No shows at birthday party

[IunderstandMissHannigan]

It was my child’s birthday party and I paid £20 per child at a local play centre. 2 siblings responded that they would go but did not turn up - the parents were apologetic but said they had forgotten and wouldn’t make it on time for any of the party.
One of the siblings had a dietary requirement and I paid an extra £11 for different food for them.

AIBU to ask that the parents reimburse me for the cost?
If you were going to do this, how would you word it?

It was my choice to have an expensive party so maybe I should just leave it. What would you do?

So you paid £51 for two children who didn't show?

I would just take it on the chin and not invite them again

It's annoying but I'd put it down to experience. You haven't actually lost anything as you would have paid for them if they had come anyway.

Thank-you xx

I would just thank them for the apology and explain that due to their intolerances their places cost blah as you had to pay extra and for them to be mindful for future invites as it is a lot of wasted money that would have been better spent on your child. See if they offer to pay it back but I wouldn’t ask for it.

That's what I thought. If I was their mother I'd be mortified and give you the money back.
Why are people so forgetful with so much tech around to help them remember special dates/plans.

Don't bother having parties again. More hassle than it's worth. Choose a few children who.you know will come and take them.oit somewhere.

Ugh I hate this- I have solved it though by always taking 2/3 off automatically when book knowing they’ll be drop outs

No, they're not responsible for your choices.

This happened to me minus the extra dietary requirements. I was polite when the parents messaged their late apologies and I wouldn't have asked for money but they wouldn't get invited again either.

It's crappy from the other parents. Really inconsiderate. They could've at least lied and said one of the kids were sick. But I'd just take it on the chin.

I would have been annoyed and upset for my child , however I would chalk it up to experience and I wouldn't ask for any money back.

Unfortunately this is all part of kids parties. I was at one last weekend where two people just didn’t show up and my friend (birthday child’s mum) wasn’t happy. I have had it in the past. Even more annoying when you see the no-showers later and they don’t even acknowledge it, let alone apologise. Just don’t invite them next time!

Thank-you all for the replies, I’ll chalk it up to experience and keep it in mind for future parties xx

I'd also recommend texting every invitee 2 days b4 to remind them, if you haven't already, to try to weed out any late cancellations in time to get your money back

When ds was young one of his invitees didn't turn up, they had accepted but no text on the day to let me know he wasn't coming.
I was kind thinking he might have been poorly so sent ds into school on Monday with his party bag.
I found out later his mum had refused to let him go because he had been naughty in the morning. Really pissed me off that and he didn't get another invite

Do you mean the choice for the parent to confirm they are coming?

What a dumb comment.

I see where you’re coming from OP. But I think you’ve got to cop this one on the chin, unfortunately.

It’s dreadful manners but you can’t ask for reimbursement that’s utter cringe. Like fuck would I ever invite that family to anything ever again though.

God this is so rude. Where are people’s manners?

I'd be annoyed but let it go. I'd never invite them again though.

Well, you were expecting to pay £51 either way, so at least it's not cost you any more. Were you able to consume the food they should have had?

Also, do you think the parents knew how much it was costing?

I think it's pretty poor form on their part (although things do get forgotten), but to ask for the money would trump that & then some.

In fact, a similar complaint & request for the money back made it to the national press, so I wouldn't even go there.

Let it go and never invite them again or instead of a large party, take a few good friends on a special outing. Either way your child will have a fab day.

£51 is a lot OP, people are so selfish. I would probably want to drop it in at some point in the future abiyt the dietary requirements. Even 'oh be careful of X business you have to pay in advance even if no shows/dietary requirements'
Would the play centre not refund for the kids who didn't show? Our local ones there is a minimum charge of 10 children but other than that you pay for what was there on day so if you booked for 20 and only 15 turned up you only pay 15. You would probably still need to pay for the food though which I understand.

People are weird these days - yes they are responsible. They said they were attending. They specified dietary requirements.