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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Rafflesway · 29/08/2015 15:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

IthoughtATMwasacashpoint · 29/08/2015 18:30

You could send them a Christmas card and 'forget' to put a stamp on it. Then derive great amusement from them asking you refund the postage

laffymeal · 29/08/2015 18:42

That's a brilliant idea Ithought, loving your work.

Hissy · 29/08/2015 19:04

Genius!

HermioneWeasley · 29/08/2015 19:08

Dammit- I want a response!!

RabbitsarenotHares · 29/08/2015 19:21

I hope you update when you get a reply from them. They really are cheeky beggars. I'm going to stay with friends next week and I'm going to make sure I thank them properly for putting me up. I'm definitely not going to compete with your "guests"!

As for the person whose wife's neighbour took her to the vets: I rang my neighbour a few weeks ago one evening, as my rabbit was very ill and DP had the car. I'd already had to pay out quite a lot for the vet that week and was anticipating a call-out call so really couldn't afford paying for a taxi as well.

My neighbour was more than happy to take me up. A mere 20 mile round trip. I took her a bottle of wine around the next day and she was taken aback with that: "That's what neighbours do" was her comment.

Kindness makes the world a far nicer place to live in.

CruCru · 30/08/2015 09:47

Realistically the guests aren't going to reply.

RaspberryOverload · 30/08/2015 11:00

I doubt they will reply. Given how easily they've freeloaded, the facebook stuff, etc, they'll just shrug it off and hope the OP/OP's DH forget about it by the time they want something else.

suzannefollowmyvan · 30/08/2015 11:28

They are paralyzed with embarrassment
Job done!?

laffymeal · 30/08/2015 11:44

Expanding on Ithought's idea, gift wrap a housebrick and put a second class stamp on it to their address.

They'll think it's something worth getting if the package looks really fancy and will grudgingly cough up the excess believing they're going to get a real treat. (Evil laff).

Rainbowlou1 · 30/08/2015 12:22

Wow! Just read through all of this like Shock

NotSoFancyNancy · 30/08/2015 12:44

Dreadful freeloading. Shocking behaviour

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 30/08/2015 14:32

I don't think they'll reply.

cowssheephens · 30/08/2015 21:42

Have they replied yet?

Alwayssunny · 30/08/2015 21:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WhyCantIuseTheNameIWant · 30/08/2015 23:18

Another vote for the nicely wrapped brick...
Or a lump of coal to help with winter heating?
Maybe a bunch of grapes? Safely wrapped in a carrier bag? that will go through the letterbox, yes?

Soooo many things you could send!

Alwayssunny · 31/08/2015 08:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Tinklewinkle · 31/08/2015 08:33

No, no reply.

DH was going to try and ring them again over the weekend but we've been a bit busy and by the time he's remembered it's been too late to call.

From what I can make out, they don't have much to do with our old circle of friends any more so we don't have any mutual friends left.

I'm done with it all now. We won't be accommodating them again

OP posts:
WhyCantIuseTheNameIWant · 31/08/2015 08:36

I wonder why you have no mutual friends left?...

Hissy · 31/08/2015 10:18

Why ring them? Just let the relationship go into dots..

otherwise they will think they have the right to ask to stay again.

I think there is a chance they still might though.. They'll think you will have forgotten.

Hissy · 31/08/2015 10:28

I have just Re-read your text to her Op, they won't reply.

They still might ask to visit tho, in which case just send them the link to the site you saw for holiday rentals.

If I were you, at almost £3k a week, I'd definitely consider renting out your home in future.

Gruntfuttock · 31/08/2015 10:55

"They still might ask to visit tho, in which case just send them the link to the site you saw for holiday rentals."

Or a link to this thread.

Hissy · 31/08/2015 11:10

Or that...

helenthemadexy · 31/08/2015 14:56

I can't believe they have not bothered to reply to you, they are just so rude

Lweji · 31/08/2015 14:58

I have no problem believing it. They demanded £2 fucking 50 back after having a virtually free holiday, ffs!

In fact, I'll be very surprised if they reply. Unless to ask for more money. Maybe a few pennies in interest?