My mum didn't go to the end of term night out at a local pub with her colleagues - she didn't pay a deposit - but the pub charged her and another lady £7.50p each for not turning up- another lady paid over them but surely if she had not paid a deposit then there was no "contract"- if she had paid a deposit and not turned up then I understand she would lose the deposit but to be charged when no binding agreement was made surely this is out of order?
2006-12-30 11:04:29 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
the meal was not pre ordered!
2006-12-30 11:12:46 · update #1
I think that is appalling behaviour on the part of the pub, so what if 20 people ordered rather than 22? If they didn't ask for a deposit in advance that too bad - that is called 'running a business'. They aren't a charity for goodness sake, they should have a few non-apperances built into their book-keeping. I would certainly not pay the money OR ever return.
2006-12-31 02:49:25 · answer #1 · answered by ten 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your Mum should have been told from the outset if she was entering into any form of binding contract.
eg. All deposits are Non- refundable
all reservations are made on condition that the meal is paid for regardless of ability to attend.
cancellations will incur a £7.50 fee to cover cost of meal.
Any of these could be construde as a contract.
If your Mum was never told any such policy was in place then I can't see how she can be made to pay up. If somebody else made the arrangements and failed to tell her then they are liable.
I have booked our works Christmas Party for the last 3 years and always give everyone a verbal cost and written confirmation before they book advising them that all deposits are strictly non refundable. I also put a note on the notice board stating the same. Only once has a person not turned up and tried to demand their deposit back. I just waved a copy of the confirmation at him and told him it was the end of the matter.
Had i not made it clear to him that his deposit was non refundable then i would have had a duty to reimburse him.
2006-12-30 19:25:30 · answer #2 · answered by angie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends if the meal was pre-ordered. If it was then it would have been prepared for her and therefore yes by not turning up the pub would have lost out by preparing food that the person did not turn up for. Also maybe the pub could have taken a booking for two extra people and turned them away because of this. Therfore they have lost twice. I think if people book a table at a restuarant and then not turn up for it then they should have to pay in the same way as you have to pay for missed dental appointments. Somebody could have that table and restuarants often run on tight margins. If however, they did not lose out in either missing a booking (because others filled the table) or they had not preordered a meal then I think some flexibility should be shown.
2006-12-30 19:11:07 · answer #3 · answered by little_jo_uk 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Since her colleagues paid for her, she should pay them back out of courtesy. However, it is worth either a letter from the company or telephone call to the manager (or perhaps visit) and demand a refund for the money they have been overcharged, they are well out of line and have not made their booking conditions (if they have any) clear. Then a refund can be paid back to your mother and other who didn't go to the meal.
Most pubs would not want to piss off their customers, especially a large group, negative publicity goes a long way! For the sake of a few quid, they will most likely pay the money back. Good luck
2006-12-30 23:37:16 · answer #4 · answered by rikerlock 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you are right. I think a mistake has been made by your Mum's work - if they gave the pub the impression that say 22 guests would be wanting dinner instead of the actual 20 then your mums work should be liable for the extra cost. And I'm sure an end of term night out is hardly compulsory!
2006-12-30 19:11:24 · answer #5 · answered by Pickle 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Whoever gave the pub the number of meals required was also the person responsible for seeing that the meals were paid for. If your Mum was not involved in any of that process and did not agree to attend then she has no obligation to pay.
2006-12-30 19:11:40 · answer #6 · answered by dawleymouse 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
thats alot of bullshit, she and her friend were ripped off? the only way she loses out, if her work had a social club and she paid monies to it for this nite out,and she didnt turn up on the nite, then its at the clubs, and her discretion whether she get reimbursed for this. You mite want to tell ure mum ,to suggest to her colleagues about forming a Social Club, so much better no hassles.
2006-12-30 19:21:25 · answer #7 · answered by brissy_006 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, she shouldnt, but because the pub probably pressured the others to pay, if the others didnt turn up, then no deposit would have to be paid! its just the stupid staff at the pub i presume..
2006-12-30 19:09:35 · answer #8 · answered by Naveen S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What is out of order is your mum saying that she would go and then not bothering to turn up.
Caterers and organisers have to work out the food quantities, seating etc etc, beforehand, so if someone says that they are going then all the arrangements will have been made for that to occur.
Don't try to get all legalistic about it.
2006-12-30 19:16:02 · answer #9 · answered by Billybean 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
no verbal contract between the two parties no deposit taken therefore she and her colleague are not responsible, a analogy would be if i owned a pub and a regular did'nt come in for his regular drink,so i charged him for the one he didnt have yesterday, great business if you can get it, write to the business asking for the return of your money, believe me its worth the stamp. regards LF
2006-12-30 19:18:01 · answer #10 · answered by lefang 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