incorrect final bill - do i still owe?

[mollusc]

hello all,
i recently booked a venue to host a wedding, all the fees and due dates were agreed in advance. after the nuptials the final bill was sent and promptly paid.
3 months on i have recieved an e-mail and voice message explaining that i still owe �800. apparently there had been a mistake and a different pesons �800 deposit for a seperate event had been deducted from my bill.
with all the varying cash and bills that was being paid out to various people during this time i genuinly didnt notice the defecit as all the money was coming out of 'the wedding fund'. the fund has now gone and to be asked for this money a few weeks before xmas is a little dificult.

so - do i have to pay the remainder, as it was their mistake?
if so can i demand or request any time period for settlement abd lastly any advice on how i approach this to get a more satisfactory result on my part.

thanks in advance

[ummmm1]

If you don't pay it they probably won't host it!

Write them a really nice letter explaining your situation and I'm sure they'll accommodate you. They want the business at the end of the day.

[mollusc]

the event has already happened

[Loosehead]

If you agreed a certain amount and you have paid �800 less then you still owe the money. If it's just been spuriously added on then you can dispute it. Essentially if you agreed X and you have actually paid X-800 then they are entitled to ask for it regardless of how the error occured.

[auzzie]

If you know this is correct but do not have the funds write to the venue and tell them your situation and that you can only afford �xxxx per month. Politely point out that it was their mistake (even though really it was yours for not checking). Im sure that they will come to some arrangement. What's the alternative: go to court? I don't think the court will be too happy as you have made an effort to settle the bill. Alternatively, if you can muster up some money offer them a much lower figure as a final payment, on the grounds that that's as much as you have and they were the ones that made the mistake. Put everything in writing, do not make phone calls, all too risky. If poss send letters by recorded delivery. Good luck