I usually am not one to actually go out of my way to share bad customer service stories, but the incident that happened will always be seared in my mind, and the party has passed and I am not looking to gain anything financially. Just a few minutes of your time is all that I ask for.
Here is our story:
For Tyson's birthday, we had juggled over the idea of not to throw a party or to have one over and over again. With me being on maternity leave for a year, and Michael just being laid off we figure it may be best to save the money in case times get even more tuff.
But after much thought we decided, no this is the big 1. How could we even think about NOT having a party for his First Birthday.
So I went online and starting searching for indoor playgrounds to host his party right away. I stumbled across this website. I saw that the location was easily accessible to most of my family and friends, and also to those that use public transportation. So I called and told her we wanted the party for Saturday Sep.12th and booked a time to view the playground.
I was very impressed with the size of the the Party location and how easy it was to get to. I liked the variety of toys and playthings for the little ones. So Michael gave me the nod, and I told her " yes, we would like to confirm our booking with you"
She opened up her book and she noticed that she had already booked parties all afternoon for the day that I originally had inquired about (Sat.Sep.12.2009). The only time that was available would be for 6:30. And if you are a parent, you know that 6:30 is just way too late for a 1 year old.
Being that, we had to say sorry but we will have to look around for other locations. She then asked us "What about Sunday?" now, if you are very close with us you should already know this. but Sunday's are our lay around the house in our p.j's day and watch movies. At the same time, we did not want to have to book the party in a location that our friends that take public transport cannot get to. So Michael wanted to see if he can strike a deal.
"Well, we really do not prefer to have his party on a Sunday, but if we do, what can you do for us?" asks Michael.
Maria responds to us: " I can give you an extra half and hour if you take it right now" So I looked at Michael, gave him an approving smile and we signed 2 contracts (one for us, and one for Playland LTD) and gave our $80 cash deposit.
As soon as I got home a started messaging my freinds and family and starting making invitations to be there for "Sunday, September 13th, 2009 from 1:00-3:30."
The day of the party came and we could not be anymore excited. We arrived 15 minutes early to set up and as soon as we walked in, little Tyson let out a mini scream we he saw the jumping castle. Michael and I gave each other a little kiss agreeing that we had made the right decision to celebrate such an important birthday.
After setting up, our wonderful Party Assistant came to me with the contract so that we can pay the remaining balance of the party. As she is showing me the contract, I see that WE ARE BEING CHARGED for the extra 30 minutes!! I told her there must be a mistake, and she assured us that her boss Maria shall be here shortly and she will take care of it. We thought nothing of it and continued to greet our guest and have fun.
A few minutes later, I see that Maria has walked in and I ask Michael to talk with her as I am busy jumping with Tyson in the mini castle. After a few minutes, Michael walks towards me and from a mile away I can see his frown. He explains to me that she "does not remember" saying that we can get the extra 30 minutes and we would have to pay up or leave at 3. I thought, no there must be a misunderstanding. So I calmly went to talk to her myself.
As I was talking to her, I asked to see her verison of the contract. And behold, the contract did say 1-3:30 for the price of $235.00 BUT very clearly in a different colour ink, it was added that we were to pay the additional 30 minutes.
Michael and I were not going to budge on this, due to the fact that originally we did not even want to have his party on the sunday but had decided to due to the fact that we get an extra 30 minutes of playtime.
*This is a copy of our contract we have at home, we were unable to obtain Playland LTD's version. Please feel free to click to enlargeMaria gave us the run around over and over, saying that " there are many people that work here, so if we make special deals we always right a little side note on top of the contract" Well, how am I suppose to know that? or else I would have asked when I first signed the contract. I was under the assumtion that if the contract says 1-3:30for a certain price, it is what it is.
What got me even more steaming was that she clearly says that she remembers our family, but does not remember giving us the extra 30 minutes free. As I was standing there explaining how unfair it was to re write a contract, she stood there smiling at us in the most sarcastic way possible.
She obvilious was not going to do anything to accomadate us, or even appologize for telling us we could get the extra 30 minutes, but realize that it was not possible.
After wasting a good 20 minutes from my son's birthday party I decided, it is time to give up for now. Today is about Tyson and I am not even spending time with him. So I asked her one last time, when I come back with MY CONTRACT (which I accidentally left at home!) and the contract shows that the party is to be from 1-3:30 for $235 with BOTH our signatures, what then?? She had the NERVE to say that she would just cross out the time and change it to 3 pm. By then I was fuming and thats when I decided that I was going to spread the word.
I asked her for a photocopy of her contract, where you can see the added charge PLUS the party time rewritten to 1-3.
She then tried to tell me that she does not own a photocopy machine/scanner and fax machine. Playland LTD also runs a daycare on site, so basically if there are any important documents that need to be sent to the daycare, there is not way unless you make time to hand deliver it yourself
*that should be a warning sign already, I would never have my children be cared for at a facilty that cannot get a hold of important documents.
I then had to waste EVEN more time and leave the party with her to try to find a store to photocopy her version of our contract. After spending another 10 minutes I just turned the car around and returned to the party because time was running out. I told her she was a horrible woman to do this to us, waste my time while I should be with my son, and told her I knew for sure that she remembers us. We are not a family that you can forget very easily. My husband is of mixed decent (African/german), I am Asian, Aiden talks non stop and so handsome, and Tyson has curly curly hair paried with jumbo size cheeks.
Her response to me, all she did was smile and then insult me even more by saying : " you come off as such a pretty and sweet lady, but you are not. You are a con, and you use your pretty face to do this all the time I bet"
At this point, she had ruined my entire mood for the rest of the party. If it wasnt for my family, friends and Michael for saying its ok, I would have just rolled up in a ball and cried. How can one, *especially that runs a daycare* be so cold and then dares to insult me after??
On top of all that happened, naturally when you book a private party, it is PRIVATE to your family, friends and yourself. That was not that case here, during our party she had 2 different families come to view the unit.
It was suppose to be a joyous occassion and it turned horrible. we did not even take a SINGLE family picture because it just completly slipped my mind with all that happened. I am so sad that when Tyson looks back on his First Birthday party album, Michael and I are not smiling, and there is not a single family shot.
I thank you so much for taking your time to read this extremly loooong post.
We would like you to support our attempt at spreading our story, if you could, we kindly ask you to:
1. Click the right hand button to 'FOLLOW' this blog.
you donot need to have a blog to follow, just an email address will do.
I will not be adding more posts, but the purpose of being a follower, is I plan to show these results to Maria when I feel we have reached a wide audience.
2. Please tell your fellow friends to visit this blog.
http://saynotoplaylandltd.blogger.com
Again, from Michael, myself, Aiden and Tyson, thank you so much for taking the time to:
say no to Playland LTD
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