DISAPPOINTMENT OF VENUE HIRE - CARLIEN ON THE BOULEVARD

What a disappointment having hired Carlien on the Boulevard as a venue for my daughters baby shower. They were so full of promises at the outset, to assist in any way possible. Well, needless to say everything went out the window on the actual day.

It was upsetting that my months of planning got ruined due to the owners not adhering to prior arrangements & the lack of communication between themselves.

We were literally pushed from pillar to post while preparing a balloon wall, which the owner was aware of. They complained that the balloons were popping and upsetting customers and we were asked to leave and come back to continue our setting up. We were also a paying customer.

The Coffee Shop was supposed to be closed at 13h00, but up until 14h00 (The time that our function was supposed to have started) they were still trading.

We started our table settings at about 13h50, this ran into the time our guests started arriving, what an embarrassment. Our guests assisted us in moving tables together, as the owners & their staff did not assist us at all (On numerous occasions, this was offered to us at our meetings).

The part that was most upsetting was when one of the owners made a statement saying "INDIANS WANT EVERYTHING FOR FREE". Not at any stage did we want or ask for anything over and above what was arranged (Which was paid for in full before the event).

I would definitely not use this as a venue for any function again because of the very unprofessional & rude service received.