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Sister and "owing" money for ticket

31 replies

PixieAndProsecco · 14/09/2025 11:00

I know the title will make it seem like I am being unreasonable, but just looking for perspectives on my own feelings.

Around a year ago my sister and I booked three tickets to a gig, happening in the next few weeks. I booked and paid for three tickets, at £100 a ticket, for myself, my DS and my DSis. We all wanted to go and see the band. The tickets were also standing, not seated (this makes a difference). My DSis only told me after buying the ticket she didn't have the money sitting and asked if she could pay it over four payments of £25. I understood and was happy with this, we didn’t know if we'd get the tickets and so I didn't expect her to have it all sitting just in case.

Cut to 6 months ago and my DSis tells me she's booked a ticket to another music event the night before ours, in London with a friend. The issue here is that we live in Scotland.
Her friend and her spoke and decided that they would stay in London the day we were to go to our event and get the cheaper train home, which means my DSis would miss our event.

I told her she was free to do what she wanted with her ticket, sell it or just not use it. As we are standing it's not like someone would be stuck with DS and I for the evening.

Fast forward to a month ago and DSis mentioned that she couldn't find anyone to take the ticket and didn't know what she was going to do.

Last night she asked if my DH would be willing to go as the "ticket wouldn't go to waste" and he agreed because it seemed like she was offering for us to use the ticket as she couldn't sell it. Now she is asking me to transfer her the £100 straight away for her ticket as she "has made more plans and really needs the money".

Honestly, forking out an additional £100 this month was not in our budget but I've sent it as I don't like owing anyone.

However, I am annoyed at my DSis and I don't know if I am being unreasonable at being annoyed.

  1. It's not my fault she would be out of pocket, she booked the other event well after and then she decided to not come home in time. It also isn't my fault she couldn't sell the ticket or she has agreed to more days and evenings out when she doesn’t have the money and is looking at this as a way of financing it.
  2. At no point did she suggest she would be selling the ticket to DH, more a "it's not being used why don't you go". He never would have willingly bought a ticket to this event for himself, but neither of us wants to cause drama by saying no, after saying yes, because she expects the £100.
  3. I was more than accommodating when the tickets were bought about her paying it over the installments but that isn't being reciprocated.

So yes I've paid her, because I won't have her saying I'm not paying and keeping the tickets. I also won't have her complaining that I'm paying it up, despite finances. But it has left quite a sour taste in my mouth and I don't know if that is an unreasonable response.

OP posts:
Coldnightsapproachingwhereismyduvet · 14/09/2025 11:09

Why didn't you offer up 4 payments of £25?

Danioyellow · 14/09/2025 11:09

HoskinsChoice · 14/09/2025 11:05

I'm confused. The back story is all irrelevant. She asked if your husband wants to go, he said yes so he should pay. I don't understand why he wouldn't?

It’s right there in the op. He doesn’t like the band and they would rather not have gone than spend £100 on a ticket.
Op surely he could have simply replied ‘sorry I thought you were giving it away’ and then given the ticket back?

PixieAndProsecco · 14/09/2025 11:08

BluePeril · 14/09/2025 11:03

But surely you or your DH said ‘Sorry, my misunderstanding, thought you were offering it for free. No, I don’t want to pay £100 to see a band I’m not interested in.’

She asked if he wanted the ticket when we were with other people, in a "oh, do you want to go instead of the ticket not being used" way.
She text me this morning saying "can you transfer me the money for that ticket?". I asked "what do you mean?" And she replied with a "well DH is taking the ticket so it would be £100. I need the money soon if you don't mind".

And honestly, I couldn't be arsed with the arguing.
The tickets are in my Ticketmaster account and I did not want her kicking off, saying I was keeping them etc so I sent the money but I do feel quite angry about it.

It's definitely a lesson learned and we will no longer be booking events together in this way.

OP posts:
yeesh · 14/09/2025 11:08

You are a doormat and she will continue to treat you like one of you don’t speak up for yourself 🤷‍♀️

HoskinsChoice · 14/09/2025 11:05

I'm confused. The back story is all irrelevant. She asked if your husband wants to go, he said yes so he should pay. I don't understand why he wouldn't?

BluePeril · 14/09/2025 11:03

But surely you or your DH said ‘Sorry, my misunderstanding, thought you were offering it for free. No, I don’t want to pay £100 to see a band I’m not interested in.’