Especially For You Parties Omdömen 

I booked a princess character for my daughter’s birthday party, paying £206, and unfortunately the experience fell significantly below the standard I expected for that price.

I want to make it very clear that I do not want to identify the lady who attended the party. She was genuinely kind, patient and attentive with the children and did her best in what was clearly an uncomfortable situation. My complaint is not about her as a person; it is about the company sending her to a children’s princess party in an appearance that, quite simply, was not acceptable for the service we had paid for.

The princess had visible tattoos covering both arms, a wig that clearly did not fit her and which she appeared visibly uncomfortable wearing, and a dress that would not zip up and had to be held together with a black belt. At one point, she actually had to run behind a door to try to fix the wig because it was not staying in place.

For a young child, the appearance of the character is a huge part of the magic. If my daughter had been a few years older, I genuinely believe I would have had to turn the princess away at the door because the character would have been immediately recognisable as not being what we had booked, and the entire experience could have been ruined for her.

Thankfully, my daughter is still young enough that she was excited and enjoyed the interaction with the princess, largely because the lady herself was so lovely with the children. However, that does not make the presentation acceptable, particularly when parents are paying £206 for what is supposed to be a professional princess experience.

I was so embarrassed by the appearance that I actually felt the need to apologise to the other parents after the party. That should never be the position a customer is put in after paying for a professional children’s entertainment service.

What has disappointed me further is the company’s response and lack of accountability. I raised my concerns politely and was initially offered a £70 ‘gesture of goodwill’. My request was that the princess kept her £80 because she attended and did her princess duties and for how she was with the children. However I did expect a refund for the rest of it. The ‘gesture of goodwill’ is insulting based on paying £206 and receiving the service we did. I’m reluctant to attach photos; again to protect her identity. I am still waiting on a response from the company and after nearly 6 days later I’m probably not going to get one…

There were also issues with the customer service throughout the process, including the company repeatedly getting my name wrong, which unfortunately added to the impression that the situation wasn’t being handled with the level of professionalism I would expect.

I would therefore urge parents to think carefully before booking and to make sure they are confident that the company will provide the standard of character, costume and presentation they are paying for.

Paradigm played Rumi at my daughter’s 6th birthday party. She did a wonderful job of entertaining the 17 children - my little girl absolutely loved her party, especially all the games and dancing, which Paradigm tailored perfectly to what my daughter likes - she included all the songs I’d mentioned were my daughter’s favourites. Paradigm was also amazing at gathering the children for lunch, cake and photos, which was hugely helpful! Would love to have her at another party again one day and would definitely recommend her services! Thank you Paradigm

Our entertainer, Charlotte, was absolutely brilliant and kept the kid crowd going so well. My daughter was super happy with everything and she had a really memorable BD! Thank you!!!

Just wanted to say thankyou to Especially for you parties for sorting out my daughter’s party. The Entertainer Chloe was fantastic and it went brilliantly. My daughter was so chuffed when talking about it the next day. Great job to you all at Especially for you, Great communication in booking the job to a great job done with Chloe.
I’d definitely recommend them to anyone else looking to book for a party.
Thanks again,
Kind regards, Shaun

Great entertainer, would definitely use again.

Alexandra came to my daughter’s 8th birthday party and was a wonderful wizard! She was brilliantly calm and had lots of great ideas for games and activities. I was really grateful for the effort she made with some of the quieter children and how conscious she was to include everyone. Thankyou Alex!

Updated/edited for full explanation of experience:

On 27 June, we were contacted by our entertainer just 43 minutes 9.17 before she was due to arrive at our event to inform us that she was unable to attend.

Initially, the only contact details available were an email address and a telephone number, which stated that the company was only available Monday to Friday. At this point, we received no contact from the company whatsoever. After paying £150, we were left with no communication at a time when we urgently needed support, which caused us significant stress and upset.

My husband eventually managed to ask the entertainer to pass our details on to the company. At 9.45 we received a text message saying our entertainer was unavailable and they would do everything in their power to provide cover.
We then received a call at 9:53am, during which we were told they would “try” to find someone. It quickly became apparent that there was no backup plan in place for situations like this.

At 10:11am, instead of arranging a replacement, we were sent screenshots of other entertainment businesses and told they might be able to help. We ultimately had to source our own replacement after considerable stress and disappointment.

Since the event, the owner has repeatedly shared personal information about the entertainer in an apparent attempt to justify what happened. We were deeply sorry to learn what she had experienced, and we have nothing but sympathy for her. We never asked about her personal circumstances, nor do we hold her responsible in any way. Our complaint has always been about the company’s handling of the situation and the lack of communication and support we received.

