Booked in for the wrong time?!

Kmward36 · 2024-12-15T20:29:51+00:00

I can’t work out if I’m being completely irrational (I am 8 months pregnant and very teary in general these days 🤦🏻♀️) ?! Booked a themed Christmas afternoon tea for myself, my husband and 2 children (4 and 3). They were very excited - dressed in themed clothing etc. booked in July and paid for in full (£170) and confirmed date/ time on Monday. had email confirmation etc. turned up at 12 today (after an hour and a half drive - we do live quite rural so this does happen with events) to be told we had the time wrong at it was in 4 hours time. Showed the email but they kept saying the spread sheet said 4 not 12. Eventually they admitted someone had made a mistake and we were booked in wrong. Every other time was full so we had to wait until 4. No option to return home as it was a ridiculous amount of travel for the children (and my back 😂). They said we were welcome to sit outside and wait for out table (in the rain). Couldn’t get a refund at the afternoon tea had been made up already but they did say we would be heavily compensated. Told them I was very upset, long time for the children to wait around, we had a Christmas lights show booked for 4 and would have to miss it (no option for a refund as it was too late). Kids were very excited to see this character so we chose the tea over the lights. returned 4 hours later (after a long boring wait trying to fill time). No mention of compensation and when we asked we got one free flat white…I don’t really think that’s heavily compensated. Tea was fine but kids had eaten a small lunch so didn’t eat much (they were starving so they had to have something) and were generally over it all. I want to complain but my husbands saying let it go. WWYD??

NobleWashedLinen · 15/12/2024 20:32

I can't imagine anyone books an afternoon tea at lunch time. I expect that when the booking was made someone confused the fact that thr booking was "for 4" ie 4 people and took that as being 4pm but that's a perfectly sensible assumption because 4pm is tea time and 12 noon is lunch time.

Dollshousedolly · 15/12/2024 20:33

Of course, email the company and clearly state the facts of what happened, you don’t need your husbands permission to do so.

ChangeofAir · 15/12/2024 20:36

NobleWashedLinen · 15/12/2024 20:32

I can't imagine anyone books an afternoon tea at lunch time. I expect that when the booking was made someone confused the fact that thr booking was "for 4" ie 4 people and took that as being 4pm but that's a perfectly sensible assumption because 4pm is tea time and 12 noon is lunch time.

Wtf?

OP booked it for the time that suited her family, the restaurant/cafe got it wrong.

Your opinion on what time afternoon tea should be is irrelevant.

I would put in a compaint, OP. Very disappointing!

Justkeepingplatesspinning · 15/12/2024 20:36

I hope you got it in writing from them about it being their mistake.
I'd be looking for them to cover the fee for the light show. It was their error and you shouldn't be out of pocket. Similarly any parking and drinks while you needed to wait.
I hope you didn't have a tip included in your fee for the tea!

SomethingAboutNothing · 15/12/2024 20:36

You absolutely should email and that was not really any form of compensation, never mind heavily. Sorry your day didn't go as planned OP.

MikeRafone · 15/12/2024 20:36

If you’d got proof you’d booked for 12pm on a return email - I’d complain in writing that you missed your event due to their cock up on time.

id want them to do something as you’ve lost out

Original poster

Kmward36 · 15/12/2024 20:37

NobleWashedLinen · 15/12/2024 20:32

I can't imagine anyone books an afternoon tea at lunch time. I expect that when the booking was made someone confused the fact that thr booking was "for 4" ie 4 people and took that as being 4pm but that's a perfectly sensible assumption because 4pm is tea time and 12 noon is lunch time.

It was a Christmas event at the room was full at 12 with families for the afternoon tea. It ran 3 different service times, the first being 12.

they couldn’t squeeze us in as it was full (despite our booking)

OP posts:

Dollshousedolly · 15/12/2024 20:37

NobleWashedLinen · 15/12/2024 20:32

I can't imagine anyone books an afternoon tea at lunch time. I expect that when the booking was made someone confused the fact that thr booking was "for 4" ie 4 people and took that as being 4pm but that's a perfectly sensible assumption because 4pm is tea time and 12 noon is lunch time.

Actually, plenty of people book afternoon tea for that time, Fortnum & Mason start their Afternoon Tea at 11.00am. 12 noon can actually be a good time, skip breakfast and have sandwiches, a scone and cake at 12 noon instead!

MikeRafone · 15/12/2024 20:38

NobleWashedLinen · 15/12/2024 20:32

I can't imagine anyone books an afternoon tea at lunch time. I expect that when the booking was made someone confused the fact that thr booking was "for 4" ie 4 people and took that as being 4pm but that's a perfectly sensible assumption because 4pm is tea time and 12 noon is lunch time.

