I've paid for next week's group holiday but no one has paid their contribution!

[Waferbiscuit]

Weird situation. Going on UK holiday with a friend, her two friends and our 5 children. I agreed to pay for the whole thing on a spare credit card on the basis that they'd BACS me their contribution but I've not received a dime. I paid 5 weeks ago and we leave next Monday.

What's the standard protocol on this? I don't want to get into a situation where I have to chase them for money after the holiday, when they'd obviously be less inclined to pay or where I may get dribs and drabs over an extended period. Given the number of people coming it's obviously cost quite a bit.

I'm not from the UK so sometimes wonder if there is a different type of protocol for these things e.g. an assumption that everyone pays at the end. who knows!

Nope, you pay up as soon as the person who paid for you tells you how much you owe them. It's bad form to need chasing up about a debt.

If you have said "I've paid the deposit, it was $X each", that money should have been in your account three days later (or however long it takes payments to clear). Five weeks is horrific, absolutely shameful, and I would work on the assumption they are not planning to repay you at that stage, ie I'd be seriously considering cancelling. Or disinviting them and inviting more fiscally reliable friends instead.

I wouldask them to confirm which bank details they sent the money to as it hasnt cleared and you are getting worried there is an issue. See what they say, if theynsay they still to send it, ask them for it within 24hrs as you need to pay the credit card bill to avoid i terest

This is always horrible when it happens.

Did any of them even reply to your previous messages? You should be quite direct in your next one and say you would like a reply by Xpm so you know how to proceed etc.

@Fairybio

Perhaps "Hi, since I haven't had payment from anyone, I'm cancelling the holiday and getting a refund. I think it's against the current guidelines anyway. Next time, someone else can be in charge!"

do this.

and never get caught like this again. never pay for other people. and would you really enjoy going away/staying with such a large group. you only seem to know one of them. plus 5 children !
you are a glutton for punishment.

Text individually, that way they don't know all the others haven't paid. Say you have checked the account and can't see the money and can they do it tonight. Any news from anyone? It's fine to joins them now, there's no excuse.

I agree with PPs: do not ask if people intend on going. Say what you are owed and that it is needed tomorrow and interest will be added.

I’d be saying that payment needs to be made by 10am Weds morning else they will incur the interest charges from your credit card

I’d be worrying that I’d got the wrong end of the stick and that it wasn’t a definite plan! YANBU, hope they pay.

Why have you left it this late to do something about it?

I hope they pay up.

Agree with Tokyo. However u have left this very late to chase up. Not sure u would be able to cancel. Don't send jokey text. Get your friend on board to chase. Good luck and am sure all will be fine. People are very relaxed when they are not organising. Do not give an option is everyone going? They are and committed. You need the money today to finalise the trip for next week. Also what are the arrangements for meeting up and getting there. Good luck.

I'd send a jokey passive aggressive text to everyone. "I hope no one is expecting to go on holiday next week. No money in my account yet".
The problem with this is that I suspect they might not be expecting to go at all!

@Marilla27 😂😂

I assume there's no refund option at this point even if you cancel. Make sure they know this so they can't just skip the trip without incurring a cost to you.

@BarbarAnna

I don’t think you can assume you can cancel and get your money back. You just need to be tough. Don’t give the option of not paying. Something like:

Hi all. Need your holiday balance ASAP. X you owe £y ... etc. All money to be paid to my account xxxxxxxx sort code xxxxxx. Need it tomorrow or we will incur interest charges. Thanks.

That. All the suggestions that mention cancelling give them an out. And then you're left with the hassle (and the very real possibility that you won't get your money back).

Keep it businesslike and with an expectation that they WILL pay you and the holiday IS going ahead.

I'd cancel it now and not bother to tell them until someone asked, but then I am bloody minded like that.
It sounds like losing their 'friendship' would only improve things for you as they seem to take advantage of your kind nature.

Very shit behaviour.

Hope they pay you, op.

In future never book until the cash has been transfered.

Hi all. Need your holiday balance ASAP. X you owe £y ... etc. All money to be paid to my account xxxxxxxx sort code xxxxxx. Need it tomorrow or we will incur interest charges. Thanks.

Perfect - well done pp

Agree - that message is perfect. Hope they all pay up Op.

Who have you paid? Can you even cancel? How much money/how many people are we talking about?

That is appalling that they haven't paid you.
Easy to say now, but I'd not have booked it until I'd had all the money up front.
Cancel unless they pay you tomorrow.

Can't believe they haven't paid. I sincerely hope they're true friends and weren't just planning to screw you over if they decided they couldn't go or it wasn't safe to.

Glowing you get all your key OP.

It was very nice of you to offer to put it on your credit card but the card was not ‘spare’, that’s your money!!

Please don’t assume people are as nice as you, people do take advantage.

That is not acceptable and the reason why I never book holidays for other people. Why did you not just let them all book their own or pay you before you booked especially as two are friends of friends rather than people you know?

I would not pussyfoot about. They are being inconsiderate and you just need to say that you have to pay the credit card now so can they pay now. Remind them they already have your bank details.