How long would you wait to be reimbursed for vets fees?

[Babyblade]

Over the last couple of years we've looked after guinea pigs for a "friend" while she's been away working in Europe - it's contract work and we've had them for up to 8 weeks at a time. To begin with there were 3 guinea pigs, but then it was just 2.

We looked after the 2 guinea pigs during September. During that period one of the guinea pigs became unwell, so we took them both to the vet but the unwell guinea pig passed away. Our "friend" reimbursed us within a week for the fees we incurred, which was fine.

She then asked us to look after the remaining GP again in October. The return date was unclear, but possibly up to 3 weeks. She was at pains to emphasise that the one remaining Guinea Pig would need extra attention because his friend had passed away and he might be stressed/lonely.

After 2 weeks of eating happily, the Guinea Pig stopped eating. In order to avoid a repeat of the previous fatality, we whisked him to the vet for a check-up. The vet gave him a clean bill of health, and the following day he was back to his normal self and eating happily. The whole event was incredibly stressful.

In the week that followed I finally had a text from the "friend" who informed me that her contract in Rome was being extended for another 4 weeks - was that OK? By this point I'd had enough - the Guinea Pig was living outside in (sometimes) sub-zero temperatures, it was stressful for me and unfair on the animal (he was used to living indoors) so I asked her to make other arrangements.

Finally, after a lot of fussing about and her calling in favours from other friends, the little beast was collected. I sent her an email requesting reimbursement of the vet fees on the 20th Nov ... and I waited. I sent a reminder on the 4th Dec ... and I waited.

Am I being unreasonable to expect payment within 2 weeks? ... or if nothing else, at least an acknowledgement that she's going to pay me back?

Further frustration is that although she provided initial bedding and dry food, the fresh leaves and carrots were always at my cost. I've not once been paid back for these costs in the 2 years we've been looking after her animals ... I feel like a mug

WWYD?

I'd reply and say "I totally understand, however it's not my problem. If we said that you would reimburse me by X date, would that be ok?"

TwoGunslingers I am not following your train of thought at all. I'm with YelloDraw, you must be the OPs friend, it seems to be the only logical explanation.

OP, you weren't rude or agressive, you're perfectly within your rights to expect your money back. I'd just send a little text back 'So when should I expect the money in my account?'.

I don't think you sounded rude at all OP what does she expect , she ignored you before

£30 is a lot of money to a lot of people

I've just been having parallel conversation with my DH and he has suggested I just send her this link:

www.dogstrust.org.uk/donation/

Yeah - I know it's passive aggressive, but at least I can walk away feeling the better person ...

I get it...I think we all just have different ideas of friendship. This situation wouldn't have bothered me at all, I wouldn't end a friendship over £30, but it's obvious from subsequent posts that they aren't really friends and OP feels resentful and put upon. If that's the case then there's no point in trying to salvage anything.

Honestly OP I wouldn't lose sleep over the money, cut her out of your life and consider it a lesson learned. Or do as others advise and just text your bank details and draw a line.

In answer to your original question, I wouldn't have asked about the money for the bill from my friend in the first place, but would assume that in the course of the friendship this favour would in one way or another be repaid, or not. Don't sweat the small stuff.

Disagree with some posters who seem to think your 'friend' is being reasonable. She isn't. You have done her a favour for a long period of time. You have waited with patience. She has ignored your reasonable requests for payment. Your emails aren't particularly friendly but they aren't the first communication on the issue. And all she needed to do was to transfer the money, not send you long-winded explanations of how people send her 'aggravating' emails (how rude). You are within your rights to tell her you expect payment by the end of the week. Whether you get it is another matter.

TwoGunslingers - TBH, I think we have very similar ideas on friendship. With a true friend I would certainly have been happy to wait for them to pay me back but unless I'm doing this person a favour, she doesn't contact me (with the exception of round-robin emails - & I normally enjoy round-robin emails and cards but hers bore me because they are overly political and racist).

She's living out of the county for long periods of time, so I don't socialise with her ordinarily, so I didn't think that a polite email requesting repayment was unreasonable ... and it had worked OK in the past.

I've referred to as a "friend" because she is more than an acquaintance, but my life isn't enhanced by our interactions. I'll be happy when she's gone!

I'm kinda glad it's not just me who thinks she's a bit odd, and missing the point, with her long-winded explanations ... you should have seen the messages I got when I asked her to make alternative arrangements!