You want WHAT now?

[Katie G]

Office is hosting a bbq event before a sporting event for clients next week.  (About 150 attendees.)
The bbq is free, the tix to the event itself are free.  They are being invited as our guests.
We've even arranged for a discounted parking rate.

Our office just took a call from a client asking what transportation is being arranged for those attending.

Yup, this guy made it clear that he expects us to arrange for him to get from  his home to the venue. As in, send a car for him.     Did I mention we have over 100 guests coming?

Even our biggest, most VIP people are managing to get there on their own.  And this gentleman is NOT a particular VIP.  Far from it.  Neither does he have a physical condition that would make getting there difficult, nor is he anywhere near "elderly".  (I could, in some cases, see where it might be a nice gesture to assist in those situations, but this is not one of them.)   

Am I way off base here?  If I'm invited to an event, I've always assumed that gas/tolls/parking/hotel stay (if necessary) were my responsibility as a guest.  If the host wanted to cover those items, that would be very generous and gracious, but certainly not expected and definitely not required!  Or am I living in a different world now?

[Cathy S]

Hi Katie

no it is not you who is way off beam - in fact the guest is being plain rude.  If transport or whatever was provided it would say so in the invitation. 

Some people seem to have lost all grasp of reality and it spoils it for everyone - say he got transport provided it's a guarantee he would tell somone who would then be upset that they didn't receive the same ...

[Katie G]

Some people seem to have lost all grasp of reality

So true!  I guess that's it in a nutshell.

I really expected to hear the moaning over the fact that the beverage selections will be beer, wine and soft drinks and not a full bar.  I was ready for that -- but this?

[peaches2160]

I would simply say transportation is not provided.  Even our CEO's and CIO's who are local find their way to our events.

[gee4]

As long as the invite made it clear, I wouldn't worry.  However if it was unclear or not mentioned, then I can understand a guest inquiring.

[rose.winter1980]

No, you're not off base.  I had a similar query arise recently from someone who wanted accommodation and for me to reserve it for him. Your caller may be one of those people who expect everything to be done for them, or he may just be enquiring.  The only way to deal with this is to say unfortunately transportation isn't provided, and stress the parking rate and say you look forward to meeting him at the event. 

[Katie G]

Thanks everyone.  I was starting to think I was behind the times or something.  As far as the clarity of the invitation, I'd have thought that putting the special parking rate and location (and the absence of any mention of other transportation) would indicate that getting there would be the attendee's responsiblity.  However, I do believe that some people like to take "the customer/client/donor is ALWAYS right" thinking just a tad too far when trying to wheedle something "extra". 

My personal take on it was that if the prospect if getting oneself there was too onerous, well, as another site I enjoy tends to say,  "It was an invitation, not a summons."

[sparkles_95130]

"It was an invitation, not a summons."

Oh I love that!   

Yes, this invitee was way off base. If there is public transportation nearby you might mention it in your reply "for those of you trying to keep "green" there is xyz public transportation at the intersection of abc.