AIBU to be annoyed my daughter’s party package changed last minute?

[cakeandparty]

I booked my DDs party over six months ago, paying a deposit. It’s quite pricey but included all the catering and balloons, party bags and cake so I thought all I had to do was show up.

I’ve called them a few times to settle the balance but the manager has never been in. I finally got through to her today and she casually said that they no longer include cake or party bags. I asked when this changed and the reply was march.

The party is on Saturday. I have two days now to sort a cake and party bags. When I pointed this out she said that she could sort the party bags but unfortunately not the cake.

It isn’t that I can’t get one; I can, although it’s a pain, but I just think I could so easily have turned up on the day and had neither cake nor party bags (as I can pay on the day; it’s just easier to get it all sorted beforehand.)

Feeling a bit stressed at what a near miss it was, to be honest!

Did you pay the balance?
Bit odd to do so before the party isn’t it?

A small business is less likely to cancel imo. They surely need the bookings? And bad press would be worse?

If you haven't already paid the balance you should negotiate a discount for the service you're not receiving (the cake). If you have already paid it all you should request a refund or an upgrade of some sort.

No. It's not their call. They promised you a service, and quoted you a price for it.
You paid a deposit. That means you have a contract with them.
They cannot change the terms to remove part of that service without notifying you and without adjusting the price accordingly.
Tell them that if they don't either produce a cake to the appropriate standard (i.e. like the one in the picture on their website) or reduce the price to the cost of your sourcing one at short notice, you will report them to the local trading standards office and leave an honest review about their business practices on line.

I had similar for my daughters party - when I booked the food options were pizza or hotdogs - both veggie and meat. I phoned a couple of days before to ask if I needed to let them know in advance what everyone is having and she told me its changed now and is sandwiches. I told her my daughter wont eat sandwiches, she doesn't like them and the only reason I booked a party rather than just the event was the food. They tried to get me to back down but I refused and in the end they agreed to do pizza for everyone. I would absolutely tell them they owe you a partial refund

You’re not voting with your feet though, you’re being ripped off and a complete walkover.

They’re not going to cancel the booking, don’t be silly.

When they told you there was no cake did you just say, ok then and just pay the full balance?

Don’t be a doormat. There is no need for rudeness, but it is important to be assertive and clear about your expectations and request a partial refund. Otherwise this business will carry on offering poor service to other customers. Stand up for yourself. You can do it after the party of course.

Stop being a walkover!

It’s a role play cafe. I imagine if they cancelled the booking they’d just open to the general public. I agree they are unlikely to do so but in all honesty it’s not a risk I want to take over a cake that I can pick up for £30.

I also don’t really want the day tainted with arguments going back and forth. I do actually agree that the right thing to do would have been for them to have shaved some money off the cost. However, I can’t force them to do so and any insistence they do on my part is likely to lead to bad feeling.

With anything in life you weigh up ‘is this worth kicking up a fuss over’ and my honest answer is that it isn’t. Doesn’t mean I can’t inwardly be pissed off, though! And won’t be booking a party there again.

Not a comment on how badly treated you’ve been but a cake “ top tip”
also unsure re age of child. But you can’t see past a Colin caterpillar. Buy two. Cut one up in advance. Wrap up individual slices and place in party bag in advance.

That’s a good shout actually. I was going to use the cake box and have Elsa and Anna on it but Colin is a classic indeed! Thanks

Yes, always two cakes. One already cut up and a spare for any extras on the day 👍🏼👍🏼

I like a 'Ms Molly's' from Tesco with a plastic character stuck on the top. Child keeps the figure, I don't have to bake... everyone's happy.

As PP have said, be polite but firm and take the cost of the cake off the final payment. They need you to be happy as word of mouth is extremely important for a small business! And customers tell far more people about bad service than good (think I read ratio of 10:1 somewhere)

Have you even asked if they’ll discount you the cost of the cake? That doesn’t need to be an argument or confrontational in tone. It’s a fair question.

Definitely screenshot it.
Then give an honest review of their false advertising.

Surely a customer is more "difficult" saying nothing, nodding and grinning politely and thanking them for a lovely party then writing a bad review - rather than discussing it, complaining in a polite but constructive way and giving them an opportunity to right things?
There is obviously a world of difference between communicating dissatisfaction and causing a scene, and i would definitely be bringing it up before the day of the party to avoid any awkwardness when it comes to the rest of the money being due.

I don't know why people struggle so much to stick up for themselves. This is like the post someone wrote on mumsnet earlier about a family using their private pool rather than just approaching the hotel staff and getting them to deal with it!

Check the fine print if any. Sometimes they will say something about changes in their t&c section. A cake and party bags is quite a cost hit to endure though so there should definitely be some sort of compensation/refund.

To avoid any further awkwardness I would suck it up and get a cake so your child gets a party. But after if you have emails saying what is included etc I would be looking for a refund for the cost of the cake at least and taking about breach of contract and going to court. Also make sure you leave a review on every site possible so others can avoid being treated the same. Not fair of them to change with such little notice

I agree, they should honour the package you paid fir, unless T and c have said they can change the package, but no cake or party bags is quite significant, Emaiil them after the party if not before.

Depending on numbers, surely they're getting away with at least £50 of your money now and you having the hassle of rushing around. You could have bought party bag tat far cheaper online than in Tesco too.
They won't cancel your party. Go in and pay the bill today (no embarrassed on the day) and ask to speak to the owner.

I also don’t really want the day tainted

That ship has sailed. The fact that you have created a post about it means that the situation has affected you and your view on the place. When you look back at photos of candles being blown you will again remember the last minute dash for a cake.

Be a role model to your DD. One of these things is assertiveness and politely negotiating the final price given the change of terms not communicated to you in advance.

Did you have written confirmation of what was included in your booking? Surely you should be getting a discount/money off? They are ripping you off and may continue doing it to others.

You can get decent large cakes from M&S to be fair, I’d do that and show them the receipt to deduct that amount from the bill.

It’s annoyed you enough to post on here but not to make a complaint to them?

But you haven’t even asked?! Never mind forced them.
i genuinely can’t imagine ever being this passive and mousey 🙈