Canceling picnic due to weather

Saltydawg

We had a company picnic scheduled yesterday that was rained out. The caterer is demanding we pay 100% of the event. The contract did not cover this so my question is what is fair? We gave them a 50% deposit and told him we would cover his cost, but he wants to charge us for 2 kegs that were not tapped, two bounce houses that could not have been used if we wanted to, the DJ that never played one song, a full day pay for his entire staff, etc.

I can understand the food, some labor for his people but I think he is taking it to far. We did not choose to cancel the event, it was rained out doesn't he have some risk in this whole thing? Doesn't he have relationship with his DJ and vendors to cut their cost?

Gardawg

Honor the contract and learn from this experience how to write a better contract ...

238SP

Your company canceled not the caterer. Pay up

CaptTater

Mitch would do it for free and expect you to offer him $100 which he would turn down.

Popeye

Mitch would schedule another rain day and still do it for free.

Capt.Ed

Honor the contract and next time you might want to either check in advance what the request in a cancellation or have an indoor back-up plan. The caterer honered his dear and was ready willing and able to serve you in full according to his contract.

hooknline

Pay the full bill. But ask for the 2 kegs, all The food, and all the items you paid for. Then donate them to charity. Minus the beer. Send that to me.

Toothy Thang

CaptTater wrote: »

Mitch would do it for free and expect you to offer him $100 which he would turn down.

I chuckled loudly.

GT Fish

CaptTater wrote: »

Mitch would do it for free and expect you to offer him $100 which he would turn down.

Nailed it!

gandrfab

hooknline wrote: »

Pay the full bill. But ask for the 2 kegs, all The food, and all the items you paid for. Then donate them to charity. Minus the beer. Send that to me.

This^
But send the veer to me.

hooknline

I guarantee they didn't throw all the food away. It's sitting in a walk in somewhere.

Saltydawg

So the caterer has no risk at all? So we are responsible for the rain?

hooknline

Unless the contract has a stipulation, yep

Popeye

Saltydawg wrote: »

So the caterer has no risk at all? So we are responsible for the rain?

Rain, no. That caterer had to buy all that food and mark it up. Now he/she has to convince the next suckers that he/she can get a great deal on your bombed out picnic food.
So, he/she makes even more money.
Welcome to free enterprise.
However, check the contract for acts of god. Its more than likely got a clause favoring the caterer.

Pullinlip

Why did you not inflate the bounce houses, put the kegs inside the bounce houses, and commence to drankin?

GT Fish

Pullinlip wrote: »

Why did you not inflate the bounce houses, put the kegs inside the bounce houses, and commence to drankin?

Se now there's a man with a plan.

Anclote Key

If I'm paying for food and beer then I better be getting some food and beer. Pay up and collect the goods.

JesseJames

What does the contract says about cancellations?