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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to think taxi should be split 3 ways?

168 replies

MyNewBearTotoro · 04/01/2016 14:45

I volunteer for a charity. Once a week myself and two other volunteers need to get a taxi together as part of our work for the charity. None of us receive any expenses from the charity so the taxis are paid from our household finances.

The other two volunteers are married and share all of their funds. The first time we got a taxi they paid the driver and I then gave them a third of the fare to cover my share. The last two times I have paid and they have given me 50% of the fare to cover their share.

AIBU to think if 3 people get a taxi then each person pays a third (and so they should be giving me two thirds of the fare when I pay) or are they right in thinking as a married unit with shared finances they count as one?

We will be getting a taxi together next week so it would be good to know what others think is fair before then. Thanks!

OP posts:

SchnitzelVonKrumm · 04/01/2016 21:24

I would say 50/50 on the cab because there are two stops and that would be the same if it was you and half of the couple. But rounds should absolutely be bought on an individual basis.

SchnitzelVonKrumm · 04/01/2016 21:26

Though if you're all going to the same place, it should be split three ways.

Potatoface2 · 04/01/2016 21:44

i wonder if you took your husband or a friend one night if they would want it split half or for you to go three ways...im getting confused now!

EllenJanethickerknickers · 04/01/2016 21:47

I often get a taxi home with another couple. They get dropped off first after a couple of miles and I'm about a mile further. In that case I'm happy to split the cost 50:50, as they are two but I travel further.

In your case, 1/3:2/3 is fair.

Gwenhwyfar · 04/01/2016 23:35

Ratbagcatbag: I find finding and reserving a cottage enough work without having to deal with all that. Also, staying in a cottage is not like staying in a hotel. You're all using the same kitchen, living room, garden etc. and that's what the cottage is for, it's not just a place to sleep like a hotel so the kind of room you're in is not the only thing that would determine a fair price.
As for who gets which room, first come first served, first one up the stairs bagsies her bed, especially if you're all the same sex.

redstrawberry10 · 05/01/2016 10:22

Its too complicated to do that so I get my own accommodation.

or you can just talk about it. it's not that hard.

if you are a bit of a games geek, you can have one person set the prices per room, and the others choose. All sorts of fun can be had.

KakiFruit · 05/01/2016 13:05

I've only read the first page but the responses surprised me. If there are two drop-offs, with one lot of passengers getting off at one place and one lot getting off at another, I'd expect it to be split 50/50 by the two lots. I'd feel the same whether I was the single person or one of the couple.

Totally different from buying rounds in a pub, where the cost is increased per head. A taxi is a fixed fare to the destination, not per person.

MaidOfStars · 05/01/2016 13:14

If there are two drop-offs
Sigh, there aren't.

Three work colleagues, leaving from the same place (work office) and going to the same place (actual workplace).

PuppyMonkey · 05/01/2016 13:21

KakiFruit, you should read the whole thread - it's ace.

bettyberry · 05/01/2016 13:33

Yes, I have talked about it. I have voiced that I don't think it's fair when my 1adult, 1 child family is paying the same rate as a 2 adult, 2 child family. If I speak up I am accused of being tight fisted so I opt to take myself out of the situation and get accommodation alone. I'm not angry about sorting out everything myself. I am angry that my choice to keep my costs down is taken away by someone who thinks they can take me for a ride and make me pay more than I would if I went alone.

This is part of the reason I get my own accommodation because as a single parent of 1 I am taken advantage of and made to feel pretty crap that my bill is inevitably cheaper than everyone else. It's not my fault I only have to buy 2 train tickets, 2 park tickets and can opt for a cheaper twin room rather than a family room. That lots of deals and perks can be found if I go for 2 adult options for me and DC when eating out.

If it means that we all saved money by pooling funds I would absolutely do that because it's fair but when one ends up paying more so others can save. No. That can feck right off.

I just want to pay my own way.

