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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think a partial refund should be offered under these circumstances?

102 replies

agiftfromwinklesea · 22/09/2024 10:40

I booked tickets for an event. They weren’t cheap and being totally honest here I did so because it’s literally taking place next to my house and a bouncy castle was involved. I knew DS(3) would be desperate to go on so booked it.

Of course the weather is now … interesting and the bouncy castle is cancelled. A chirpy email says not to worry, there are lots of other things to do but honestly none of them will interest DS much.

AIBU to think partially refunding would be fair in this situation?

OP posts:

MidnightPatrol · 22/09/2024 10:41

Why should they give you a refund?

Martymcfly24 · 22/09/2024 10:42

Did it have a policy about weather when booking. We booked a Christmas lights thing recently and it said only in the case of a red warning would tickets be refunded otherwise bring a brolly.

Original poster

agiftfromwinklesea · 22/09/2024 10:43

@MidnightPatrol because all of the things that were offered are not. To put it another way, they haven’t had to pay for the bouncy castle which will bring the overall cost down presumably but our ticket cost has remained the same.

OP posts:

YaCannyKickYaGrannyInTheShin · 22/09/2024 10:44

YABU, bouncy castles are always weather dependent.

If it's too windy or there's heavy rain, they can't be used for H&S reasons.

If they advertised hotdogs that ran out before you arrived, would you also expect a refund?

FiveGoMadInDorset · 22/09/2024 10:44

How do you know they haven’t paid for the bouncy castle?

Overthebow · 22/09/2024 10:45

agiftfromwinklesea · 22/09/2024 10:43

They might not get a refund on a bouncy castle this close to the event. Is there a clause in the t&cs that not all activities may be available in certain circumstances? Also how much else is there, if the bouncy castle was the main event and there’s not much else then maybe a refund is reasonable, but if it’s a small part of a bigger event then no.

Sirzy · 22/09/2024 10:45

So you would rather they had the bouncy castle when dangerous?

Unless the ticket said “we guarantee we will have a bouncy castle” then no there is no grounds for a refund

Original poster

agiftfromwinklesea · 22/09/2024 10:46

If the event was a hotdogs and popcorn day and they didn’t have hotdogs then yeah … I’d say that’s reasonable.

If it was a big event with loads of things on and happened to have a hotdog stall there then no not so much.

It is a bit frustrating as there’s nothing else there ds would enjoy so I’ve wasted money 😭 but fair enough. I wouldn’t expect the whole cost back but I do think some back would have been good. To be honest I’m surprised it’s going ahead as the weather really is terrible and it is outdoors but we shall see!

OP posts:

TheDandyLion · 22/09/2024 10:46

Almost all events are weather dependent. Act of God clause n all that.

YaCannyKickYaGrannyInTheShin · 22/09/2024 10:47

How do you know they don't have to pay for the bouncy castle?

They may have paid a large deposit and need to make that money back. Or they may have to pay the whole lot.

These things are organised and booked way in advance, so the chances are they'll still have to pay.

Sera1989 · 22/09/2024 10:47

It isn't the organiser's fault that you're not interested in the rest of the event. If the bouncy castle wasn't the main part of the event then I'm not sure how they'd even calculate a refund amount

Original poster

agiftfromwinklesea · 22/09/2024 10:47

@Sirzy that really is being argumentative for arguments sake. At no point have I said I want the bouncy castle given the weather. What I have said is that we bought tickets for something that is now not on offer, so it wouldn’t be vastly unreasonable to want some money back.

OP posts:

ChessieFL · 22/09/2024 10:47

If the bouncy castle was the main event then you might have a point and a partial refund would be a good gesture. If the bouncy castle was just one of many things going on and the majority are still happening then no refund due. Not their fault that you bought tickets based on just one small part of the event.

SonicTheHodgeheg · 22/09/2024 10:48

Was it an option to buy tickets on the day ? The weather is always a risk in the UK and the company aren’t unreasonable to not have a bouncy castle on wet/windy days which is the most common sort of weather.

Original poster

agiftfromwinklesea · 22/09/2024 10:48

There are about four things on offer and one was the bouncy castle. So I’d have thought a bit back. They weren’t cheap! But it is just one of those things, great British weather.

OP posts:

Sera1989 · 22/09/2024 10:48

Is the event today? Or is there time to sell the ticket on a local FB page for half/third price and get some of your money back?

kitsuneghost · 22/09/2024 10:48

Does the original booking say there will ge a bouncy castle.
Is there anything in the small print saying precise events may change.
Partial refund is not a thing. If they promised something with no clause that it may change then you are due a full refund.

Smartiepants79 · 22/09/2024 10:49

This situation is, of course, annoying.
But I very much doubt you’ll have any luck getting any money back.
If this is a large, properly organised event ( I presume it’s not just the village fete due to the ticket price) then they will have very clear terms and conditions that cover them for such eventualities.
Outside events are always potentially going to not work out in this country, in autumn. It’s a risk you take I’m afraid. I don’t think you’re entitled to your money back, no.
The reasons for why you booked it are also not really their problem either.

Original poster

agiftfromwinklesea · 22/09/2024 10:49

@SonicTheHodgeheg yeah I really, really wish I’d done that! I think the problem was that when it was announced and I realised it was next to us I wouldn’t have wanted ds to be disappointed when I said we couldn’t go, so I had good intentions but the road to hell and all that …

OP posts:

Original poster

agiftfromwinklesea · 22/09/2024 10:50

I doubt anyone else will want to go @Sera1989! I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a bit of a flop.

OP posts:

YaCannyKickYaGrannyInTheShin · 22/09/2024 10:52

I'm trying to imagine what sort of event sells expensive tickets and only offers 4 things?

Either way, you might as well go along as it's so near to your home and you've got a ticket.

Who knows, your child might enjoy it afterall.

Changingplace · 22/09/2024 10:53

agiftfromwinklesea · 22/09/2024 10:43

I think you’re wrong, the company they’ve hired the bouncy castle from most likely asked for payment up front and had a clause about unsuitable weather find being beyond their control.

TimeForTeaAndG · 22/09/2024 10:54

agiftfromwinklesea · 22/09/2024 10:50

I doubt anyone else will want to go @Sera1989! I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a bit of a flop.

Well that a bit of a defeatist attitude. At least if you try to sell the tickets you might get some money back, which is your entire aim.

If you don't try then you definitely won't get anything.

Original poster

agiftfromwinklesea · 22/09/2024 10:54

I'm trying to imagine what sort of event sells expensive tickets and only offers 4 things?

A special one

OP posts:

pinkdelight · 22/09/2024 10:55

You keep saying it's not cheap, but a bouncy castle hire doesn't cost that much so even if they didn't have to pay for it (which is very unlikely), passing that saving/refund onto every ticket-holder isn't going to be much. It's disappointing sure, but always a risk with an outdoor event and better to take their attitude of having a good time anyway than expect compensation for missed bouncing.

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