They had an email on Monday confirming the date and time

SwerveCity · 15/12/2024 20:39

NobleWashedLinen · 15/12/2024 20:32

I can't imagine anyone books an afternoon tea at lunch time. I expect that when the booking was made someone confused the fact that thr booking was "for 4" ie 4 people and took that as being 4pm but that's a perfectly sensible assumption because 4pm is tea time and 12 noon is lunch time.

Eh? It’s completely normal to have afternoon tea at noon 😂

Hoppinggreen · 15/12/2024 20:40

They should refund the whole thing, email and politely request they do so

theeyeofdoe · 15/12/2024 20:40

I would have just said that you obviously weren’t going to wait 4 hours. The either fitted you in at the time you booked or refunded.

Stretchanoctave · 15/12/2024 20:42

NobleWashedLinen · 15/12/2024 20:32

I can't imagine anyone books an afternoon tea at lunch time. I expect that when the booking was made someone confused the fact that thr booking was "for 4" ie 4 people and took that as being 4pm but that's a perfectly sensible assumption because 4pm is tea time and 12 noon is lunch time.

Really such an unhelpful comment.

PrettyPines · 15/12/2024 20:42

That's crazy! Absolutely not just you, I'd be so upset. It ruined your whole day!

PerkyPanda · 15/12/2024 20:44

Don’t forget your light show - you definitely need compensating for that.

SomuchtodoandhereIam · 15/12/2024 20:47

If you email / talk with someone in charge they will sort it out properly for you (as much as is possible at this stage). Junior staff don’t know what they’re doing half the time unfortunately. It must have been very difficult to wait around for 4 hours at 8 months pregnant with small children. Plus it messed up your day and other activities.

HooMoo · 15/12/2024 20:51

NobleWashedLinen · 15/12/2024 20:32

I can't imagine anyone books an afternoon tea at lunch time. I expect that when the booking was made someone confused the fact that thr booking was "for 4" ie 4 people and took that as being 4pm but that's a perfectly sensible assumption because 4pm is tea time and 12 noon is lunch time.

Sorry what??? 😂 nothing you’ve said is relevant. When you think afternoon should take place is just a silly comment to make. The OP booked it for 12 so she should have her booking at 12….

OP it was their mistake so I’d definitely be going for more compensation.

Oreyt · 15/12/2024 20:53

I remember booking breakfast with Santa when DDs were 2 and 4.

It was Breakfast first then singing with Santa.

Everyone was getting their breakfast and I looked round and some had even finished eating.

Kids were fed up. I asked someone and they asked someone else and I saw the shock on their face. I have autism and absolutely hate to make a scene I was so embarrassed as other people were looking at us.

Santa care out and the kids were being taking to stand on stage to sing by the parents.

Both DDs wanted to go and see him but I wanted to cry. I don't like going out as it is.

They brought our food out but then we had to go see Santa for a present so they gave dds a cupcake. This was 10 years ago now.

The men that run the farm have their own tv show and I won't watch it now 😂😂

I know it wasn't their fault but someone somewhere missed us out. It always seems to happen to me too.

I totally sympathise.!

Oreyt · 15/12/2024 20:54

NobleWashedLinen · 15/12/2024 20:32

I can't imagine anyone books an afternoon tea at lunch time. I expect that when the booking was made someone confused the fact that thr booking was "for 4" ie 4 people and took that as being 4pm but that's a perfectly sensible assumption because 4pm is tea time and 12 noon is lunch time.

4pm is tea time.

Afternoon tea is anytime??

Sheknowsyouknowaye · 15/12/2024 20:57

It was their look out they had already done the food for you and their fault they had the wrong time. They should have offered a full refund or to re-book you for a different date.

You waited 4 hours and missed your light show. I wouldn't have done that.

Flossyflop · 15/12/2024 20:57

COMPLAIN, explain everything you’ve just told us. They have ruined your special day out, this is not a cheap experience.

It sounds like you’ve been robbed off a bit by inexperienced staff or ones that aren’t great at customer service.

FutureFry · 15/12/2024 21:01

I'd expect a substantial refund. What a joke!
And you shouldn't have to be grovelling for compensation, they should be offering it.

Comff · 15/12/2024 21:05

You need to be firmer. There’s no way I’d have accepted that.

Flossyflop · 15/12/2024 21:06

Flossyflop · 15/12/2024 20:57

COMPLAIN, explain everything you’ve just told us. They have ruined your special day out, this is not a cheap experience.

It sounds like you’ve been robbed off a bit by inexperienced staff or ones that aren’t great at customer service.

fobbed off

Mandylovescandy · 15/12/2024 21:11

I would definitely complain - would probably have insisted on a full refund at 12 and not gone back - I would still request full refund. Email and point out it is clearly their mistake,say you want a quick resolution as you are pregnant and don't want to be this to be dragged out