Party cancelled twice, DJ being shirty

[Deleted User]

Hi everyone, 

I'm hoping someone can help give some advice here. My partner was 30 between Xmas and New year and I was planning to throw him a surprise party on NYE. Unfortunately, he contracted covid on boxing day and so he had to isolate and I had to postpone the party. 

I had rescheduled for this weekend, but I've been bombarded by messages saying that people can't come, and most of his important family member have now caught covid, as well as our son. I've decided to cancel the party as so little can make it now. I contacted the DJ to let him know this and he seems to be very upset with me, but hasn't asked me to pay yet. I'm just wondering where I stand here. Do I need to pay it as I have chosen to cancel, or as it's due to covid am I OK? 

Any advice would be appreciated, thanks very much. 

[Deleted User]

It depends on your agreement, but there would certainly be an expectation to pay him at such short notice. 

Covid doesn't allow for all contracts to be invalid.

emmajones1976

You can understand why he would be upset surely, he will be self employed and now has, at short notice, no work on Saturday.

And as above, the C word isnt a silver bullet to get out of all contractual arrangements. 

[Deleted User]

Yes of course I understand why he is upset. Just curious as to where I stood. I've signed any sort of contract or seen any terms etc so I'm wondering if that's why, he's not protected himself which is why I'm getting abuse? I'm not sure. I would like to postpone rather than cancel, but the way he's been to me has been quite upsetting that I feel it would be uncomfortable. 

[Deleted User]

Deleted_User said:

.
I would like to postpone rather than cancel

You should have done that, in that case.

If you'd postponed rather than cancelling, he may have been more amenable, although he's still lost out on a booking.

lisyloo

He’s done badly by not protecting himself with a deposit.
however he should not be giving you abuse although he’s entitled to be a bit upset with a few days notice.

if you are really upset then cancel him altogether.

would it be better to postpone until
spring?
we had a visit from santa in the summer and it was great.
normally you’d be on the hook for a deposit.

I think I’d offer to postpone in the spring to reduce the chances, but if you feel the relationship has broken down then cancel. He won’t be able to do much.

[Deleted User]

Oh I've paid a deposit, which obviously I know I will lose. Sorry I should have made that clear. It's just the remaining I was wondering if I would still have to pay as its short notice. I've infact paid more than he usually would charge also as originally it was NYE. 

I completely understand where he's coming from and why he's upset with regards to not being able to fill the date this short notice. But like I say I've had some quite upsetting emails that are rather unprofessional. As a very very anxious person , I feel if I postpone I'd just be nervous that he wouldn't turn up or would be nasty and ruin the party. I know some of this is my fault, I should have said postpone instead of cancel but we all make mistakes sometimes and I was writing the email very fast with a toddler screaming at my legs! 

emmajones1976

How many days before the party is the balance due? Surely thats in his terms, otherwise he is an actual idiot.

MattMattMattUK

Deleted_User said:

Hi everyone, 

I'm hoping someone can help give some advice here. My partner was 30 between Xmas and New year and I was planning to throw him a surprise party on NYE. Unfortunately, he contracted covid on boxing day and so he had to isolate and I had to postpone the party. 

I had rescheduled for this weekend, but I've been bombarded by messages saying that people can't come, and most of his important family member have now caught covid, as well as our son. I've decided to cancel the party as so little can make it now. I contacted the DJ to let him know this and he seems to be very upset with me, but hasn't asked me to pay yet. I'm just wondering where I stand here. Do I need to pay it as I have chosen to cancel, or as it's due to covid am I OK? 

Any advice would be appreciated, thanks very much. 

So just to check, you have twice caused someone to lose money (he could have taken other bookings) and you are wondering why he is annoyed with you? 

Covid is not a get out of jail free card, unfortunately it sounds like he has not covered himself by sending you a contract and charging upfront, but that does not morally absolve you either. 

TBagpuss

I think he would be entitled to charge you the full amount. You've cancelled at short notice, he is still ready and able to perform his part of the contract .

It's not his fault that people can't come or that your relation has caught Covid.

onashoestring

If the party had been going ahead - when were you supposed to pay the balance , what was agreed and was it in writing ( e-mail / text message ? )