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EricaAlt
LIF Adult

Member since 7/08 22665 total posts
Name: Erica
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Bday party & Bad review
Ok, so I put a deposit down a month or so ago for DS's 3rd bday party. It'll be end of May We booked it at a local Bounce U around the corner from us. Figured there's a wide range of ages so Bounce U was perfect to entertain all ages.
DH and I WFT so weekends are the only dates we can do. One holiday weekend we figured we'd try an open Bounce first at this place and thought it was fine.
Anyway, over the weekend I filled out the invites and ready to send this week, but figured I'd look up something quick on the site and then saw a few negative reviews on the place we're having a party. Now I'm a little nervous. Do I call them and tell them I still want to go with them, but I'm unhappy about the negative reviews? Let them know my concerns and to make sure that everything goes well? I know it sounds silly, but I'm not thrilled that some people weren't happy with the place.
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Posted 4/9/12 3:52 PM |
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JandJ1224

Member since 6/06 5911 total posts
Name: Jannette
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Re: Bday party & Bad review
What were the negative reviews saying? We had my DD's birthday at pump it up in Bohemia and it was great! Everyone had a great time. Were the reviews specific to that location?
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Posted 4/9/12 3:55 PM |
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EricaAlt
LIF Adult

Member since 7/08 22665 total posts
Name: Erica
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Re: Bday party & Bad review
Posted by JandJ1224
What were the negative reviews saying? We had my DD's birthday at pump it up in Bohemia and it was great! Everyone had a great time. Were the reviews specific to that location?
Yup it was at the specific location that we're having it We're in Central NJ so I don't think anyone on here has been there
something about teenagers running the place and there's no security so kids can run out.
" had my sons 4 th bday there and the kids love it ofcouse but beware if you ahve any problems like we encountered. 2 inflatables out of 3 in one room were inflating through out the part atleast 7 minutes per inflatable. The point was it was embarassing to my guests as well as scary to the kids that were on the inflatable as it was deflating. The teenagers working run the place and when asked to speak with owner they were NO help wanted to give us a free bounce pass. Definately werent consumer friendly.. We werent looking for a freebie but some concern basically their attitude was OH WELL... not the mosy professional establishment and it definately costs you enough.. good luck dealing with owner if you have an issue...
and another site: "DO NOT TRUST YOUR CHILDREN WILL BE SAFE HERE!!!! The view of your child is obstructed, especially if you are with an infant in a carriage while your toddler is playing. There is no security, it gets too crowded and with the lack of space to get to your child or be able to monitor them, they will disappear out of the room and no one will care. There is chaos in the crowded little party room with all of the other parents and children, and you cannot even have a conversation with others because your child can easily get out of sight in a second. The children easily have access out of the room, because the door is open and there are people going in and out. Just not a really secure place if you are there with more than one child and you have a stroller.
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Posted 4/9/12 4:04 PM |
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Re: Bday party & Bad review
The second complaint could happen anywhere. I've never been to a party where the hostesses are watching every toddler so the parents can chat.
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Posted 4/9/12 4:11 PM |
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EricaAlt
LIF Adult

Member since 7/08 22665 total posts
Name: Erica
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Re: Bday party & Bad review
Posted by haveaquestion
The second complaint could happen anywhere. I've never been to a party where the hostesses are watching every toddler so the parents can chat.
I figured that I can always ask them to make sure the doors are closed when we're in the room. I may say something about the negative reviews hoping they work a little harder so they can get a positive review
hopefully from me
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Posted 4/9/12 4:12 PM |
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computergirl
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 3118 total posts
Name:
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Re: Bday party & Bad review
Posted by haveaquestion
The second complaint could happen anywhere. I've never been to a party where the hostesses are watching every toddler so the parents can chat.
Yep. I've been to a million preschool bounce parties and believe me, none of those young employees are really paying much attention. You have to keep an eye on your kid at any of these places-- don't let that deter you from using a place.
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Posted 4/9/12 4:44 PM |
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stayandjohn
Our life is complete

