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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to send a bill for the gas/elec/water/etc in return?

570 replies

Tinklewinkle · 26/08/2015 10:25

We live in a popular holiday area and had some friends staying with us for a couple of weeks. They went home on Sunday.

They've always been really good friends, and we've always got on really well, their kids are the same age as ours and get on well too. We've been on holiday with them before and it was fine, although this is the first time they've stayed with us for more than a weekend

Anyway, one evening they'd been out and they rang to see if we needed anything from the shop on their way home. I asked them to grab some milk and a loaf of bread.

When they came in I was given the receipt - for about £2.50. I didn't have any cash in the house so apologised and said I'd sort it out the next day. Then, I'll be honest, completely forgot about it. Nothing more was said until they left on Sunday when they reminded them I owed them the £2.50. I had about 70p in cash in the house so apologised and gave them that.

I got a text this morning to remind me that I still owe the remainder and giving their bank details so I could do a bank transfer.

I've transferred the money as I can't be arsed hearing any more about it, but I think they've got a thunderingly massive bloody cheek.

They've pretty much got a free holiday out of us. They've stayed in our house for free, used water, gas, electricity. They ate breakfast here every morning, we fed them about 50% of evening meals, they used the washing machine and tumble drier, they've had tea, coffee, cold drinks, snacks, etc, etc, so I'm somewhat miffed that they've quibbled about £2.50 and feel like sending them a bill for 2 weeks worth of B&B.

We didn't actually invite them, they wanted to come here and asked if they could stay with us. We nearly always have people staying in the summer holidays, we don't mind in the slightest, we enjoy having guests and are happy to look after them, but I now feel like a mug

OP posts:
glenthebattleostrich · 26/08/2015 10:29

Wow, they are cgeecky fuckers. They certainly wouldn't be getting back in the house and I don't think I could be friends with them any longer.

I don't think I'd be able to stop myself emailing them to point out exactly how much their visit had cost and that I hope the £2.50 made them happy as it had also cost them a friendship.

Bullshitbingo · 26/08/2015 10:30

Wow! Just wow!
A whole new level of brass neck. I'm speechless Shock

StillStayingClassySanDiego · 26/08/2015 10:30

Shock Fuck me there are some cheeky buggers in this world!

Yes I would send them a bill, just for the sake of it being an lovely 'up yours' gesture.

I hope you don't host them again after this, I'd be bloody seething at their meanness.

spreektengels · 26/08/2015 10:31

i don't see the point in sending them a bill but don't let them come again! It's mad to quibble over £2.50

BeautifulBatman · 26/08/2015 10:31

What glen said. Cheeky fuckers! Shock

Bullshitbingo · 26/08/2015 10:31

I also would not be inviting them back, but would prob not cause an argument about it, just quietly drop them and know that they are massive bellends, that is all....

StillStayingClassySanDiego · 26/08/2015 10:31

Please please please do it.

Do it.
Do it.
Do it.
Do it.

Desertedislander · 26/08/2015 10:31

Oh my goodness. I would literally have laughed. They are unbelievably cheeky. Im flabbergasted

Chippednailvarnish · 26/08/2015 10:32

Send them the bank transfer and then post a FB message saying; "my phone isn't working at the moment but I thought I should let you know that I have done the bank transfer for the £1.80 you were chasing me for. Lets catch up soon xx"

At least everyone will know how tight they are.

That or pay in installments...

Lj8893 · 26/08/2015 10:32

Yanbu! Cheeky fuckers!!!

hibbleddible · 26/08/2015 10:32

Wow, they have some front!

Did they give anything to you as a thank you for hosting them?

StillStayingClassySanDiego · 26/08/2015 10:32

Yes installments, 10p a week Grin

Lurkedforever1 · 26/08/2015 10:36

Yanbu. Send them a detailed invoice, with a break down of costs. Addressed to 'the freeloading twats'

Original poster
Tinklewinkle · 26/08/2015 10:37

I've already transferred it now otherwise, instalments would have made me laugh, a lot!

Nope, they gave us nothing for hosting them.

They've always been a bit funny with money, but nothing like this

OP posts:
howtorebuild · 26/08/2015 10:39

The friendship would be ended there, as they are clearly selfish weirdos.

Chippednailvarnish · 26/08/2015 10:39

Seriously FB them, it will make you feel better!

TooScaredToPostPostHack · 26/08/2015 10:39

You really need to add up the cost of breakfast/meals etc. Can't believe they wanted you to fund their holiday. Looks like the end if your friendship. We've been invited to Christmases with friend in the last, and always have insisted in getting the turkey, spending more on presents than usual as don't want to take the piss

Sazzle41 · 26/08/2015 10:41

Do it. They used you/your home for a free holiday and they want £2.50 back? Between real friends, £2.50 is a 'meh' amount, you just get something next time they are short of change/forgot their purse/need milk etc. Do they even get you a lovely box of expensive chocs and a card to say thanks for our Hol when they stay? Thats what would be polite. I'd be rethinking the friendship if they are that tight/mean tbh. Mean over money usually extends to mean in other ways IME.

Or, text, "well forget my thank you card/chocs and we will call it quits". Then drop them. Like a stone. Life is too short for those who see you purely as a source of freebies.

ALemonyPea · 26/08/2015 10:42

Bloody hell. How rude of them.

I'd have had to follow up the bank transfer with a text/email saying how pissed off annoyed I was about them hounding me for the £2.50 when they've more or less had a free holiday.

Cheeky feckers.

StillStayingClassySanDiego · 26/08/2015 10:43

I love a cheeky fucker of a friend thread Grin.

WitchOfAlba · 26/08/2015 10:44

They are being VVVU, you are not. I'd write them a letter detailing what their free holiday has cost you and giving your bank details. Then move on and forget about their 'friendship'

LumelaMme · 26/08/2015 10:45

Bloody hell - did they seriously bring no wine/cake/flowers when they turned up? That's downright peculiar.

suzannefollowmyvan · 26/08/2015 10:47

incredibleShock

hibbleddible · 26/08/2015 10:47

Really, not even a bottle of wine??

They sound really stingy.

I would call them up on this: say that you hosted them for two weeks, provided bed and board for free, and it wasn't polite of them to ask for 2.50 for a couple of items. They sound like they have no idea, and won't realise their behaviour wasn't on unless you tell them.

PoppyBlossom · 26/08/2015 10:48

Christ that's low of them, I think I'd need to point out how petty and ungrateful they are as the friendship would be over for me.