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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Splitting petrol money?

114 replies

Spacebound · 14/07/2014 22:41

Hi my fiancée and I are travelling up to Edinburgh this week with our two friends and we're staying in my parents apartment.

We are going to drive as they don't (we always drive up there) problem is I got a txt of my friend today sort of hinting that they might not be going halves on petrol money and I'm a bit pee'd off.

It's a 4 hour drive so we will be looking at about £80 round trip. It's just so awkward to bring up the subject, we just wouldn't dream of not going halves if it was the other way round, any ideas? Thanks !!

OP posts:
STOPwiththehahaheheloling · 14/07/2014 22:42

What exactly did the text say?

Catsize · 14/07/2014 22:42

What was the text?

Bowlersarm · 14/07/2014 22:43

What did the text say? You need to reply to that stating in no uncertain terms that you expect petrol money.

ilovepowerhoop · 14/07/2014 22:43

tell them you will pay petrol to get up there and they can pay to refill the tank to get back again. Cheeky buggers

Bowlersarm · 14/07/2014 22:43

Ha ha!

TheresLotsOfFarmyardAnimals · 14/07/2014 22:44

Unless you have a massive tank you'll have to fill up on the journey. Ask then

mulberrylover · 14/07/2014 22:45

Personally I'd just bring it up. Otherwise tell them to book a train- the best fare finder on train line is great

I travelled to Glasgow from London for £29 a few weeks ago.

fairylightsintheloft · 14/07/2014 22:45

Are you all staying in the apartment as well? If so, and they are getting free accommodation absolutely they must go halves. You have to just be up front and at some point say " right so do you want to pay for the way there or back"?

STOPwiththehahaheheloling · 14/07/2014 22:45

As for suggestions, fill up the car with them there and either you or DP say to whichever one you feel most comfortable saying to "right [sandra] shall we go pay for the petrol". Would work better if DP fills up and you announce this while he's filling up.

GoringBit · 14/07/2014 22:47

If they want to travel to/from Edinburgh for free, they should bloody well walk. The cheek of it. And obviously asking for petrol money WNBU.

Bowlersarm · 14/07/2014 22:47

I disagree, I think it needs to be sorted out before you go. It will be too late at the petrol pump.

EvansOvalPiesYumYum · 14/07/2014 22:48

sort of hinting ??

What did the text say, exactly? I'd insist that they either pay their share of petrol costs, or they're no longer invited.

How unbelievably rude!

Happy36 · 14/07/2014 22:49

I agree with Bowlersarm, sort it out now to avoid increasing the awkwardness and ill feeling over the weekend.

I hope there is a nice gift or meal from the other couple in return for the use of your parents´ apartment too!

CanaryYellow · 14/07/2014 22:49

You need to be upfront about wanting petrol money before they park their arse in your car.

What did the text say? We'll help you write a response.

Gillian1980 · 14/07/2014 22:50

I'd discuss it before you leave. It would be awkward if you stop to fill up and they declare they have no money.

If they're staying in your folks apartment and you're doing all the driving, the very least they can do is pay half the fuel. I'd probably offer more than half or want to take you and DP out for a big thank you meal on top of fuel.

MsVestibule · 14/07/2014 22:50

I don't really understand. Have you previously requested petrol money for this journey? Otherwise, why would they tell you upfront that they don't want to pay? Cheeky feckers normally keep schtum and just hope you don't ask.

Longdistance · 14/07/2014 22:50

Yes, what did the text say?

I'd be charging them for board at your dp's apartment Grin

Purplepoodle · 14/07/2014 22:50

Just text them and say it's going to be £80 for the petrol for the trip so could they have the £40 ready when you pick them up as your going to go and fill the car up.

londonrach · 14/07/2014 22:52

Before you travel not at petrol tank. Shocked at rudeness especially as staying for free at your parents...

Walkacrossthesand · 14/07/2014 22:53

The world divides into freeloaders (those who, in the situation you describe, say 'but you'd be going anyway so it won't cost you anything so we don't have to give you petrol money'); and grateful people who say 'we'd have to pay a train fare if you didn't give us a lift, the least we can do is go halves on petrol'. Maybe you should comment that, if they are unwilling to share petrol costs, they are more than welcome to sort out train tickets for themselves - no skin off your nose.

tiredandsadmum · 14/07/2014 22:53

Deal with it BEFORE travel. They either share or make their own way (at presumably greater cost).

Original poster
Spacebound · 14/07/2014 22:53

The txt basically said that they will be buying some food for the trip because we will be driving them up there. I just want to make sure that we will be going halves beforehand but it's just awkward to bring up I guess we will just have to be a bit cheeky and just come out and say it.

And yes we will all be staying in the apartment for free!!

OP posts:
LOLeater · 14/07/2014 22:54

Did text mean they would pay it all?

Can't imagine they wouldn't contribute. If they don't contribute, dump them far from home :)

expatinscotland · 14/07/2014 22:54

Sort it out and get the money before you go anywhere!

ilovepowerhoop · 14/07/2014 22:55

that would have to be a hell of a lot of food!