Haiku Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 Suppose that you were invited to an event (say, a reunion) for which you had to pay money, and part of the even was a meal. You registered for said event 10 months before the date. Suppose that you were told a vegan meal would be available to you. Now suppose that, 10 days before said event, you were told that the hosts had switched catering companies and there was no longer a vegan option. How would you respond? Tara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaAkins Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 Hmm...well, my first response would be too kindly ask for a partial refund for the cost of the meal that you will not be able to eat (assuming that the meal was just a portion of the cost -- there's probably a cost for the venue, etc). Depending on the situation (whether it is a family reunion or a class reunion, etc) and the overall cost (a few dollars versus a large amount), I might be tempted to just let it go and bring my own meal rather than making too much of an issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soror Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 I'd be calling and asking for a partial refund for the food portion or to cancel all together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
********* Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 Suppose that you were invited to an event (say, a reunion) for which you had to pay money, and part of the even was a meal. You registered for said event 10 months before the date. Suppose that you were told a vegan meal would be available to you. Now suppose that, 10 days before said event, you were told that the hosts had switched catering companies and there was no longer a vegan option. How would you respond? Tara I'd ask for a partial refund, since I'd have to bring my own meal. Certainly they're not expecting you to still pay for a meal you can't eat, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara in Colo Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 I would be asking what THEY plan on providing for you, or what they are going to refund you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 I would not be happy. In our case, it would not be a vegan thing but that my youngest is severely allergic to a common preservative (that is naturally found in many fruits). IN her case, I would cite ADA but in yours, I would decide whether you still wanted to go and if not, you should get your money back as a result of voiding the contract you all had. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haiku Posted July 26, 2012 Author Share Posted July 26, 2012 Certainly they're not expecting you to still pay for a meal you can't eat, right? Yeah, they are. The caterer said we could eat from the fresh veggie plate. :001_huh: Tara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haiku Posted July 26, 2012 Author Share Posted July 26, 2012 I guess this would also depend on how much you paid. If it wasn't too much I might just say oh well and bring my own food. It's a family event. That does make it somewhat different. It's a class reunion, not a family event. We paid $100. Tara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Impish Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 I would be asking what THEY plan on providing for you, or what they are going to refund you. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 I would be asking what THEY plan on providing for you, or what they are going to refund you. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferdie Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 I would be miffed, but I would eat before hand and go. The point of the reunion would be to touch base with old friends, not eat dinner. Also part of the $100 is going towards DJ, facility fees, bartender... Our class reunion is run by volunteers so mistakes happen. It is not like a professional corporate event. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 I'd see if you can contact the caterer personally and ask how they wish to accommodate you. What kind of caterer doesn't have options available? Then I would ask for a partial refund. What are you supposed to do, sit around and munch on carrot sticks while everyone else is digging into prime rib? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 depends how badly I wanted to go. If it wasn't that big of a deal - I'd demand my money back. otherwise - I'd eat what worked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 I would be asking what THEY plan on providing for you, or what they are going to refund you. First I'd do this. Then when they said this: Yeah, they are. The caterer said we could eat from the fresh veggie plate. :001_huh: Tara I'd start posting my dissatisfaction with the caterer online or to anyone who will listen. What is the name of that online review place: Angie's List? