30/08/2026
Well that was a interesting job to say the least ๐๐๐.
We raced back from Devon yesterday, as I had a three hour job booked in. This job had not been without its problems.
I booked by a hi end concierge company who finds properties for events/mini breaks.
All booked in great! Then I received a WhatsApp message saying the client had changed their mind ๐.
I reconfirmed THANKFULLY that my terms and conditions had been acknowledged and accepted and the booking was confirmed.
A little voice message came back, very polite but did say 'but my client did not receive any booking form'.
I then WhatsApped back by way of 'written' text. As per my terms and conditions there are no booking forms. This is all there is black and white etc, how easy it is to book etc but the terms will form the contract on confirmation.
Once all the details are given:
1. Date โ
2. Timings โ
3. Event address โ
4. Invoice address โ
5. Contact tel number โ
6. Full name โ
6. Email address โ
7. Terms and conditions discussed and preferably in writing โ
All vital information.
So what happens next?
I get my kit ready, and I drive 40 mins to get there. It's an area I paint at regularly, the beautiful Cotswolds. However it was throwing it down! โ๏ธ๐ง๏ธ๐โ๏ธ๐ง๐ง๏ธ๐
I arrive and press all the buzzers possible. No answer ๐ฌ๐ฑ๐ฐ๐จ๐
Now I am out in the countryside. Try calling my contact who booked us. Job paid for under my terms ๐. At least two clear working days before event (unless otherwise agreed in writing) or a late fee msg be applied) ๐ทโฐ๐ฃ๐
No answer, no signal for her!
So I move away from gate which is no easy job on the long narrow driveway.
Pull over and call my husband. Not great reception but enough! I give him the phone number for my contact and ask him to call her and tell her of my situation. He rings back. Yes they are expecting you should be able to get in.
I see a car go up there to and I quickly reverse again (well I say quickly ๐). Great gates are open! ๐
The grounds are huge! I arrive at a house and position my car so I do not get blocked in! It looks quiet! No doorbell or knocker so I gently tap the glass. A lady answers. Hi I am here to do the face painting and i am at the correct place. Lady whispers. I have a sleeping baby and ohh are but it's in the barn.
Thankfully it's not raining but I like Mary Poppins with my kit bag and long folded umbrella ๐๐งณ
Walk around and see two young boys playing fuse ball! I am in the games room. Somebody comes down and says he will let them know I am there, but I need to go upstairs. Now this is one fancy barn conversion ๐ตโ๐ซ
A lady in an apron comes down and says there has been a miscommunication. I was cancelled ๐๐๐. I explained I was cancelled as they head read my terms and conditions. The children were going to swim! My terms say no faces to be painted after swimming because of chemicals. Potential reactions โ
. I advised I could do arms instead โ
. Agreed.
Apparently the wife had not been advised by the husband that I had been reinstated ๐.
Concierge team member horrified in having to tell me that I still was not required. "I am sure your payment will be fine"
A off I pop! Thinking, I know the payment is fine. It's been paid and even if it wasn't, I am safe in the knowledge that my terms are tight.
I get in my car leave a message for the team member of the concierge company to say they did not require me as she had messages saying that I hoped I got in ok ๐๐๐.
I sent her a detailed message advising her of the situation. Just to clarify. She apologised profusely and said her she had also received an apology for the client (the husband) too which she showed me. Apologised that I also raced back from my vacation.
Moral of the story: Things occasionally go wrong and are fully out of your control. Even though the company say they offer a 'seamless service'.
I spent the evening with family instead and was comfortable that the payment was safe.
I now have two more peaceful days with family to enjoy and then it all starts again.
Invoicing, making bespoke palettes. Ordering, social media posting content, face painting jobs, tutorials, along side all the other day to day stuff.
