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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

About friends buying goods during covid?

918 replies

MozzchopsThirty · 22/01/2021 15:40

I've had covid for over a week now, been in with 3 dcs, 2 of whom have also tested positive

A few friends have said 'if you need anything just let me know' and I've asked for a few bits.

My friend bought me £6 worth of stuff and said 'the receipt is in the bag can you put it in my account'
My other friend called over last night and I asked if she could bring some crisps & popcorn and she also said it was about £4 the receipt is in the bag

I'm just wondering AIBU to think that dropping £4-£6 worth of shopping off I wouldn't ask for that back off a friend (and I'm not well off, single parent nhs worker)
If it was a £20 shop upwards that would be different

Maybe I'm wrong, AIBU?

OP posts:
Brockaslass · 26/01/2021 18:15

@ 17:41Gwenhwyfar if she had gone to the shop for me then yes regardless as to whether I was at her home or pub I'd still expect her pay her for what was spent and for the benefit of the (knowing her friends situation better) my sister is still better off than me by far, but with has nothing to do with it. It's just pure cheek.
If I was at her home for a get together etc I'd make an offer to bring food etc or contribute some way. As would she. If it was a coffee then fair enough I would offer her the same at my house. But realistically that's not we are talking about. We are talking about her asking for help shopping. Not an offer of a cuppa in the home. We are talking about someone saying "please go to the shop for me but realistically I don't want to pay"

BonnieDundee · 26/01/2021 18:15

But if you went to her house, would you expect her to charge you? Ant not everyone is just trying to survive. OP probably knows her friends' economic situation better than you and she may know that they can spare £4.

It doesn't matter if she knows her friend can afford to spare £4. She owes £4 and doesnt get to unilaterally decide she doesn't have to pay it back.

Its absolutely fine if.friend says dont worry but to ask someone to buy you something.and.be offended that you have to pay for it, she's got more front than Blackpool

Gwenhwyfar · 26/01/2021 18:18

" if she had gone to the shop for me then yes regardless as to whether I was at her home or pub"

Do we know if the friends went to the shop just for OP or if they were going to the shop anyway?

Gwenhwyfar · 26/01/2021 18:19

"It doesn't matter if she knows her friend can afford to spare £4. She owes £4 and doesnt get to unilaterally decide she doesn't have to pay it back."

She hasn't refused to pay it though, has she? That's not what the thread is at all.

Lweji · 26/01/2021 18:21

(Maybe it's not you seen as you claim you had offered)

The OP doesn't claim such thing. She says she didn't get the chance to...

BonnieDundee · 26/01/2021 18:22

No @gwenhwfar but she is seriously pissed off that she is expected to pay for HER OWN SHOPPING. You dont get much more CF than that although Mexican House Thief Thief definitely was cheekier Grin

Skysblue · 26/01/2021 18:25

Seems weird to me OP. When my friends had OP I was happy to dropoff stuff (including gifts to keep kids busy etc) and it never crossed my mind to ask for money.

Perhaps your friends are broke? If not then yes they are stingy.

Gwenhwyfar · 26/01/2021 18:25

@BonnieDundee

No *@gwenhwfar* but she is seriously pissed off that she is expected to pay for HER OWN SHOPPING. You dont get much more CF than that although Mexican House Thief Thief definitely was cheekier Grin
She's surprised that she was asked for the money when she wouldn't ask herself, that's all. She's still paying the money.
fairydust11 · 26/01/2021 18:29

Op, why should they pay?
It’s kind of them to even offer to go the shop for you.
I would’ve offered to pay before being asked, but that’s maybe just me.
Being a single parent nhs worker has nothing to do with it. Pay your own way in life.
In my opinion Yabu

BonnieDundee · 26/01/2021 18:31

Perhaps your friends are broke? If not then yes they are stingy.

Its not stingy to ask for money you are owed. Its stingy to expect your friends to pay for your shopping

She's surprised that she was asked for the money when she wouldn't ask herself, that's all. She's still paying the money.

If you read the OP she is annoyed at.being expected to pay for her own shopping that she asked.for Shock

MiddlesexGirl · 26/01/2021 18:34

I wouldn't have asked. But I would have expected to pay.
I suspect if you'd phrased the OP .... I didn't ask my friend for £4 for the shopping I bought her when I was self-isolating and my DP says I should have.... you would have got mostly.... your DP is a tightwad - LTB.

S0CKS · 26/01/2021 18:34

My siblings my family probably not, friends I possibly would not if they was particularly close but if it was just a 'let me know if you need anything' then I would expect to be offered I would probably say no but if not offered damn right I want my money back.

chaosrabbitland · 26/01/2021 18:38

you do need to pay it back , if you dont than next time they wont help you out . my next door neighbour always helps me out , of i run out of coffee , sugar , tabacco ,she always lends me a little bit to tide me thru , so when she ask for something i always help back too , i would never say no to her . it will put a strain on your friendships if you just hope they forget about it and you dont pay them

slowdriver · 26/01/2021 18:39

It depends on how well off your friends are.If they can easily afford to buy you shopping and you cannot do it yourself because you have COViD, then they could just buy you stuff and worry about the money some other time, if ever. On the other hand if your friends are skint then they are not being unreasonable to ask for repayment.

PurpleDaisies · 26/01/2021 18:43

@slowdriver

It depends on how well off your friends are.If they can easily afford to buy you shopping and you cannot do it yourself because you have COViD, then they could just buy you stuff and worry about the money some other time, if ever. On the other hand if your friends are skint then they are not being unreasonable to ask for repayment.
It’s irrelevant how rich they are. You can’t just expect your rich friends to buy you stuff.
Bekstar · 26/01/2021 18:47

@BonnieDundee sorry popcorns out I'm still waiting for her to pay for hers and now I'm skint.
Maybe it is her because I've suddenly been blocked on FB.
But no sweat I'm happy because due to one CF I've become close to 10 more people some of who were already friends but many now ex-friend and family of hers who have been ripped off too. Now we are planning a post Covid get together without the Drama queen dictating where we go and what we pay. All's well that ends well in my case. It's maybe worth the loss of that money to see someone for who they truly are.

BonnieDundee · 26/01/2021 18:53

I hope you enjoy your night out when it eventually happens

willstarttomorrow · 26/01/2021 19:00

Very late to this thread and it has obviously moved on but surely it is about an individual's mindset? It is like all the threads about splitting bills/contributing to shared Christmas meals etc. Or people for whom gift giving is about spending equivalent amounts. I would not dream of asking for £4, even if I was a few days before payday and had emptied my account. Lots of my friends are the same. However some are different and very much about every pound so 'This is what I owe/this is what you owe 'way. Some are struggling, some not- just their mentality.

I personally find lack of generousity in people very unattractive however respect people who prefer to pay their way and others just pay theirs. It is those who are happy to accept the 'odd drink' or happily receive others hospitality without recuperating. They wind even the most generous people up.

Just to add, on a personal note, I have somehow become responsible for birthdays at work. Not an issue in that I like finding presents people like and everyone agreed to a small set contribution so everyone gets a present. Always one or two I need to chase- money not an issue for them but it is pretty soul destroying to chase £4. I may be one of the few on the highest payscale but I am also the only lone parent so probably on the lowest overall household income. It just becomes about the principal really.

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