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haiku Posted July 26, 2012 Author Share Posted July 26, 2012 When I was contacted about this, I wrote back and said I understood their (the organizers') situation with regard to the caterer but that we had purchased the tickets with the promise of a vegan meal. I suggested several easy vegan meal options (what caterer can't supply pasta with marinara sauce??) and phrased it in such a way that the organizers ask the caterer to prepare pasta with marinara sauce and a sauteed (not in butter) vegetable side dish as one of the FOUR entree options. I didn't say "ask whether they can," I just said "ask them to." I think if they approach it such that they simply expect that this be done, it will be ok. He wrote back and said he would speak with the caterer and let me know, and that if it couldn't be worked out he would offer me a refund of the meal price. So it seems like it will work out fine. I just wanted to see what y'all thought. Tara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 Oh good! I am the one in charge of our money for class reunions and would certainly have found a way to help you! Dawn When I was contacted about this, I wrote back and said I understood their (the organizers') situation with regard to the caterer but that we had purchased the tickets with the promise of a vegan meal. I suggested several easy vegan meal options (what caterer can't supply pasta with marinara sauce??) and phrased it in such a way that the organizers ask the caterer to prepare pasta with marinara sauce and a sauteed (not in butter) vegetable side dish as one of the FOUR entree options. I didn't say "ask whether they can," I just said "ask them to." I think if they approach it such that they simply expect that this be done, it will be ok. He wrote back and said he would speak with the caterer and let me know, and that if it couldn't be worked out he would offer me a refund of the meal price. So it seems like it will work out fine. I just wanted to see what y'all thought. Tara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caroline Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 I am glad they are trying to make it right for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 I'm glad you followed up on it and that the guy is trying to make things right for you. And, totally O/T, but every time I see or hear the phrase, "make it right," I think of Mike Holmes from HGTV. It wasn't always this way. Up until a few years ago, I'd never even heard of Mike. Now, it's like he's in my head. "Make it right." :eek: :eek: :eek: I guess it could be worse, though. Mike could have been a sweaty, ugly guy... :ack2: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyLady Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 I know initially I would be fuming and would be doing everything that you've done so far. Being vegan, I would have been excited to think I would actually have a meal at an event, but then if I found out afterwards that I wasn't it would really upset me. Initially I'd sulk and say I wasn't even going then, but then someone like my DH would remind me to do what we always do and just eat before hand, gripe about how they couldn't even throw some sauce on the noodles while we're there, and then get over it afterwards. :lol: I sympathize with you and I really hope they do something for you. In today's day and age I think caterers/restaurants, etc, need to learn how to be accommodating to all types of diets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kricau Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 :iagree: I would be asking what THEY plan on providing for you, or what they are going to refund you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted July 27, 2012 Share Posted July 27, 2012 When I was contacted about this, I wrote back and said I understood their (the organizers') situation with regard to the caterer but that we had purchased the tickets with the promise of a vegan meal. I suggested several easy vegan meal options (what caterer can't supply pasta with marinara sauce??) and phrased it in such a way that the organizers ask the caterer to prepare pasta with marinara sauce and a sauteed (not in butter) vegetable side dish as one of the FOUR entree options. I didn't say "ask whether they can," I just said "ask them to." I think if they approach it such that they simply expect that this be done, it will be ok. He wrote back and said he would speak with the caterer and let me know, and that if it couldn't be worked out he would offer me a refund of the meal price. So it seems like it will work out fine. I just wanted to see what y'all thought. Tara Glad it looks like it's going to work out. The caterer isn't the bad guy here. The organizers changed catering companies and likely didn't even discuss vegan options when booking them. You sent payment based on the first caterer. Enjoy the reunion! I'm sure you'll have a great time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haiku Posted July 27, 2012 Author Share Posted July 27, 2012 The caterer isn't the bad guy here. I understand that, but I also think it's rather ridiculous for a caterer to offer a veggie plate when asked about vegan options. Really, making vegan food is not that hard. Tara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted July 27, 2012 Share Posted July 27, 2012 I understand that, but I also think it's rather ridiculous for a caterer to offer a veggie plate when asked about vegan options. Really, making vegan food is not that hard. Tara That would make me wonder how much the caterers actually understand about food. I'm not a professional chef but I do understand what vegan means. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galatea Posted July 27, 2012 Share Posted July 27, 2012 I understand that, but I also think it's rather ridiculous for a caterer to offer a veggie plate when asked about vegan options. Really, making vegan food is not that hard. Tara With how common it is for people to be vegetarian or vegan these days, I'm surprised that a caterer doesn't already have a standard entree or menu for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audrey Posted July 27, 2012 Share Posted July 27, 2012 I would be asking what THEY plan on providing for you, or what they are going to refund you. :iagree: with this. You paid on the promise of a vegan meal. They owe you a vegan meal. If they will not provide one, they owe you a refund. Period! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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