Housewarming gift price range?

[NoCanoe]

I originally offered to buy a gift once my friends were settled and knew what they wanted. There had been talk of wanting to replace dinner plates, bed linen , towels etc.

They now have said they will forgo the non essential items in favour of something more practical.

That's fine. But because I never stipulated a budget at the time when it was a general idea, Im now being presented with an invoice far greater than anticipated.

Im just wondering if Im out of touch with price range these days, or am I being taken advantage of?

Id like some idea of what you'd consider normal price range before I say how much I am actually being asked for.

I do feel I have no option but to honour the commitment. But I'm a bit miffed.

Send the fuckers these -

‘Dear Racketeers,

Please find enclosed my contribution to your curtains.

I wish I could be there to see you hang.

Them.

Love from, The OP’

Hi OP, please just block them and forget this 'friendship.'
I'm shocked!

Here's another reply idea:

Oh dear. That does sound difficult.
Good luck with it!

I'd definitely give up on the 'friendship'.

I can't believe what I have read?! £550 for a housewarming gift! Your offer of £100 was more than generous and now they want £350. These people are not friends. I'm so sorry OP.

For my sanity OP, please don’t send these cheeky twats £350. I couldn’t bear it.

Who the fuck asks for £350 as a housewarming gift?!?!?!?

Get angry! Please.

Tell her if you were to send £350 you wouldn't be able to eat for two months. Add that a real friend wouldn't ask. Sign it from "Your Offended Friend".

Utterly shocked! These are not friends. And they are also lacking in any class and manners

Friends should not make you feel like this. Friends shouldn't expect a housewarming gift, full stop. We have recently moved and I got a bottle of champagne from a good friend - completely unexpected. These are not your friends, they know how to manipulate and guilt trip you. Rise above it and cut them loose

You seem a lovely genuine sweet person OP, I have to say I came up against a couple of CF's later in life and was truly upset, devastated really when I realised they were users and manipulators.
You will feel a billion percent better when you ditch these awful people. Spend the money on yourself on something you would like and be happy that they will not tap you for money again. X

Thanks again, everyone.

Ive distracted myself with tv and a couple glasses of wine.

Ive not replied and Im not going to tonight.

I think it safe to say the friendship is over and will be closed down very soon.

Im aware there's another message waiting for me, but I've chosen not to read it before bed. Tomorrow will be soon enough.

Some great suggested replies, by the way!!

OP, the friendship is ruined (by them) so really don't stress about the contents of their silly messages. It's their BAD. Totally.

chin chin

Op, enjoy your wine. and get a good nights sleep

No one needs people like this in their life. I'm still not sure it's real, simply because I'm struggling to believe anyone would tread a friend as badly as this. A real friend that is, and not just some mark.

The only time I've known of people who have presented as wealthy at the same time as asking for money, they have been con-artists. I can't see any other way of seeing this at the moment.

Be prepared for the guilt trip next. Cheeky fuckers like this will not for one moment consider that they are in the wrong, so it will be a blame-game towards you for having let them down and landed them in a difficult situation.

Dear friend,
Sorry you assumed that I would spend £550 on a housewarming gift. Has anybody told you that assumed makes an ASS out of U and ME?

I think I'd leave it at that. You know where you stand with these CFers. I don't think I'd even give the £100 you initially were thinking.
I'm questioning what you really get out of this friendship?

SandandSea - to be fair, not presented as wealthy, but they are better off than me!
Or at least, thats how it seemed over the years.

Im beyond trying to make sense of it now. I still feel churned up about it and, yes, hurt.

I know Im going to have to toughen up. But i genuinely cared for these people.

NoCanoe you sound lovely. Far better a friend than these twats deserve 😁 I have been gobsmacked at this thread. People are bonkers!!

I have no idea what I would do in your situation I can't believe how cheeky your friend has been and then apologetic but still asking for the money?!
Is not giving them any money an option at this point?

How strange, we've just moved house and received many scented candles, bottles of fizz and plants/flowers, we definitely wouldn't have expected anything more!

I bought some new curtains today (and they cost a much more reasonable 95 quid) so tell them they can have my old ones if they want. Best of luck op.

Good decision not to read the message tonight. You don't ever need to reply if you don't want to.

@NoCanoe - Sorry if I misunderstood.

It's completely understandable that you'd be upset after this, I'm sure many of us would be (and have been). Hope you can get a good night's sleep and feel better about things tomorrow.

I'm not surprised you feel hurt. Their behaviour is appalling. Make sure you treat yourself to something special this week.

OP stay strong and don’t sent a penny, use the money and treat yourself to something nice.