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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think I should pay 1/3?

744 replies

stickeritup · 01/10/2019 19:37

Travelling with my cousin and his wife to another cousin’s wedding in a different part of the country. They have one child, who’s also coming. I don’t have any.

We’re hiring a car because neither of us has a big enough one. The cost is £120. I assumed we’d pay £40 each for the three adults. Cousin has text saying ‘so that’s £60 each’, meaning £60 for me and £60 between him and his wife.

I don’t think this is right. AIBU? I know it’s only £20 but it happens all the time when some couples assume that they count as ‘one’.

OP posts:
AhNowTed · 01/10/2019 20:16

1/3, and he's trying to pull a fast one.

These are the types that, when in a round, one of them stands 'their joint' round and you stand yours 🙄

OhioOhioOhio · 01/10/2019 20:16

Thirds

j3mz · 01/10/2019 20:17

Also agree to flying we drove to Campbell town took 9hours . It was awful

DoctorAllcome · 01/10/2019 20:17

I’d expect 50/50
The car rental is in their name so if any damage done, they are the ones on the hook legally. That “insurance” is worth the extra £20.
And they’ll be doing 2/3rds of the driving so you benefit there too.

Finally, it’s family. Not worth quibbling over £20 what goes around usually comes around.

Pringlesfortea · 01/10/2019 20:17

Drive yourself ,stop for food ,loo ,when you want ,in peace and quiet without a screaming child ,who I bet anything you end up sat next to in the back entertaining ...and paying £60 for the privilege

Whoopstheregomyinsides · 01/10/2019 20:18

If they're hiring car to allow you to join then maybe £50/50 but if not then thirds. And fuel definitely 3 ways so you all benefit if they could have taken own car

BrokenWing · 01/10/2019 20:18

3 way split between the adults. Really don't understand why it would be any other way, just because two of the adults are married doesn't mean they come as one!

Mummyoflittledragon · 01/10/2019 20:19

Normally I would say split 3 ways. However it sounds as though had you not decided to go together, they three of them would have gone in your cousins car and had zero hire costs. Therefore both families are getting equal benefit. There just happens to be 3 of them and 1 of you. In this instance therefore, I’d say 50:50.

Queenoftheashes · 01/10/2019 20:20

3 way definitely. As pointed out they’d have had to get a plane or train ticket each. And the kid is getting it free.

holidays987 · 01/10/2019 20:22

If they have a small 4 seater, they could have used if for themselves plus luggage? Are they just hiring to accommodate you? If so 50:50 is fair.

AlexaAmbidextra · 01/10/2019 20:23

Why should OP pay for her cousin and his wife's choice to procreate?

You beat me to it.

JonSlow · 01/10/2019 20:23

Tell them 50/50 is fine, but you always get shotgun!

ZenNudist · 01/10/2019 20:23

1/3

fedup21 · 01/10/2019 20:24

We’re going from the South West to the Highlands so we thought we’d share the driving & petrol costs.

If you don’t go together, you could take your car and they could take theirs, yes?

I expect they will ask you to go halves on the petrol if you share, as well!

I’d just drive myself or fly tbh.

Expressedways · 01/10/2019 20:27

I would MUCH rather drive a nice 2 seater on my own to Scotland (or fly, or get train). A journey that length with a small child will be hell on earth.
Definitely this!!

However, if you do want to travel down with them then you should split costs 50:50 for the hire car. You’ve chosen to go with each other, neither of your cars are suitable for the group (although presumably they would be for the individual family units) so I think sharing the cost equally makes sense. And it’s only £20, it’s not worth the risk of falling out over.

CandyLeBonBon · 01/10/2019 20:27

You fly. They use your car and you charge them for the pleasure!

WarshipWarrior · 01/10/2019 20:27

100% pull out and fly. Cheaper overall and easier than faffing about with a baby in a car for 10000 hours. Fuck that.

Doyouavocado · 01/10/2019 20:30

I really don’t see how people are saying 50/50 is fair. To the people that are saying it is, would you say the petrol should be 50/50 in that case?

SeigneurLapindeGrantham · 01/10/2019 20:30

1/3 otherwise fly, have a look at fares, the thought of that journey by car fills me with horror- been there done that with my own children never mind other peoples.

chocatoo · 01/10/2019 20:34

I think it should be thirds but as it's only £20 I would pay half. However I would make it clear that does not run to you paying half of the fuel or doing half of the driving!

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 01/10/2019 20:34

If fly myself to Inverness and train out to the wedding location.

category12 · 01/10/2019 20:34

Yes, a third each seems fair. 50/50 is rude - they're going to be taking up far more room with their luggage etc.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 01/10/2019 20:34

Are they expecting you to sit in the back and entertain their baby?

Ontheboardwalk · 01/10/2019 20:36

You should pay a third.

Watch out, I bet they are the type of couple that take a joint turn in buying rounds so you'll end up buying 2 drinks for every one they buy you.

If you do end up paying 50% do not be the one stuck in the back with their child

Personally I’d make an excuse and drive there on my own

Runningonempty84 · 01/10/2019 20:36

Fly, or drive yourself! Speaking as someone who once drove to Fort William with two small children who shouted the whole way.
You can also practically double the journey time it claims on Google Maps, by the time you've factored in toilet stops and food stops and accident-on-the-A82 stops...