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Couple’s wedding bill warning after blunder

7:00pm Tuesday 7th July 2009 in


TWO newlyweds from Wimborne are warning betrothed couples to be constantly vigilant when planning their special day after a mistaken bill ruined their wedding day memories.

Jenni and Chris Millis, who have two children, meticulously researched all aspects of their day in great detail as they were on a tight budget.

When a written quote by the Moorhill House Hotel provided the best value they booked the wedding for February this year.

But upon going to settle the bill the morning after the big day, they had a shock.

Despite clarifying the amount with the manager upon receiving their pro-forma invoice, they were informed there had been a mistake and that the evening buffet was actually £1,050, not £105 as shown on the invoice and reflected in the final amount.

Agreeing to sort the matter with the appropriate staff member, the couple returned after their honeymoon and were told the error was the responsibility of the hotel and they should just pay what they had expected to.

But they started receiving letters from the New Forest Hotels PLC credit controller saying although they accepted the mistake was their fault, the couple would still have to pay back £645 or go to court.

Jenni, 25 said: “We are so sad about this whole process. The hotel made the error, which they accept but are now saying the quote was an estimate. How can an estimate increase tenfold?

“I just want to warn other couples to be aware and check everything thoroughly.

“I had been so careful with our money and now it’s all for nothing.”

Michaela Lisle, finance director at New Forest Hotels, said: “We’re very sorry there was a typing error on the pro forma invoice, however as advised by our solicitors this mistake does not avoid the liability of the guests to make payment of the full sum due.

“It clearly was an error as the pro forma listed 75 x evening buffet – £105.00, which is clearly incorrect and missing a 0.”

Mrs Millis added: “We just assumed the hotel wouldn’t make a mistake and when they gave us a breakdown we assumed it was correct. In hindsight I wish I’d checked but ultimately it’s not our mistake.”

Comments(14)

peterbh9 says...
7:19pm Tue 7 Jul 09

a buffet for 75 people for 105 pounds? Quite obvioulsly a typo and shame on Mrs Mills for pursuing this. Imagine if you are a trader and make a small error on a quote or invoice, would it be fair for your business to potentially go under because of this?

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mateybubbles says...
7:24pm Tue 7 Jul 09

I agree Peterbh9 this couple need stop trying to hide behind a simple mistake and pay up for the service the hotel provided. This is typical of society today that the couple are out to get something for nothing rather than paying.

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dopey says...
7:26pm Tue 7 Jul 09

BurgerKing would have been cheaper..

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BobbyPoole says...
7:42pm Tue 7 Jul 09

No need to "warn" other couples as they must be stupid to think a meal for 75 people would only cost £105 WHY IS THIS "NEWS" ??!?!

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B.F.G says...
7:42pm Tue 7 Jul 09

Shame on them, do you really think a buffet for 75 people was £105?

Nothing better than con artists.

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Lord Spring says...
7:43pm Tue 7 Jul 09

£105 for 75 did that include and open bar !

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BobbyPoole says...
7:44pm Tue 7 Jul 09

mateybubbles wrote:
I agree Peterbh9 this couple need stop trying to hide behind a simple mistake and pay up for the service the hotel provided. This is typical of society today that the couple are out to get something for nothing rather than paying.
it "ruined their wedding day memories" must have been a great day eh?!?!

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Ganmor says...
9:12pm Tue 7 Jul 09

It is a great shame that the Hotel group fail to accept that their mistake lies within the business.

Why hound this couple ?. If the money needs paying, then it should fall to the person who authorised the proforma invoice.

I have been in Catering and Hotels for most of my life, the action taken by this establishment leads me to believe they must be very hard up if they pursue this matter.

How many people will not even consider this business from the comments in this article.

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badgeresque says...
10:49am Wed 8 Jul 09

I agree that £105 for 75 people is clearly an error, however it is an error that the hotel made and the couple had budgeted for this amount. They are now asked to find a further £645 which is a great deal of money for anyone, let alone a young couple with 2 children. The hotel has no right to ask for this money post event and should check their figures more closely in future!

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Fightingback says...
12:49pm Wed 8 Jul 09

If the hotel put in writing the charge then it's the fault of the hotel if they made a mistake.

Shame on the hotel. All this bad publicity will do them far worse damage than the loss of income.

I expect some sneaky solicitor is encouraging them to line his own greedy pockets.




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Jujuby says...
3:00pm Wed 8 Jul 09

Whilst on the surface it may appear unbelievable that this couple did not spot the error, I see nothing here to indicate that they were trying to get something for nothing or are "con artists" as put by another poster. On the contrary, the article clearly says that upon receiving the pro-forma invoice they clarified the amount with the manager.

Mr. and Mrs. Millis received an invoice. They questioned it, and the amount was confirmed. I can therefore understand why they would have been shocked to receive a demand for an additional sum.

Irrespective of the above, I can also understand the hotel's unwillingness to give up £645.00 due to a simple error - especially as it has received advice (an opinion) that the law is on its side. I therefore think a compromise is called for. A couple of suggestions: if they cannot swallow the whole amount, I suggest the hotel could either (a) offer to split the £645.00 (i.e., hotel discount it by 50%) or (b) reduce the bill to match the next lowest estimate that the couple received from an alternative venue AND in either circumstance allow the couple to pay the reduced bill in suitable instalments.

Come on, hotel - think about it and come up with an amicable solution!

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rook says...
3:17pm Wed 8 Jul 09

It's obviously a very good deal, in fact too good. However, I think there are limits beyond which written estimates should not be exceeded. Otherwise, what is the point in getting an estimate in the first place?

Maybe the hotel could ask Mr & Mrs Mills what they thought the meal was worth and if they would mind paying the difference at their convenience.

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X Old Bill says...
6:55pm Wed 8 Jul 09

There are several points which are not covered in the article, or are ambiguous.
1.What is a Pro-forma invoice in this context? My understanding is that it is an invoice presented BEFORE goods or services are supplied, in which case it is neither a quotation nor an estimate, as is mentioned, but an actual request for payment.
2. What was the total amount of money paid by this couple to the Company? of which the buffet was presumably only part.
3. What proportion of the total bill did the buffet constitute? in other words; Was it reasonable that one item may have been overlooked or was it obvious that there was an error because it was a significant, or sole, part?

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tsmith says...
10:28pm Tue 14 Jul 09

Perhaps the CAB or Consumer Direct can advise this couple: the rights and wrongs probably depend on the contract that was made for the supply of goods and services i.e. may depend on whether for example the venue accepted the order at the price stated on this "pro-forma".
I'd suggest the couple DON'T pay anything before taking proper advice and Consumer Direct or the CAB would be able to provide this I think.

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