it as a 'just because' gift and it was actually a birthday present?

Either way no surprise was ruined because it's not really all that surprising to get a gift you asked for and to cancel the treatment would be really counterproductive

StrawberrySanta · 09/03/2022 07:32

This can't be for real! You honestly sound spoilt and ungrateful. You hinted you wanted an EXPENSIVE spa treatment, your DP was kind enough to take the hint and get you the expensive present, he gave them your email not knowing it would send you an alert. Just be grateful he got you it! Honestly , he's hardly spoilt the surprise when you asked for it anyway? Grow up a little! If you open your eyes you'll see there's bigger problems in life right now

Gowithme · 09/03/2022 07:33

I think they were pretty dumb OP, in my understanding they asked for your name - and it was perfectly reasonable for your DH to give your name - not realising they would look it up on the system and actually email you. Did he tell them it was a surprise? Maybe that's where the miscommunication occurred - it was unprofessional IMO of them not to reply to your email with a quick apology and say how they were looking forward to seeing you or something. Don't let it ruin your experience though, afterwards you can always leave a review somewhere detailing what happened so others don't make the same mistake.

Shitfuckcommaetc · 09/03/2022 07:35

YANBU

Some people on here are a bit wierd about birthdays. As clearly seen in some of the nasty comments above!

It's bad customer service for the salon to not even acknowledge your comments

AroundTheHouses · 09/03/2022 07:36

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

TristesseDurera · 09/03/2022 07:37

@ReeseWitherfork

Think most PP are focusing on the wrong bit. OP clearly says the bit she is miffed about is them not even acknowledging her comments in the email, let alone apologising, not that the surprise was ruined. They've got a crap system for dealing with gift vouchers and she pointed it out to them. I don't think that makes her a brat, or any of the other things she's been called.

YANBU. They shouldn't have ignored it and they clearly need to change their approach to gifts.

How about where she says she doesn't want to go anymore because they spoiled her surprise?
Shoxfordian · 09/03/2022 07:38

Yeah you need to get over this one op- you got what you wanted so enjoy it

SD1978 · 09/03/2022 07:38

I'm sorry the spa ruined your magical 5th birthday present. Thoughts and prayers.....

guiltynetter · 09/03/2022 07:39

I don't think you should go. They have acted abhorrently (as has your husband, for buying you what you wanted for your birthday)

I'll go instead Grin

Partyatnumber10 · 09/03/2022 07:39

Do adults still need to be "surprised" by presents on a regular basis to be happy with them?
You "hinted" for this anyway so it wasn't a total surprise.
You got the gift you wanted so I really think you should remind yourself how lucky you are rather than looking for something to moan about.

Shitfuckcommaetc · 09/03/2022 07:39

she's the definition of being childish as she's saying she doesn't want to go for the treatment now because her surprise is ruined! Such a diva

I think your reading comprehension skills are lacking, as OP clearing writes that she's feels like not wanting to go as the salon didn't even acknowledge her complain when she emailed to book.
Its bad customer service that's putting her off.

SpinningTheSeedsOfLove · 09/03/2022 07:40

I agree that it’s the I don’t want to go any more that sounds rather petulant.

It’s the tone of the post, really.