to not want to pay for my ticket

[FishintheStream]

I am a member at a museum. I pay a (relatively large) sum of money annually which means myself and a guest can go to exhibitions without paying. I invited a friend to come to an exhibition with me. She said yes please, and then invited a mutual friend to join us. I said to both of them in a group chat that the extra ticket would be £20. They both said that was fine. I booked the tickets and paid the £20. The friend I had originally invited said, “thanks, that’s £6.50 each then” and they both immediately sent me £6.50! I feel so petty quibbling over £7, so I am not going to, but I really feel that I have already paid for the two tickets in the cost of my membership (they are not just “free”) and now I have to pay because my friend invited someone else AND I have ended up 50p more out of pocket because my friend can’t do maths! I will definitely make them buy me coffee and cake on the day, but AIBU to feel a bit put out?

I’d be putting them straight.

‘Friend, I’ve already paid for my ticket as part of my membership. It’s an extra £20 for an extra person to come along. If you’re both splitting the cost, it’s £10 each, not £6.50.’

I'm not normally a grumbler, but in this instance I would have replied that I was going for free as part of the membership and it was up to the two of them how they wanted to pay for the £20, either extra person pay it all or 2 x £10.

You should have just told your friend that your ticket and her ticket were covered by your membership but that her friend would have to pay £20. Why did you even pay for the ticket? Could she not have booked it herself online?

What everyone else said ^

@Marmite27

I’d be putting them straight.

‘Friend, I’ve already paid for my ticket as part of my membership. It’s an extra £20 for an extra person to come along. If you’re both splitting the cost, it’s £10 each, not £6.50.’

I would definitely have done this if I’d seen the message before they sent me the money, but it feels so petty to ask them each to send me £3.50 now.

@Notaroadrunner

You should have just told your friend that your ticket and her ticket were covered by your membership but that her friend would have to pay £20. Why did you even pay for the ticket? Could she not have booked it herself online?

I bought the ticket because they were selling out quickly and we obviously wanted the same timeslot. Plus, they are both my friends, so I didn’t want to choose between them in terms of who had to book/pay for the ticket. I assumed they would be splitting the cost.

To be fair, they probably just haven’t realised… I don’t think you can expect them to know the details of your museum membership.

But if you do want them to know, just reply saying something like, oh it was £10 each, I’ve already paid for my ticket through my membership. Not to worry though, you guys can get the cakes.

If your message hasn’t had any further interaction since they decided the maths then paid I’d go back and correct them. If you’ve stewed on this but continued pleasant text small talk you may have missed your chance. So instead you can say, I didn’t want to ask you both to top me up another £3.50 each but I’ll have a latte and that piece of cake because I’m a member so don’t pay for this extra ticket, happy that my extra free one allows you two to split the cost of the bought one though and will do again in future but just not with me paying for it. I’m talking saying that nicely with a dyswim in there as I re-read and it sounds a bit abrupt. You can do it!

That's really mean of your friend to expect you to pay money towards the extra guest s ticket that she invited along. I know you probably don't want to make things awkward but you should mention you've already paid for your as part of your membership.

You’re not asking them to send you £3.50. You’re asking them to send £10 each. The fact that they ( simultaneously?? ) sent you £6.50 already is nothing to do with you and neither here nor there.

If you can afford to pay a (relatively large) sum of money annually then you are probably not on the breadline.

I think you are being tight. £6.50 to enjoy your friends' company is really not worth getting wound up about.

Try to let it go or you will not enjoy your day out.

@GintyMcGinty

If you can afford to pay a (relatively large) sum of money annually then you are probably not on the breadline.

I think you are being tight. £6.50 to enjoy your friends' company is really not worth getting wound up about.

Try to let it go or you will not enjoy your day out.

Seriously? Why should the OP pay for her friends, why can't they pay to enjoy her company?

You don't say which museum you're going to but going you snap off a bit of a Terracotta Warrior's finger as recompense?

You wouldn't be the first!

No don't do it, really

Can't you just message 'Thanks for the 6.50 but I think you've misunderstood: I already have bought a ticket for x exhibition for myself. The £20 is the extra cost for you two. Obviously I don't want to quibble over 7.00 but perhaps lunch could be on you?! Looking forward to catching up.'

It's a cheek, especially as it would cost them £20 each without you. But in your shoes I'd do the same, it seems silly to ask for £3.50 now.

I wouldn’t acknowledge the money they have sent. Just say actually I have already paid for my admission so it’s £10 each

I think this is really cheeky on your friend to invite someone else and charge you for the privilege. I don't have any friends who would treat me this way. Are you known as someone who doesn't rock the boat? If this isn't a one off definitely speak up!

If they buy coffee and cakes, you might end up in profit!

@GintyMcGinty

If you can afford to pay a (relatively large) sum of money annually then you are probably not on the breadline.

I think you are being tight. £6.50 to enjoy your friends' company is really not worth getting wound up about.

Try to let it go or you will not enjoy your day out.

Well obviously I can, and this is why I’m not going to say anything. But my friends are also well off enough to afford £20 each for tickets. It’s more about the principle of them not noticing that I have ended up effectively paying twice!

@BruceAndNosh

If they buy coffee and cakes, you might end up in profit!

I don’t think coffee and cake will cost over £47!! But yes, I will get my £7 back.

@titchy

Can't you just message 'Thanks for the 6.50 but I think you've misunderstood: I already have bought a ticket for x exhibition for myself. The £20 is the extra cost for you two. Obviously I don't want to quibble over 7.00 but perhaps lunch could be on you?! Looking forward to catching up.'

God the cringe factor in this one is strong 🤪

Send a jokey message now saying your ticket was free, so they owe you cake and coffee on the day. Surely your friend knows the deal you get?

@Marmite27

I’d be putting them straight.

‘Friend, I’ve already paid for my ticket as part of my membership. It’s an extra £20 for an extra person to come along. If you’re both splitting the cost, it’s £10 each, not £6.50.’

This.

Nah you can't say anything. It's way to petty for that much money.

You're absolutely in the right though, cheeky fuckers!

I’d say something because I’d assume my friends wouldn’t want me to pay for their tickets. If I had made the same mistake I’d definitely want to know.
I’d send the message suggested by @Marmite27 Will you be paying for parking at some point? If so you could suggest they pay.
If I was you it would really annoy me if I didn’t say anything.