View Full Version : Party invoice: Boy sent bill for birthday no-show
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.
http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/80357000/jpg/_80357706_10a21fd3-8c71-43ba-a6aa-9b38e157e63f.jpg
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:eyebrows:
walpurgis
19-01-2015, 19:26
I know what I'd tell her to do with her invoice (and wrap it in brambles first).
Firebottle
19-01-2015, 19:57
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 :eyebrows:
I'd warm that kid's fathas jaw for im!:lol:
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
19-01-2015, 20:50
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
19-01-2015, 21:04
I'd use that bill as shit paper when nature calls.
S.
awkwardbydesign
19-01-2015, 21:11
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.
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!! :mental:
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!! :wanker:
Marco.
archiesdad
19-01-2015, 22:02
Unless the "joneses" have bought a new bit of hifi kit though.
5 years old birthday:
1975 go to friend's house, eat jelly and cake, play with his new toys (if poor: Hot wheels. If rich: Hornby electric train set) until you get bored after 20 minutes then run around the house like lunatics for a couple of hours until your mam or dad returns to collect you.
2015 go to a ski slope (wtf they are 5 years old?) at £15 a head, invoice the parents of kids who don't turn up. Sad, sad people. Sad, sad times.
jollyfix
20-01-2015, 08:46
5 years old birthday:
1975 go to friend's house, eat jelly and cake, play with his new toys (if poor: Hot wheels. If rich: Hornby electric train set) until you get bored after 20 minutes then run around the house like lunatics for a couple of hours until your mam or dad returns to collect you.
2015 go to a ski slope (wtf they are 5 years old?) at £15 a head, invoice the parents of kids who don't turn up. Sad, sad people. Sad, sad times.
very true Martin.
I'm just trying to get my head around any legal entitlement this person may have to sue. Was there a contract made when the parent of the child agreed to send the child to the party? They can't sue the child as they are under the legal age to enter into legal relations (I think)
One would hope that they would be laughed out of court, but as we know the law doesn't follow common sense.
EDIT: I should have used my old friend Google first. It seems we have the answer here
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-30876360
you don't need a full contract to have a basis to sue and small claims costs you nothing if you win
The whole thing is farcical though though.
Parent of child not attending was a selfish git knowing that the other parents had laid out cash
Parent suing is idiot for approaching it this way, though if there were other non attendees I can see the frustration. Arranging anything for people who don't have to lay out cash first is frought with nightmares
walpurgis
20-01-2015, 11:00
I reckon representation by a good barrister and his supporting legal team should soon pick the bones out of this in court (for either side). Fifteen or twenty grand should cover it with luck. :D
misleading newspaper headlines asisde, they threatened small claims, so its not like its really major expense
walpurgis
20-01-2015, 11:52
misleading newspaper headlines asisde, they threatened small claims, so its not like its really major expense
That could depend on how the case went. Small claims are not necessarily 'done and dusted' there and then. BIG costs can arise.
They would need to demonstrate that at the very least a verbal agreement existed whereby if the child did not attend they would be liable for the cost.
I think the whole thing is a farce tbh but the school teacher in putti!g an envelope in a childs bag without knowing its contents is a big no no. the teacher really has a lot to answer to and i am surprised she/he has not been suspended. that envelope could have contained pretty much anything.
I think it was very rude of the parent not to go or appologise and offer to pay but tbh the woman having the party was paying if he went or not anyways so is not out of pocket and the ski centre have stated their policy of offering free usage of other facilities to compensate for such eventualities.
to cap it all the woman has ordered her child never to play with the no show again..pretty petty and between both the children are being shown a terrible lesson for future life.
perhaps both parents should be sent back to school themselves.
walpurgis
20-01-2015, 12:55
perhaps both parents should be sent back to school themselves.
That's about the size of it. Pathetic great fuss over an insignificant thing.
'no shows' are the norm for any occasion or event and should be expected (and probably reflected in the costing?)
awkwardbydesign
20-01-2015, 13:52
I think the 2 parents should be made to fight, with all the other parents in a ring around them shouting "Fight, fight"!
