Well It was my daughter's 10th birthday yesterday. We decided to take her up to our local Chuck E Cheese that we usually go to at least once a month if not more. We went up and the greeter asked if we were here for anything special we told her that we were celebrating my daughter's 10th birthday. She asked us if we would like the walk-in birthday package for $5.99 I told her that sounded nice and she told us to ask for the package at the counter. So we ordered the package and we ordered our food which was all fine and well. It was a little before 4 PM when we placed our order. I didn't know that we were supposed to get the balloon, cotton candy, and goody bag when we paid for the items. I saw several others with the balloons but didn't think to ask about it. So here it was close to 5:30 and I see the staff coming out with Chuck E and they were singing to the people with the balloons and presenting them with the ice cream with the candle in the ice cream. So we sat down and waited for them to come to our table. They didn't I went to the greeter and asked her what was going on and why Chuck E didn't come to our table. The greeter was a different girl and she told me that she didn't know and would get her manager. I told her thank you and she did get him.
Well the manager came over and I asked him about the situation. He looks at me almost with a confused pissed look and says you have to pay for that. Did you? I showed him my receipt and he took it behind the counter. He then calls me and my daughter over and hands her the items. The balloon, goody bag, and cotton candy. He didn't really apologize for anything and said Chuck E is with the birthday parties in back he'll be around again soon. Which at this time I was annoyed that I thought the party package was only $ 5.99 and it turns out that they charge you for everything separate I was charged $1.99 for the cotton candy, $1.99 for the balloon, 1.99 for the grab bag, and 1.00 for the ice cream. Now that doesn't add up to $5.99 I asked the manager about that after my daughter left my side. He said that is how they ring it up. I said well they are telling people that it is only $5.99 and it really isn't he said nothing about it. He didn't hand me back my receipt I had to ask him for the receipt and he finally gave it back to me.
Ok so it does get worse... My daughter kept asking when Chuck E was coming to sing Happy Birthday to her. I told her soon. We were basically ready to be leaving at this time I was after 6 and we had about 2 hours there. So we spent more time waiting and playing games. Chuck E started walking around again and stopped at our table. I thought great they can do what we paid for and then we can leave... WRONG! The person in the costume just came by the table gave the kids high fives and tried to walk away. My daughter asked Chuck E what about the ice cream for her birthday. I was really getting upset and I told her that she would get the same treatment as the other table that we had watched get sung too and everything. Well Chuck E left and came back and tossed an ice cream sandwich on the table gave my daughter a pat on the head and walked off. NOTHING ELSE. I was furious. We left right after because she was expecting to be sung too and have a happy birthday. Instead she had an ice cream tossed at her and had to bitch basically to get the goodies we paid for. My daughter cried her eyes out and told me that she never wants to go up there for her birthday dinner again. She is truly upset and I am shocked at the treatment we received there. We love going to there but I know it will be a long long time before I take my son and daughter there again. The Manager James is not running a good ship up there.
They need to think about the kids needs and they didn't' think about how my daughter would react to having someone just toss something to her, especially since she saw others getting the birthday person treatment. My daughter is truly upset.
Thank you so Much Chuck E Cheese for a unhappy Birthday experience.
Andrea Wharton