Who is a CF, me or them?

[Bear2014]

I have £70 of theatre and cinema tokens we can't currently use as we are exhausted with young DC. I texted my parents who go to the theatre and cinema all the time to ask if they could use them. They said yes, thanks. I said great, we can use the cash for something else. They then replied that they didn't realise I wanted money for them so thanks but no thanks. WIBU? I'm really doubting myself now but for context they are well off and we have massive outgoings with nursery fees etc

Yes - more cheeky of you than them

They were presents from friends to me and OH. I asked 'if they could use them' so I definitely effed it up. Thanks for replies!

From what you have said it sounded like you offered a gift. In which case I would have offered you a token of appreciation in return. I can't actually imagine accepting something that pricey though. I'd probably have sold them on instead.

Were you expecting them to pay full price for them? Because if so there's no reason for them to want to buy them.

Don't theatre tokens last ages, actually, I thought they weren't dated at all.

How did you come by the vouchers and how is the £70 made up? Are they mainly £2-£5 off tickets or considerably more value such as £15-£20 off the price of a ticket?

They don't expire no, so it was a bit stupid really. Nothing in it for them apart from to offer to help out cash strapped offspring. Lesson learned!

I would give them as a Christmas gift to my parents, explain you're strapped for cash

Given that they go to the theatre a lot it seems a bit silly of them. They'd use them at some point and otherwise they'll just go to waste. I assume they're 'making a point' by refusing, which comes across as a bit petty. So I think they are the ones being unreasonable (although perhaps not specifically CF).

They are definitely not CFs. You should have worded your offer in a more straightforward way if you wanted cash for the vouchers. As they were gifts and you are unlikely to use them then I'd give them to the parental. Otherwise try to sell them for a lesser value locally. Or ask parents to babysit so you can use them yourselves for an early evening cinema showing.

If you wanted money for them you should have mentioned that when asking, or people would assume they were a gift. I would have offered something but not buy them from you for full price.

You're the CF if you phrased it like in your OP. It sounds like you're offering a gift.

Neither yours nor DPs financial status is really relevant in this context. Although if they had been feeling generous they could have insisted you take a few quid for them.

I also would have assumed they were free, especially because it doesn't sound like you told them you were selling them.

Can your parents babysit instead so you can use them?

I would give them as a Christmas gift to my parents, explain you're strapped for cash

Sorted. Good idea.

I would give them as a Christmas gift to my parents, explain you're strapped for cash

Sweet!

Wish I had thought of the xmas thing sooner, that would have been genius. Sadly it would be super weird and awkward to do that now.

I don't think you were being cheeky, but neither were they particularly. However if my parents had been in their boat there is no way in the world they would have expected or accepted them for nothing even if I had pressed them tbh.

Perhaps ask them to babysit as their Christmas present to you, and you go and use them.

Fuck me, I take it your DP aren’t the generous type?
If my adult children said this to me I’d either a: say ‘you use them darling, we’ll come and babysit and pay for you a meal so you can make the most of it.’ or b: Slip my cash strapped, frazzled child the cash and tell them to keep it.

Unlike some on MN DH and I want to support and love our children and GC even if they’re over 18.

I agree with previous posters, it does depends on how you asked them.

Also do they do things for you? Babysit, take the children sometimes, ,help you out financially? If so I would give them the tickets.

I cannot comment on who is a CF as I do not know the circumstances. The fact they are well if makes no difference.

If you said. We’ve got these vouchers. We can’t use them. Do you want them? Then I’d would imagine you’d be giving them away

However if you said. We paid £70 for these and are trying to sell them. Then I’d understabd

They cost you nothing but you expected your parents to buy them off you?

Why couldn’t you use them?

I suspect that you didn’t want to use them and instead wanted cash instead for them. Nothing to do with being tired parents of young children!

I would have assumed you were giving them not selling them.

Awkward🙄