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!

Hopefully you’ve at least pointed out to them they need to update their website so no other poor kid is disappointed

Mumsnet doesn’t want a huge argument. Mumsnet doesn’t care.

you cared enough to write a post here about being annoyed but won’t do anything to solve it.

they changed the time and offered £50 credit to your booking

they've now changed T&Cs without notifying you and offered you nothing to compensate

you say you’re fine “shelling out for a cake” yourself, when in actual fact, your technically paying twice for the cake - the one they aren’t providing and the one you are.

it doesn’t have to be an argument, just a simple “I’m disappointed you have now changed the terms of the party that I’m paying for and providing less for the same amount”

it makes no sense to put a post on here but do nothing about a very easily rectified situation!

I’m also confused how they can now magically provide the party bags, but absolutely cannot provide a cake and won’t reimburse you?
surely they could easily go to Tesco and buy a couple of cakes to provide, the same way they expect you now to?

It's perfectly possible to raise a complaint and not cause a scene: maybe you don't trust your judgment doing it in person (?) but people (not specifically just talking about you - but people who are naturally shy/avoidant etc) really need to learn how to express dissatisfaction and basic negotiation skills without getting into a slanging match or argument. Without intending to sound patronising: it's a seriously valuable life skill that all adults need to recognise (especially if you are advocating for someone else: like a child or elderly relative, which most of us will at least once in our lives).

I would definitely not recommend raising any grievance either regarding the cake or the time switch on the day of the party. That's a really bad idea as it gives neither party involved the opportunity to change or do anything about it - but based on the dates, it sounds too late to do anything about it at this stage. I'd honestly think twice about posting a poor review after the event either - as mentioned, it sounds like you've avoided the communication that would have given them a chance to correct the issues they gave you notice of.

Go with the flow on the day (assuming there are no further nasty surprises) and chalk this up to a learning on how to communicate more confidently as a customer.

I think (going back 4 pages to the original question) yes, YABU, on the basis that you could have done something about the poor service you've received so far, but chosen to not do anything/do very little on the basis of you "can't be bothered"

If it's still saying included on the website I would get someone else (friend/relative) to enquire generally about booking a party, and then ask if cake and party bags are included, sounds like a bit of a scam to me!

When you booked and paid the deposit, you entered into a contract with this company. They cannot simply change the contents of that contract when and how they like, especially at such a late date. I'd be casually mentioning breach of contract...

You're right. But take it further once the party's over.

This is why business who do this get away with it. They're laughing at you.