I also feel very uncomfortable that an employee’s deeply personal circumstances have been shared publicly in response to our complaint. While we have every sympathy for what she has been through, that does not remove the company’s responsibility to communicate with customers, provide the service that was booked, or issue a refund when the service was not provided.

After leaving an honest negative review describing our experience, we were informed that our £150 would only be refunded if we removed the review. In my view, this was wholly inappropriate and unacceptable.

The owner also publicly stated that a replacement entertainer had been arranged and sent to our event. This did not happen. After I challenged this, the response was edited.

In my view, making a refund conditional on the removal of an honest review is contrary to the principles of UK consumer protection law, including the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and legislation prohibiting unfair commercial practices. Consumers should not be pressured into removing genuine reviews in order to receive money they are entitled to. We have retained evidence of these communications.

Our initial review was written during the period in which we had received no communication from the company. The entertainer informed my husband that she had been instructed by the company to contact us to let us know she could not attend. Despite this, the company did not contact us directly until after we had asked the entertainer to pass our details on to them. If the company was aware that the booking could not go ahead, I do not understand why they did not take control of the situation immediately, contact us directly, and begin arranging a replacement. I also find it contradictory that we have been criticised for lacking empathy when the entertainer appears to have been left to deal with informing customers herself during what was clearly a very difficult situation.

Based on our experience, I cannot recommend this compact

Very professional company, they were quick to respond and help me plan my daughter’s birthday which was a success. Cordiela attended as Elsa and she was amazing with the kids, they all loved her fun nature and she was so patient and understanding with them. Will definitely be using this company in the future! Thank you x

Wonderful service! This is the second time that we have used Especially For You Parties. This time we had a K Pop Demon Hunters party and invited Rumi (Paradigm)! The overall service is excellent and the communication is very efficient. Paradigm was excellent to have at our party. Superb energy, very happy, and excited to meet the children. The music choices and games were amazing, and the children enjoyed every second of that hour with her. We really appreciate her putting in the effort as it was a very hot day!

Bethany was exceptional. All the kids loved her Kpop Demon Hunters routine. Communication with the company and the entertainer were quick and easy so all very convenient!

Tisheka (Tee) went above and beyond for our Son’s Pokemon party! She was bubbly and proactive! Thank you for all your help and games with the children. The children and adults loved her! I would highly recommend her and Especially for you parties! Thank you!!

We had a Gabby’s dollshouse party, and we had Gabby (Feyi). She was professional and ready to go, but more importantly the kids LOVED her. She had so many fun games, and entertained the children for the full time! My daughter Nancy and her friends were in awe. Particular favourite was the special glitter birthday wish, thought this was a lovely touch! Would recommend to anyone thanks again! :)

We had Rumi come and do a Kpop party for our daughter’s 5th birthday and wow she was amazing.

From the moment she arrived she did a run down of what would happen during the party and kept near on 30 children energised with fun games.The glitter tattoos were a massive hit too.

I would 100% recommend this company if you are looking for children’s party entertainment. Our entertainer Emma was fabulous.

Thank you for adding that extra sparkle to our little girls birthday.

My daughter absolutely loved the party! Tee was such a great choice and all the kids had amazing fun. I will be recommending your parties to others!

Steffi was absolutely amazing. Before the party she was really helpful and explained everything so well. At the party (which she did at short notice due to our initial entertainer having to cancel through no fault of her own) she was so fun, easy going, great with the kids and so accommodating to our needs. My daughter had “the best day of her life”. Thank you EFYP!

Brilliant party and brilliant experience from enquiring to booking to communication and delivering the party. Would highly recommend and I’m already using them again for my next child’s party. Highly recommend

Lily was fantastic as Elsa, the children loved their time with her.

Entertainer was brilliant! Good communication pre the party. On the day kept all the children engaged and entertained. Everyone had a brilliant time

Vicky and Lois (Elsa and Anna) were amazing! They captured the children's attention and kept them engaged in fantastic activities and party games for the whole party ! My little girl was slightly overwhelmed with the attention being on her, but Vicky and Lois made sure that she felt comfortable and special as the birthday girl! Our experience was outstanding and we will definitely be using Especially For You for future parties !

Mike was really great as Spiderman for our son’s 4th birthday. The organisation was very professional and communications were very clear and helpful. Spiderman was great, he had so much energy and the games were perfect for the age group. Thanks all!