“How much did it cost?”

[OrangeStapler]

I have recently, after over 5 years of saving, purchased a vehicle that is linked to my hobby. It was a lot of money to me, more than I have ever spent on an item before.
I haven’t seen many people yet but the handful I have seen have been very quick to ask how much it cost.
I’m not sure of their motives but I find the situation really uncomfortable and I think unless you are close to someone (these people are not close friends) then you shouldn’t ask.
AIBU?
YABU: it’s fine to ask.
YANBU: you shouldn’t ask.

Anyone got any ideas for what I can say in the future when people ask? Preferably that don’t make me sound equally rude 😄

I think it's rude to ask, why do they need to know. (If anyone really wanted to know they could just Google it though).

i think I would just reply 'enough' if asked. Or 'just what I wanted to pay'.

I'd never ask, its so rude. You can either reply directly 'not saying. None of your business' or go for some small talk cliches like:

'Oh trust me you don't want to know'
'Luckily I know someone who got me a great deal'
'An arm and a leg'
'A lady never discusses money'

I'd just say I'm not telling you/none of you business, with a smile.

there's ways of asking I guess.
If someone said "I'm looking to take my mountain biking (or whatever) to the next level, and wondered about a ball park figure for one of these?" it seems less personally intrusive than a bold "how much mate?"

If I don't want to answer I say "too much - don't make me relive the trauma by going into detail".

Yeh ok, so how much did it cost?

I think it's rude to ask, particularly since it's incredibly easy to Google!!!

You seem to be reacting as if they are asking "how did you afford it" rather than how much it cost. Why is the cost of the item such an issue to disclose?

I’d say “loads” and laugh

I always answer: “Half a million pounds”. For anything someone asks the price of.

@TeapotCollection

I’d say “loads” and laugh

Same

I think the question is rather forward, but if you've only just bought it, won't they be able to find the price out very easily? Or is it a one-off/vintage vehicle?

As to what you should say, perhaps divert the conversation with an indirect answer:

'How much did it cost?'
'Oh, I had to save for it but I think it's worth it to have the one I want. Have you ever thought about getting one?' or similar

I guess it depends how you ask.

I’ve been thinking about a horse box van conversion for a while - a friend at our yard recently bought one and I did sound them out about it. I didn’t just blast out with “Oi, how much mate?” though

They were more than happy to chat to me about it.

Who is asking? If it's people who share your hobby then presumably they may be wondering if they could afford one. I don't think it is necessarily a rude question to ask.

“It cost a lot of saving for 5 years” is as much as I’d be saying!

I suppose it depends how the conversation goes.... if you are saying 'this is my new vehicle' and they launch the question, thats different to "ooo look at my new vehicle! It fits 12 horses, has a roof rack for 8 surfboards, can fit 10 bikes on the side, has sleeping space for 8, kitchen and a jacuzzi" I can imagine people asking the cost!

Oh god the mysterious MN "hobby" this time with an equally mysterious "vehicle". Why? Why not just say "I've just bought a horse box" or whatever. Unless it's a nuclear fusion hovercraft you won't be the only one!

I would ask people I was comfortably with. But if they give an evasive or silly answer, I wouldn’t push it, because I’d assume don’t want to talk about it, and that’s ok.

You can just airily say ‘pah, pocket change’ or ‘an arm and leg’ and then bore on about the technical details until their ears start to bleed and they can’t wait to get away,
If they keep asking!

Genuine question why do you mind people knowing how much it cost? Are you embarrassed about spending so much? You obviously thought it was worth it so why the reticence?
I know people can google prices of things but it’s not always exact and things can change over time.

There are two different things, as others have said.

‘How much did THAT cost?’ in an intrusive, how much money do you have and how are you spending it on that is rude.

‘I love that, how much did it cost?’ meaning I’d really like one myself and wondering if I can afford it isn’t rude - it’s about the questioner themselves and not you.

@BitOutOfPractice

Oh god the mysterious MN "hobby" this time with an equally mysterious "vehicle". Why? Why not just say "I've just bought a horse box" or whatever. Unless it's a nuclear fusion hovercraft you won't be the only one!

Oh I hate this. I've recently changed job and a few people have asked me if I got a pay rise! The answer is I actually moved for a pay cut, but don't really want to explaine that or justify my reasons for doing so.
My mum asks the cost of EVERYTHING. Whether it's a new kitchen, a bag of logs for the woodburner, a new lamp etc etc. I never know what to say!

Ooh I'm intrigued! I'm guessing horse box, bicycle or unicycle.

I think on the whole it's a bit rude to ask but if they too are in the market for a unicycle and are asking nicely then it's ok.

@BitOutOfPractice

Oh god the mysterious MN "hobby" this time with an equally mysterious "vehicle". Why? Why not just say "I've just bought a horse box" or whatever. Unless it's a nuclear fusion hovercraft you won't be the only one!

It's fun guessing though. Golf buggy?

I don't know why people are so weird about money. They're just curious about how much xyz item retails for. I wouldn't think twice about answering tbh.

@Notanotherwindow

I don't know why people are so weird about money. They're just curious about how much xyz item retails for. I wouldn't think twice about answering tbh.

I don't know why people are so weird wanting to know how much everything cost.