FWIW with friends (me and 2 others mostly) we usually share a jug when it's just us but revert to paying for ourselves when others have joined us inc partners, friends of friends etc if it's a huge group EVERYONE is relieved not to do rounds because a round could easily come it at £50

When it comes to taxi fares. It's spilt between no of people but usually I taxi alone again beacuse I live in the opposite direction to everyone else.

rookiemere · 05/01/2016 14:04

Bettyberry - that's a ridiculous situation, of course you should be paying less than the others - can't they do basic maths where 2 is less than 4, oh and two bedrooms cost twice as much as one.

Such a shame for them as well as by pooling resources in an appropriate way you can often get a much nicer property, but their loss absolutely.

blueturtle6 · 05/01/2016 16:27

Regarding rounds I would've just bought them a drink to share

bettyberry · 05/01/2016 17:27

rookiemere they were annoyed a family room - 1 room with a double and 2 singles - cost more than my twin room! when it was still only one room. They expected all rooms to be the same. Of course it would cost more. I've worked in enough hotels to know that.

Its that they feel they are being short changed because I can take my family away for much less than them. I'm just really good at planning the other stuff. Finding 2-4-1 vouchers (that I share links to!) pre-book park tickets because online ordering you get a couple of pounds off and slip through the pre booked lane quicker. Doing the 2 mains for £9 deal in a popular chain pub rather than one from adult, one from child menu which works out more expensive. Its just how I am due to being on a budget. Oh and the obvious family being half the size of course ...

One year we went to stay at a caravan park and linen hire for the week was £12 per person. I took a sleeping bag and a sheet for DS because DS wont sleep in anything other than what smells like him and the blasted bag goes everywhere when we stay overnight and that even caused a fuss because although I had a separate 2 bed caravan to them my bill was £36 cheaper than theirs. I mean, they could've brought their own linen and then mine would be more expensive

When it comes to money it really is hard to reason with anyone and brings the worst out in many. I know I can't be the only one who struggles with this and I guess many keep their mouths shut for an easier life and will pay regardless.

rookiemere · 05/01/2016 17:32

Bettybetty - I guess they also forget that you only have one income to pay for this rather than two !

But yes mixing friends/family and finances seems to bring out the worst in people and if it causes too much stress it should be avoided.

OurBlanche · 05/01/2016 17:41

Please, OP... GET THE BUS

Tell them that as they want to pay 50:50 the taxi is now more expensive for you, so you are going back to the using the bus!

Done, sorted. If they suggest 2/3 and 1/3 split again you can accept if you want. But basically the reason you shared a taxi with them was arbitrarily taken away when they unilaterally decided to only pay 50%.

So, please, just get back on the bus

LalaLyra · 05/01/2016 18:00

OP definitely not being unreasonable.

I had the exact same situation with two of DH's friends when we were going to visit a friend in a hospice. Bus was £5 each, taxi was £15. We were going at the same time (they have no car and mine was off the road), but going home separately.

They thought the taxi should be 50:50. It took ages before they finally grasped that to get the bus would cost me £5 and them £10, to split the taxi three ways would be exactly the same, but to split it there way would cost me £7.50 so £2.50 more.

Normally for the sake of a couple of quid I'd have just gone with it, but these two are well known for it (rounds, meals, holidays - they are always cadging off someone or other) and it just pissed me off. The wife was livid and kept saying "but if you were paying for the whole taxi yourself it'd be £15" and just couldn't get that if I was on my own I'd just get the bus. The only reason for getting a taxi was that it cost the same, but was more convenient.

I was dreading Christmas this year as we hired three cottages and all went away. There was loads of permutations of rooms, DS was sharing with his cousin etc. Thankfully as we were all sat about trying to work it all out my lovely BIL said "Why don't we just say the total cost of all three is X so that's Y per adult, Z per child and none of the under 2s pay anything because they'll be in travel cots?" No-one had a shitty room or anything so it worked out nicely.

LalaLyra · 05/01/2016 18:01

*their way. Sorry!

HairySubject · 05/01/2016 19:09

Totally agree that the taxi should be thirds.

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