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Original poster

To ask colleagues to pay me back after a month?

90 replies

FreeBeeBird · 20/06/2024 16:12

We had a colleague going on mat leave last month and I have proposed to buy her a gift as a small, closer group (8 of us). I offered to sort the gift and pay in advance, shared all the options and agreed on a budget with everyone. Problem is that 2 of them haven’t yet paid me back and now I feel it’s been to long to say anything. I am not very comfortable asking for money but we ended up paying £15 so I am left £30 out of pocket for this. Is it pathetic to ask for the money back? I work in a high earning industry and my colleagues are all pretty well off so it isn’t a matter of them not having the money. Equally because of that, I feel a bit bad chasing people for it. What would you do?

OP posts:
freakinthespreadsheets · 20/06/2024 18:19

@FreeBeeBird if you feel awkward bringing it up (which you shouldnt) you could always tie it in to payday if thats soon for you as it is for me. "Hi everyone, since its payday I thought I'd send out a final reminder for those who haven't paid yet to pay me back for X's gift yet, thanks!" Then it's not as "random reminder" as you might feel it is.

husbandcallsmepickle · 20/06/2024 17:52

Is it payday next week? Perfect time to chase up.

Doseofreality · 20/06/2024 17:45

FreeBeeBird · 20/06/2024 16:17

Yes I also bought her a lovely card and wrapping paper but haven't even asked for that money back.
And yes they all knew they owed me, it was all coordinated in a whatsapp group and they know some of them have paid me back as they wrote it in the chat and I had sent my bank account

Send a message in the WhatsApp Group saying :

”Just a reminder that it was £15 each towards the cost of the present incase anyone is wondering as I am
still awaiting reimbursement from a few of you”.

Flopsythebunny · 20/06/2024 17:42

Stop fannying around and just put a post in the group saying that you are still waiting for payment from 2 people and you would appreciate payment by this weekend. If they haven't paid by Monday, name them!

JustAnotherManicMomday · 20/06/2024 17:41

Send a group message or email to all involved saying may those of you that have not already contributed towards the maternity gift for ...... please send the payment ASAP. Does not single anyone out but indicates to others some in the team are cf's

Badburyrings · 20/06/2024 17:41

Sa11yCinnamon · 20/06/2024 16:19

WhatsApp "Hi, just a polite reminder to anyone who hasn't paid yet, here are my bank details." Done.

Exactly this.

Dolly567 · 20/06/2024 17:38

I would just put
I've come round to organising another gift for someone and realised last time I didn't receive two payments for X .. I wouldn't disclose names just ask if it could be sent whoever forgot.
Done with or you'll have to write it off I'm afraid

Londonrach1 · 20/06/2024 17:37

Just ask for the money...

Idontjetwashthefucker · 20/06/2024 17:36

Don't say oops or apologise in any way, you haven't done anything wrong.

"I still haven't had the £15 from you for x's gift, can you please transfer it asap, here's my bank details, thanks".

saltinesandcoffeecups · 20/06/2024 17:35

Just ask them to pay!

Roseyjane · 20/06/2024 17:28

Just message them individually and say oops just realised Jenny’s money is still outstanding thanks,

TooLateForRoses · 20/06/2024 17:28

FreeBeeBird · 20/06/2024 16:17

Yes I also bought her a lovely card and wrapping paper but haven't even asked for that money back.
And yes they all knew they owed me, it was all coordinated in a whatsapp group and they know some of them have paid me back as they wrote it in the chat and I had sent my bank account

Use the chat say you're still waiting for 2 more payments please

Apolloneuro · 20/06/2024 17:26

Just say something, “I noticed the other day that I seem to be missing the payment for xxxx’s present. I know you’d want me to remind you.”

Looneytune253 · 20/06/2024 17:07

Just put on the group chat 'I'm still waiting for 2 payments from the whip round, please can you send asap please' that's it, just simple and direct and non confrontational

DatingDinosaur · 20/06/2024 17:07

Been in your exact situation OP. I wrote all the contributors names on a bit of paper with ticks against the names of all that had paid. Then went to the ones that hadn't and said "just found my list from xx's collection, if you could pay me back this week that would be great". I did also add jokingly "otherwise I might have to start charging interest".

It's a point of principle and nothing to do with who earns how much. Chances are, it's nothing untoward and they've simply forgotten.

Just ask.

And make a mental note not to do this again.

maxelly · 20/06/2024 17:05

It's been a month, not a year. They forgot to pay, it happens, you forgot to remind them, it happens, no biggie or awkwardness that I can see. Just drop a casual 'hey X I noticed you haven't paid me back the £15 for Y's present, here's my details again in case you need them, thanks' - should be fine!

Original poster
FreeBeeBird · 20/06/2024 16:54

@JudgeJ yeah but I am not very rich and £30 is not insignificant

OP posts:
JudgeJ · 20/06/2024 16:50

FreeBeeBird · 20/06/2024 16:21

@LadyMacbethssweetArabianhand actually I know for sure one of them isn't trying to be sneaky, she is genuinely lovely and LOADED. I think they just forgot and I stupidly let it slip for a few weeks and now it seems awkward :(

The longer you leave it the less likely you are to get it back! If someone is seriously rich they probably think that £15 isn't worth worrying about.

MooonDreamer · 20/06/2024 16:48

Last month isn't that long ago

If it was a whatsapp group and you reach don't want to ask for it you could say I've had payment from Sarah, Rebecca and Louise. If anyone else has sent something let me know as I can't see it.

I don't know if this passive aggressive though!

Or just say Thanks everyone who paid me for Laura's gift. I don't appear to have anything from Sue and Jane yet. Thanks.

Original poster
FreeBeeBird · 20/06/2024 16:47

@FlowersAndFairiesAndPie lesson learnt

OP posts:
FlowersAndFairiesAndPie · 20/06/2024 16:47

This is why I stopped volunteering for crap like this!

LadyMacbethssweetArabianhand · 20/06/2024 16:38

FreeBeeBird · 20/06/2024 16:21

@LadyMacbethssweetArabianhand actually I know for sure one of them isn't trying to be sneaky, she is genuinely lovely and LOADED. I think they just forgot and I stupidly let it slip for a few weeks and now it seems awkward :(

Lovely or not, she owes you money. It doesn't have to be awkward. A quick email, "Hi Loaded Lorna, I've been checking my bank account, as you do, and I've realised you didn't pay me back for ... Can you get the fifteen pounds to me please? Here are my bank details to save the hassle of cash. Many thanks "

hopscotcher · 20/06/2024 16:38

And you don't need to be apologetic or hedge around it. 'Could you transfer me the £15 for X's present please? - cheers'

Hadalifeonce · 20/06/2024 16:37

Just remind them they have yet to pay you for X's gift. You can include your bank details.

hopscotcher · 20/06/2024 16:37

Absolutely ask for it back. They owe it to you, but may have forgotten. I'd want to be reminded if I owed someone money and hadn't repaid it.