I’m organising a big function for saturday, and I’m having some issues with the caterers. I’d like to lay it out for you and let me know if I’m being unreasonable.
I initially booked this in July, at a cost of $35/head - which bought it to $1995 plus tax. I agreed to the terms and conditions and they asked for an upfront payment of $1250 which I balked at and came to a payment agreement with them of $400/month. To date $1600 has been paid, with the balance outstanding of $395 plus gst.
The caterering agreement is for a “Gourmet bbq” which includes 3 hours bbq service.
After no contact for four months, when I emailed the woman taking care of it last week to settle up, she informed me that there was now a staff charge for 2 wait staff at $650.
Being on a tight budget (which is why we chose the $35/head option) I contacted her quite alarmed, and she apologised and told me she forgot it was a bbq service. I took this to mean that the staff wouldn’t be needed and we laughed about it and all was good.
I get the final bill in my inbox tonight and it has not only the wait staff still on it BUT an addition $440 for a BBQ hire! I inquired and was told via email that she had gone through this with me and confirmed it via email - neither of which actually occurred.
None of the additional costs have been ever mentioned prior to last Monday. This brings the original quote from $35/head to around $50/head, which would have made my choice possibly different had I have had this information at the outset.
I am four days out of this function and I do not know what to do. I don’t know whether I am being unreasonable in refusing to pay the extra or not, even though I actually do not have the budget in the function
Any advice appreciated. I think I’m developing an ulcer over this!
This sounds like a legal question, which would require someone familiar with Australian and New South Wales contract law (given threnodyangelfire’s location). If I were in that situation, I’d be talking with a lawyer on what options are open.
I wouldn’t think of a lawyer. I’d be approaching the caterer with the contract in hand and, being very polite I would mention that none of the additional charges were agreed to originally, nor were they agreed to by email.
If polite discussion doesn’t resolve it I would probably start suggesting that the courts could get involved.
Couldn’t you get your own BBQ, or borrow a BBQ for the occasion? Surely BBQs are as plentiful there as here?
[QUOTE=Leaffan]
Couldn’t you get your own BBQ, or borrow a BBQ for the occasion? Surely BBQs are as plentiful there as here?
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For 57 people, it’s nicer to have a larger grill and all the fixings and materials brought in (“gourmet BBQ”). I’m assuming even without waitstaff it still means someone is there manning the grill?
IMHO, if you have a completed contract you have been paying in installments, certainly you are being reasonable in expecting it to still hold.
