English parents shocked to get ‘no-show’ bill after 5-year-old son misses birthday party
LONDON – It was not what Derek Nash expected to find in his 5-year-old's school bag: A bill demanding a "no-show fee" for another child's birthday party.
Nash said the bill from another parent sought 15.95 pounds ($24.00) because his son Alex had not attended the party at a ski centre in Plymouth, southwest England.
Nash told the BBC on Monday he had initially accepted the party invitation, but later realized Alex was supposed to visit his grandparents that day. He said he did not have contact details to let the other family know.
The birthday boy's mother, Julie Lawrence, told the BBC that her contact details were on the party invitation.
Nash says Lawrence has threatened him with small claims court but he has no plans so far to pay.
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4 responses
Wow – the mother that is threatening small claims court needs a “reality check”.While it is common courtesy to confirm attendance at a party, there is always someone that is unable to show up at the last minute, for one reason or another.If the woman was relying on other parents to pay the cost “per plate” of the party, then perhaps she should have planned an affordable party at home.
This is new?
If you have to depend on the other parents to “finance” your precious little one’s birthday, maybe you should enjoy the birthday some other way that might FITyour budget?Just my 2 cents.
That’s ridiculous.Why would one let their five year old attend a party with people that they don’t know who to contact anyway?