Party invoice: Boy sent bill for birthday no-show

[struth]

A five-year-old was billed for failing to attend a friend's birthday party - resulting in threats of legal action.

Alex Nash, from Cornwall, was invited to the party just before Christmas.

An invoice for £15.95 was sent by his schoolfriend's mother Julie Lawrence, who said Alex's non-attendance left her out of pocket and his parents had her details to tell her he was not going.

Alex's father Derek said he had been told he would be taken to the small claims court for refusing to pay.

Alex's parents, from Torpoint, had accepted an invitation to the party at a dry ski slope in Plymouth, Devon, just before Christmas.

However, they realised their son was double-booked and due to spend time with his grandparents, which he did.

His parents said they had no contact information for Ms Lawrence at that time.

They found the invoice in a brown envelope in his schoolbag last week.

Mr Nash said: "It was a proper invoice with full official details and even her bank details on it.

"I can understand that she's upset about losing money. The money isn't the issue, it's the way she went about trying to get the money from me.



Pretty stupid thing to do as the kid will likely end up with no friends now. I understand it was rude not to cancel but tbh the kid could have been ill. I despair at times of people, although I have to admit it made me smile

[walpurgis]

I know what I'd tell her to do with her invoice (and wrap it in brambles first).

[Firebottle]

Lol, that's just reminded me of a put down from someone I used to work with. He was very imaginative with peoples nicknames also, hilariously so.

'I hope your next sh*t's a hedgehog' .......... charming really

[RichB]

I'd warm that kid's fathas jaw for im!

[Tim]

Seems totally fair to ask for the money to me, however the execution was flawed and the aggrieved parents should never have let the media in on it. They pledged to go, the host paid for them and they didn't show up or even have the courtesy to let them know they weren't coming (which I suspect is what caused the annoyance). I would want reimbursing under those circumstances but I would have been a lot more tactful than to just send them an invoice - a failure on behalf of both parties.

To pay for someone who has said they were coming and for them not to turn up or pay their share is bad form IMO. If I have ever said I would attend something and not turned up (even through illness) and the host has paid for me, I would always pay them back.

I'm sure you'll all think I'm wrong though

[archiesdad]

The question is as I see it, were they expected to pay if their child had gone? Who invites kids to a party then charges for the privilege, I never asked to be paid for jelly, ice cream and cokes.

[southall-1998]

I'd use that bill as shit paper when nature calls.

S.

[awkwardbydesign]

It will be interesting to see how this develops, but I reckon the meeja will lose interest before the end. I think the most ridiculous part is parents spending stupid money on kid's birthday parties in the first place! A case of keeping up with the Joneses, methinks. Suck it up, I say.

[Marco]

The question is as I see it, were they expected to pay if their child had gone? Who invites kids to a party then charges for the privilege, I never asked to be paid for jelly, ice cream and cokes.

That’s also how I see it. As funny as that stupid letter undoubtedly was, the notion of charging for a kid’s party, let alone taking legal action against the parents of a ’no show’, is beyond ridiculous!!

Marco.

[Marco]

I think the most ridiculous part is parents spending stupid money on kid's birthday parties in the first place! A case of keeping up with the Joneses, methinks. Suck it up, I say.

Yep, that too! I despise that ‘keeping up with the Joneses’ bullshite with a passion!!

Marco.