Member since 5/05 5909 total posts
Name: Stacey
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Re: Bday party & Bad review
I had my son's 2nd bday at bounce u in Marlboro NJ last weekend and had 0 problems. Yes there were teenagers working it but they were fantastic. 90% of these kiddie places are staffed with teens anyway so even if you change places odds are there are going to be teens working it, as long as your keeping your eye on your child and not relying solely on the staff you'll be fine. enjoy
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Posted 4/9/12 5:41 PM |
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Arieschick29
aries+cancer= pisces&gemini

Member since 3/06 4268 total posts
Name: Jen
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Re: Bday party & Bad review
We just had DD's 3rd bday at a bouncy place upstate where we live- itw as crowded, chaotic and noisy but it was a bunch of toddlers and young children running around and screaming.
DH and I made sure one of us our our parents were watching DD the entire time- the kids that worked there we hoped were looking out for major safety issues like deflating or fighting.
It was the best party we've had for DD- she and her friends had a blast, we didnt have to do any set up or clean up.
I would just be realistic and take the reviews with a grain of salt
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Posted 4/9/12 6:08 PM |
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hotsauce345
my love, my life, my son

Member since 1/09 4169 total posts
Name: Melody
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Re: Bday party & Bad review
not sure where you booked. But, I Host for a bouncy place in that does birthday parties on the weekends. At our place there are never less than 2 staff members on the play area making sure the bouncies stay inflated, kids are playing safe...Plus when I'm not serving in the party room I'm usually walking around making sure everything goes smoothly. Kids do get hurt, sometimes a kid slides down not realizing another kid is there and accidentally kicks them or something...those kinds of things are bound to happen when kids are bouncing wildly near each other but the staff makes sure they don't do anything dangerous. We are in south Nassau area. FM me if you are in that area and decide to switch.
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Posted 4/9/12 6:38 PM |
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EricaAlt
LIF Adult

Member since 7/08 22665 total posts
Name: Erica
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Re: Bday party & Bad review
Posted by stayandjohn
I had my son's 2nd bday at bounce u in Marlboro NJ last weekend and had 0 problems. Yes there were teenagers working it but they were fantastic. 90% of these kiddie places are staffed with teens anyway so even if you change places odds are there are going to be teens working it, as long as your keeping your eye on your child and not relying solely on the staff you'll be fine. enjoy
Oh, thanks
That's the place close to us b.c we live in Marlboro
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Posted 4/9/12 7:48 PM |
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EricaAlt
LIF Adult

Member since 7/08 22665 total posts
Name: Erica
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Re: Bday party & Bad review
Posted by stayandjohn
I had my son's 2nd bday at bounce u in Marlboro NJ last weekend and had 0 problems. Yes there were teenagers working it but they were fantastic. 90% of these kiddie places are staffed with teens anyway so even if you change places odds are there are going to be teens working it, as long as your keeping your eye on your child and not relying solely on the staff you'll be fine. enjoy
You live there?
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Posted 4/9/12 7:49 PM |
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Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy

Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name: Momx100
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Re: Bday party & Bad review
I wouldn't worry about the reviews. Sure, those bouncy places are pretty chaotic but the kids have a blast. I'm pretty sure we will be having DS's 4th birthday party at one next year.
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Posted 4/9/12 7:53 PM |
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stayandjohn
Our life is complete

Member since 5/05 5909 total posts
Name: Stacey
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Re: Bday party & Bad review
Posted by EricaAlt
Posted by stayandjohn
I had my son's 2nd bday at bounce u in Marlboro NJ last weekend and had 0 problems. Yes there were teenagers working it but they were fantastic. 90% of these kiddie places are staffed with teens anyway so even if you change places odds are there are going to be teens working it, as long as your keeping your eye on your child and not relying solely on the staff you'll be fine. enjoy
You live there?
Just saw this, no I live in Staten Island. Thinking of making the move out to Jersey though
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Posted 4/24/12 1:05 PM |
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EricaAlt
LIF Adult

