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Original poster

Should I offer to pay friend's parking fine?

34 replies

CactusFred · 16/09/2018 18:15

Went out today and met a friend for lunch.

I told them where they car park was and said I thought it was free on Sunday. We met up and I checked the parking blurb and, probably because I had in my head it was free on Sunday, I missed the bit where it said the Sunday charging hours underneath the Monday to Friday hours.

Told friend it was defo free.

We came back to tickets. £25 each if we pay soon.

I apologised and referred back to a conversation we had had at lunch about having to admit I needed reading glasses. I then said lunch on me next time.

I'm feeling so guilty though. If you were me would you offer to pay?

Thing is, this month is really tight and my own fine has to go on credit card. My lunch was toast and the free water. But that's not an excuse, I could pay it on my credit card for friend or defer till payday and pay them back...

Or would you be like my DP who says they should've checked the sign themselves?!

OP posts:

gamerchick · 16/09/2018 18:19

It's the drivers responsibility to check that stuff.

Smellyoulateralligator · 16/09/2018 18:22

Yes the drivers responsibility. But you did go and check and confirm it was free in error. If you can afford it I’d offer to pay it.

PlateOfBiscuits · 16/09/2018 18:31

The driver would have checked herself if you hadn’t mistakenly said twice that it was free.

You’re already splitting it in half though which is good. But I can see why you’re feeling guilty. What did your friend say?

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LRDtheFeministDragon · 16/09/2018 18:33

I'd be pretty pissed off if you didn't offer to pay. If you had just said you thought it was free, she could have checked - but if you read the actual sign and told her it was free when it wasn't, it was your fault!

I don't think it's realistic to expect the driver to double-check when someone has actually stood in front of the sign, read it, and still not got right what it says.

AppleKatie · 16/09/2018 18:36

Tbh I think half’s is fair- you gave bad advice but it’s technically ‘her’ fine/responsibility.

Is she better off than you? If yes let it go. If this is going to cause her more financial hardship than you I’d offer.

cuddlymunchkin · 16/09/2018 18:39

OP is not going halves - they both got £25 fines. Personally, I think you should offer to pay as you went to check and reassured her it was free!

CanYouHearThat · 16/09/2018 18:47

I think you should pay it. She probably would have checked for herself, but you insisted it was free, so i think you are liable.

PlateOfBiscuits · 16/09/2018 18:49

Thanks cuddlymunchkin, misread that.

In that case yes I do think you should offer something - you need to make a gesture (more than lunch). Talk to your friend and see how she feels.

Homemadearmy · 16/09/2018 18:52

I think you should pay aswell as you checked and told her it was free.

tangoed2 · 16/09/2018 19:16

If you hadn't checked and just said you think it's free then I can see the argument that she should have checked for herself but considering you went to look and told her it was free then you're responsible in my opinion. (Shitty I know, especially when you're skint anyway)

I think you should pay both, I would be really annoyed if you hadn't even offered in your friends position.

MrMeSeeks · 16/09/2018 19:21

Think you shoukd pay, you checked the sign and said it was free, she trusted you, why would she check when you’d looked at the sign and said it was free?

NewDirectionNeeded · 16/09/2018 19:22

I would offer to pay if I were you and if I were your friend, I'd decline.

PodgeBod · 16/09/2018 19:27

Yes it kind of was your fault but I sympathise because I couldn't afford to have an unexpected £50 bill, £25 is bad enough. I think I would have to apologise and then brazen it out.

Redglitter · 16/09/2018 19:30

If it was me & I'd given wrong information to my friend Id pay. If you had said you thought it was free off have said the onus was on her to check but since you checked & confirmed it was free I think you should pay

Junglefowl · 16/09/2018 19:31

I don’t think your finances should influence the decision although I really really sympathise but I agree that she would have checked the sign if you hadn’t reassured her so i’d find it hard not to feel responsible.

MaisyPops · 16/09/2018 19:34

If you'd said it was free and then she took your at your word and didn't double check then I'd say that she should have checked herself so you shouldn't pay.

As you told her it was free, then went to check the sign and reported back that it was free for a second time then I do think it's your call that caused the fine so you should offer.

That said, if I knew my friend was totally skint and I could manage just fine then I'd turn their offer down.

SD1978 · 16/09/2018 19:37

If it was me and I'd assured someone the parking was free, even though they should check, I'd feel like it was my responsibility to pay it.!

butlerswharf · 16/09/2018 19:38

I'd offer to pay given that you told her it was definitely free.

shakeyourcaboose · 16/09/2018 19:39

Sorry but it is your fault! As pp said you physically checked the sign! Would it not have been weird if she said 'nah l don't believe you, I'll read it myself!'

LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 16/09/2018 19:41

I think you should pay in these particular circumstances. Sorry though that it is tough.

Mehaveit · 16/09/2018 20:35

Yeah I think you should pay I'm afraid.

Original poster

CactusFred · 16/09/2018 22:40

Thanks all.

I've offered to pay... and he said no!!

Said 'these things happen' which is nice but I still feel so guilty!

It's a good thing my eye test is this week.

OP posts:

Original poster

CactusFred · 16/09/2018 22:44

So that brings us back to lunch. I'll make it a posh one.

OP posts:

LRDtheFeministDragon · 16/09/2018 22:51

Oh, that's a good outcome!

Good on you OP, and you have lovely friends.

Original poster

CactusFred · 16/09/2018 22:58

Thanks.

I'm just embarrassed really. Such a stupid mistake.

OP posts:

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