Should she pay for this night out even though she had Covid?

[Cyclebabble]

Hi just wanted to check my approach before I proceed any further. Four of us were due to see a show three weeks ago. I organised the trip including tickets and a hotel. The bookings were made a number of months ago. Foolishly perhaps I did not ask for immediate payment. My credit card turns over a lot for work and I covered the costs. Two days out one friend sent me WhatsApp message saying that Covid was going round their family and there was a risk they would get it.

On the day of travelling they confirmed they would not be able to go. At this notice, the show/room could not be cancelled. Everyone else settled up. The Covid sufferer did not and a week later I sent a WhatsApp with my account details and asked them to forward on the money.

Since then I have followed up with an email and there has been radio silence. This is not someone I am unduly close to, but is part of my friendship group.

So I think I am right to chase this money. However, before I chase harder AIBU?

Woah that's terrible. It does sound like the horrible bitch decided not to go and used ut as an excuse. Definitely chase up

Yes, she should pay, had she been able to give more notice then maybe you could have got the money back from the show. What does the other 2 people think. Best of luck getting money back, but like you say, next time get the money before you book anything in the future.

Our local theatre has a covid policy
“If you are unable to attend your planned performance due to Covid-related reasons, we will offer you a free exchange or credit note on your booking. If you are feeling unwell with Covid symptoms or have come into close contact with someone who has tested positive we ask that you please do not attend the theatre but contact us for an exchange, credit note or a refund if you are unable to reschedule your visit.”
I would have notified the theatre once I’d heard it was unlikely she could come or advised her to contact the theatre herself.
I agree she should be paying for her ticket but was she expecting you to cancel by telling you two days in advance?

I'd also suspect Covid is an excuse.

Chase, chase and chase again.

Of course she should pay.

She should definitely pay, but good luck trying to make her..

I know there's not much point saying this now, but in future get them to transfer the money BEFORE you buy the tickets.

Would you have offered to refund her if she had already paid? Would she have expected you to refund her if she had already paid? If she had organised the trip and you were the sick one would you have answered the above differently?

I think no , no and no.

Of course she should pay. Is small claims court an option?

100% get the money upfront next time. Lesson learned.

I just had to cancel going to my friends hen weekend due to covid I still paid the £100 as It wasn't fair on the other guests to stump up extra for my share.

I’d be chasing the money; when you commit to something you know that if anything comes up you still pay and why should you foot the cost

YANBU , OP.

This, and other experiences on MN are why I will never now book on anyone else’s behalf until all the cash is forwarded to me! And would always respect the responsibility that others take to book things by repaying them as soon as possible. Not leaving it until the event.

Definitely she should pay.

Definitely put it in the group chat.

YANBU she should pay and if she is having financial difficulties could at least have the decency to tell you and offer a payment plan.

Of course she should pay.

As she's ignored you, I would also put it in the group chat, saying something along the lines of "I have now ended up £xx out of pocket as a result of X not being able to attend. Obviously I can't be expected to pay for this, and X has decided not to pay, has anyone any idea what we should do?" See if she's shamed into it.

I wouldn't dream of leaving anyone out of pocket like this.

She sounds like a.cheeky fucker who was trying to get out of the commitment to pay.

She is a CF and should pay

Why would you assume that? I think it's the opposite for most people. That ticket and cost still goes to waste at no one else fault!/ concern of the person the ticket was intended to.

I agree re putting a message in the group chat.

I’d put a message in the group chat as well. Say you’ve tried to message her several times and thinks that the rest of you should cover the cost, what should we do now? See if she comes back then…

She’s being very unfair to you. She should pay. It’s rotten that she had to miss it due to Covid (IF she had it), but it’s not your fault.

I will only book things for groups if everyone pays upfront. If they want to pay in instalments they can book it separately and organise that themselves.

Was her income affected by having Covid? It sounds as if not if she was out and about but this could be something worth considering. You could ask her when you can expect the money, or whether she needs some more time to pay you, if her income was affected by being unwell.

Could you try calling her for a chat?

I have covid is the new 'I'm washing my hair' and it appears some people will actually use it to get time off from work and also for other last minute cancellations when they change their mind and don't wish to go...

Sounds like she's being a CF. YANBU to chase her for the money. It's unfortunate she was ill (if she actually was...seems rather odd that she was too ill to go out with you on Saturday but was out and about on Sunday), but it's still her responsibility to pay for the ticket and hotel.

Name and shame on your group chat

She needs to pay and claim it back on her travel/household insurance if she can. She shouldn't be leaving you out of pocket. It's not your fault she got Covid (allegedly).