Booking deposits

holymonk

holymonk

holymonk

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Joined
12 Oct 2011
Posts
1,490
So I had the great task of booking the work xmas celebrations this year.

Ended up booking a themed night at a hotel.

I paid for 11 people - £110 deposit.

One of the people is now not coming (new guy that I have never met) however he was coming at the time when I booked the venue. I have called today to settle the bill for 10 people.

I am now told that the £10 is non refundable. This wasn't mentioned to me when I booked or in any subsequent emails.

Its only due to the fact that I haven't met this new guy, and I feel like a tit asking for £10.00, it makes me feel like a scrooge but its still £10.00 and I am not made of money.

I have had a moan at the hotel and a manager is calling me back today to discuss.

What should I do - I think the hotel is being petty if I am honest, do I have any standpoint if this wasnt explained to me. She told me it was hotel policy, I said that may be but its not been explained to me?
 
This is why there is a deposit :p

If he said he was comming when you booked, the guy should pay the £10. No point having a go at the hotel.
 
Neodite said:
This is why there is a deposit :p

If he said he was comming when you booked, the guy should pay the £10. No point having a go at the hotel.
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This, there would be no point in a deposit if it meant you could drop out and get your money back anyway.
 
I totally get that, I think I just find it very awkward to approach the subject of money with a new colleague. That said, the hotel are being a bit awkward, its just one person who cant come..I was calling to pay in full.
 
Yeah, they called me back and I have accepted its lost.

Anyway lesson learnt, never organise xmas parties cos there is always one knob.
 
You should have made it clear to your colleagues that if intention to attend was confirmed, the £10 is payable regardless whether you attend or not.
 
rpg said:
You should have made it clear to your colleagues that if intention to attend was confirmed, the £10 is payable regardless whether you attend or not.
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Oh its pretty clear.. I called the guy to check his availablity for the date - as I did with all the colleagues. But still, I hate approaching people for owing money. He's new to the team and doesn't start until December.

Does this email sound ok.

Hi XXX

XXX(manager) has told me that you can no longer attend the Christmas party. I have called the hotel today to settle the outstanding bill and they have told me that the £10.00 I paid for you is non refundable. I did have a chat to the manager but they wouldn't refund it.

Not sure how to finish if off..
 
Do you own the company you're organising the party for?

If not, just get the extra £10 expensed? You can't be expected to be personally £10 out of pocket just because you're the one organising the christmas doo?

Or is it just a private thing you've all agreed to do between yourselves? In this case, get the chap that has dropped out to pay the £10.

Edit: Ahh, just seen your e-mail above. Just end it with something quite firm but polite like "If you could drop the money on my desk, it would be very much appreciated". Gives him little room to wiggle out.

Edit 2: Another thing you could do is see if the hotel are willing to chuck the lost £10 deposit behind the bar for you to have a couple of drinks or something. Seems like a fair compromise.
 
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This is why when you invite people you say "If you're coming, I need your £10 deposit by X/11/13 so I can book".

That way if someone pulls out, you've already got the cash.
 
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