Rubbish Venue Manager

[super-hero]

I don't usually moan about things, but I'm not sure if it's just me missunderstanding things, or I am dealing with a rubbish and greedy venue manager.

To set the scene.

In a weeks time it's my nephews wedding. The venue is a sports club, with a bar and a hall. I went to the venue with my nephew to talk to the manager and have a look at the hall. All good so far. The manager said he would supply all the tables and chairs for nothing, but would have to charge a cleaning fee for all the table cloths. Around £30 to £40. No problem that's great. But when my nephew went back this week to pay, the price was suddenly £90. So my nephew said don't worry about the table cloths, I can arrange them myself. The manager then asks for payment for the tables, which coinsidently is £90. Now my nephew thought these were free, so said he would get back to him regarding the tables. My nephew wanted to check with me that the manager had actually said that tables, chairs, and linnen would only be £30 to £40.

So what does my nephew do?

He has asked me to go to the venue with him tomorrow and talk to the venue manager. I am not sure I can see a positive outcome to this. My opinion is that the manager is a greedy liar, but telling him that probably isn't going to get my nephew and tables and chairs.

Oh, and initially it was as many tables as you want, round or rectangular. Now it's £90 for just 6 round tables. Which isn't enough for the number of guests.

There, I feel a little better getting that off my chest.

[yourdj]

One would assume that tables come with the venue unless they have to hire them in which rarely happens.
Table cloths are OK as they have to be dry cleaned, but even so it should all be in one venue charge. :)

Changing prices about and not being upfront is not very professional.
Just sit him down and ask him what all the prices are and then tell him your not happy and will look elsewhere.

Then see him do a uturn to the original agreement ;)

[DazzyD]

One would assume that tables come with the venue unless they have to hire them in which rarely happens.
Table cloths are OK as they have to be dry cleaned, but even so it should all be in one venue charge. :)

Changing prices about and not being upfront is not very professional.
Just sit him down and ask him what all the prices are and then tell him your not happy and will look elsewhere.

Then see him do a uturn to the original agreement ;)

I think that's a really risky strategy for a wedding that's in a week's time! It doesn't leave much time to find a replacement venue if the manager doesn't cave in.

I would query everything. Ask him why things have changed from the original price quoted. Bear in mind that you really should have had all services provided and prices in writing at the outset. If the venue manager originally gave you a verbal quote then that's exactly what it is - a quote not an invoice or a fee for services rendered. Quotes can be subject to change.

As for six tables not being enough, then I think that's a stumbling block with regards to the venue. You can't have guests not being able to sit down - that wouldn't be a very good idea at all. I'd certainly query this as, if this is the most tables you can have, it may well be time to shop around for an alternative emergency venue anyway (which will probably end up costing more).

Let us know how it goes.

[super-hero]

Thanks for the replies.

I told my nephew not to worry about it over the weekend, as it's his stag night, and he doesn't need the stress.

I will be looking online for a chairs, tables, and linen supplier. As a backup plan.

I will speak to the venue on Monday to see if they can clarify things from their end. But may end up telling them that the caterers will supply the tables etc.

I don't want to make the venue manager hostile, as he could make the whole day hard work.

Will keep you posted how I get on.

[Woodyo]

He's having a laugh ..... If it was me I would tell him politely were he could stick his tables and table cloths and look for another venue . In today's economic climate you'll have loads of venues just crying out for a Wedding's Bar takings.

[super-hero]

Maybe I was a bit hasty.

Spoke to the guy today, and it is the rectangular tables that are free, because he already has them. The round tables are £5 each, hence the £30-£40, and good quality tableclosths are £10. Round tables and cloths he has to hire in.

So maybe he is not quite the monster I thought.

I am going to see him at the venue tomorrow to finalise table numbers etc. I will let you know if anything changes.

Thanks for your replies to this thread.