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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:
RaspberryOverload · 26/08/2015 13:43

They sound so grabby. Wanting £2.50 when by the OP, the friends invited themselves in the first place!

flanjabelle · 26/08/2015 13:44

Good for you op! It sounds very much like these friends do not appreciate your generous hospitality. That's not a friendship, that's being used and shouldn't be tolerated.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 26/08/2015 13:46

I am glad you have sent them a text but I wouldn't be surprised if it was the end of your friendship. I doubt they are the sort of people who react well to having their selfish behaviour pointed out.

ExasperatedAlmostAlways · 26/08/2015 13:47

Glad you text, that was a great text.

FuryFowler · 26/08/2015 13:51

Well done twinkle the issue definitely needed to be raised!

Can't wait for her reply :)

Tinklewinkle · 26/08/2015 13:52

No reply yet.

They didn't say anything about money being tight, but I get the feeling that they aren't particularly rolling in it at the moment. They wouldn't usually come here for their main holiday, but then at the same time they were happy to spend on days out and stuff like that

OP posts:
Bakeoffcake · 26/08/2015 13:55

Great text, I expect she's too embarrassed to reply!

You have done the right thing though, even if they are a bit tight for money at the moment, chasing you for £2.50 and not contributing in anyway to their stay is so bloody rude.

StealthPolarBear · 26/08/2015 13:56

Lurking to hear the response

rosieliveson1 · 26/08/2015 13:56

Wow! I truly can't believe the cheek of your 'friend', I would be surprised if you get a response. She and her husband should be truly ashamed!

emotionsecho · 26/08/2015 13:57

Good text Tinkle far more diplomatic than I'd have managed.

PestoSwimissimos · 26/08/2015 14:01

They could obviously spend money on days out because they didn't have to pay anything for accomodation - unbelievable!

NerrSnerr · 26/08/2015 14:02

I have a friend like this, it's a bloody nightmare. Think I'll check FB to see if she's been away for a few weeks....

hibbleddible · 26/08/2015 14:04

Great text, I'm waiting to hear their reply.

No matter how skint they are there is no excuse for that behaviour. They shouldn't have travelled if they couldn't afford to.

Charlie97 · 26/08/2015 14:11

Wow, that is just beyond belief!

I have not read the whole thread but did any PP say you were BU?

i very much doubt it!!

laffymeal · 26/08/2015 14:14

I couldn't be friends with people who treated me like that, you did the right thing calling them on it but I would be surprised if it had any impact on them.

AspieAndNT · 26/08/2015 14:15

It's good that you have text them as it gives them a chance to realise that they were being numpties and for you to continue with your friendship

bloodyteenagers · 26/08/2015 14:20

Being skint isn't an excuse.
they are grabby tight fisted cheeky fuckers.

coconutpie · 26/08/2015 14:21

Excellent text! Can't wait to hear what the stingey twat replies with.

Ledkr · 26/08/2015 14:24

Loiters in wait for reply

Reubs15 · 26/08/2015 14:24

Who would ask for £2.50 back off a friend anyway?!
Please send them a bill! I can't believe people are so cheeky! Definitely pay in installments!

FuckYouChrisAndThatHorse · 26/08/2015 14:27

I'm flabbergasted!

We had friends stay for a week so they could have a cheap holiday. They brought presents for us and all the kids, they went to the supermarket and did a huge shop of enough food to cover everything we would all need for the week (including what we ate), they cooked on three of the nights and wouldn't let us pay for the takeaway we got one night. We didn't ask for any of the above, we would happily have paid for all the food in the house, they insisted.

They are welcome to visit anytime :)

When they did the big shop they asked if I needed anything. I asked for a big thing of baby milk (cost a lot more than £2.50) and when they got back they wouldn't accept a penny for it.

At the end of the holiday they were grateful to us for putting them up, and gave us some wine.

I would have still been happy if they hadn't bought anything. I would not have been happy if they quibbled over contributing some bread and milk.

YellowTulips · 26/08/2015 14:27

To be fair how do you respond to a text like that?

"Really sorry I have upset you. I'll send back the 2.50 minus interest."

Or (to quote another thread)

"I'm crowd funding my early retirement. I thought the holiday was your contribution?"

MackerelOfFact · 26/08/2015 14:28

Presumably they used half of the bloody bread and milk anyway, so I would've been petty and only sent them half the money. Then gone through my bank statements and bills and charged them for half of everything used during their stay, cheeky feckers.

Intrigued to find out what their response is. If they're genuinely broke and couldn't afford to pay their way then it sounds like you wouldn't have had a problem, but chasing for £2.50 given the amount you must have spent on them over the two weeks is staggering.

ImperialBlether · 26/08/2015 14:33

Did they eat/drink any of the bread/milk?

I'd think they'd gone absolutely mad and would be recommending they go to a hospital for a check up.

Other than that I would definitely make a list of everything you've paid for.

How many breakfasts?
How many lunches?
How many showers?
How much alcohol?

etc. I'd just have to do it.

KinsyWinsy · 26/08/2015 14:34

You won't hear from them again.

And they will bitch about you to other people. Saying how you owed them money and complained when you had to repay it.

It's a lose lose situation this. I mean you could say it's good that you've shed the people but what a shame there are such tossers in the world.

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