I think the 2 parents should be made to fight, with all the other parents in a ring around them shouting "Fight, fight"!
..and spitting on them whilst they fight.
That's important, I think.
At least that's how we used to do it when I was at school. Times may have changed.
Parent suing is idiot for approaching it this way, though if there were other non attendees I can see the frustration...
“Frustration”?? I’d suggest that if you become so easily frustrated, over such an utterly gross insignificance, then you don’t have enough genuine concerns in your life to grasp how it *really* feels to be frustrated!!
Fact: anyone remotely normal would’ve simply shrugged their shoulders and put it down to experience - but then we’re dealing with loony, attention-seeking idiots here, not anyone approaching normal!
:exactly:
Marco.
walpurgis
20-01-2015, 15:26
What about a mud wrestle. That'd be good.
(we could send a team along as a supporting act. It could be the Grand Debut of 'Marco's Mud Wrestling Maulers'. I'll join! I used to wrestle. :D)
..and spitting on them whilst they fight.
That's important, I think.
At least that's how we used to do it when I was at school.
I never noticed - too busy collecting the ticket money.
Marco.
“Frustration”?? I’d suggest that if you become so easily frustrated, over such an utterly gross insignificance, then you don’t have enough genuine concerns in your life to grasp how it *really* feels to be frustrated!!
Fact: anyone remotely normal would’ve simply shrugged their shoulders and put it down to experience - but then we’re dealing with loony, attention-seeking idiots here, not anyone approaching normal!
:exactly:
Marco.
let me assist you with a dictionary definition
Frustration
1. having feelings of dissatisfaction
I would suggest someone letting you down without having the courtesy to tell you is a frustrating thing, especially so if multiple people do the same.
the degree of action you take with that frustration is another thing, most people would shrug their shoulders, this individual has gone rather over the top.
None the less its frustrating
If it wouldn't frustrate you by that definition I envy your state of Zen
not heard of anyone else being sued so far so looks like only 1 no show which is a pretty good average. needless to say his next party should he have one will likely be him only...no parents are going to agree to go in case of unforseen events. ..poor boy will possibly end up friendless.
then probably have to join an audio forum:eek:
let me assist you with a dictionary definition
Frustration
1. having feelings of dissatisfaction
I would suggest someone letting you down without having the courtesy to tell you is a frustrating thing, especially so if multiple people do the same.
the degree of action you take with that frustration is another thing, most people would shrug their shoulders, this individual has gone rather over the top.
None the less its frustrating
If it wouldn't frustrate you by that definition I envy your state of Zen
Lol… Well, if some kid didn’t turn up for a kiddies party I’d arranged, then no, it wouldn’t bother me one iota! I’d have far more important things to be concerned with.
Yours,
Zen-boy.
What about a mud wrestle. That'd be good.
(we could send a team along as a supporting act. It could be the Grand Debut of 'Marco's Mud Wrestling Maulers'. I'll join! I used to wrestle. :D)
Yes, but would you be willing to wear the required ‘uniform’? :eyebrows:
Marco.
walpurgis
20-01-2015, 16:33
Yes, but would you be willing to wear the required ‘uniform’? :eyebrows:
Marco.
Not if it's the crotchless leotard jobbie. :eek:
Now would *I* come up with something like THAT? :D
Marco.
walpurgis
20-01-2015, 16:42
Now would *I* come up with something like THAT? :D
Marco.
Heaven forbid Marco! :D
Well, the leotard wouldn't be entirely crotchless - just a little ‘peek-a-boo’ in style, as it were…. :eyebrows:
Marco.
Audio Advent
22-01-2015, 00:06
i don't know where this is going.... but it's disturbing me! Can I go to a no-win no-fee shop and get compensation for distress from your liability insurance?
What can 5 year olds do at a dry ski-slope centre? Proper indoor one with snow would be good.. but not a dry slope. Note in the BBC link the slope people (I promise I'm not being Jeremy Clarkson here) say that any reference to their business on the invoice is fraudulent, so perhaps the parents were even claiming they were charged by the dry-ski slope and put it on the invoice?
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