Member since 7/08 22665 total posts
Name: Erica
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Re: Bday party & Bad review
Posted by stayandjohn
Posted by EricaAlt
Posted by stayandjohn
I had my son's 2nd bday at bounce u in Marlboro NJ last weekend and had 0 problems. Yes there were teenagers working it but they were fantastic. 90% of these kiddie places are staffed with teens anyway so even if you change places odds are there are going to be teens working it, as long as your keeping your eye on your child and not relying solely on the staff you'll be fine. enjoy
You live there?
Just saw this, no I live in Staten Island. Thinking of making the move out to Jersey though
Well if you do let me know where! There's a bunch of NJ moms on here.
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Posted 4/24/12 1:37 PM |
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MarisaK
HELLO Manolo !!

Member since 5/06 14562 total posts
Name: Marisa
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Re: Bday party & Bad review
Erica - stop stressing !! It's a kiddie party! Everyone will have a great time!
We did Sean's last Saturday @ the Bounce U near me, and the kdis (and parents) had a blast. Literally, all I had to do was show up and hand over my AMEX at the end of the party - They handled everything.
There were 2 teenagers who 'ran' the event - they help the kids on and off the bouncers, and if there are a LOT of kids in once particular bouncer at a time, one was in there w/ them to keep it under control -
For the most part, all of the parents kept an eye on their own kids - I had 15 kids and 30 adults and it wasn't cramped at all - a little chaotic, definitely, but what else do people expect from a room full of kids literally bouncing off the walls ???
A lot of us got in to play too ....... There's always going to be some uptight PITA to complain .......don't worry !!
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Posted 4/24/12 2:07 PM |
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EricaAlt
LIF Adult

Member since 7/08 22665 total posts
Name: Erica
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Re: Bday party & Bad review
Posted by MarisaK
Erica - stop stressing !! It's a kiddie party! Everyone will have a great time!
We did Sean's last Saturday @ the Bounce U near me, and the kdis (and parents) had a blast. Literally, all I had to do was show up and hand over my AMEX at the end of the party - They handled everything.
There were 2 teenagers who 'ran' the event - they help the kids on and off the bouncers, and if there are a LOT of kids in once particular bouncer at a time, one was in there w/ them to keep it under control -
For the most part, all of the parents kept an eye on their own kids - I had 15 kids and 30 adults and it wasn't cramped at all - a little chaotic, definitely, but what else do people expect from a room full of kids literally bouncing off the walls ???
A lot of us got in to play too ....... There's always going to be some uptight PITA to complain .......don't worry !!
Oh... this is an OLD post that just came up b/c someone was responding to a NJ question I had. No... between you and some other friends and reviews I'm fine. It's a 3 yr old party. They can have fun with a room of empty boxes and cake. LOL
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Posted 4/24/12 2:22 PM |
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dpli
Daylight savings :)

Member since 5/05 13973 total posts
Name: D
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Re: Bday party & Bad review
I don't know if I take either of those reviews that seriously. The first - if I were that upset, I would have called back when the owner WAS there and talked to him/her myself to complain. That situation sounds like they had a problem with an inflatable, the kids tried to fix the problem and couldn't, so tried to do something. The person complaining didn't seem to pursue it further than that.
The second party - I never assume that the party hosts are watching kids in the room where they serve the food, because, well, they are busy SERVING THE FOOD. It's my job as the parent to watch my kid. I am not there to socialize with other parents, I am there to supervise my kid. If he didn't need supervision, I probably wouldn't stay at the party.
Some people are crazy and some just always want to find something to complain about. Every birthday party we have been to at a Bounce U or a Pump it up was fine. Stop worrying
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Posted 4/24/12 2:23 PM |
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ArmyOfBabies
Growing older but not up

Member since 7/07 4427 total posts
Name: Jeri
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Re: Bday party & Bad review
DD just went to a party at Bounce U in Farmingdale on Sunday. I liked that there were only 2 parties going on at the same time and each party had their own room to bounce in. The doors were all closed. All of the staff looked like miserable teenagers though.
I wonder why they don't run all Bounce Us the same. Are they a franchise?
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Posted 4/24/12 3:12 PM |
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