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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Urgent advice needed re. kids party

33 replies

CuppaT · 03/04/2010 13:56

Have posted this in two sections as need advice quickly.

I booked a kids party for my DD a few weeks ago and party is next Sunday with a big play centre type place. They asked for a £50 deposit but I sent in £75 to help spread the cost a bit.

I asked DDs teacher if she would hand out invites on the Wednesday before school broke up for Easter hols. She forgot on Weds and forgot on the Thurs so handed them out by placing them in the child's 'bookbag' on the Friday.

So far I have had only three responses, one of those cannot attend. I think the invites are just sitting in bookbags having not been checked my parents because of the hols.

Minimum party numbers are 12.

I started getting worried so contacted playcentre this morning to explain the situation.

The manager said she would check with the owner and call me back. She did and said if I cancel today then I will get £25 back but they will keep the £50 deposit. If I cancel after today then they will keep the whole amount!

I have asked for the owner herself to ring as was not happy with this.

It was my decision to pay the extra £25, what gives them the right to keep it!!

I filled out the form which I printed off the website. There are no T&Cs regarding the deposit and nothing about a minimum cancellation policy. All it states is a 7 day requirement for confirmation of numbers. It is now 8 days before party day.

So I am waiting for owner to ring me back - anyone know if I can demand my money back or demand another party day.

My DD was given the choice of a big party or a big pressie, she chose the party and if they keep the £50 then she loses out.

Their argument is that they have had people ring to book that time slot and will lose money but the loss of money to them would be a drop in the ocean compared to it being a lot of money to me.

Any help - please?? (sorry its a bit rushed - waiting for owner to call me back and want to be equipped to argue my rights)

OP posts:

StewieGriffinsMom · 03/04/2010 17:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Ellokitty · 03/04/2010 18:30

I'd try and see if there is any way you can contact the parents. Most of them probably do not know about it yet, having not looked in the book bags. Try getting a number or two from the phonebook and then ask those parents for other parents numbers and so on...

Failing that, are there any other non school friends you can invite to bump up numbers? You've got 4 already, there's bound to be some that just turn up last minute and do not RSVP. Also, you'd have to ask yourself, if you're paying £50 for nothing, would you possibly be better off just paying for the 12 children, even if they don't all come? Depends on how much it is per head I guess? Also, wonder whether the soft play might be more negotiable on that (after all, they won't need to pay for the food - so perhaps you can get a reduced rate for the places that are not used?)

But also next year, hand out your invites way earlier. Standard round here is at least a month in advance!

Hope you get something sorted.

ChippingIn · 03/04/2010 21:00

BAFE - I am shocked that you think it's OK to not RSVP, but turn up to the party.... that's more rude than a host cancelling a party that no-one has bothered to RSVP to.

SGM - if they haven't bothered to RSVP, then they've no place being upset or pissed off.

Honestly can't believe so many of you don't bother to RSVP - how is the host meant to confirm numbers for party bags, food etc - but even more so when they have to pay per head BOOKED not per head who turns up.

Original poster

CuppaT · 03/04/2010 21:22

Sorry my thread didn't seem to go down well earlier with some!

What I was trying to ascertain was whether the play-centre are allowed to keep the deposit seeing that there are NO T&Cs etc stating that the deposit is non-refundable but appreciate what all have said and have taken on board the tips re. parties for next year etc.

No, I won't be cancelling, just wanted to know where I stood that was all.

Thanks to all who posted.

OP posts:

Original poster

CuppaT · 03/04/2010 21:26

And yes, I always RSVP party invites, if they ask for one, I think it rude not to.

It's £12.50 per head so it isn't a cheap party either.

OP posts:

Vallhala · 03/04/2010 21:32

May I suggest that you log into 192.com and see if you can track down the phone numbers and/or addresses of the invitees that way?

If you can only obtain an address at least you'll be able to pop another invitation or a reminder through doors.

PiratePrincess · 03/04/2010 21:46

My DS has a party in 4 weeks' time with his classmates. I've had 75% of parents RSVP so far and have put on there the date I need to know by.

I will be booking/paying for those who have replied. Those who don't may still turn up - and I will pay on the day (£13 per head) - but I think it's so unbelievably rude not to RSVP that I will make a point of doing it in front of them.

(Arsey? Moi? )

smupcakes · 04/04/2010 07:50

Don't demand anything.

At the end of the day, the only way you will 'force' them to do anything is by taking them to court.

I would ask politely and assertively for whatever you decide - either to move the party or the money back. Even if you're 100% right - they're the ones with the money so you need to do whatever you can to recoup it yourself.

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